Origin
Louisa, VA
Late night in Louisa on Sunday
Local time
4:45 AM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Louisa, VA to Richmond, VA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 9m
Distance
55.6 mi
90 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 4m
★
6 AM
1h 10m
8 AM
1h 21m
10 AM
1h 13m
12 PM
1h 12m
3 PM
1h 14m
5 PM
1h 20m
8 PM
1h 6m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Louisa, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling from Louisa to Richmond is a straightforward 55.5-mile journey that typically takes about 58 minutes. Because the trip is short, you can easily complete it as a one-day excursion without needing an overnight stay. You will navigate primarily via West Main Street, Courthouse Road, and I-195 South to reach your destination. With an estimated fuel cost of just $9, this is an incredibly budget-friendly way to move between these two Virginia locations. Both towns are situated within the Southeast region, offering a consistent feel as you transition from the smaller community of Louisa into the urban center of Richmond. It is a practical, efficient route that serves as a perfect day trip for those looking to travel between these two points with minimal time and expense.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 64 | 43 mi | 47m |
| Courthouse Road | 8.8 mi | 13m |
| West Broad Street | 1.5 mi | 3m |
| Beltline Expressway | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| West Main Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| North Hamilton Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| North Allen Avenue | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Marcus-David Peters Circle | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 43 mi, about 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Louisa, VA and Richmond, VA.
1
Start on this road
25 ft
·
2 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left
136 ft
·
12 sec
3
Turn right onto US 33; VA 22
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
·
West Main Street
4
Turn right onto VA 208
8.8 mi
·
13 min
·
Courthouse Road
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
6
Merge onto I 64
43 mi
·
47 min
·
I 64
Use the straight lane.
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
Exit 186
Toward I 195 South: Laburnum Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
Toward I 195 South
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on I 195
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Beltline Expressway
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Toward US 33, US 250: Broad Street, Hamilton Street
Use the slight right lane.
11
Turn straight onto North Hamilton Street
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
North Hamilton Street
12
Turn left onto US 33; US 250
1.5 mi
·
3 min
·
West Broad Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
13
Turn right onto North Allen Avenue
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
North Allen Avenue
14
Enter roundabout onto Marcus-David Peters Circle
274 ft
·
7 sec
·
Marcus-David Peters Circle
15
Arrive at destination
Marcus-David Peters Circle
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
28 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 12 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 27.8 miles from Louisa, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 115 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 53.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 33; VA 22 / West Main Street
Turn right onto US 33; VA 22 / West Main Street
Navigation decision point
5
9.5 mi into trip
|
~14m in
|
I 64
Merge onto I 64
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
52.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 2m 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
52.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 3m 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
53.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 4m 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
$8.69 one way
$17.39 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
20 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $9.51 | $19.01 |
| premium | $4.70 | $10.29 | $20.58 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $12.28 | $24.55 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$9
Estimated CO2 emission: 19.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 63% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 16.7 | 0 | $5.84 | $2.67 |
| Efficient EV | 13.9 | 0 | $4.87 | $2.22 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 22.2 | 0 | $7.78 | $3.56 |
Gas CO2
19 kg
EV CO2
7 kg (63% 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.
Destination
Richmond, VA
Late night in Richmond on Sunday
Local time
4:45 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
5 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 9m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate haul. You will spend 0% of your time on traditional highways, as the route relies on local roads and street navigation to cover the distance. This character makes for a more engaged experience behind the wheel, requiring you to pay attention to your turns as you navigate off the main thoroughfares. Because there is no single longest stretch of highway, the road maintains a consistent, localized rhythm throughout the nearly hour-long transit. You should be prepared for a drive that prioritizes local connectivity over high-speed travel, ensuring you stay alert as you navigate the transition from rural Louisa to the heart of Richmond.
79% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 43 mi on I 64.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and Courthouse Road. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 33; VA 22 / West Main Street.
Driving Effort
5/10
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 55.6 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: near the start (US 33; VA 22 / West Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 9.5 miles (I 64): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 52.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 9m. Total distance: 55.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (79%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 43 miles on I 64. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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: near the start (US 33; VA 22 / West Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 9.5 miles (I 64): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 52.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Richmond, VA before heading back.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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