Origin
Franklin, VA
Morning in Franklin on Sunday
Local time
6:20 AM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Franklin, 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
1h 21m
Distance
68.1 mi
110 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$11
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 15m
★
6 AM
1h 22m
8 AM
1h 34m
10 AM
1h 26m
12 PM
1h 25m
3 PM
1h 27m
5 PM
1h 34m
8 PM
1h 18m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Franklin, VA
Gaby Lopez
Trip Overview
Traveling from Franklin to Richmond is a straightforward 68.1-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 21 minutes. Because this is a quick trip within the Southeast region of Virginia, it is perfect for a single-day excursion without the need for an overnight stay. You can expect to spend roughly $11 on fuel for the round trip, making it a very budget-friendly transit. The route relies heavily on major thoroughfares, ensuring a direct path between these two points. Whether you are heading north for business or leisure, this drive offers a reliable and efficient connection through the state.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 64 | 61.7 mi | 1h 8m |
| Richmond Road | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| West Broad Street | 1.5 mi | 3m |
| Stony Point Road | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Beltline Expressway | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Cason Farm Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| North Hamilton Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| North Allen Avenue | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 61.7 mi, about 1h 8m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Franklin, VA and Richmond, VA.
1
Start on Cason Farm Road
0.2 mi
·
59 sec
·
Cason Farm Road
2
Turn left onto VA 20
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Stony Point Road
3
Turn left onto US 250
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Richmond Road
4
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward I 64 East
5
Merge onto I 64
62 mi
·
1 hr 8 min
·
I 64
Use the straight lane.
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
Exit 186
Toward I 195 South: Laburnum Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
Toward I 195 South
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on I 195
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Beltline Expressway
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Toward US 33, US 250: Broad Street, Hamilton Street
Use the slight right lane.
10
Turn straight onto North Hamilton Street
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
North Hamilton Street
11
Turn left onto US 33; US 250
1.5 mi
·
3 min
·
West Broad Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
12
Turn right onto North Allen Avenue
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
North Allen Avenue
13
Enter roundabout onto Marcus-David Peters Circle
274 ft
·
7 sec
·
Marcus-David Peters Circle
14
Arrive at destination
Marcus-David Peters Circle
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
34 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 15 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 34.1 miles from Franklin, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 64 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 61.7 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 95 decision points cluster between mile 3.2 and 68.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
3.2 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
I 64
Merge onto I 64
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
64.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 14m in
Take the exit toward I 195 South: Laburnum Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 186
Toward I 195 South: Laburnum Avenue
8
65.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 15m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 195 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 195 South
7
66.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 16m in
Take the exit toward US 33, US 250: Broad Street, Hamilton Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 33, US 250: Broad Street, Hamilton St...
5
68.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 21m in
|
Marcus-David Peters Circle
Enter roundabout onto Marcus-David Peters Circle
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$10.65 one way
$21.30 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
24 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $11.64 | $23.29 |
| premium | $4.70 | $12.60 | $25.21 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $15.04 | $30.07 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$11
Estimated CO2 emission: 23.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 20.4 | 0 | $7.15 | $3.27 |
| Efficient EV | 17 | 0 | $5.96 | $2.72 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 27.2 | 0 | $9.53 | $4.36 |
Gas CO2
24 kg
EV CO2
8 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.
Destination
Richmond, VA
Morning in Richmond on Sunday
Local time
6:20 AM
EDT
Current temp
93°F
Sunny
SW 12 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
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
34 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 21m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a focused, highway-centric experience where 92% of your time is spent on high-speed roads. You will spend the vast majority of your journey—61.7 miles to be exact—on I-64, which dictates the pace of the trip. The transition from the interstate onto Richmond Road and West Broad Street marks your final approach into the city. While the drive is largely a consistent interstate grind, it offers a functional and predictable ride. Stay alert as you exit the highway, as the character of the road shifts from fast-moving traffic to the busier local streets of the Richmond area.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 61.7 mi on I 64.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and Richmond Road. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 3.2 miles in near I 64.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 68.1 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 3.2 miles (I 64): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 64.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 65.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 21m. Total distance: 68.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 61.7 miles on I 64. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.2 miles (I 64): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 64.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 65.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Petersburg National Battlefield. 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.
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