How far is Altavista, VA from Alexandria, VA?

The driving distance from Altavista, VA to Alexandria, VA is about 207.1 miles (333.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 46m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 169 miles (271.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 32m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
207.12 mi
03h 46m
Flight
168.98 mi
271.94 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Altavista.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
168.98 mi
Kilometers
271.94 km
Flight Time
00h 20m

Driving Distance

Road route
207.12 mi
Kilometers
333.33 km
Drive Time
03h 46m

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 46m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Alexandria
Tue, May 26, 12:44 PM EDT
Return by in Altavista
Tue, May 26, 4:31 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Altavista
2026-05-26T08:58
Arrive Alexandria
Tue, May 26, 12:44 PM EDT
Route Timing
03h 46m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:46 AM to 11:46 AM EDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
9:28 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Altavista
9:00 PM EDT
Early departure recommended

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.

Mid-route stop
Franklin
VA

Independent city in Virginia, United States

From Altavista
100.1 mi
01h 53m
To Alexandria
107 mi
01h 53m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
81°F
Tuesday

Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Tue, May 26 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 6 mph SW
Destination
78°F
Tuesday

Rain Showers

Starts
Tue, May 26 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
0 to 3 mph NE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Altavista and Alexandria.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Altavista and Alexandria.

  1. 1

    Start on Main Street

    9 m · 5 sec · Main Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Franklin Avenue

    111 m · 14 sec · Franklin Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn right onto 7th Street

    1.5 km · 2 min · 7th Street

  4. 4

    Turn left onto Main Street

    1.9 mi · 3 min · Main Street

  5. 5

    Take the ramp right toward US 29 North

    15.8 mi · 21 min

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward US 29 North, US 460 East

    6.5 mi · 9 min

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward US 29 North: Amherst, Charlottesville

    60.2 mi · 1 hr 14 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward I 64 East

    1473 ft · 36 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left

    5.8 mi · 7 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward US 250

    1244 ft · 31 sec

  11. 11

    Keep slight right

    136 m · 12 sec

  12. 12

    Merge slight left onto Richmond Road

    2 mi · 4 min · Richmond Road

  13. 13

    Turn left onto Louisa Road

    5.3 mi · 9 min · Louisa Road

  14. 14

    Continue on Gordonsville Road

    8.2 mi · 12 min · Gordonsville Road

  15. 15

    Continue on Gordon Avenue

    1.4 mi · 3 min · Gordon Avenue

  16. 16

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward the route

    14 m · 1 sec

  17. 17

    Exit the roundabout

    8.3 mi · 13 min

  18. 18

    Turn right onto Berry Hill Road

    1.2 km · 2 min · Berry Hill Road

  19. 19

    Continue on Constitution Highway

    21.6 mi · 30 min · Constitution Highway

  20. 20

    Turn right onto Germanna Highway

    698 ft · 11 sec · Germanna Highway

  21. 21

    Continue on Plank Road

    12.7 mi · 19 min · Plank Road

  22. 22

    Take the exit left toward I 95 North: Washington

    1.6 mi · 4 min

  23. 23

    Merge slight left

    1.4 mi · 2 min

  24. 24

    Keep slight left

    1 mi · 1 min

  25. 25

    Merge slight left

    35 mi · 41 min

  26. 26

    Keep slight left to continue on I 95 North, I 495 East: Baltimore

    5.5 mi · 7 min

  27. 27

    Keep slight right to continue on Capital Beltway (Local)

    2 mi · 3 min · Capital Beltway (Local)

  28. 28

    Take the exit slight right toward US 1: Alexandria, Fort Belvoir

    969 ft · 24 sec

  29. 29

    Keep slight left to continue on US 1 North: Alexandria

    2328 ft · 57 sec

  30. 30

    Merge slight left onto Richmond Highway

    134 m · 8 sec · Richmond Highway

  31. 31

    Continue on South Patrick Street

    1551 ft · 46 sec · South Patrick Street

  32. 32

    Turn right onto Franklin Street

    953 ft · 28 sec · Franklin Street

  33. 33

    Turn left onto South Washington Street

    2462 ft · 2 min · South Washington Street

  34. 34

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South Washington Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Altavista and Alexandria.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
34 steps
10 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
14
5 merges, 9 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
16.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US 29 North
82.5 mi · 40%
I 95 North
44.5 mi · 22%
Constitution Highway
21.6 mi · 10%
Plank Road
12.7 mi · 6%
Gordon Avenue
9.73 mi · 5%
Gordonsville Road
8.17 mi · 4%
Longest Stretch

US 29 North

Take the exit slight right toward US 29 North: Amherst, Charlottesville

60.2 mi · 01h 14m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
03h 46m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 32m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+38.1 mi
169 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Franklin
01h 53m from Altavista
Leave By
9:28 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Altavista and Rain Showers near Alexandria.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Altavista to Alexandria?

The road trip is about 207.1 miles (333.3 km) and usually takes 03h 46m 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?

Franklin is a useful midpoint, sitting about 100.1 miles from Altavista and 107 miles from Alexandria.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 169 miles (271.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 38.1 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 9:28 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $28.95 one way or $57.91 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 65 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Altavista and Rain Showers near Alexandria.

Stop Ideas Near Franklin

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Franklin, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Franklin.

RAIL

Charlottesville Union Station

5 mi away
810 West Main St
RAIL

Staunton station

56 mi away
1 Middlebrook Avenue
RAIL

Culpeper station

62 mi away
109 South Commerce Street
RAIL

Ashland

90 mi away
112 North Railroad Avenue

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Altavista and Alexandria. Straight-line distance: 168.98 mi (271.94 km).

Altavista

#1 Altavista

Town in Virginia

Population3,422
Coordinates37.1118100, -79.2855800
Altitude169
CountryUnited States
Alexandria

#2 Alexandria

A city in Virginia.

Population158,726
Coordinates38.8048400, -77.0469200
Altitude12
CountryUnited States
Start: Main Street (-79.285547, 37.111781)
End: South Washington Street (-77.04696, 38.804845)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 333 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 54m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 10m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 08m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 27m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 57m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 35m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
7.31 gal
27.67 L · about $28.95
Round trip
$57.91
14.62 gal · 55.34 L
Estimated CO2
65 kg one way
Round trip: 129.9 kg / 286 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $28.95 $57.91
Mid-grade $4.43 $32.38 $64.75
Premium $4.78 $34.93 $69.85
Diesel $5.62 $41.11 $82.22

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

There is no time difference between Altavista and Alexandria. The current time is 08:58:13.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.