Origin
Pantops, VA
Late night in Pantops on Tuesday
Local time
4:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Pantops, VA to Alexandria, VA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 37m
Distance
110.3 mi
178 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$17
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 27m
★
6 AM
2h 38m
8 AM
2h 58m
10 AM
2h 45m
12 PM
2h 43m
3 PM
2h 46m
5 PM
2h 57m
8 PM
2h 31m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Pantops, VA
Photography Maghradze PH
Alexandria, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 110.3-mile journey from Pantops, VA to Alexandria, VA takes approximately 2 hours and 37 minutes, making it a manageable one-day road trip. You'll primarily travel on I-95 and Constitution Highway, with a portion on Plank Road. The estimated fuel cost for this drive is around $17. This route stays within the Southeast region, offering a consistent driving experience. It's a straightforward trip that doesn't require an overnight stay, allowing for flexibility in your schedule.
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
55.1 miles from Pantops, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 25m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 95 | 41.9 mi | 50m |
| Constitution Highway | 21.6 mi | 30m |
| Plank Road | 12.7 mi | 19m |
| US 15 | 8.3 mi | 12m |
| Gordonsville Road | 8.2 mi | 12m |
| Louisa Road | 5.3 mi | 9m |
| Richmond Road | 3.8 mi | 7m |
| Capital Beltway (Local) | 2 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 41.9 mi, about 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Pantops, VA and Alexandria, VA.
1
Start on VA 20
34 ft
·
6 sec
·
Stony Point Road
2
Turn left onto US 250
3.8 mi
·
7 min
·
Richmond Road
3
Turn left onto VA 22
5.3 mi
·
9 min
·
Louisa Road
4
Continue on VA 231
8.2 mi
·
12 min
·
Gordonsville Road
5
Continue on VA 231
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Gordon Avenue
6
Enter roundabout onto US 15
46 ft
·
0 sec
·
US 15
7
Continue on US 15
8.3 mi
·
12 min
·
US 15
8
Turn right onto VA 20
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Berry Hill Road
9
Continue on VA 20
22 mi
·
30 min
·
Constitution Highway
10
Turn right onto VA 3
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
·
Germanna Highway
11
Continue on VA 3
13 mi
·
19 min
·
Plank Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
12
Take the exit
1.6 mi
·
3 min
Toward I 95 North: Washington
Use the left / straight lanes.
13
Merge onto I 95; US 17
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
I 95; US 17
14
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi
·
1 min
15
Merge onto I 95
35 mi
·
41 min
·
I 95
Use the slight left lane.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
5.5 mi
·
7 min
·
I 95
Toward I 95 North, I 495 East: Baltimore
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 95; I 495
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Capital Beltway (Local)
Toward I 95, I 495: Alexandria
Use the slight right lane.
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Exit 177A-B
Toward US 1: Alexandria, Fort Belvoir
Use the slight right lane.
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
Exit 177B
Toward US 1 North: Alexandria
20
Merge onto US 1
440 ft
·
8 sec
·
Richmond Highway
21
Continue on US 1
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
·
South Patrick Street
22
Turn right onto Franklin Street
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
·
Franklin Street
Use the right lane.
23
Turn left onto VA 400
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South Washington Street
Use the left lane.
24
Arrive at destination
VA 400
Trip Plan
Given the 2 hour and 37 minute duration, starting your drive in the morning is recommended to avoid potential afternoon traffic, especially as you approach Alexandria. With only one planned stop and a fuel cost of approximately $17, this trip is quite efficient. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, particularly before embarking on the longest stretch of 41.9 miles on I-95. This route offers flexibility, so you can decide on your stop based on your needs and the time of day.
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 55.1 miles from Pantops, VA, or about 1h 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 41.9 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 24 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 55.1 miles or 1h 25m 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 10m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Alexandria, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Pantops, 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 Pantops, VA
This is one driving day of about 110.3 miles and 2h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 miles from Pantops, 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 41.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
55 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 24 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 55.1 miles from Pantops, 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 155 decision points cluster between mile 62.1 and 108.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
62.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 35m in
Take the exit toward I 95 North: Washington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
Toward I 95 North: Washington
8
101.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 23m in
|
I 95
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 toward I 95 North, I 495 East: Baltimore
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Toward I 95 North, I 495 East: Baltimore
8
106.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 30m in
|
I 95; I 495 / Capital Beltway (Local)
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
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 95, I 495: Alexandria
8
108.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 33m in
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
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 177A-B
Toward US 1: Alexandria, Fort Belvoir
6
108.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 33m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 1 North: Alexandria
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 177B
Toward US 1 North: Alexandria
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.25 one way
$34.50 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
39 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $18.86 | $37.72 |
| premium | $4.70 | $20.41 | $40.83 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $24.35 | $48.71 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 38.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 33.1 | 0 | $11.58 | $5.29 |
| Efficient EV | 27.6 | 0 | $9.65 | $4.41 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 44.1 | 0 | $15.44 | $7.06 |
Gas CO2
39 kg
EV CO2
13 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.
Destination
Alexandria, VA
Late night in Alexandria on Tuesday
Local time
4:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 37m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Shenandoah National Park
National Park
Just 75 miles from the bustle of Washington, D.C., Shenandoah National Park is a land bursting with cascading waterfalls, spectacular vistas, fields of wildflowers, and quiet wooded hollows. With over...
26 mi from route
~66 min detour
$30
near mile 26.6
Caution: 4/13/26 Fire ban in effect
Caution: Parking at Boundary Access Areas
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a mixed drive on this route, with 46% of it being highway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 41.9 miles on I-95, providing a good opportunity to maintain a consistent speed. As you transition between I-95, Constitution Highway, and Plank Road, the road's character will shift, offering a varied driving experience. This blend of highway and other road types means you'll experience different speeds and road conditions throughout the 110.3-mile distance.
46% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 41.9 mi on I 95.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 62.1 miles in.
Driving Effort
9/10
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 15 significant decision points across 110.3 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 62.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 101.2 miles (I 95): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 106.7 miles (I 95; I 495 / Capital Beltway (Local)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
About the Cities
Arriving in Alexandria, VA
Full guide →Alexandria is a city in Virginia, just outside of Washington, D.C., in the United States.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 37m. Total distance: 110.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 37m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (46%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 41.9 miles on I 95. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Alexandria, 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 62.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 101.2 miles (I 95): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 106.7 miles (I 95; I 495 / Capital Beltway (Local)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Shenandoah National Park. 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 Alexandria, 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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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