How far is Alexandria, VA from Rural Retreat, VA?
The driving distance from Alexandria, VA to Rural Retreat, VA is about 322.4 miles (518.8 km), with a travel time of about 06h 03m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 265.8 miles (427.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 12h 06m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 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 06h 03m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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.
Census designated place
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Alexandria and Rural Retreat.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Alexandria and Rural Retreat.
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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
108.7 mi · 1 hr 58 min
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18
Keep slight left
117.1 mi · 2 hr 10 min
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19
Continue straight
1.3 mi · 1 min
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20
Keep slight left
12.3 mi · 13 min
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21
Take the exit slight right toward VA 90: Rural Retreat
889 ft · 28 sec
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22
Turn left onto Black Lick Road
2477 ft · 52 sec · Black Lick Road
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23
Continue on Main Street
1.2 mi · 2 min · Main Street
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Alexandria and Rural Retreat.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
I 81 South
Keep slight left
117 mi · 02h 10m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Chance Rain Showers leaving Alexandria and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Rural Retreat.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Alexandria to Rural Retreat?
The road trip is about 322.4 miles (518.8 km) and usually takes 06h 03m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Jolivue is a useful midpoint, sitting about 161.1 miles from Alexandria and 161.3 miles from Rural Retreat.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 265.8 miles (427.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 56.6 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 7:30 AM EDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $45.08 one way or $90.15 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 101.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Alexandria and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Rural Retreat.
Stop Ideas Near Jolivue
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 Jolivue.
Staunton station
Charlottesville Union Station
Clifton Forge
Kemper Street station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Alexandria and Rural Retreat. Straight-line distance: 265.8 mi (427.76 km).
#1 Alexandria
A city in Virginia.
| Population | 158,726 |
| Coordinates | 38.8048400, -77.0469200 |
| Altitude | 12 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Rural Retreat
Town of the United States
| Population | 1,448 |
| Coordinates | 36.8937300, -81.2759300 |
| Altitude | 766 |
| Country | United States |
End: Rural Retreat (-81.27593, 36.89373)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 519 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 44m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 03m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 26m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 22m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 36m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 01m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $45.08 | $90.15 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $50.40 | $100.80 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $54.37 | $108.75 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $64.00 | $128.00 |
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.