Hurt, VA to Alexandria, VA is 202.1 miles and takes about 4h 35m via US 29 and I-95, with a fuel budget near $31 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Southeast region, primarily traversing Virginia. You'll encounter a mix of highway driving and surface roads as you head north. Given the relatively short distance and duration, this route is well-suited for a single-day trip, allowing for a relaxed pace.
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
101 miles from Hurt, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 14m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 29
66.7 mi
1h 22m
I 95
41.9 mi
50m
Constitution Highway
21.6 mi
30m
US 29 BUS
15.8 mi
21m
Plank Road
12.7 mi
19m
US 15
8.3 mi
12m
Gordonsville Road
8.2 mi
12m
I 64
5.8 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
US 29
— 66.7 mi, about 1h 22m
Traffic on I-95
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 82 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,913 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~363 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8×
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 Hurt, VA and Alexandria, VA.
1
Start on Prospect Road
0.5 mi·1 min·Prospect Road
2
At end of road, turn right onto SR 924
0.6 mi·1 min·East Hurt Road
3
At end of road, turn left onto SR 668
0.2 mi·19 sec·Ricky Van Shelton Drive
4
Continue on Pittsylvania Avenue
0.5 mi·55 sec·Pittsylvania Avenue
5
Turn right onto 7th Street
1.0 mi·2 min·7th Street
6
Turn left onto US 29 BUS
1.9 mi·3 min·Main Street
7
Take the ramp onto US 29 BUS
16 mi·21 min·US 29 BUS
Toward US 29 North
8
Take the exit onto US 29
6.5 mi·8 min·US 29
Toward US 29 North, US 460 EastUse the straight lane.
9
Take the exit onto US 29
60 mi·1 hr 13 min·US 29
Toward US 29 North: Amherst, CharlottesvilleUse the slight right lane.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward I 64 East
11
Merge onto I 64
5.8 mi·6 min·I 64
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward US 250
13
Keep slight right at fork
445 ft·11 sec
14
Merge onto US 250
2.0 mi·3 min·Richmond Road
15
Turn left onto VA 22
5.3 mi·9 min·Louisa Road
16
Continue on VA 231
8.2 mi·12 min·Gordonsville Road
17
Continue on VA 231
1.4 mi·2 min·Gordon Avenue
18
Enter roundabout onto US 15
46 ft·0 sec·US 15
19
Continue on US 15
8.3 mi·12 min·US 15
20
Turn right onto VA 20
0.7 mi·1 min·Berry Hill Road
21
Continue on VA 20
22 mi·30 min·Constitution Highway
22
Turn right onto VA 3
0.1 mi·10 sec·Germanna Highway
23
Continue on VA 3
13 mi·19 min·Plank Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
24
Take the exit
1.6 mi·3 min
Toward I 95 North: WashingtonUse the left / straight lanes.
25
Merge onto I 95; US 17
1.4 mi·1 min·I 95; US 17
26
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
27
Merge onto I 95
35 mi·41 min·I 95
Use the slight left lane.
28
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
5.5 mi·7 min·I 95
Toward I 95 North, I 495 East: BaltimoreUse the slight left / straight lanes.
29
Keep slight right at fork onto I 95; I 495
2.0 mi·2 min·Capital Beltway (Local)
Toward I 95, I 495: AlexandriaUse the slight right lane.
30
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Exit 177A-BToward US 1: Alexandria, Fort BelvoirUse the slight right lane.
31
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·56 sec
Exit 177BToward US 1 North: Alexandria
32
Merge onto US 1
440 ft·8 sec·Richmond Highway
33
Continue on US 1
0.3 mi·45 sec·South Patrick Street
34
Turn right onto Franklin Street
0.2 mi·28 sec·Franklin Street
Use the right lane.
35
Turn left onto VA 400
0.5 mi·1 min·South Washington Street
Use the left lane.
36
Arrive at destination
VA 400
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 4.5-hour drive, consider departing in the morning to allow for flexibility and avoid peak traffic. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $31, you have the freedom to adjust your schedule. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before heading onto I-95, as service areas can be spaced out. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 66.7 miles on US 29, so plan your break before or after that segment.
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 101 miles from Hurt, VA, or about 2h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 66.7 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 44 miles or 1h in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 101 miles or 2h 14m 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 49m
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 Hurt, 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 Hurt, VA
This is one driving day of about 202.1 miles and 4h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 miles from Hurt, 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 US 29 for about 66.7 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 26
5 decision points cluster between mile 20.5 and 200.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
20.5 mi into trip|~31m in|US 29
Take the exit onto US 29 toward US 29 North, US 460 East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward US 29 North, US 460 East
7
27 mi into trip|~39m in|US 29
Take the exit onto US 29 toward US 29 North: Amherst, Charlottesville
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 29 North: Amherst, Charlottesville
8
192.9 mi into trip|~4h 21m in|I 95
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 toward I 95 North, I 495 East: Baltimore
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Toward I 95 North, I 495 East: Baltimore
8
198.5 mi into trip|~4h 28m in|I 95; I 495 / Capital Beltway (Local)
Keep slight right at fork onto I 95; I 495 / Capital Beltway (Local) toward I 95, I 495: Alexandria
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 95, I 495: Alexandria
8
200.4 mi into trip|~4h 31m in
Take the exit toward US 1: Alexandria, Fort Belvoir
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 177A-B
Toward US 1: Alexandria, Fort Belvoir
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.84 one way
$59.68 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg71 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$32.79
$65.58
premium
$4.49
$35.74
$71.48
diesel
$4.80
$38.16
$76.32
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 70.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
60.6
0
$21.22
$9.70
Efficient EV
50.5
0
$17.68
$8.08
EV Truck/SUV
80.8
1
$28.29
$12.93
Gas CO2
71 kg
EV CO2
24 kg (66% 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 Jul 19, 2026
Origin
Hurt, VA
Late night
in Hurt on Monday
Local time
4:09 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Mostly Cloudy
SW 7 mph13% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Alexandria, VA
Late night
in Alexandria on Monday
Local time
4:09 AM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy
SW 7 mph34% chanceLive 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
1 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 35m 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.
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...
16 mi from route
~40 min detour
Free
near mile 27.9
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...
Just 75 miles from the bustle of Washington, D.C., Shenandoah National Park is a land bursting with cascading waterfalls, spectacular vistas, fields of wildflowers, and quiet wooded hollows. With over...
26 mi from route
~66 min detour
$30
near mile 118.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly highway, with 69% of the route on high-speed roads. You'll have a continuous stretch of 66.7 miles on US 29 before transitioning to other main roads. Expect numerous exits and merges as you approach more populated areas. The shift from US 29 to I-95 will involve a change in traffic density and driving pace.
69% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
36 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 66.7 mi on US 29.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 29 and I 95. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 20.5 miles in near US 29.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 26 significant decision points across 202.1 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 20.5 miles (US 29): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 27 miles (US 29): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 192.9 miles (I 95): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
934 ft37 ft
Total Climb
431 ft
Total Descent
1,129 ft
Highest Point
934 ft
~14.4 mi in
Elevation Range
897 ft
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 Hurt, VA to Alexandria, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Charlottesville along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 35m. Total distance: 202.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 66.7 miles on US 29. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 6 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 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. There are 6 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 20.5 miles (US 29): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 27 miles (US 29): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 192.9 miles (I 95): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Appomattox Court House National Historical Park, Booker T Washington National Monument and Shenandoah National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Alexandria, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
