Stuart, VA to Alexandria, VA is 312.7 miles and takes about 6h 10m via I 81 and I 66, with a fuel budget near $48 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Virginia, traversing the Southeast region on a predominantly highway route. You'll experience a straightforward drive, ideal for a single-day trip. Plan for a steady pace as you cover the distance, making it a practical option for getting from point A to point B efficiently.
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
156.3 miles from Stuart, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 12m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 81
185.8 mi
3h 24m
I 66
64.1 mi
1h 11m
Woolwine Highway
16.3 mi
24m
Capital Beltway
12.1 mi
15m
Webbs Mill Road North
10 mi
14m
Riner Road
9.1 mi
14m
Parkway Lane South
6 mi
8m
Jeb Stuart Highway
3.4 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 185.8 mi, about 3h 24m
Traffic on I-81
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 87 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,721 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,249
Quietest
2 AM
~248 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Stuart, VA and Alexandria, VA.
1
Start on US 58 BUS
0.5 mi·1 min·East Blue Ridge Street
2
Turn left onto US 58
3.4 mi·5 min·Jeb Stuart Highway
3
Turn right onto VA 8
8.8 mi·13 min·Woolwine Highway
4
Continue on VA 8
7.5 mi·11 min·Woolwine Highway
5
Continue on VA 8
6.0 mi·8 min·Parkway Lane South
6
Continue on VA 8
0.6 mi·1 min·South Locust Street
7
Continue on VA 8
10 mi·14 min·Webbs Mill Road North
8
Continue on VA 8
9.1 mi·14 min·Riner Road
9
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward I 81 North: RoanokeUse the right lane.
10
Merge onto I 81
107 mi·1 hr 58 min·I 81
Use the straight lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
79 mi·1 hr 26 min·I 81
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi·47 sec
Toward I 66 East: Front Royal, Washington
13
Continue on I 66
43 mi·46 min·I 66
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 66
21 mi·25 min·I 66
Use the straight lane.
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi·41 sec
Exit 64AToward I 495 South: Richmond, AlexandriaUse the right lane.
16
Merge onto I 495
12 mi·15 min·Capital Beltway
Use the straight / slight right 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: AlexandriaUse the slight right lane.
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Exit 177A-BToward US 1: Alexandria, Fort BelvoirUse the slight right lane.
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·56 sec
Exit 177BToward 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 6h 10m estimated drive time, leaving Stuart, VA in the morning allows ample time to reach Alexandria, VA before evening. With only one recommended stop, you can decide if you want to break up the 185.8-mile stretch on I 81 or push through to Alexandria. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $48, and plan your refueling accordingly, especially before heading onto the longer interstate segments. This drive is manageable in a single day, offering flexibility in your departure time.
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 156.3 miles from Stuart, VA, or about 3h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 185.8 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 69 miles or 1h 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 156.3 miles or 3h 12m 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 2m
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 Stuart, 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 Stuart, VA
This is one driving day of about 312.7 miles and 6h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 69 miles from Stuart, 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 185.8 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 46 and 311 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
46 mi into trip|~1h 9m in
Take the ramp toward I 81 North: Roanoke
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 81 North: Roanoke
6
275.1 mi into trip|~5h 22m in|I 66
Keep slight right at fork onto I 66
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
296.5 mi into trip|~5h 47m in
Take the exit toward I 495 South: Richmond, Alexandria
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 64A
Toward I 495 South: Richmond, Alexandria
8
309 mi into trip|~6h 4m 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
311 mi into trip|~6h 6m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$46.17 one way
$92.33 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg109 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$50.73
$101.47
premium
$4.49
$55.30
$110.60
diesel
$4.80
$59.04
$118.09
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$46
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 109.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
93.8
1
$32.83
$15.01
Efficient EV
78.2
0
$27.36
$12.51
EV Truck/SUV
125.1
1
$43.78
$20.01
Gas CO2
109 kg
EV CO2
37 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Stuart, VA
Late night
in Stuart on Sunday
Local time
2:59 AM
EDT
Current temp
93°F
Patchy Smoke
E 3 mph7% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Alexandria, VA
Late night
in Alexandria on Sunday
Local time
2:59 AM
EDT
Current temp
91°F
Smoke
NW 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
86°F
Buena Vista, VA
156 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
2 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
6h 10m 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.
Cedar Creek & Belle Grove National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley has a long and rich heritage that still inspires today. Native Americans first shaped the land, followed by colonists and settlers. The fertile valley became an important...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 226.4
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...
15 mi from route
~38 min detour
$30
near mile 194.1
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 75.5
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!
22 mi from route
~56 min detour
Free
near mile 291.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is primarily highway, with 82% of the driving on interstates like I 81 and I 66. You'll encounter a significant stretch of 185.8 miles on I 81, offering consistent cruising. The remaining portion will be on surface roads, likely starting around mile 260, where you'll notice more frequent exits and potentially slower speeds as you approach your destination in Alexandria.
82% 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: 185.8 mi on I 81.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and I 66. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 46 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
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 14 significant decision points across 312.7 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 46 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 275.1 miles (I 66): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 296.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,507 ft37 ft
Total Climb
1,897 ft
Total Descent
3,200 ft
Highest Point
2,507 ft
~22.3 mi in
Elevation Range
2,470 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 Stuart, VA to Alexandria, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Washington along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 10m. Total distance: 312.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 10m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 185.8 miles on I 81. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 23 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 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. There are 23 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 46 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 275.1 miles (I 66): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 296.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Cedar Creek & Belle Grove National Historical Park, Shenandoah National Park and Booker T Washington National Monument (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.2 hours each way, a round trip means 12.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Alexandria, VA before the return drive.
