How far is Alexandria, VA from Emporia, VA?
The driving distance from Alexandria, VA to Emporia, VA is about 172.9 miles (278.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 17m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 148.9 miles (239.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 35m 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 17m.
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 Virginia, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Alexandria and Emporia.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Alexandria and Emporia.
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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 left
48.6 mi · 53 min
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13
Take the exit slight left toward I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va Beach
1.9 mi · 2 min
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14
Merge slight right onto Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
42.2 mi · 46 min · Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
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15
Merge slight right onto I 95 South: Emporia, Rocky Mount NC
32.4 mi · 35 min
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16
Take the exit slight right toward VA 614
1126 ft · 29 sec
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17
Turn left onto Otterdam Road
1443 ft · 36 sec · Otterdam Road
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18
Turn right onto Sussex Drive
1.5 mi · 2 min · Sussex Drive
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19
Continue on North Main Street
1.9 mi · 3 min · North Main Street
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20
Turn left onto Hicksford Avenue
27 m · 3 sec · Hicksford Avenue
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Hicksford Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Alexandria and Emporia.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Capital Beltway (Local)
Keep slight left
48.6 mi · 00h 53m
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 Sunny near Emporia.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Alexandria to Emporia?
The road trip is about 172.9 miles (278.3 km) and usually takes 03h 17m 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?
Ashland is a useful midpoint, sitting about 86.5 miles from Alexandria and 86.4 miles from Emporia.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 148.9 miles (239.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 24 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 10:24 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.16 one way or $48.32 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Alexandria and Sunny near Emporia.
Stop Ideas Near Ashland
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Town Hall
City of Richmond Virginia (City Hall)
City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Ashland.
Ashland
Richmond Staples Mill Road station
Richmond Main Street Station
Petersburg station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Alexandria and Emporia. Straight-line distance: 148.88 mi (239.6 km).
#1 Alexandria
A city in Virginia.
| Population | 158,726 |
| Coordinates | 38.8048400, -77.0469200 |
| Altitude | 12 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Emporia
Independent city in Virginia, United States
| Population | 5,257 |
| Coordinates | 36.6859800, -77.5424800 |
| Altitude | 34 |
| Country | United States |
End: Emporia (-77.54248, 36.68598)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 278 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 45m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 19m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 27m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 52m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 28m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 09m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $24.16 | $48.32 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $27.02 | $54.03 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $29.15 | $58.29 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $34.31 | $68.61 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.