Trip from Gretna, 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

3h 12m

Distance

140.8 mi

227 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$22

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 35 min

4 AM

3h 1m ★

6 AM

3h 13m

8 AM

3h 36m

10 AM

3h 21m

12 PM

3h 19m

3 PM

3h 22m

5 PM

3h 35m

8 PM

3h 6m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Gretna, VA

ᛟᛞᚨᛚᚹ ᚨᚱᚲᛟᚾᛊᚲᛁ

Trip Overview

Embarking from Gretna, VA, to Richmond, VA, this 140.8-mile journey is a manageable one-day drive, taking approximately 3 hours and 12 minutes. With a fuel cost estimated at $22, it's an economical option for a quick trip. The route primarily follows local roads, including Anderson Highway and Main Street, with only about 23% on highways. Given the relatively short distance and the nature of the drive, it's well-suited for a single day's adventure without feeling rushed. You'll be traveling within the Southeast region, staying within the state of Virginia for the entire trip.

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

70.4 miles from Gretna, VA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 37m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Anderson Highway	36.7 mi	48m
Main Street	25.9 mi	33m
VA 24	18.9 mi	21m
Powhite Parkway	11.5 mi	15m
Village Highway	10.4 mi	19m
Richmond Highway	8.5 mi	11m
East James Anderson Highway	8.1 mi	9m
West James Anderson Highway	7.7 mi	9m

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on SR 792

0.1 mi · 20 sec · Northside Drive

Turn right onto US 29 BUS

26 mi · 33 min · Main Street

Turn right onto VA 24

4.3 mi · 7 min · Colonial Highway

At end of road, turn left onto US 501; VA 24

340 ft · 8 sec · Brookneal Highway

Continue on US 501; VA 24

9.2 mi · 17 min · Village Highway

Enter roundabout onto VA 24

113 ft · 2 sec · Village Highway

Continue on VA 24

1.2 mi · 2 min · Village Highway

Turn right onto US 460; VA 24

8.5 mi · 11 min · Richmond Highway

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

For this 140.8-mile drive, starting your trip in the morning will allow you to arrive in Richmond with ample time to explore or settle in. Since the total duration is just over three hours and there's only one recommended stop, you can easily complete this in a single day. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially before heading out, as the fuel cost is estimated at $22. The longest stretch without significant turns is 36.7 miles on Anderson Highway, which might be a good point to gauge your progress or consider a brief pause if needed.

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 70.4 miles from Gretna, VA, or about 1h 37m 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 31 miles or 42m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 70.4 miles or 1h 37m 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 34m

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 Gretna, 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 Gretna, VA

This is one driving day of about 140.8 miles and 3h 12m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 miles from Gretna, 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.

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Hampden Sydney, VA

70 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

Lynchburg, VA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 31 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Appomattox, VA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 70.4 miles from Gretna, 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 140.8

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 140.8

Hours: 9 am–2 pm

Visit website

Rise & Grind Cafe, Powhatan, VA

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Powhatan, Virginia

0.6 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 140.8

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 140.8

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 140.8

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 140.8

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 140.8

Richmond, Virginia

Hours: 11:30 am–8 pm

+18043401580

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 140.8

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 140.8

Richmond, Virginia

Hours: 4:30–9 pm

+18046483225

Visit website

Cafe Rustika

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour $20 to $30 mile 140.8

Richmond, Virginia

Hours: 4–9 pm

+18042258811

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 140.8

Richmond, Virginia

Hours: 9 am–2 pm

Visit website

Rise & Grind Cafe, Powhatan, VA

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 110.6

Powhatan, Virginia

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+18043726134

Visit website

Cafe Synai

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 140.8

Richmond, Virginia

Hours: 12–5 pm

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 140.8

Richmond, Virginia

+18047888000

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route mile 140.8

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 140.8

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 140.8

Richmond, Virginia

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+18048282823

Visit website

Byrd Park Pump House

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 140.8

Richmond, Virginia

+18046465733

Visit website

Southern mansion: Block cafe, Brewpub, donuts

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 140.8

Richmond, Virginia

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 20

5 decision points cluster between mile 121.7 and 139.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

121.7 mi into trip | ~2h 42m in | SR 652 / Old Hundred Road

Turn right onto SR 652 / Old Hundred Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.

136.5 mi into trip | ~3h 3m in | VA 76 / Powhite Parkway

Keep slight right at fork onto VA 76 / Powhite Parkway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane.

138.3 mi into trip | ~3h 6m in | VA 146

Keep slight right at fork onto VA 146

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane.

138.7 mi into trip | ~3h 6m in

Take the exit toward Maplewood Avenue

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward Maplewood Avenue

139.2 mi into trip | ~3h 8m in | Idlewood Avenue

Turn right onto Idlewood Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left / straight / right lanes.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$22.02 one way

$44.04 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 49 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.34	$24.07	$48.15
premium	$4.70	$26.06	$52.12
diesel	$5.61	$31.09	$62.17

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

$22

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$47–$72

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 49.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	42.2	$14.78	$6.76
Efficient EV	35.2	$12.32	$5.63
EV Truck/SUV	56.3	$19.71	$9.01

Gas CO2

49 kg

EV CO2

16 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 15, 2026

Origin

Gretna, VA

Late night in Gretna on Sunday

Local time

3:58 AM

EDT

Current temp

48°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Richmond, VA

Late night in Richmond on Sunday

Local time

3:58 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

24 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 12m 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...

2 mi from route ~4 min detour Free near mile 53.4

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 131.1

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...

22 mi from route ~54 min detour Free near mile 4.9

View on nps.gov

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

What kind of drive is this?

This drive is best characterized as a turn-heavy local exploration rather than a high-speed interstate cruise. You'll experience a mix of roads, with a significant portion being local streets and highways. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 36.7 miles on Anderson Highway, offering a brief period of more consistent travel before transitioning back to more frequent turns. With only 23% of the route on highways, anticipate a slower pace and more engagement with the local landscape as you navigate through towns and communities.

Only 23% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.

31 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?

8/10

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 121.7 miles in near SR 652 / Old Hundred Road.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 140.8 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 121.7 miles (SR 652 / Old Hundred Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 136.5 miles (VA 76 / Powhite Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 138.3 miles (VA 146): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

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 Gretna, VA to Richmond, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Appomattox along the way.

Appomattox

49.3 mi in | ~1h 12m | via VA 24

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 12m. Total distance: 140.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 12m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads 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.

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 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.

Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Richmond, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.

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

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse VA road trips.

Trip from Gretna, 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

Tarrant's Cafe Downtown

Chez Foushee Restaurant & Bar

Cafe Rustika

Harrison Street Cafe

Rise & Grind Cafe, Powhatan, VA

Cafe Synai

Calyx Cafe | Lounge

Keffiyeh Cafe

Edin CaFe

Unplugged Games Cafe

Autumn's Catering & Cafe

Tesla Destination Charger

ChargePoint Charging Station

Blink Charging Station

Tesla Destination Charger

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

EVgo 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

Byrd Park Pump House

Southern mansion: Block cafe, Brewpub, donuts

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Gretna, VA

Richmond, VA

Same local time

24 degrees warmer at arrival

3h 12m 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?

Are there rest areas 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

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