Trip from Forest, VA to Richmond, VA

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 41m

Distance

120 mi

193 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$19

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 32 min

4 AM

2h 30m ★

6 AM

2h 41m

8 AM

3h 2m

10 AM

2h 49m

12 PM

2h 46m

3 PM

2h 50m

5 PM

3h 1m

8 PM

2h 35m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

Google Maps Waze Apple Maps

Download GPX

Forest, VA

Alexa Kei

Trip Overview

This 120-mile drive from Forest, VA, to Richmond, VA, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 41 minutes. With a fuel cost estimated at $19, it's an economical option for exploring more of the Southeast region. The route primarily utilizes Anderson Highway, US 501, and VA 24, offering a mixed driving experience. The longest continuous stretch on Anderson Highway is about 36.7 miles, providing a good opportunity to settle in. This journey is straightforward and well-suited for a day trip without needing an overnight stay.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

60 miles from Forest, VA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 18m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Anderson Highway	36.7 mi	48m
US 501	20.6 mi	27m
VA 24	18.9 mi	21m
Powhite Parkway	11.5 mi	15m
East James Anderson Highway	8.1 mi	9m
West James Anderson Highway	7.7 mi	9m
Old Hundred Road	5.1 mi	8m
Forest Road	2.8 mi	4m

Longest stretch: Anderson Highway — 36.7 mi, about 48m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Forest, VA and Richmond, VA.

Start on this road

94 ft · 13 sec · this road

Turn left

105 ft · 8 sec

At end of road, turn right onto US 221

2.8 mi · 4 min · Forest Road

Turn right onto Graves Mill Road

1.5 mi · 3 min · Graves Mill Road

Use the straight lane.

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 29 sec

Use the right lane.

Merge onto US 501

2.5 mi · 3 min · Lynchburg Expressway

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 42 sec

Toward US 501 South, VA 128 East Use the right lane.

Merge onto US 501; VA 128

0.5 mi · 1 min · Candlers Mountain Road

Keep slight left at fork onto US 501

21 mi · 27 min · US 501

Toward US 29 North, US 460 East, US 501 South: Charlottesville, Appomattox, South Boston Use the straight lane.

Take the exit onto VA 24

0.2 mi · 21 sec · VA 24

Toward VA 24 East, VA 131 South: To Route 60, Appomattox

Turn slight left onto VA 24

19 mi · 21 min · VA 24

Continue on US 60

7.7 mi · 9 min · West James Anderson Highway

Continue on US 60

8.1 mi · 9 min · East James Anderson Highway

Continue on US 60

37 mi · 48 min · Anderson Highway

Continue on US 60

0.9 mi · 1 min · Midlothian Turnpike

Turn right onto SR 652

2.5 mi · 3 min · Old Hundred Road

Use the straight lane.

Enter roundabout onto SR 652

147 ft · 5 sec · Old Hundred Road

Continue on SR 652

2.5 mi · 4 min · Old Hundred Road

Use the straight lane.

Continue on VA 76

9.7 mi · 12 min · Powhite Parkway

Use the left / straight lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto VA 76

1.8 mi · 2 min · Powhite Parkway

Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto VA 146

0.4 mi · 36 sec · VA 146

Use the slight right lane.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 24 sec

Toward Maplewood Avenue Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

230 ft · 5 sec

Toward Maplewood Avenue

Turn straight onto Maplewood Avenue

0.1 mi · 32 sec · Maplewood Avenue

At end of road, turn left onto South Sheppard Street

0.1 mi · 29 sec · South Sheppard Street

Turn right onto Idlewood Avenue

0.3 mi · 57 sec · Idlewood Avenue

Use the left / straight / right lanes.

Turn right onto South Robinson Street

305 ft · 11 sec · South Robinson Street

Use the right lane.

Turn left onto Grayland Avenue

0.4 mi · 1 min · Grayland Avenue

Turn left onto South Meadow Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · South Meadow Street

Use the straight lane.

