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Trip from Richmond, VA to Great Falls, VA

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 18m

Distance

113.2 mi

182 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$18

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 28 min
4 AM
2h 9m ★
6 AM
2h 18m
8 AM
2h 37m
10 AM
2h 25m
12 PM
2h 23m
3 PM
2h 26m
5 PM
2h 36m
8 PM
2h 12m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Great Falls, VA, VA

Great Falls, VA

Wilson Rodriguez

Trip Overview

This 113.2-mile drive from Richmond, VA, to Great Falls, VA, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 18 minutes to complete. The majority of your journey, about 79% of it, will be on highways, specifically the Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike and I-95, before transitioning to the Capital Beltway. With an estimated fuel cost of $18, this route is quite budget-friendly for a day out. Given its relatively short duration and highway-focused profile, it's an efficient way to travel between these two points within the Southeast region of Virginia. You won't need to worry about breaking up the drive with an overnight stay.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

56.6 miles from Richmond, VA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 5m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike 53.1 mi 58m
I 95 36.6 mi 43m
Capital Beltway 10.5 mi 12m
Leesburg Pike 3.2 mi 4m
Walker Road 2 mi 4m
Dulles Toll Road 1.1 mi 1m
Hermitage Road 1.1 mi 2m
Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway 0.6 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike — 53.1 mi, about 58m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Richmond, VA and Great Falls, VA.

1

Start on Marcus-David Peters Circle

525 ft · 14 sec · Marcus-David Peters Circle
2

Continue on Monument Avenue

0.1 mi · 25 sec · Monument Avenue
3

Turn right onto North Meadow Street

0.2 mi · 29 sec · North Meadow Street
4

Continue on Hermitage Road

1.1 mi · 2 min · Hermitage Road
5

Turn left onto Robin Hood Road

0.2 mi · 32 sec · Robin Hood Road
Toward VA 161: Arthur Ashe Boulevard
6

Turn right onto VA 161

0.2 mi · 29 sec · North Arthur Ashe Boulevard
Use the left lane.
7

Turn left

0.2 mi · 24 sec
Toward I 95 North, I 64 West Use the left lane.
8

Merge onto I 64; I 95

0.3 mi · 27 sec · Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
9

Keep slight left at fork onto I 95

53 mi · 58 min · Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Keep slight right at fork onto I 95; US 17

1.6 mi · 1 min · I 95; US 17
11

Keep slight left at fork

1.0 mi · 1 min
12

Merge onto I 95

35 mi · 41 min · I 95
Use the slight left lane.
13

Keep slight right at fork onto I 395

0.6 mi · 52 sec · Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
Exit 170A; 170B Toward I 395 North, I 495 North: Washington, Tysons Corner Use the straight / slight left lanes.
14

Take the exit

1.4 mi · 1 min
Exit 170B Toward I 495 North: Tysons Corner Use the slight right lane.
15

Merge onto I 495

1.0 mi · 1 min · Capital Beltway
16

Keep slight right at fork onto I 495

9.5 mi · 11 min · Capital Beltway
Use the straight lane.
17

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 39 sec
Exit 45 Toward VA 267 Toll West: Reston, Herndon, Dulles Airport Use the slight left lane.
18

Merge onto VA 267

1.1 mi · 1 min · Dulles Toll Road
19

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 22 sec
20

Merge onto VA 267

263 ft · 4 sec · Dulles Toll Road
21

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 36 sec
Exit 16 Toward VA 7: Tysons Corner, Leesburg, Leesburg Pike Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22

Keep slight right at fork

0.1 mi · 17 sec
Toward VA 7 West: Leesburg Pike, Leesburg Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
23

Merge onto VA 7

3.2 mi · 4 min · Leesburg Pike
24

Turn right onto SR 743

0.5 mi · 1 min · Colvin Run Road
Use the right lane.
25

Turn right onto SR 681

2.0 mi · 4 min · Walker Road
26

Turn right onto VA 193

26 ft · 0 sec · Georgetown Pike
Use the right lane.
27

Arrive at destination

VA 193

Trip Plan

For this 2-hour and 18-minute drive, leaving early in the morning can help you avoid some of the Capital Beltway's potential congestion. With no designated stops in the data, you can be flexible with your timing, but it's always wise to fuel up before you leave Richmond. The estimated fuel cost is around $18, so keep an eye on your gauge. Since this is a straightforward, highway-centric trip, your main consideration will be managing traffic as you approach Great Falls, especially if you're traveling during peak hours. Keep your longest stretch of 53.1 miles on the Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike in mind as a good time to check your navigation and ensure you're on the correct path for the Capital Beltway.

