Traveling from Martinsville to Richmond covers 175.1 miles through the Southeast, making for a manageable 3-hour and 53-minute journey. Because the route stays within Virginia and is relatively short, it functions perfectly as a single-day trip, requiring no overnight stays. You should budget approximately $28 for fuel to complete the transit. The path primarily utilizes local roads like Kings Highway, West Patrick Henry Highway, and Philpott Road rather than major interstates. Expect a turn-heavy local drive that favors rural exploration over high-speed transit. This trip is an excellent choice if you prefer a slower pace and want to avoid the typical congestion found on larger, more heavily trafficked highways.
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
87.6 miles from Martinsville, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 57m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Kings Highway
39.7 mi
47m
West Patrick Henry Highway
24.6 mi
31m
Philpott Road
19.7 mi
25m
James D Hagood Highway
14.5 mi
18m
US 58
14.5 mi
17m
Hull Street Road
14.2 mi
20m
Powhite Parkway
10.3 mi
13m
A L Philpott Highway
9 mi
12m
Longest stretch:
Kings Highway
— 39.7 mi, about 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Martinsville, VA and Richmond, VA.
1
Start on Walnut Street
255 ft·14 sec·Walnut Street
2
At end of road, turn left onto East Church Street
2.0 mi·5 min·East Church Street
3
Continue on US 58 BUS; VA 57
9.0 mi·12 min·A L Philpott Highway
4
Continue on US 58
8.9 mi·11 min·Martinsville Highway
5
Take the exit onto US 58
14 mi·17 min·US 58
Toward US 58 East
6
Take the exit onto US 58
0.3 mi·38 sec·US 58
Toward US 58 East, US 360 East: South Boston
7
Merge onto US 58; US 360
2.9 mi·5 min·South Boston Road
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on US 58; US 360
5.3 mi·7 min·South Boston Highway
9
Continue on US 58; US 360
20 mi·25 min·Philpott Road
10
Continue on US 58; US 360
0.7 mi·1 min·Bill Tuck Highway
11
Turn left onto US 360
1.7 mi·2 min·John Randolph Boulevard
Use the left lane.
12
Continue on US 360
15 mi·18 min·James D Hagood Highway
13
Continue on US 360
40 mi·47 min·Kings Highway
14
Merge onto US 360; US 460
1.5 mi·2 min·West Colonial Trail Highway
15
Keep slight left at fork onto US 360
25 mi·31 min·West Patrick Henry Highway
16
Continue on US 360
14 mi·20 min·Hull Street Road
Use the straight lane.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward VA 288 North: Powhite Parkway
18
Merge onto VA 288
2.1 mi·2 min·World War II Veterans Memorial Highway
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Toward VA 76: Lucks Lane, Old Hundred RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward VA 76 Toll North: Powhite Parkway, RichmondUse the slight right lane.
21
Merge onto VA 76
8.5 mi·10 min·Powhite Parkway
Use the straight lane.
22
Keep slight right at fork onto VA 76
1.8 mi·2 min·Powhite Parkway
Use the slight right lane.
23
Keep slight right at fork onto VA 146
0.4 mi·36 sec·VA 146
Use the slight right lane.
24
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward Maplewood AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight left at fork
230 ft·5 sec
Toward Maplewood Avenue
26
Turn straight onto Maplewood Avenue
0.1 mi·32 sec·Maplewood Avenue
27
At end of road, turn left onto South Sheppard Street
0.1 mi·29 sec·South Sheppard Street
28
Turn right onto Idlewood Avenue
0.3 mi·57 sec·Idlewood Avenue
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
29
Turn right onto South Robinson Street
305 ft·11 sec·South Robinson Street
Use the right lane.
30
Turn left onto Grayland Avenue
0.4 mi·1 min·Grayland Avenue
31
Turn left onto South Meadow Street
0.6 mi·1 min·South Meadow Street
Use the straight lane.
32
Turn right onto Monument Avenue
0.1 mi·19 sec·Monument Avenue
33
Enter roundabout onto Marcus-David Peters Circle
81 ft·2 sec·Marcus-David Peters Circle
34
Arrive at destination
Marcus-David Peters Circle
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour and 53-minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule without needing an early dawn start. Since the route includes one recommended stop, use that break to stretch your legs and refuel, keeping your $28 gas budget in mind. Because this is a turn-heavy route, rely on your navigation system to monitor your path through the various local road transitions. Avoid rushing the technical sections, as the winding nature of the roads makes steady pacing much more comfortable for both the driver and passengers. Take advantage of the trip's manageable length to enjoy a relaxed pace that allows you to arrive in Richmond refreshed rather than fatigued.
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 87.6 miles from Martinsville, VA, or about 1h 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 39.7 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 39 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 87.6 miles or 1h 57m 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 6m
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 Martinsville, 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 Martinsville, VA
This is one driving day of about 175.1 miles and 3h 53m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from Martinsville, 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 Kings Highway for about 39.7 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 23
5 decision points cluster between mile 34.4 and 173.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
34.4 mi into trip|~46m in|US 58; US 360 / South Boston Road
Merge onto US 58; US 360 / South Boston Road
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
63 mi into trip|~1h 26m in|US 360 / John Randolph Boulevard
Turn left onto US 360 / John Randolph Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
161.6 mi into trip|~3h 31m in
Take the exit toward VA 76: Lucks Lane, Old Hundred Road
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 76: Lucks Lane, Old Hundred Road
8
161.8 mi into trip|~3h 32m in
Keep slight right at fork toward VA 76 Toll North: Powhite Parkway, Richmond
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward VA 76 Toll North: Powhite Parkway, Richm...
7
173.5 mi into trip|~3h 48m in|Idlewood Avenue
Turn right onto Idlewood Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.38 one way
$54.76 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg61 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$29.94
$59.88
premium
$4.70
$32.41
$64.81
diesel
$5.61
$38.66
$77.32
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 61.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
52.5
0
$18.39
$8.40
Efficient EV
43.8
0
$15.32
$7.00
EV Truck/SUV
70
0
$24.51
$11.21
Gas CO2
61 kg
EV CO2
20 kg (67% 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
Martinsville, VA
Afternoon
in Martinsville on Sunday
Local time
3:01 PM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Richmond, VA
Afternoon
in Richmond on Sunday
Local time
3:01 PM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Mostly Clear
SW 3 to 12 mph3% chanceLive forecast
72°F
Victoria, VA
88 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
18 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
3h 53m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Prepare for a hands-on driving experience, as this route is characterized by its turn-heavy local layout rather than a monotonous interstate grind. With only 14% of the trip spent on highways, you will spend the vast majority of your time navigating secondary roads that demand your full attention. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 39.7-mile segment along Kings Highway, offering a brief window of steady driving. As you transition between these local arteries, the road conditions shift frequently, requiring you to stay alert through winding sections. It is a technical drive that rewards those who enjoy navigating the landscape rather than simply watching it blur by at highway speeds.
Only 14% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 39.7 mi on Kings Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 34.4 miles in near US 58; US 360 / South Boston Road.
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 23 significant decision points across 175.1 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 34.4 miles (US 58; US 360 / South Boston Road): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 63 miles (US 360 / John Randolph Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 161.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,020 ft213 ft
Total Climb
294 ft
Total Descent
1,102 ft
Highest Point
1,020 ft
Elevation Range
807 ft
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 53m. Total distance: 175.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 53m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 39.7 miles on Kings Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 34.4 miles (US 58; US 360 / South Boston Road): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 63 miles (US 360 / John Randolph Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 161.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Richmond, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
