How far is Alexandria, VA from Grottoes, VA?
The driving distance from Alexandria, VA to Grottoes, VA is about 147.7 miles (237.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 56m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 103.1 miles (165.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 53m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 56m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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 Warren County, Virginia, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Rain Showers
Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Alexandria and Grottoes.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Alexandria and Grottoes.
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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 right to continue on Capital Beltway
1.1 km · 48 sec · Capital Beltway
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12
Continue on Capital Beltway
2.4 mi · 3 min · Capital Beltway
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13
Keep slight right to continue on Capital Beltway
5.7 mi · 7 min · Capital Beltway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward I 66 West: Vienna, Front Royal
1.4 km · 2 min
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15
Merge slight left
64.2 mi · 1 hr 12 min
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16
Keep slight left to continue on I 81 South: Roanoke
1 km · 1 min
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17
Merge slight right onto I 81 South: Roanoke
52.8 mi · 57 min
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18
Take the exit slight right toward US 33 East: Elkton
823 ft · 20 sec
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19
Continue on East Market Street
1.7 mi · 4 min · East Market Street
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20
Continue on Spotswood Trail
2.3 mi · 3 min · Spotswood Trail
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21
Turn right onto Cross Keys Road
2.2 mi · 3 min · Cross Keys Road
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22
Turn left onto Port Republic Road
5.5 mi · 8 min · Port Republic Road
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23
Turn right onto South River Road
1.2 mi · 2 min · South River Road
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24
Continue on Dogwood Avenue
1.3 km · 2 min · Dogwood Avenue
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25
Turn left onto 8th Street
24 m · 4 sec · 8th Street
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 8th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Alexandria and Grottoes.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 66 West
Merge slight left
64.2 mi · 01h 12m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Rain Showers leaving Alexandria and Rain Showers near Grottoes.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Alexandria to Grottoes?
The road trip is about 147.7 miles (237.7 km) and usually takes 02h 56m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Front Royal is a useful midpoint, sitting about 73.8 miles from Alexandria and 73.9 miles from Grottoes.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 103.1 miles (165.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 44.6 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:36 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.64 one way or $41.27 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 46.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers around Alexandria and Rain Showers near Grottoes.
Stop Ideas Near Front Royal
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 Front Royal.
Culpeper station
Harpers Ferry
Martinsburg station
Manassas station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Alexandria and Grottoes. Straight-line distance: 103.07 mi (165.87 km).
#1 Alexandria
A city in Virginia.
| Population | 158,726 |
| Coordinates | 38.8048400, -77.0469200 |
| Altitude | 12 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Grottoes
City in Virginia, United States of America
| Population | 2,864 |
| Coordinates | 38.2673500, -78.8258600 |
| Altitude | 339 |
| Country | United States |
End: Grottoes (-78.82586, 38.26735)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 238 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 55m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 41m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 57m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 27m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 06m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 50m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $20.64 | $41.27 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $23.08 | $46.15 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $24.89 | $49.79 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $29.30 | $58.60 |
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 · May 26, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.