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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 56.6 miles from Richmond, VA, or about 1h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 53.1 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 25 miles or 30m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 56.6 miles or 1h 5m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 48m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Great Falls, VA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Richmond, 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 Richmond, VA

This is one driving day of about 113.2 miles and 2h 18m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Richmond, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike for about 53.1 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

town in Prince William County, Virginia

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Dumfries, VA

57 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

Glen Allen, VA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 25 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Fredericksburg, VA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 56.6 miles from Richmond, 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.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Katie's Coffee House

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Great Falls, Virginia

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20 mile 113.2

Hours: 7–11:30 am

+17037592759

Visit website

Curbside Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Richmond, Virginia

0.6 mi

821 Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Richmond, Virginia

0.8 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Harrison Street Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Richmond, Virginia

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 9 am–2 pm

Visit website

Dubai Girls Cafe

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Glen Allen, Virginia

1 mi

Cafe Synai

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Richmond, Virginia

1.2 mi

Katie's Coffee House

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20 mile 113.2

Great Falls, Virginia

Hours: 7–11:30 am

+17037592759

Visit website

Curbside Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Richmond, Virginia

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+18043557008

Visit website

821 Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Richmond, Virginia

Hours: 9 am–9 pm

+18046491042

Visit website

Bamboo Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Richmond, Virginia

Hours: 12 pm–12 am

+18043531609

Visit website

Lebanese Taverna

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $20 to $30 mile 105.1

McLean, Virginia

Hours: 11:30 am–9 pm

+17038475244

Visit website

Greenbriar Cafe and Coffeehouse

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10

Richmond, Virginia

Hours: 8 am–3 pm

+18043555282

Visit website

Tropical Smoothie Cafe

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour Inexpensiv mile 48.5

Fredericksburg, Virginia

Hours: 7 am–11 pm

+15407107025

Visit website

Amuse Restaurant VMFA

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour Expensive

Richmond, Virginia

Hours: 11:30 am–8 pm

+18043401580

Visit website

Harrison Street Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Richmond, Virginia

Hours: 9 am–2 pm

Visit website

Dubai Girls Cafe

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 8.1

Glen Allen, Virginia

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+18044001505

Cafe Synai

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10

Richmond, Virginia

Hours: 12–5 pm

+18048161419

Calyx Cafe | Lounge

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10

Richmond, Virginia

Visit website

Merge Cafe (Stafford)

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 64.7

Stafford, Virginia

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+15404264142

Visit website

Curitiba Art Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 56.6

Fredericksburg, Virginia

Hours: 10 am–7 pm

Visit website

Lil Cow Cafe Bistro

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20 mile 97

Burke, Virginia

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+17038520544

Visit website

Autumn's Catering & Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour Inexpensiv mile 8.1

Richmond, Virginia

Hours: 9:30 am–4:30 pm

+18045916191

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour

Richmond, Virginia

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18046449871

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour

Richmond, Virginia

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

3.3 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour

Richmond, Virginia

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Richmond, Virginia

+18047888000

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route

Richmond, Virginia

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.3 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

Richmond, Virginia

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour

Richmond, Virginia

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+18887584389

Visit website

EVgo Charging Station

3.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour

Richmond, Virginia

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

Visit website

Virginia Welcome Center at Fredericksburg

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 56.6

Fredericksburg, VA

Hours: 8:30 am–5 pm

+15407868344

Visit website

2 stars hotel

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Early in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 24.3

Ruther Glen, Virginia

Science Museum of Virginia

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour

Richmond, Virginia

Hours: 9:30 am–5 pm

+18048641400

Visit website

National Museum of the Marine Corps

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour Moderately mile 72.8

Triangle, Virginia

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

Visit website

Rage RVA

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour

Richmond, Virginia

Hours: 1–8 pm

+18043093410

Visit website

The Cask Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Richmond, Virginia

Hours: 12–9 pm

+18043552402

Visit website

The Robins Nature Center at Maymont

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour

Richmond, Virginia

Hours: Closed

+18045259000

Visit website

Fredericksburg Nationals

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 56.6

Fredericksburg, Virginia

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+15408584242

Visit website

Lake Accotink Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 97

Springfield, Virginia

Hours: 6:30 am–5 pm

+17035693464

Visit website

Gari Melchers Home and Studio

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 56.6

Falmouth, Virginia

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+15406541015

Visit website

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 1.9 and 107.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

