How far is Alexandria, VA from Forest, VA?
The driving distance from Alexandria, VA to Forest, VA is about 187.1 miles (301.1 km), with a travel time of about 04h 14m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 157.5 miles (253.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 28m 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 04h 14m.
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.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Alexandria and Forest.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Alexandria and Forest.
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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 right
3.8 mi · 4 min
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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
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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
59.3 mi · 1 hr 12 min
-
31
Keep slight right to continue on US 29 South, US 460 West: Lynchburg, Danville
1 km · 1 min
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32
Merge slight left onto Richmond Highway
4 mi · 5 min · Richmond Highway
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33
Take the exit slight right toward US 501 North: Buena Vista
1.6 km · 2 min
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34
Take the exit slight right toward US 501 North, US 29 Bus South: Danville, Buena Vista
918 ft · 22 sec
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35
Merge slight left onto Lynchburg Expressway
2.6 mi · 4 min · Lynchburg Expressway
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36
Take the exit slight right toward Graves Mill Road
1201 ft · 31 sec
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37
Turn left onto Graves Mill Road
1.7 mi · 4 min · Graves Mill Road
-
38
Turn left onto Forest Road
2.8 mi · 5 min · Forest Road
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39
Turn left
32 m · 12 sec
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40
Turn right
29 m · 7 sec
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41
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Alexandria and Forest.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
US 29 South
Merge slight left
59.3 mi · 01h 12m
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.
Sunny leaving Alexandria and Sunny near Forest.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Alexandria to Forest?
The road trip is about 187.1 miles (301.1 km) and usually takes 04h 14m 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?
Gordonsville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 93.5 miles from Alexandria and 93.6 miles from Forest.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 157.5 miles (253.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 29.6 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 8:32 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.14 one way or $52.29 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 58.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Alexandria and Sunny near Forest.
Stop Ideas Near Gordonsville
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 Gordonsville.
Charlottesville Union Station
Culpeper station
Fredericksburg
Ashland
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Alexandria and Forest. Straight-line distance: 157.44 mi (253.38 km).
#1 Alexandria
A city in Virginia.
| Population | 158,726 |
| Coordinates | 38.8048400, -77.0469200 |
| Altitude | 12 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Forest
Census-designated place in Bedford County, Virginia, United States
| Population | 9,106 |
| Coordinates | 37.3637500, -79.2897500 |
| Altitude | 269 |
| Country | United States |
End: Forest (-79.28975, 37.36375)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 301 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 14m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 40m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 44m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 07m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 40m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 20m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $26.14 | $52.29 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $29.23 | $58.46 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $31.53 | $63.07 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $37.12 | $74.24 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.