Hungry Farmer Cafe
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Harrisonburg, Virginia
Hours: 10 am–6 pm
+15404371901
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
7h 19m
Distance
385.7 mi
621 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$60
one way
EV Charging
Good
6 stations
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lebanon, VA
Jo Kassis
Alexandria, VA
Wikimedia Commons
This 385.7-mile drive from Lebanon, VA, to Alexandria, VA, is designed for a single day, taking an estimated 7 hours and 19 minutes of pure driving time. Primarily utilizing I-81 and I-66, with a short segment on US-19, this route is almost entirely highway, making it a straightforward journey through Virginia. With a projected fuel cost of around $60 and plans for two stops, it's an achievable day trip, especially if you get an early start. The highway-focused profile means you'll cover ground efficiently. This trip stays within the Southeast region, offering a consistent travel experience across the state.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
192.8 miles from Lebanon, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 41m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 81 | 275.8 mi | 5h 1m |
| I 66 | 64.1 mi | 1h 11m |
| US 19 | 18.1 mi | 25m |
| Capital Beltway | 12.1 mi | 15m |
| I 77 | 7.1 mi | 7m |
| Capital Beltway (Local) | 2 mi | 2m |
| East Main Street | 1.4 mi | 3m |
| Cummings Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Lebanon, VA and Alexandria, VA.
Start on US 19 Business
Take the ramp
Merge onto US 19
Turn left onto US 11
Turn right onto Preston Street Southwest
At end of road, turn left onto Bradley Street Southwest
At end of road, turn right onto US 58 ALT; VA 75
Take the exit
Merge onto I 81; US 58
Continue on I 77; I 81; US 11; US 52
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81; US 11
Continue on I 64; I 81
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
Take the exit
Continue on I 66
Keep slight right at fork onto I 66
Take the exit
Merge onto I 495
Keep slight right at fork onto I 95; I 495
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto US 1
Continue on US 1
Turn right onto Franklin Street
Turn left onto VA 400
Arrive at destination
Given the 7-hour, 19-minute estimated driving time, starting your journey from Lebanon, VA, before 9 AM is advisable to comfortably reach Alexandria, VA, by evening. With two planned stops, aim for brief breaks to make the most of the daylight. The longest stretch without a major change in road type is 275.8 miles on I-81, so plan a longer pause around the halfway point of that segment to stretch your legs and refuel. The estimated fuel cost of $60 is a good baseline, but always have a little extra for unexpected needs. Since this is a single-day drive, flexibility is key, allowing you to adjust stop times based on your energy levels.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
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 85 miles or 1h 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 192.8 miles or 3h 41m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 6m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Alexandria, VA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Lebanon, 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.
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Lebanon, VA
This is one driving day of about 385.7 miles and 7h 19m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
193 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.
A short stop after about 85 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 192.8 miles from Lebanon, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 81 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 275.8 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Top Restaurant
Harrisonburg, Virginia
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Hours: 10 am–6 pm
+15404371901
Del Ray Café
Alexandria, Virginia
Field & Main Restaurant
Marshall, Virginia
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Harrisonburg, Virginia
Hours: 10 am–6 pm
+15404371901
Near the end, short detour
Alexandria, Virginia
Hours: 9 am–2:30 pm
+17037179151
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Marshall, Virginia
Hours: 5–8:30 pm
+15403648166
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Chantilly, Virginia
Hours: 6 am–3 pm
+17039680010
Near the end, short detour
Chantilly, Virginia
Hours: 7:30 am–2 pm
+17036572700
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Chantilly, Virginia
Hours: 11 am–9 pm
+17033768090
Visit websiteNear the end, ~10 min detour
Alexandria, Virginia
Hours: 8 am–9 pm
+17035674050
Visit websiteNear the end, ~11 min detour
Alexandria, Virginia
Hours: 11 am–10 pm
+17033479300
Visit websiteNear the end, ~9 min detour
Alexandria, Virginia
Hours: 7 am–8 pm
+17032128211
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, ~10 min detour
Harrisonburg, Virginia
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+15404800662
Visit websiteNear the start, ~12 min detour
Abingdon, Virginia
Hours: 7 am–10 pm
+12764777444
Visit websiteLater in the drive, right off the route
Strasburg, Virginia
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18777983752
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Lexington, Virginia
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteLater in the drive, right off the route
Strasburg, Virginia
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18889982546
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Lexington, Virginia
Hours: Open 24 hours
+19499452000
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, ~12 min detour
Salem, Virginia
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, ~11 min detour
Fincastle, Virginia
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18336322778
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Alexandria, Virginia
Hours: 6 am–10 pm
+17032892500
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Alexandria, Virginia
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+17036832007
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Alexandria, Virginia
Hours: 10 am–4 pm
+15712720095
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Oxon Hill, Maryland
Hours: 4–10 pm
+13018428650
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Oxon Hill, Maryland
Hours: 10 am–9:30 pm
+13015501873
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Oxon Hill, Maryland
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18776285427
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Oxon Hill, Maryland
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
Near the end, short detour
Oxon Hill, Maryland
Hours: 5:30 am–10 pm
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
5 decision points cluster between mile 20.9 and 384 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
At end of road, turn right onto US 58 ALT; VA 75 / Cummings Street
Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81; US 11 toward I 81 North, US 11 North: Roanoke
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward I 495 South: Richmond, Alexandria
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
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
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
Regular Gas
$60.31 one way
$120.63 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $65.95 | $131.90 |
| premium | $4.70 | $71.38 | $142.77 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $85.16 | $170.32 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$60
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$85–$110
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 134.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $41 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 115.7 | 1 | $40.50 | $18.51 |
| Efficient EV | 96.4 | 1 | $33.75 | $15.43 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 154.3 | 1 | $54.00 | $24.68 |
Gas CO2
135 kg
EV CO2
45 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Night in Lebanon on Saturday
Local time
9:30 PM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Destination
Night in Alexandria on Saturday
Local time
9:30 PM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
National Historical Park
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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...
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The Potomac River corridor is rich in both history and recreation, offering a chance to both explore your heritage and choose your adventure along the way. Start your journey here!
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience for 95% of this 385.7-mile trip. The character of the drive is defined by its efficiency, with a substantial 275.8-mile stretch on I-81 that allows for consistent speed and minimal interruptions. While you'll encounter I-66 and a brief section of US-19, the overall feel remains that of a journey where covering distance is the primary goal. This isn't a winding, scenic byway; it's a practical transit route designed to get you from point A to point B with minimal fuss. You'll spend most of your time on well-maintained interstates.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and I 66. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 20.9 miles in near US 58 ALT; VA 75 / Cummings Street.
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 19 significant decision points across 385.7 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 20.9 miles (US 58 ALT; VA 75 / Cummings Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 86.2 miles (I 81; US 11): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 369.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Lebanon, VA to Alexandria, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Washington along the way.
Washington
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 19m. Total distance: 385.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 19m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
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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