Hillsville, VA to Richmond, VA is 261.5 miles and takes about 4h 54m via I-81, I-77, and I-64, with a fuel budget near $40 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within Virginia, connecting the Southeast region to itself. Given its predominantly highway nature and manageable duration, this trip is well-suited for a single day's travel. Plan for a straightforward drive with minimal complexity.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
130.7 miles from Hillsville, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 27m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 81
139 mi
2h 33m
I 64
99.6 mi
1h 49m
I 77
16.7 mi
19m
West Broad Street
1.5 mi
3m
Carrollton Pike
1.4 mi
2m
West Stuart Drive
0.9 mi
2m
Beltline Expressway
0.7 mi
1m
North Hamilton Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 139 mi, about 2h 33m
Traffic on I-64
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 77 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,245 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,646
Quietest
2 AM
~100 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
22.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hillsville, VA and Richmond, VA.
1
Start on US 221; US 58 BUS
0.9 mi·2 min·West Stuart Drive
2
Continue on US 221; US 58 BUS
1.4 mi·2 min·Carrollton Pike
3
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward I 77 North: Wytheville
4
Merge onto I 77
17 mi·19 min·I 77
5
Take the exit
0.4 mi·56 sec
Toward I 81 North: RoanokeUse the slight right lane.
6
Merge onto I 81; US 11
139 mi·2 hr 33 min·I 81; US 11
Toward I 81 North, US 11 North: RoanokeUse the straight lane.
7
Continue on I 64; I 81
0.3 mi·17 sec·I 64; I 81
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 64
99 mi·1 hr 49 min·I 64
Toward I 64 East: RichmondUse the straight lane.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·14 sec
Exit 186Toward I 195 South: Laburnum AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·16 sec
Toward I 195 SouthUse the straight lane.
11
Continue on I 195
0.7 mi·1 min·Beltline Expressway
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward US 33, US 250: Broad Street, Hamilton StreetUse the slight right lane.
13
Turn straight onto North Hamilton Street
0.2 mi·31 sec·North Hamilton Street
14
Turn left onto US 33; US 250
1.5 mi·3 min·West Broad Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
15
Turn right onto North Allen Avenue
0.1 mi·17 sec·North Allen Avenue
16
Enter roundabout onto Marcus-David Peters Circle
274 ft·7 sec·Marcus-David Peters Circle
17
Arrive at destination
Marcus-David Peters Circle
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 4h 54m drive, aim to depart Hillsville in the morning to maximize daylight. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $40, you can be flexible with your pacing. The longest continuous stretch is 139 miles on I-81, so consider a brief stop before or after this segment for a stretch or to refuel. Since this is a single-day trip, you have the advantage of arriving in Richmond the same day.
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 130.7 miles from Hillsville, VA, or about 2h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 139 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 58 miles or 1h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 130.7 miles or 2h 27m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 59m
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 Hillsville, 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 Hillsville, VA
This is one driving day of about 261.5 miles and 4h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Hillsville, 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 I 81 for about 139 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 19.8 and 259.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
19.8 mi into trip|~24m in|I 81; US 11
Merge onto I 81; US 11 toward I 81 North, US 11 North: Roanoke
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 81 North, US 11 North: Roanoke
7
159 mi into trip|~2h 58m in|I 64
Keep slight right at fork onto I 64 toward I 64 East: Richmond
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 64 East: Richmond
7
258.3 mi into trip|~4h 48m 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
258.5 mi into trip|~4h 48m 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
259.4 mi into trip|~4h 49m 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...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.61 one way
$77.21 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg92 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$42.43
$84.85
premium
$4.49
$46.25
$92.49
diesel
$4.80
$49.38
$98.75
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 91.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
78.5
0
$27.46
$12.55
Efficient EV
65.4
0
$22.88
$10.46
EV Truck/SUV
104.6
1
$36.61
$16.74
Gas CO2
91 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Hillsville, VA
Morning
in Hillsville on Sunday
Local time
6:11 AM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Mostly Cloudy
0 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 2:31AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 2:16AM EDT until July 18 at 7:00PM EDT by NWS Baltimore MD/Washington DC
Destination
Richmond, VA
Morning
in Richmond on Sunday
Local time
6:11 AM
EDT
Current temp
76°F
Patchy Smoke
S 2 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 2:31AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 2:16AM EDT until July 18 at 7:00PM EDT by NWS Baltimore MD/Washington DC
86°F
Buena Vista, VA
131 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
6 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
4h 54m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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.
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...
21 mi from route
~54 min detour
Free
near mile 81.1
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...
25 mi from route
~63 min detour
Free
near mile 261.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is almost entirely highway, with 98% of the route on interstates. You'll encounter a long stretch of 139 miles on I-81, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent cruising. The vast majority of your time will be spent on well-maintained interstates, with only a small fraction involving surface roads. Expect a typical interstate driving experience with frequent exits and varied traffic patterns as you approach Richmond.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 139 mi on I 81.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and I 64. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 19.8 miles in near I 81; US 11.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 261.5 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 19.8 miles (I 81; US 11): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 159 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 258.3 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.
Top landmarks
•Virginia Museum of Fine Arts — art museum in Richmond, Virginia
•Virginia State Capitol — state capitol building of the U.S. state of Virginia
•Monument Avenue — thoroughfare in Richmond, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 54m. Total distance: 261.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 54m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 139 miles on I 81. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 20 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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. There are 20 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 19.8 miles (I 81; US 11): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 159 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 258.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Booker T Washington National Monument and Petersburg National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Richmond, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