8
1.9 mi into trip | ~4m in

Turn left toward I 95 North, I 64 West

Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the left lane. Toward I 95 North, I 64 West
9
92.7 mi into trip | ~1h 48m in | I 395 / Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 395 / Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway toward I 395 North, I 495 North: Washington, Tysons Corner

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight left lanes. Exit 170A; 170B Toward I 395 North, I 495 North: Washington, Ty...
8
105.3 mi into trip | ~2h 4m in

Take the exit toward VA 267 Toll West: Reston, Herndon, Dulles Airport

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left lane. Exit 45 Toward VA 267 Toll West: Reston, Herndon, Dulle...
9
107.1 mi into trip | ~2h 6m in

Take the exit toward VA 7: Tysons Corner, Leesburg, Leesburg Pike

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. Exit 16 Toward VA 7: Tysons Corner, Leesburg, Leesburg...
9
107.4 mi into trip | ~2h 7m in

Keep slight right at fork toward VA 7 West: Leesburg Pike, Leesburg

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward VA 7 West: Leesburg Pike, Leesburg

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$17.70 one way

$35.40 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 40 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $19.36 $38.71
premium $4.70 $20.95 $41.90
diesel $5.61 $24.99 $49.99

Estimated Tolls: $3.92

Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike (52.8 mi) $3.69
Dulles Toll Road (1.1 mi) $0.23

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

$18

Tolls

$4

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$47–$72

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 39.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 34 0 $11.89 $5.43
Efficient EV 28.3 0 $9.91 $4.53
EV Truck/SUV 45.3 0 $15.85 $7.24

Gas CO2

40 kg

EV CO2

13 kg (68% 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

Richmond, VA

Late night in Richmond on Sunday

Local time

1:59 AM

EDT

Current temp

65°F

Mostly Clear

SW 3 to 12 mph 3% chance Live forecast

Destination

Great Falls, VA

Late night in Great Falls on Sunday

Local time

1:59 AM

EDT

Current temp

76°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

11 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 18m 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

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!

16 mi from route ~41 min detour Free near mile 113.2
Caution: Great Allegheny Passage Erosion Near Confluence, Pennsylvania (Mile Marker 56)
Park Closure: Trail Closure at Veterans Park at Balls Bluff (Leesburg, Virginia)
View on nps.gov
Petersburg National Battlefield

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
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 highway-focused drive for most of this 113.2-mile journey. You'll spend a significant 79% of your time on major interstates like the Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike and I-95. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 53.1 miles on the Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike, offering a good period of consistent driving. While primarily a highway experience, the route eventually leads you onto the Capital Beltway, which can bring increased traffic and complexity as you near your destination. This drive is built for efficiency rather than scenic detours.

79% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 53.1 mi on Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike and I 95. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.9 miles in.

Driving Effort 10/10

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 113.2 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 1.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 92.7 miles (I 395 / Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 105.3 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 Richmond, VA and Great Falls, VA, road signs point toward Tysons Corner, Herndon, Dulles Airport and Leesburg.

Tysons Corner

92.7 mi in | ~1h 48m | via I 395

Herndon

105.3 mi in | ~2h 4m

Dulles Airport

105.3 mi in | ~2h 4m

Leesburg

107.1 mi in | ~2h 6m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 18m. Total distance: 113.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (79%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 53.1 miles on Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $3.92 in tolls one way, starting with Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike. 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 Great Falls, 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. There are 1 rest area along the route for bathroom stops.

The main spots that need attention: at 1.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 92.7 miles (I 395 / Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 105.3 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 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 Great Falls, 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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Continue From Great Falls, VA

Norfolk, VA 200.4 mi · 4h 2m Hampton, VA 185.4 mi · 3h 39m McLean, VA 7.8 mi · 16m

More from Richmond, VA

Gate City, VA 346.5 mi · 6h 30m Woodlawn, VA 261.5 mi · 4h 56m Cloverdale, VA 175.9 mi · 3h 17m Basye, VA 138.9 mi · 3h 10m Broadlands, VA 124.6 mi · 2h 31m Front Royal, VA 124.1 mi · 2h 40m

More trips to Great Falls, VA

Portsmouth Heights, VA 202 mi Newport News, VA 178.1 mi Charlottesville, VA 108.3 mi Alexandria, VA 27 mi Arlington, VA 15.6 mi
Escape planner: Richmond, VA Scenic drives in VA

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