Turn right onto Monument Avenue

0.1 mi · 19 sec · Monument Avenue

Enter roundabout onto Marcus-David Peters Circle

81 ft · 2 sec · Marcus-David Peters Circle

Arrive at destination

Marcus-David Peters Circle

Trip Plan

Given the relatively short duration of 2 hours and 41 minutes for this 120-mile trip, you have flexibility with your departure time. Aiming to leave Forest, VA, in the morning, perhaps before 9 AM, can help you avoid heavier traffic as you get closer to Richmond. With only one recommended stop, you can choose to make it brief or extend it slightly. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially with the estimated $19 cost; while it's not a long haul, knowing the longest stretch is 36.7 miles on Anderson Highway can help you plan your refueling.

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 60 miles from Forest, VA, or about 1h 18m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 36.7 miles.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 26 miles or 38m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 60 miles or 1h 18m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 7m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Richmond, VA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Forest, VA so your first major turns are already loaded.

Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.

Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Forest, VA

This is one driving day of about 120 miles and 2h 41m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Forest, VA.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on Anderson Highway for about 36.7 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

town in Prince Edward and Cumberland counties in Virginia, United States, that is the county seat of Prince Edward County

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Farmville, VA

60 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Appomattox, VA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 26 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Farmville, VA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 60 miles from Forest, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Curbside Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Richmond, Virginia

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 120

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+18043557008

Visit website

821 Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Richmond, Virginia

0.8 mi

Bamboo Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Richmond, Virginia

0.8 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Harrison Street Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Richmond, Virginia

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 120

Hours: 9 am–2 pm

Visit website

Keffiyeh Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Richmond, Virginia

0.8 mi

Cafe Synai

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Richmond, Virginia

1.2 mi

Curbside Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 120

Richmond, Virginia

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+18043557008

Visit website

821 Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 120

Richmond, Virginia

Hours: 9 am–9 pm

+18046491042

Visit website

Bamboo Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 120

Richmond, Virginia

Hours: 12 pm–12 am

+18043531609

Visit website

Greenbriar Cafe and Coffeehouse

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 120

Richmond, Virginia

Hours: 8 am–3 pm

+18043555282

Visit website

Amuse Restaurant VMFA

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour Expensive mile 120

Richmond, Virginia

Hours: 11:30 am–8 pm

+18043401580

Visit website

Southern Serenity Cafe & Tea Room

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 111.4

Richmond, Virginia

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+18042481844

Visit website

Tarrant's Cafe Downtown

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $20 to $30 mile 120

Richmond, Virginia

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+18042250035

Visit website

Chez Foushee Restaurant & Bar

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 120

Richmond, Virginia

Hours: 4:30–9 pm

+18046483225

Visit website

Harrison Street Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 120

Richmond, Virginia

Hours: 9 am–2 pm

Visit website

Keffiyeh Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 111.4

Richmond, Virginia

Hours: 9 am–8 pm

+18045000952

Visit website

Cafe Synai

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 120

Richmond, Virginia

Hours: 12–5 pm

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 120

Richmond, Virginia

+18047888000

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route mile 120

Richmond, Virginia

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 120

Richmond, Virginia

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ICA Shop + Cafe

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 120

Richmond, Virginia

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+18048282823

Visit website

Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour

Lynchburg, Virginia

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+14345251806

Visit website

Byrd Park Pump House

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 120

Richmond, Virginia

+18046465733

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 23

5 decision points cluster between mile 2.8 and 118.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

2.8 mi into trip | ~5m in | Graves Mill Road

Turn right onto Graves Mill Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.

7.1 mi into trip | ~12m in

Take the exit toward US 501 South, VA 128 East

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the right lane. Toward US 501 South, VA 128 East

7.9 mi into trip | ~14m in | US 501

Keep slight left at fork onto US 501 toward US 29 North, US 460 East, US 501 South: Charlottesville, Appomattox, South Boston

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight lane. Toward US 29 North, US 460 East, US 501 South:...

100.9 mi into trip | ~2h 11m in | SR 652 / Old Hundred Road

Turn right onto SR 652 / Old Hundred Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.

