Traveling from Lawrenceville to Richmond, Virginia, is a straightforward 71.7-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 32 minutes. Because the trip is relatively short, it is easily completed as a quick day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $11 on fuel for the one-way trek. You will remain within the Southeast region for the duration of the drive as you transition between these two Virginia hubs. This route is ideal for those who prefer an efficient, highway-focused path rather than a winding backroads excursion.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
35.9 miles from Lawrenceville, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 48m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 85
51.2 mi
1h
Old Stage Road
12.2 mi
17m
Governor Harrison Parkway
2.9 mi
3m
Downtown Expressway
1.6 mi
2m
Lawrenceville Plank Road
1.3 mi
2m
South Meadow Street
0.6 mi
1m
North Main Street
0.4 mi
1m
US 58 Business
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 85
— 51.2 mi, about 1h
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lawrenceville, VA and Richmond, VA.
1
Start on US 58 Business; VA 46
10 ft·5 sec·West Hicks Street
2
Turn left onto US 58 Business; VA 46
0.4 mi·1 min·North Main Street
3
Continue on US 58 Business
1.3 mi·2 min·Lawrenceville Plank Road
4
Take the ramp onto US 58 Business
0.2 mi·21 sec·US 58 Business
5
Merge onto US 58
2.9 mi·3 min·Governor Harrison Parkway
6
Turn left onto SR 712
12 mi·17 min·Old Stage Road
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·42 sec
8
Merge onto I 85
51 mi·1 hr·I 85
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Exit 74AToward VA 195 Toll: Downtown ExpresswayUse the slight right lane.
10
Continue on VA 195
1.6 mi·2 min·Downtown Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward Cash Toll, Meadow StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on this road
373 ft·9 sec·this road
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward Meadow StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Turn right onto South Meadow Street
0.6 mi·1 min·South Meadow Street
15
Turn right onto Monument Avenue
0.1 mi·19 sec·Monument Avenue
16
Enter roundabout onto Marcus-David Peters Circle
81 ft·2 sec·Marcus-David Peters Circle
17
Arrive at destination
Marcus-David Peters Circle
Trip Plan
Since this is a short, 1.5-hour drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time and pace. You won't need to plan for any major stops along the way, as the route is short enough to drive straight through without a scheduled break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before leaving Lawrenceville to ensure you stay within your $11 budget, as gas prices can fluctuate. To make the most of your trip, try to avoid peak rush hour traffic when entering Richmond to ensure you maintain your estimated travel time. Having the ability to complete the drive in under two hours makes this an excellent option for those who value efficiency in their travel plans.
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 35.9 miles from Lawrenceville, VA, or about 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 51.2 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 16 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 35.9 miles or 48m 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 17m
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 Lawrenceville, VA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Lawrenceville, VA
This is one driving day of about 71.7 miles and 1h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Lawrenceville, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 85 for about 51.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
The Exchange Building and Petersburg Visitors Center
4.2
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Around the midpoint, short detour
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
mile 46.1
Petersburg, Virginia
+18048359630
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 17.2 and 71.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
17.2 mi into trip|~26m in|I 85
Merge onto I 85
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
68.4 mi into trip|~1h 26m 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
70.4 mi into trip|~1h 29m 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
70.8 mi into trip|~1h 30m 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
5
71.7 mi into trip|~1h 32m in|Marcus-David Peters Circle
Enter roundabout onto Marcus-David Peters Circle
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.21 one way
$22.42 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg25 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$12.26
$24.52
premium
$4.70
$13.27
$26.54
diesel
$5.61
$15.83
$31.66
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$11
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$36–$61
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 25.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
21.5
0
$7.53
$3.44
Efficient EV
17.9
0
$6.27
$2.87
EV Truck/SUV
28.7
0
$10.04
$4.59
Gas CO2
25 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (68% 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 14, 2026
Origin
Lawrenceville, VA
Morning
in Lawrenceville on Sunday
Local time
7:29 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Richmond, VA
Morning
in Richmond on Sunday
Local time
7:29 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Partly Cloudy
SW 7 mph4% 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
4 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 32m 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.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a trip dominated by highway travel, as 78% of your time on the road will be spent on major thoroughfares. You will navigate a mix of I-85, Old Stage Road, and Governor Harrison Parkway to reach your destination. The most significant portion of your drive occurs on I-85, which accounts for a 51.2-mile uninterrupted stretch. While the highway-heavy profile keeps the pace moving, the transition between the interstate and local roads like Old Stage Road provides a shift in scenery and driving intensity. You should be prepared for a consistent, functional drive that prioritizes speed and directness over technical or winding terrain.
78% 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: 51.2 mi on I 85.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 85 and Old Stage Road. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 17.2 miles in near I 85.
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 71.7 miles you will encounter 11 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 17.2 miles (I 85): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 68.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 70.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 32m. Total distance: 71.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (78%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 51.2 miles on I 85. 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 17.2 miles (I 85): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 68.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 70.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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.
