How far is Alexandria, VA from Amherst, VA?
The driving distance from Alexandria, VA to Amherst, VA is about 160.4 miles (258.2 km), with a travel time of about 03h 38m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 137.6 miles (221.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 17m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 03h 38m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Town in Orange County, Vermont, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Alexandria and Amherst.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Alexandria and Amherst.
-
1
Start on South Washington Street
23 m · 7 sec · South Washington Street
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2
Turn right onto King Street
96 m · 15 sec · King Street
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3
Turn right onto South Saint Asaph Street
842 ft · 41 sec · South Saint Asaph Street
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4
Turn right onto Duke Street
102 m · 19 sec · Duke Street
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5
Turn left onto South Washington Street
1260 ft · 51 sec · South Washington Street
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6
Turn right onto Gibbon Street
923 ft · 38 sec · Gibbon Street
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7
Turn left onto South Patrick Street
1157 ft · 34 sec · South Patrick Street
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 95 South, I 495 West, I 95 North, I 495 East: Richmond, Baltimore
133 m · 11 sec
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9
Keep slight right to continue on I 95 South, I 495 West
3238 ft · 1 min
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10
Merge slight left onto Capital Beltway (Local)
5 mi · 6 min · Capital Beltway (Local)
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11
Keep slight left
37.2 mi · 44 min
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12
Keep slight right
3.8 mi · 4 min
-
13
Take the exit slight right toward VA 3 West: Culpeper
1560 ft · 38 sec
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14
Keep slight left
534 ft · 15 sec
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15
Merge slight left onto Plank Road
12.5 mi · 19 min · Plank Road
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16
Take the exit slight left
152 m · 16 sec
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17
Merge slight right onto Constitution Highway
21.6 mi · 30 min · Constitution Highway
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18
Continue on Berry Hill Road
1.2 km · 2 min · Berry Hill Road
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19
Turn left onto Caroline Street
1404 ft · 48 sec · Caroline Street
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20
Continue on James Madison Highway
7.9 mi · 12 min · James Madison Highway
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21
Continue on East Gordon Avenue
817 ft · 21 sec · East Gordon Avenue
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22
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward West Gordon Avenue
37 m · 1 sec · West Gordon Avenue
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23
Exit the roundabout onto West Gordon Avenue
1.4 mi · 3 min · West Gordon Avenue
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24
Continue on Gordonsville Road
8.2 mi · 12 min · Gordonsville Road
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25
Continue on Louisa Road
5.3 mi · 9 min · Louisa Road
-
26
Turn straight onto Richmond Road
2.1 mi · 4 min · Richmond Road
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27
Take the exit slight left toward I 64 West
1383 ft · 34 sec
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28
Merge slight left
6 mi · 7 min
-
29
Take the exit slight right toward US 29 South
1456 ft · 37 sec
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30
Merge slight left
45 mi · 56 min
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31
Take the exit slight right toward US 60: Amherst
1448 ft · 28 sec
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32
Keep slight right
52 m · 4 sec
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33
Turn right onto Richmond Highway
570 ft · 17 sec · Richmond Highway
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34
Turn sharp left onto Washington Street
132 m · 14 sec · Washington Street
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35
Turn right onto 2nd Street
1250 ft · 36 sec · 2nd Street
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36
Turn right onto Goodwin Street
44 m · 6 sec · Goodwin Street
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37
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Goodwin Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Alexandria and Amherst.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
US 29 South
Merge slight left
45 mi · 00h 56m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Mostly Sunny leaving Alexandria and Mostly Sunny near Amherst.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Alexandria to Amherst?
The road trip is about 160.4 miles (258.2 km) and usually takes 03h 38m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Orange is a useful midpoint, sitting about 80.2 miles from Alexandria and 80.2 miles from Amherst.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 137.6 miles (221.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 22.8 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:42 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.42 one way or $44.84 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 50.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Alexandria and Mostly Sunny near Amherst.
Stop Ideas Near Orange
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Orange.
Culpeper station
Charlottesville Union Station
Fredericksburg
Ashland
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Alexandria and Amherst. Straight-line distance: 137.65 mi (221.53 km).
#1 Alexandria
A city in Virginia.
| Population | 158,726 |
| Coordinates | 38.8048400, -77.0469200 |
| Altitude | 12 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Amherst
Town in Virginia, USA
| Population | 2,182 |
| Coordinates | 37.5851400, -79.0514100 |
| Altitude | 232 |
| Country | United States |
End: Amherst (-79.05141, 37.58514)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 258 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 20m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 00m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 12m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 40m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 17m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 00m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $22.42 | $44.84 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $25.07 | $50.14 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $27.04 | $54.09 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $31.83 | $63.66 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Virginia · Apr 12, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.