This straightforward 78.5-mile drive from Franklin, VA, to Richmond, VA, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 1 hour and 49 minutes. The route utilizes a mix of major highways and local roads, with about 50% of the journey on highways. Given the relatively short distance and estimated fuel cost of $12, it’s an economical option for a quick excursion. You'll be traveling within the Southeast region of Virginia for the entire trip, making for a consistent regional experience. This drive is ideal if you're looking for an efficient way to get from point A to point B without needing an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
39.3 miles from Franklin, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 58m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
32.8 mi
40m
Jerusalem Plank Road
17.7 mi
24m
Plank Road
10.2 mi
13m
Courtland Road
4.1 mi
5m
Clay Street
2.4 mi
5m
Southampton Parkway
2.3 mi
3m
Camp Parkway
2.2 mi
3m
Main Street
1.9 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 32.8 mi, about 40m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Franklin, VA and Richmond, VA.
1
Start on North Main Street
0.1 mi·29 sec·North Main Street
2
Turn left onto US 58 BUS; US 258 BUS
0.2 mi·35 sec·West 4th Avenue
3
Turn right onto US 58 BUS
2.4 mi·5 min·Clay Street
4
Continue on US 58 BUS
2.1 mi·2 min·Camp Parkway
5
Continue on Camp Parkway
406 ft·9 sec·Camp Parkway
6
Turn right onto US 58
2.3 mi·3 min·Southampton Parkway
7
Take the exit onto US 58 BUS
0.2 mi·33 sec·US 58 BUS
8
Enter roundabout onto US 58 BUS
80 ft·1 sec·Jerusalem Road
9
Continue on US 58 BUS
0.8 mi·1 min·Jerusalem Road
10
Continue on US 58 BUS
1.9 mi·4 min·Main Street
11
Continue on VA 35
10 mi·13 min·Plank Road
12
Continue on VA 35
18 mi·24 min·Jerusalem Plank Road
13
Continue on VA 35
4.1 mi·5 min·Courtland Road
14
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward I 95 North: Petersburg
15
Merge onto I 95
5.1 mi·5 min·I 95
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
28 mi·34 min·I 95
Toward I 95 North: Petersburg, RichmondUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Exit 74AToward VA 195 Toll: Downtown ExpresswayUse the slight right lane.
18
Continue on VA 195
1.6 mi·2 min·Downtown Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward Cash Toll, Meadow StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Continue on this road
373 ft·9 sec·this road
21
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward Meadow StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Turn right onto South Meadow Street
0.6 mi·1 min·South Meadow Street
23
Turn right onto Monument Avenue
0.1 mi·19 sec·Monument Avenue
24
Enter roundabout onto Marcus-David Peters Circle
81 ft·2 sec·Marcus-David Peters Circle
25
Arrive at destination
Marcus-David Peters Circle
Trip Plan
For this 1-hour and 49-minute drive, flexibility is key. You can easily depart at your convenience, but consider avoiding peak rush hour times in and around Richmond. With only 78.5 miles and an estimated fuel cost of $12, you won't need many stops, but it's always wise to take breaks as needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before embarking on the 32.8-mile stretch on I-95, as services might be less frequent than on local roads. A practical tip: ensure your vehicle is in good condition before you leave, as the mixed drive profile means you'll encounter varied road surfaces and conditions.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 39.3 miles from Franklin, VA, or about 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 32.8 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 17 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 39.3 miles or 58m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 32m
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 Franklin, VA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Franklin, VA
This is one driving day of about 78.5 miles and 1h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Franklin, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 95 for about 32.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 77.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|US 58 BUS; US 258 BUS / West 4th Avenue
Turn left onto US 58 BUS; US 258 BUS / West 4th Avenue
Navigation decision point
8
47.6 mi into trip|~1h 8m in|I 95
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 toward I 95 North: Petersburg, Richmond
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 95 North: Petersburg, Richmond
7
75.3 mi into trip|~1h 43m in
Take the exit toward VA 195 Toll: Downtown Expressway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 74A
Toward VA 195 Toll: Downtown Expressway
7
77.2 mi into trip|~1h 46m in
Take the exit toward Cash Toll, Meadow Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Cash Toll, Meadow Street
8
77.6 mi into trip|~1h 46m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Meadow Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Meadow Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.28 one way
$24.55 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg28 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$13.42
$26.84
premium
$4.70
$14.53
$29.06
diesel
$5.61
$17.33
$34.66
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 27.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
23.6
0
$8.24
$3.77
Efficient EV
19.6
0
$6.87
$3.14
EV Truck/SUV
31.4
0
$10.99
$5.02
Gas CO2
27 kg
EV CO2
9 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 20, 2026
Origin
Franklin, VA
Morning
in Franklin on Tuesday
Local time
8:21 AM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Richmond, VA
Morning
in Richmond on Tuesday
Local time
8:21 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
52°F
Waverly, VA
39 mi in
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
19 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 49m 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.
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...
6 mi from route
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 54.2
Park Closure: Eastern Front Tour Road south of Route 36 - Closed
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
The drive presents a mixed profile, balancing interstate travel with more local road segments. You'll spend approximately 50% of your time on highways, including a notable stretch of 32.8 miles on I-95, which offers faster travel. Beyond the interstate, expect to navigate roads like Jerusalem Plank Road and Plank Road, which will likely offer a different driving experience. This blend means you'll encounter both quicker, more direct travel and potentially slower, more varied scenery as you transition between road types. The character of the drive shifts as you progress, offering a dynamic journey.
50% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 32.8 mi on I 95.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
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 0.1 miles in near US 58 BUS; US 258 BUS / West 4th Avenue.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 78.5 miles you will encounter 14 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 0.1 miles (US 58 BUS; US 258 BUS / West 4th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 47.6 miles (I 95): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 75.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Richmond is the capital of Virginia. Richmond has a population of 227,000 (2020) and the adjacent counties of Henrico and Chesterfield combine to create a local population of more than 1.3 million people.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 49m. Total distance: 78.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (50%). 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 32.8 miles on I 95. 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 0.1 miles (US 58 BUS; US 258 BUS / West 4th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 47.6 miles (I 95): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 75.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
