This 118.3-mile drive from Sugarland Run, VA to Richmond, VA is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 28 minutes. You'll primarily navigate major arteries like I-95, the Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway, and the Capital Beltway, making for a straightforward journey within the Southeast region of Virginia. With an estimated fuel cost of $19, this route offers an economical option for a quick transition between these two points. Its mixed drive profile means you'll experience a bit of everything, but the relatively short duration makes it ideal for a spontaneous outing or a planned commute.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
59.1 miles from Sugarland Run, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 19m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
55.7 mi
1h 2m
Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
35.7 mi
42m
Capital Beltway
10.1 mi
12m
Leesburg Pike
9.5 mi
14m
Dulles Toll Road
1.4 mi
1m
Hermitage Road
1.1 mi
2m
Augusta Drive
0.8 mi
2m
North Cottage Road
0.4 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 55.7 mi, about 1h 2m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sugarland Run, VA and Richmond, VA.
1
Start on this road
112 ft·10 sec·this road
2
Turn right
71 ft·10 sec
3
Turn left onto SR 1724
0.4 mi·1 min·North Cottage Road
4
Continue on SR 1724
0.1 mi·30 sec·South Cottage Road
5
Turn left onto SR 1760
0.2 mi·40 sec·Seneca Ridge Drive
6
Turn right onto SR 2700
0.8 mi·2 min·Augusta Drive
7
At end of road, turn left onto VA 7
9.5 mi·14 min·Leesburg Pike
Use the left lane.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward VA 267 Toll East: WashingtonUse the slight right lane.
9
Merge onto VA 267
0.2 mi·14 sec·Dulles Toll Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto VA 267
1.2 mi·1 min·Dulles Toll Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit 18AToward I 495 South: RichmondUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 18AToward I 495 South: Richmond
13
Merge onto I 495
10 mi·12 min·Capital Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 57AToward I 95 South: RichmondUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward I 95 South, SR 644 East: Richmond, FranconiaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·33 sec
Toward I 95 South: Richmond
17
Merge onto I 395
36 mi·42 min·Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
56 mi·1 hr 2 min·I 95
Use the straight lane.
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi·40 sec
Exit 78Toward VA 161: Arthur Ashe BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Turn right onto VA 161
0.2 mi·28 sec·North Arthur Ashe Boulevard
21
Turn left onto Robin Hood Road
0.2 mi·30 sec·Robin Hood Road
22
Turn right onto Hermitage Road
1.1 mi·2 min·Hermitage Road
23
Continue on North Meadow Street
0.2 mi·34 sec·North Meadow Street
24
Turn left onto Monument Avenue
0.1 mi·26 sec·Monument Avenue
25
Enter roundabout onto Marcus-David Peters Circle
81 ft·2 sec·Marcus-David Peters Circle
26
Arrive at destination
Marcus-David Peters Circle
Trip Plan
Given the 2 hour and 28 minute duration, departing Sugarland Run, VA in the morning or mid-afternoon can help you avoid the heaviest traffic. This 118.3-mile trip is best tackled in one go, as there are no recommended stops, and the fuel cost is a modest $19. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before embarking on the longest stretch of 55.7 miles on I-95, to ensure a smooth arrival in Richmond. Since this is a relatively short drive, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time based on real-time traffic conditions.
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 59.1 miles from Sugarland Run, VA, or about 1h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 55.7 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 26 miles or 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 59.1 miles or 1h 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 2h 1m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Richmond, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Sugarland Run, 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 Sugarland Run, VA
This is one driving day of about 118.3 miles and 2h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Sugarland Run, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 95 for about 55.7 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 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 11.1 and 116.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
11.1 mi into trip|~19m in
Take the exit toward VA 267 Toll East: Washington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward VA 267 Toll East: Washington
7
12.8 mi into trip|~22m in
Take the exit toward I 495 South: Richmond
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 18A
Toward I 495 South: Richmond
7
23.6 mi into trip|~36m in
Take the exit toward I 95 South: Richmond
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 57A
Toward I 95 South: Richmond
8
24.1 mi into trip|~37m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 South, SR 644 East: Richmond, Franconia
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 95 South, SR 644 East: Richmond, Franc...
7
116.2 mi into trip|~2h 23m in
Take the exit toward VA 161: Arthur Ashe Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 78
Toward VA 161: Arthur Ashe Boulevard
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.50 one way
$37.00 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg41 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$20.23
$40.45
premium
$4.70
$21.89
$43.79
diesel
$5.61
$26.12
$52.24
Estimated Tolls: $0.28
Dulles Toll Road
(1.4 mi)$0.28
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
$19
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
35.5
0
$12.42
$5.68
Efficient EV
29.6
0
$10.35
$4.73
EV Truck/SUV
47.3
0
$16.56
$7.57
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 kg (66% 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 20, 2026
Origin
Sugarland Run, VA
Late night
in Sugarland Run on Tuesday
Local time
4:11 AM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Richmond, VA
Late night
in Richmond on Tuesday
Local time
4:11 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
51°F
Woodbridge, VA
59 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
21 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 28m 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.
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!
11 mi from route
~28 min detour
Free
Caution: Great Allegheny Passage Erosion Near Confluence, Pennsylvania (Mile Marker 56)
Park Closure: Trail Closure at Veterans Park at Balls Bluff (Leesburg, Virginia)
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
near mile 118.3
At the confluence of the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers, on the ancestral home of the Tuscarora and Shawnee people, lies Harpers Ferry. Here you can explore John Brown's Raid against slavery. Find your...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway experience on this route, with 47% of the drive utilizing major interstates. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 55.7 miles on I-95, offering a chance to settle into a steady pace. This mixed drive profile suggests periods of faster travel on the interstate interspersed with potential variations as you approach your destination in Richmond. While not a dedicated scenic byway, the consistent road surface and clear routing make for a predictable and efficient journey.
47% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 55.7 mi on I 95.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 11.1 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 22 significant decision points across 118.3 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 11.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 23.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Sugarland Run, VA to Richmond, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Franconia 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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 28m. Total distance: 118.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 28m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (47%). 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 55.7 miles on I 95. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.28 in tolls one way, starting with Dulles Toll Road. 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 Richmond, 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 11.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 23.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail, Petersburg National Battlefield and Harpers Ferry National Historical 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 Richmond, VA before heading back.
