Richmond, VA to Woodlawn, VA is 261.5 miles and takes about 4h 56m via I 64, I 81, and I 77, with a fuel budget near $41 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive takes you across Virginia, starting in the Southeast region and ending within the same region. Given its highway-focused profile and single-day recommendation, this trip is best suited for those looking for an efficient transit between these two points. You'll spend nearly all your time on major interstates, making it a straightforward journey.
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
130.7 miles from Richmond, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 27m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
130.2 mi
2h 23m
I 81
110 mi
2h 1m
I 77
12.5 mi
14m
Coulson Church Road
5.2 mi
8m
Hermitage Road
1.1 mi
2m
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
0.3 mi
<1m
North Meadow Street
0.2 mi
<1m
North Arthur Ashe Boulevard
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 130.2 mi, about 2h 23m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Richmond, VA and Woodlawn, 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
110 mi·2 hr 1 min·I 81
Use the straight lane.
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi·49 sec
Toward I 77 South: Charlotte NCUse the slight right lane.
12
Continue on this road
0.4 mi·53 sec·this road
Toward I 77 South: Charlotte NC
13
Continue on I 77
13 mi·14 min·I 77
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·43 sec
Toward SR 620
15
Turn right
118 ft·3 sec
16
Turn right onto SR 620
5.2 mi·8 min·Coulson Church Road
17
Arrive at destination
SR 620
Trip Plan
With a duration of under 5 hours, this trip is easily manageable in a single day, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. Starting early in Richmond, VA, will give you ample daylight to reach Woodlawn, VA, without feeling rushed. You'll want to plan for at least one stop to break up the 4-hour drive, especially considering the longest stretch is over 2 hours. Keep an eye on your fuel levels; while the estimated cost is $41, it's always wise to top off before embarking on the 130.2-mile segment on I 64.
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 130.7 miles from Richmond, VA, or about 2h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 130.2 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 58 miles or 1h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 130.7 miles or 2h 27m 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 59m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Woodlawn, 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 261.5 miles and 4h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 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 64 for about 130.2 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.7 and 242.5 — 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.
6
242.5 mi into trip|~4h 31m in
Take the exit toward I 77 South: Charlotte NC
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 77 South: Charlotte NC
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.89 one way
$81.79 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg92 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$44.71
$89.42
premium
$4.70
$48.40
$96.80
diesel
$5.61
$57.74
$115.47
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 91.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
59 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
Tesla Destination Charger
Richmond, Virginia
Tesla Destination
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Richmond, Virginia
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Salem, Virginia
Tesla
1 DCFC
Tesla Destination Charger
Richmond, Virginia
Tesla Destination
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Richmond, Virginia
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Lexington, Virginia
Tesla
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Salem, Virginia
Tesla
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Richmond, Virginia
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
ChargePoint: 23
Other: 12
Tesla Destination: 8
Blink: 6
Tesla: 4
Electrify America: 2
EVgo: 2
EV Connect: 2
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
78.5
0
$27.46
$12.55
Efficient EV
65.4
0
$22.88
$10.46
EV Truck/SUV
104.6
1
$36.61
$16.74
Gas CO2
91 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (66% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Richmond, VA
Late night
in Richmond on Sunday
Local time
12:50 AM
EDT
Current temp
93°F
Sunny
SW 12 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 16 at 1:12PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 16 at 9:43AM EDT until April 16 at 7:00PM EDT by NWS Baltimore MD/Washington DC
Destination
Woodlawn, VA
Late night
in Woodlawn on Sunday
Local time
12:50 AM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
72°F
Amherst, VA
131 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
47 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
4h 56m 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
~54 min detour
Free
near mile 180.3
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?
Expect a highway-focused drive for 97% of this route, meaning you'll be on interstates for the vast majority of your travel. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 130.2 miles on I 64, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent speed. This profile suggests a journey where the focus is on covering distance rather than exploring specific roadside scenery. The route is designed for efficient travel, primarily utilizing major federal highways.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 130.2 mi on I 64.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and I 81. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.7 miles in near VA 161 / North Arthur Ashe Boulevard.
Driving Effort5/10
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 261.5 miles you will encounter 11 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 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.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 56m. Total distance: 261.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 130.2 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Woodlawn, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
