Gloucester Courthouse, VA to Alexandria, VA is 132.7 miles and takes about 3h 9m via Tidewater Trail and James Madison Parkway, with a fuel budget near $21 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Southeast region, primarily within Virginia, offering a single-day journey. Expect a route that involves frequent turns and local road navigation rather than long stretches of highway. It's a manageable drive for a single day, making it a good option if you're looking for a straightforward trip between these two Virginia locations.
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
66.4 miles from Gloucester Courthouse, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 29m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Tidewater Trail
56 mi
1h 12m
Nice Middleton Bridge
17.6 mi
25m
James Madison Parkway
17.1 mi
23m
George Washington Memorial Highway
14.4 mi
18m
Indian Head Highway
10.2 mi
14m
Middletown Road
4.2 mi
7m
Berry Road
3.9 mi
6m
Capital Beltway (Local)
2.9 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Tidewater Trail
— 56 mi, about 1h 12m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gloucester Courthouse, VA and Alexandria, VA.
1
Start on SR 1014
0.3 mi·1 min·Botetourt Avenue
2
Turn left onto US 17 BUS; VA 14
0.3 mi·49 sec·Main Street
3
Continue on US 17 BUS; VA 14
0.4 mi·1 min·Main Street
4
Turn left onto SR 616
0.2 mi·32 sec·Belroi Road
5
Turn right onto US 17
14 mi·18 min·George Washington Memorial Highway
6
Continue on US 17; VA 33
30 mi·40 min·Tidewater Trail
7
Continue on US 17
0.7 mi·1 min·Church Lane
8
Continue on US 17
26 mi·32 min·Tidewater Trail
9
Turn right onto US 301
0.4 mi·53 sec·A.P. Hill Boulevard
Toward Baltimore
10
Continue on US 301
0.7 mi·1 min·Main Street
11
Continue on US 301
17 mi·23 min·James Madison Parkway
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on US 301
18 mi·25 min·Nice Middleton Bridge
Use the straight lane.
13
Take the exit
277 ft·7 sec
14
Continue on Turkey Hill Road
2.1 mi·5 min·Turkey Hill Road
15
Continue on Middletown Road
1.1 mi·1 min·Middletown Road
16
Enter roundabout onto Middletown Road
158 ft·3 sec·Middletown Road
17
Continue on Middletown Road
3.1 mi·5 min·Middletown Road
Use the straight lane.
18
Turn left onto MD 228
3.9 mi·6 min·Berry Road
19
Continue on MD 210
10 mi·14 min·Indian Head Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.1 mi·19 sec
Toward I 95 South, I 495 South: Alexandria, RichmondUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on this road
516 ft·12 sec·this road
Toward I 95 South, I 495 South: Alexandria, Richmond
22
Merge onto I 95; I 495
2.9 mi·3 min·Capital Beltway (Local)
23
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Exit 177B; 177CToward US 1 North: Alexandria, Mount VernonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·15 sec
Exit 177CToward Mount VernonUse the slight right lane.
25
Turn straight onto Church Street
321 ft·18 sec·Church Street
26
Turn left onto VA 400
0.7 mi·2 min·South Washington Street
27
Arrive at destination
VA 400
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 9m estimated drive time and 132.7-mile distance, you can comfortably complete this trip in a single day. Consider departing in the morning to allow for potential unexpected delays and to make the most of daylight. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in when and where you choose to pause. The longest stretch without a significant turn is 56 miles on the Tidewater Trail, so plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly before entering or after exiting this segment. Keep an eye on your navigation, as the 'turn-heavy' profile means you'll be making frequent directional changes.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 66.4 miles from Gloucester Courthouse, VA, or about 1h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 56 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 29 miles or 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 66.4 miles or 1h 29m 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 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Alexandria, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Gloucester Courthouse, 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 Gloucester Courthouse, VA
This is one driving day of about 132.7 miles and 3h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 miles from Gloucester Courthouse, 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 Tidewater Trail for about 56 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 131.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.3 mi into trip|~1m in|US 17 BUS; VA 14 / Main Street
Turn left onto US 17 BUS; VA 14 / Main Street
Navigation decision point
4
1.1 mi into trip|~3m in|US 17 / George Washington Memorial Highway
Turn right onto US 17 / George Washington Memorial Highway
Navigation decision point
7
128.5 mi into trip|~3h 1m in
Take the exit toward I 95 South, I 495 South: Alexandria, Richmond
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 I 95 South, I 495 South: Alexandria, Ric...
8
131.6 mi into trip|~3h 5m in
Take the exit toward US 1 North: Alexandria, Mount Vernon
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.
Exit 177B; 177C
Toward US 1 North: Alexandria, Mount Vernon
9
131.8 mi into trip|~3h 6m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Mount Vernon
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 177C
Toward Mount Vernon
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.75 one way
$41.50 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg46 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$22.69
$45.38
premium
$4.70
$24.56
$49.12
diesel
$5.61
$29.30
$58.60
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 46.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
39.8
0
$13.93
$6.37
Efficient EV
33.2
0
$11.61
$5.31
EV Truck/SUV
53.1
0
$18.58
$8.49
Gas CO2
46 kg
EV CO2
16 kg (65% 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
Gloucester Courthouse, VA
Morning
in Gloucester Courthouse on Tuesday
Local time
8:23 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Partly Sunny
NW 13 mph6% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued April 20 at 12:51PM EDT until April 21 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Blacksburg VA
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued April 20 at 12:27PM EDT until April 21 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Destination
Alexandria, VA
Morning
in Alexandria on Tuesday
Local time
8:23 AM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
49°F
Bowling Green, VA
66 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
2 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
3h 9m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
George Washington Birthplace National Monument
National Monument
George Washington Birthplace National Monument is located in the Northern Neck of Virginia. It encompasses 551 acres of land where seven generations of the Washington family lived and where George Was...
10 mi from route
~25 min detour
Free
near mile 59.5
On May 13, 1607, Jamestown was established as the first permanent English settlement in North America. Three cultures came together – European, Virginia Indian and African–to create a new society that...
Fort Monroe's story spans from prehistory to the 2000s. Kecoughtan Indians occupied Old Point Comfort before the arrival of English colonists. The first enslaved Africans arrived in 1619. Those escapi...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is characterized as a 'Turn-heavy local drive,' with only 13% of the route on highways. You'll experience a dynamic road profile, moving from the Tidewater Trail, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch at 56 miles, to other roads like the Nice Middleton Bridge and James Madison Parkway. Be prepared for a driving experience that requires more frequent adjustments and attention to navigation due to the numerous turns. The road's personality shifts as you move through different local landscapes.
Only 13% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 56 mi on Tidewater Trail.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near US 17 BUS; VA 14 / Main Street.
Driving Effort6/10
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 132.7 miles you will encounter 13 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 0.3 miles (US 17 BUS; VA 14 / Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.1 miles (US 17 / George Washington Memorial Highway): Navigation decision point; at 128.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
On the drive from Gloucester Courthouse, VA to Alexandria, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Baltimore along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 9m. Total distance: 132.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 56 miles on Tidewater Trail. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Alexandria, 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (US 17 BUS; VA 14 / Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.1 miles (US 17 / George Washington Memorial Highway): Navigation decision point; at 128.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — George Washington Birthplace National Monument, Colonial National Historical Park and Fort Monroe National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Alexandria, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