118.4 mi into trip | ~2h 36m in | Idlewood Avenue

Turn right onto Idlewood Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left / straight / right lanes.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$18.77 one way

$37.53 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 42 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.34	$20.52	$41.04
premium	$4.70	$22.21	$44.42
diesel	$5.61	$26.49	$52.99

Estimated Tolls: $0.07

Midlothian Turnpike (0.9 mi) $0.07

Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$19

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$44–$69

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 42 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	36	$12.60	$5.76
Efficient EV	30	$10.50	$4.80
EV Truck/SUV	48	$16.80	$7.68

Gas CO2

42 kg

EV CO2

14 kg (67% less)

This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.

DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026

Origin

Forest, VA

Late night in Forest on Sunday

Local time

3:33 AM

EDT

Current temp

79°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Richmond, VA

Late night in Richmond on Sunday

Local time

3:33 AM

EDT

Current temp

72°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Seasonal Notes

Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.

Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.

Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.

Time zone

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

7 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

2h 41m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Appomattox Court House National Historical Park

National Historical Park

On April 9, 1865, the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia in the McLean House in the village of Appomattox Court House, Virginia signaled the effective end of the nation's largest war. Question...

1 mi from route ~4 min detour Free near mile 29

View on nps.gov

Petersburg National Battlefield

National Battlefield

Two hundred ninety-two days, eight offensives, over 70,000 casualties, U. S. Colored Troops, and the decline of Gen. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia all describe the Siege of Petersburg. U.S. forces c...

20 mi from route ~51 min detour Free near mile 107.6

View on nps.gov

Booker T Washington National Monument

National Monument

Booker T. Washington was born a slave in April 1856 on the 207-acre farm of James Burroughs. After the Civil War, Washington became the first principal of Tuskegee Normal and Industrial School. Later...

30 mi from route ~74 min detour Free

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a mixed drive on this 120-mile route, with 46% of it being highway driving. While there are some faster highway sections, you'll also navigate through local roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 36.7 miles on Anderson Highway, allowing for a consistent pace. This variety means the road's personality shifts, moving from more open highway to potentially tighter local routes as you approach Richmond. It's not a purely monotonous interstate cruise but offers a blend of speeds and road types.

46% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.

32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 36.7 mi on Anderson Highway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.8 miles in near Graves Mill Road.

Driving Effort 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 120 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 2.8 miles (Graves Mill Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 7.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7.9 miles (US 501): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Forest, VA and Richmond, VA, road signs point toward Appomattox and Boston.

Appomattox

7.9 mi in | ~14m | via US 501

Boston

7.9 mi in | ~14m | via US 501

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 41m. Total distance: 120 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 41m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (46%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Scenic Drive

Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 36.7 miles on Anderson Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $0.07 in tolls one way, starting with Midlothian Turnpike. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.

It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Richmond, VA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

Yes — Appomattox Court House National Historical Park, Petersburg National Battlefield and Booker T Washington National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Richmond, VA before heading back.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Explore more options from Forest, VA or browse trips ending in Richmond, VA.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse VA road trips.

Trip from Forest, VA to Richmond, VA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Nearby Places

Curbside Cafe

Harrison Street Cafe

Curbside Cafe

821 Cafe

Bamboo Cafe

Greenbriar Cafe and Coffeehouse

Amuse Restaurant VMFA

Southern Serenity Cafe & Tea Room

Tarrant's Cafe Downtown

Chez Foushee Restaurant & Bar

Harrison Street Cafe

Keffiyeh Cafe

Cafe Synai

Calyx Cafe | Lounge

Edin CaFe

Unplugged Games Cafe

Rise & Grind Cafe, Powhatan, VA

Autumn's Catering & Cafe

Tesla Supercharger

Tesla Destination Charger

ChargePoint Charging Station

Blink Charging Station

Tesla Destination Charger

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Science Museum of Virginia

Rage RVA

The Cask Cafe

The Robins Nature Center at Maymont

T. Tyler Potterfield Memorial Bridge

ICA Shop + Cafe

Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest

Byrd Park Pump House

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Forest, VA

Richmond, VA

Same local time

7 degrees cooler at arrival

2h 41m on the road

National Parks Near This Route

Appomattox Court House National Historical Park

Petersburg National Battlefield

Booker T Washington National Monument

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

How do I pay the tolls on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Are there national parks near this route?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

Continue From Richmond, VA

More from Forest, VA

More trips to Richmond, VA