Traveling from Leesburg to Richmond covers 125.2 miles and takes approximately 2 hours and 41 minutes. This highway-focused route is well-suited for a one-day trip, making it an easy excursion for those looking to connect these two Virginia cities. You can expect to spend about $20 on fuel for the journey, which keeps the trip budget-friendly. Because you will be navigating through the Southeast region, anticipate varying traffic patterns as you transition between suburban and metropolitan corridors. While an overnight stay is certainly an option, the duration allows you to complete the trip comfortably in a single day without feeling rushed.
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
62.6 miles from Leesburg, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 28m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
81.8 mi
1h 32m
Dulles Greenway
11.6 mi
13m
Ox Road
8.7 mi
12m
Fairfax County Parkway
7.7 mi
11m
Sully Road
4.6 mi
6m
Route 50
3.2 mi
5m
South King Street
1.1 mi
3m
Hermitage Road
1.1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 81.8 mi, about 1h 32m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Leesburg, VA and Richmond, VA.
1
Start on VA 7 BUS
226 ft·15 sec·East Market Street
2
Turn left onto US 15 BUS
1.1 mi·3 min·South King Street
3
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward VA 7 East, US 15 North: Alexandria, Leesburg BypassUse the left lane.
4
Merge onto US 15; VA 7
0.3 mi·25 sec·Leesburg Bypass
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward VA 267 East: Dulles Airport, WashingtonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on VA 267
12 mi·13 min·Dulles Greenway
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi·55 sec
Exit 9AToward VA 28 South: Dulles Airport, CentrevilleUse the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward VA 28 South: CentrevilleUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto VA 28
4.6 mi·6 min·Sully Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward US 50: Winchester, FairfaxUse the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward US 50 East: FairfaxUse the straight lane.
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward US 50 East: FairfaxUse the right lane.
13
Merge onto US 50
3.2 mi·5 min·Route 50
Use the left lane.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·45 sec
Toward VA 286 South: Fairfax County ParkwayUse the slight right lane.
15
Turn right onto VA 286
7.7 mi·11 min·Fairfax County Parkway
Use the right lane.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Toward VA 123 North: Ox Road
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·24 sec
Toward VA 123 South: Ox Road
18
Turn left onto VA 123
8.7 mi·12 min·Ox Road
Use the left lane.
19
Continue on VA 123
0.9 mi·1 min·Gordon Boulevard
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward I 95 South: Fredericksburg
21
Merge onto I 95
26 mi·30 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
56 mi·1 hr 2 min·I 95
Use the straight lane.
23
Take the exit
0.2 mi·40 sec
Exit 78Toward VA 161: Arthur Ashe BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Turn right onto VA 161
0.2 mi·28 sec·North Arthur Ashe Boulevard
25
Turn left onto Robin Hood Road
0.2 mi·30 sec·Robin Hood Road
26
Turn right onto Hermitage Road
1.1 mi·2 min·Hermitage Road
27
Continue on North Meadow Street
0.2 mi·34 sec·North Meadow Street
28
Turn left onto Monument Avenue
0.1 mi·26 sec·Monument Avenue
29
Enter roundabout onto Marcus-David Peters Circle
81 ft·2 sec·Marcus-David Peters Circle
30
Arrive at destination
Marcus-David Peters Circle
Trip Plan
Planning your departure is essential to manage the traffic density typically found on I-95. Since the total drive time is under three hours, you have the flexibility to leave mid-morning or early afternoon to avoid peak congestion. You should budget for at least one stop during your 125.2-mile journey to stretch your legs and break up the monotony of the interstate. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, though the $20 estimate should cover your needs for the one-way transit. A smart strategy is to check real-time traffic reports for the I-95 corridor before you depart Leesburg, as this specific stretch is prone to delays that can impact your arrival time in Richmond.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 62.6 miles from Leesburg, VA, or about 1h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 81.8 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 28 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 62.6 miles or 1h 28m 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 13m
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 Leesburg, 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 Leesburg, VA
This is one driving day of about 125.2 miles and 2h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Leesburg, 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 95 for about 81.8 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 25
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.1 and 19.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
1.1 mi into trip|~3m in
Take the exit toward VA 7 East, US 15 North: Alexandria, Leesburg Bypass
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward VA 7 East, US 15 North: Alexandria, Lees...
7
1.7 mi into trip|~4m in
Take the exit toward VA 267 East: Dulles Airport, Washington
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 VA 267 East: Dulles Airport, Washington
8
13.7 mi into trip|~18m in
Take the exit toward VA 28 South: Dulles Airport, Centreville
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 9A
Toward VA 28 South: Dulles Airport, Centreville
8
19.6 mi into trip|~27m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 50 East: Fairfax
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward US 50 East: Fairfax
8
19.8 mi into trip|~28m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 50 East: Fairfax
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward US 50 East: Fairfax
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.52 one way
$39.05 round trip
$3.96/gal25.4 MPG avg44 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.43
$21.83
$43.66
premium
$4.78
$23.55
$47.10
diesel
$5.62
$27.72
$55.44
Estimated Tolls: $2.91
Dulles Greenway
(11.6 mi)$2.91
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
$20
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 43.8 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
37.6
0
$13.15
$6.01
Efficient EV
31.3
0
$10.96
$5.01
EV Truck/SUV
50.1
0
$17.53
$8.01
Gas CO2
44 kg
EV CO2
15 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 Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Leesburg, VA
Late night
in Leesburg on Sunday
Local time
12:37 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Richmond, VA
Late night
in Richmond on Sunday
Local time
12:37 AM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny
NW 3 to 10 mph17% chanceLive forecast
85°F
Woodbridge, VA
63 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
37 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
2h 41m 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.
Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail
National Scenic Trail
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!
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Free
Caution: Great Allegheny Passage Erosion Near Confluence, Pennsylvania (Mile Marker 56)
Park Closure: Trail Closure at Veterans Park at Balls Bluff (Leesburg, Virginia)
At the confluence of the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers, on the ancestral home of the Tuscarora and Shawnee people, lies Harpers Ferry. Here you can explore John Brown's Raid against slavery. Find your...
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 125.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a drive defined by high-speed transit, as 74% of your journey takes place on highways. Your route relies on a mix of the Dulles Greenway, Ox Road, and a significant 81.8-mile stretch on I-95. This longest segment on the interstate is where you will spend the bulk of your time, offering a straightforward but high-traffic experience. The personality of the drive shifts from the suburban pace of northern Virginia to the more structured flow of the interstate system. Be prepared for a consistent, utilitarian road experience that prioritizes efficiency over meandering backroads.
74% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 81.8 mi on I 95.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and Dulles Greenway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.1 miles in.
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 25 significant decision points across 125.2 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 1.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 13.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Leesburg, VA and Richmond, VA, road signs point toward Centreville and Fairfax.
Leesburg is in Loudoun County, Virginia. During the War of 1812, Leesburg was used as a temporary capital of the United States when the British occupied Washington.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 41m. Total distance: 125.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 41m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (74%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 81.8 miles on I 95. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $2.91 in tolls one way, starting with Dulles Greenway. 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.
Yes — we found about 1 rest area or service plaza 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 1 rest area along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 13.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail, Harpers Ferry National Historical Park and 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.
