Origin
Narrows, VA
Late night in Narrows on Sunday
Local time
12:35 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Narrows, 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
4h 41m
Distance
234.8 mi
378 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$37
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 28m
★
6 AM
4h 42m
8 AM
5h 9m
10 AM
4h 51m
12 PM
4h 49m
3 PM
4h 53m
5 PM
5h 7m
8 PM
4h 34m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Narrows, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Spanning 234.8 miles across Virginia, this drive connects Narrows to the state capital of Richmond in approximately 4 hours and 41 minutes. Because the trip is manageable in a single day, you can easily complete it without needing an overnight stay, keeping your travel budget lean with an estimated $38 for fuel. You will primarily navigate via I-64 and I-81, transitioning through the Southeast region from the mountains toward the capital. It is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that prioritizes efficiency over local wandering. Whether you are traveling for business or a change of scenery, this route offers a practical transit 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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
117.4 miles from Narrows, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 29m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 64 | 99.3 mi | 1h 49m |
| I 81 | 79.8 mi | 1h 27m |
| Virginia Avenue | 17 mi | 21m |
| Mount Tabor Road | 9.1 mi | 15m |
| Catawba Valley Drive | 9 mi | 12m |
| Newport Road | 7.7 mi | 12m |
| Pandapas Pond Road | 3.4 mi | 4m |
| Narrows Road | 2.8 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 99.3 mi, about 1h 49m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Narrows, VA and Richmond, VA.
1
Start on VA 100
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Main Street
2
Continue on VA 100
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Narrows Road
3
Turn slight left onto Thomas Drive
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
Thomas Drive
4
Turn right onto US 460
17 mi
·
21 min
·
Virginia Avenue
5
Continue on US 460
3.4 mi
·
4 min
·
Pandapas Pond Road
6
Turn left onto SR 649
392 ft
·
8 sec
·
Coal Bank Hollow Road
7
Continue on SR 649
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Coal Bank Hollow Road
8
At end of road, turn left onto SR 624
9.1 mi
·
15 min
·
Mount Tabor Road
9
Continue on SR 624
7.7 mi
·
12 min
·
Newport Road
10
At end of road, turn right onto VA 311
9.0 mi
·
12 min
·
Catawba Valley Drive
11
Enter roundabout onto VA 419
163 ft
·
2 sec
·
North Electric Road
12
Continue on VA 419
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
North Electric Road
Use the straight lane.
13
Turn left
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Use the left lane.
14
Merge onto I 81
80 mi
·
1 hr 27 min
·
I 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 64
99 mi
·
1 hr 49 min
·
I 64
Toward I 64 East: Richmond
Use the straight lane.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
Exit 186
Toward I 195 South: Laburnum Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
Toward I 195 South
Use the straight lane.
18
Continue on I 195
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Beltline Expressway
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Toward US 33, US 250: Broad Street, Hamilton Street
Use the slight right lane.
20
Turn straight onto North Hamilton Street
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
North Hamilton Street
21
Turn left onto US 33; US 250
1.5 mi
·
3 min
·
West Broad Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
22
Turn right onto North Allen Avenue
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
North Allen Avenue
23
Enter roundabout onto Marcus-David Peters Circle
274 ft
·
7 sec
·
Marcus-David Peters Circle
24
Arrive at destination
Marcus-David Peters Circle
Trip Plan
Since this 4-hour and 41-minute trek is designed for a single-day itinerary, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience. Plan to make at least one stop to break up the monotony of the long highway stretches and ensure you stay alert behind the wheel. Given that your fuel costs will hover around $38, it is wise to top off your tank before leaving Narrows to avoid higher prices along the busiest sections of the interstate. Keep a close eye on your GPS as you transition from Virginia Avenue onto the interstate system, as the shift in speed and traffic volume happens quickly. Taking a consistent, measured approach to your pace will make the 234.8-mile journey feel significantly shorter and more manageable.
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 117.4 miles from Narrows, VA, or about 2h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99.3 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 52 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 117.4 miles or 2h 29m 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 52m
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 Narrows, 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 Narrows, VA
This is one driving day of about 234.8 miles and 4h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 miles from Narrows, 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 64 for about 99.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
117 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 52 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 117.4 miles from Narrows, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 64 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 99.3 miles.
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 155 decision points cluster between mile 52.3 and 232.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
52.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 17m in
Turn left
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
132.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 45m in
|
I 64
Keep slight right at fork onto I 64 toward I 64 East: Richmond
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 64 East: Richmond
7
231.7 mi into trip
|
~4h 35m 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
231.8 mi into trip
|
~4h 35m 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
232.8 mi into trip
|
~4h 36m 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
$36.72 one way
$73.44 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
82 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $40.15 | $80.29 |
| premium | $4.70 | $43.46 | $86.91 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $51.84 | $103.68 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 82.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 70.4 | 0 | $24.65 | $11.27 |
| Efficient EV | 58.7 | 0 | $20.54 | $9.39 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 93.9 | 1 | $32.87 | $15.03 |
Gas CO2
82 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
12:35 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
48°F
Bedford, VA
117 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
4h 41m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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.
Booker T Washington National Monument
National Monument
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...
21 mi from route
~53 min detour
Free
near mile 56.7
View on nps.gov
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...
25 mi from route
~63 min detour
Free
near mile 234.8
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a drive that is heavily weighted toward interstate travel, with highways accounting for 77% of your total mileage. You will spend a significant portion of your time on I-81 and I-64, with the latter featuring a lengthy 99.3-mile stretch that serves as the longest uninterrupted segment of the trip. While the route begins with local navigation on Virginia Avenue, the character of the drive quickly shifts to a consistent, high-speed pace once you merge onto the main arterial roads. It is a functional, efficient drive that requires steady focus rather than technical maneuvering. You will find that the road conditions remain predictable as you transition from the smaller local roads into the major interstate corridors.
77% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 99.3 mi on I 64.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and I 81. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 52.3 miles in.
Driving Effort
6/10
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 234.8 miles you will encounter 15 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 52.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 132.3 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 231.7 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 4h 41m. Total distance: 234.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 41m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (77%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 99.3 miles on I 64. 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 52.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 132.3 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 231.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Booker T Washington National Monument and Petersburg National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Richmond, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Richmond, VA
More from Narrows, VA
More trips to Richmond, VA
Explore more options from Narrows, VA or browse trips ending in Richmond, VA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse VA road trips.