Richmond, VA to Wise, VA is 355.8 miles and takes about 6h 56m via I 81, I 64, and US Highway 58, with a fuel budget near $54 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Southeast region, making it a straightforward drive through Virginia. You'll spend most of your time on major highways, so expect a relatively consistent pace. It's a good option if you're looking for a single-day drive that gets you from one part of the state to another without excessive complication.
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
177.9 miles from Richmond, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 19m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 81
172.9 mi
3h 9m
I 64
130.2 mi
2h 23m
US Highway 58
14.7 mi
20m
Castlewood Drive
11.1 mi
15m
Porterfield Highway
10.3 mi
14m
Coeburn Mountain Road
5.3 mi
9m
US 19
1.9 mi
2m
I 77
1.3 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 172.9 mi, about 3h 9m
Traffic on I-64
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 154 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,257 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,713
Quietest
2 AM
~102 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
22.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 105 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Richmond, VA and Wise, 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 WestUse the left lane.
8
Merge onto I 64; I 95
0.3 mi·27 sec·Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 64
130 mi·2 hr 23 min·I 64
Exit 79Toward I 64 West, I 195 South: CharlottesvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
117 mi·2 hr 9 min·I 81
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on I 77; I 81; US 52
1.3 mi·1 min·I 77; I 81; US 52
Use the straight lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81; US 52
56 mi·59 min·I 81; US 52
Use the straight lane.
13
Take the exit onto US 58 ALT
0.2 mi·25 sec·US 58 ALT
Toward US 58 Alternate, VA 75: Abingdon, South Holston Dam
14
Turn right onto US 58 ALT; VA 75
0.8 mi·2 min·Cummings Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
15
At end of road, turn left onto Valley Street Northwest
0.3 mi·48 sec·Valley Street Northwest
Use the left lane.
16
At end of road, turn right onto US 58 ALT
0.9 mi·2 min·Russell Road Northwest
Use the right lane.
17
Turn slight right onto US 19; US 58 ALT
10 mi·14 min·Porterfield Highway
18
Continue on US 19; US 58 ALT
1.9 mi·2 min·US 19; US 58 ALT
19
Turn left onto US 58 ALT
15 mi·20 min·US Highway 58
Use the left lane.
20
Continue on US 58 ALT
348 ft·6 sec·Trail of the Lonesome Pine
21
Continue on US 58 ALT
11 mi·15 min·Castlewood Drive
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward VA 72 South
23
Turn right onto VA 72
483 ft·16 sec·VA 72
24
Turn left onto VA 72; VA 158
0.7 mi·1 min·Front Street East
25
Turn sharp right onto VA 72
0.3 mi·31 sec·Laurel Avenue
26
Turn left onto SR 646
0.9 mi·1 min·Wise Mountain Road Northwest
27
Continue on SR 646
5.3 mi·9 min·Coeburn Mountain Road
28
Continue on SR 646
1.0 mi·2 min·Darden Drive
29
At end of road, turn left onto SR 640
174 ft·3 sec·Hurricane Road
Use the left lane.
30
Continue on Park Avenue Northeast
0.2 mi·36 sec·Park Avenue Northeast
31
Turn right onto SR 640
0.1 mi·19 sec·East Main Street
32
Arrive at destination
SR 640
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 6h 56m drive, consider leaving Richmond, VA early in the morning. This allows you ample time to reach Wise, VA before evening, and you can take advantage of the daylight. With only one suggested stop, you have flexibility in pacing; perhaps a midday break around the halfway point. Keep an eye on fuel levels, especially as you approach Wise, as services can become less frequent on the more rural stretches of US Highway 58. A full tank before leaving I 81 is a good idea.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 177.9 miles from Richmond, VA, or about 3h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 172.9 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 78 miles or 1h 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 177.9 miles or 3h 19m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Wise, 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 355.8 miles and 6h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 78 miles from Richmond, 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 81 for about 172.9 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.7 and 307.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
1.7 mi into trip|~4m in|VA 161 / North Arthur Ashe Boulevard
Turn right onto VA 161 / North Arthur Ashe Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
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
2.4 mi into trip|~5m in|I 64
Keep slight right at fork onto I 64 toward I 64 West, I 195 South: Charlottesville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 79
Toward I 64 West, I 195 South: Charlottesville
6
132.6 mi into trip|~2h 29m in|I 81
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
307.8 mi into trip|~5h 42m in|Valley Street Northwest
At end of road, turn left onto Valley Street Northwest
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$55.61 one way
$111.22 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg125 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.35
$60.91
$121.81
premium
$4.72
$66.12
$132.23
diesel
$6.28
$87.91
$175.83
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$56
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$81–$106
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 124.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
106.7
1
$37.36
$17.08
Efficient EV
89
1
$31.13
$14.23
EV Truck/SUV
142.3
1
$49.81
$22.77
Gas CO2
124 kg
EV CO2
42 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 Oct 22, 2026
Origin
Richmond, VA
Late night
in Richmond on Friday
Local time
5:42 AM
EDT
Current temp
39°F
Clear
NW 6 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Coastal Flood Warning
Coastal Flood Warning issued October 22 at 2:38AM EDT until October 22 at 2:00PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Destination
Wise, VA
Late night
in Wise on Friday
Local time
5:42 AM
EDT
Current temp
43°F
Mostly Clear
0 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Coastal Flood Warning
Coastal Flood Warning issued October 22 at 2:38AM EDT until October 22 at 2:00PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
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
4 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
6h 56m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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...
22 mi from route
~56 min detour
Free
near mile 171.8
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is primarily highway cruising, with 90% of the route on major roads like I 81 and I 64. You'll encounter one long stretch of 172.9 miles on I 81 before transitioning to US Highway 58, where the road character will likely change. Expect a high number of exits and potential for merging traffic as you navigate the interstate system for most of the trip.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 172.9 mi on I 81.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and I 64. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.7 miles in near VA 161 / North Arthur Ashe Boulevard.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 355.8 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 1.7 miles (VA 161 / North Arthur Ashe Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.4 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,418 ft213 ft
Total Climb
2,205 ft
Total Descent
211 ft
Highest Point
2,418 ft
~254.2 mi in
Elevation Range
2,205 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Richmond, VA to Wise, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Holston Dam along the way.
Richmond is the capital of Virginia. Richmond has a population of 227,000 (2020) and the adjacent counties of Henrico and Chesterfield combine to create a local population of more than 1.3 million people.
Top landmarks
•Virginia Museum of Fine Arts — art museum in Richmond, Virginia
•Virginia State Capitol — state capitol building of the U.S. state of Virginia
•Monument Avenue — thoroughfare in Richmond, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 56m. Total distance: 355.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 56m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 172.9 miles on I 81. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 29 rest areas or service plazas 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 Wise, 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. There are 29 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.7 miles (VA 161 / North Arthur Ashe Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.4 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Booker T Washington National Monument and Petersburg National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.9 hours each way, a round trip means 13.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Wise, VA before the return drive.
