How far is Emporia, VA from Alexandria, VA?

The driving distance from Emporia, VA to Alexandria, VA is about 174 miles (280 km), with a travel time of about 02h 40m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 148.9 miles (239.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 20m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
173.97 mi
02h 40m
Flight
148.88 mi
239.6 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Emporia.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
148.88 mi
Kilometers
239.6 km
Flight Time
00h 17m

Driving Distance

Road route
173.97 mi
Kilometers
279.97 km
Drive Time
02h 40m

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 40m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Alexandria
Sat, Apr 18, 8:11 PM EDT
Return by in Emporia
Sat, Apr 18, 10:52 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Emporia
2026-04-18T17:31
Arrive Alexandria
Sat, Apr 18, 8:11 PM EDT
Route Timing
02h 40m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:40 AM to 12:40 PM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
1:10 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Emporia
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

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
Ashland
VA

Town in Virginia, United States

From Emporia
86.6 mi
01h 20m
To Alexandria
87.4 mi
01h 20m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
91°F
Saturday

Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 9 mph S
Destination
87°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 8 mph SE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Hicksford Avenue

    27 m · 7 sec · Hicksford Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn right onto South Main Street

    1.9 mi · 3 min · South Main Street

  3. 3

    Continue on Sussex Drive

    1.5 mi · 2 min · Sussex Drive

  4. 4

    Turn left onto Otterdam Road

    135 m · 13 sec · Otterdam Road

  5. 5

    Take the ramp right toward I 95 North: Richmond

    1632 ft · 40 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    32.4 mi · 35 min

  7. 7

    Keep slight right to continue on Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway

    41.9 mi · 45 min · Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight left toward I 95 North: Washington

    2.4 mi · 3 min

  9. 9

    Merge slight right

    45.7 mi · 50 min

  10. 10

    Keep slight right

    1.6 mi · 2 min

  11. 11

    Keep slight left

    1 mi · 1 min

  12. 12

    Merge slight left

    35 mi · 41 min

  13. 13

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

    5.5 mi · 7 min

  14. 14

    Keep slight right to continue on Capital Beltway (Local)

    2 mi · 3 min · Capital Beltway (Local)

  15. 15

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

    969 ft · 24 sec

  16. 16

    Keep slight left to continue on US 1 North: Alexandria

    2328 ft · 57 sec

  17. 17

    Merge slight left onto Richmond Highway

    134 m · 8 sec · Richmond Highway

  18. 18

    Continue on South Patrick Street

    1551 ft · 46 sec · South Patrick Street

  19. 19

    Turn right onto Franklin Street

    953 ft · 28 sec · Franklin Street

  20. 20

    Turn left onto South Washington Street

    2462 ft · 2 min · South Washington Street

  21. 21

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South Washington Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Emporia 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
21 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
4 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
12.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 95 North
124 mi · 71%
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
41.9 mi · 24%
Capital Beltway (Local)
1.98 mi · 1%
South Main Street
1.93 mi · 1%
Sussex Drive
1.5 mi · 1%
South Washington Street
0.47 mi
Longest Stretch

I 95 North

Merge slight right

45.7 mi · 00h 50m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
02h 40m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 20m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+25.1 mi
148.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Ashland
01h 20m from Emporia
Leave By
1:10 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Emporia and Mostly Sunny near Alexandria.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 174 miles (280 km) and usually takes 02h 40m 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?

Ashland is a useful midpoint, sitting about 86.6 miles from Emporia and 87.4 miles from Alexandria.

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 25.1 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:10 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.32 one way or $48.64 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Emporia and Mostly Sunny near Alexandria.

Stop Ideas Near Ashland

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

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Ashland and the surrounding midpoint area.
Town Hall
Food stop 14.2 mi away

Town Hall

Richmond , VA
3123 W Cary St, Richmond, VA 23221
Rating 4.9/5 13 reviews Restaurant

Transit and Meeting Points

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

RAIL

Ashland

112 North Railroad Avenue
RAIL

Richmond Staples Mill Road station

16 mi away
7519 Staples Mill Road
RAIL

Richmond Main Street Station

25 mi away
1500 East Main Street
RAIL

Petersburg station

58 mi away
3516 South Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Emporia and Alexandria. Straight-line distance: 148.88 mi (239.6 km).

Emporia

#1 Emporia

Independent city in Virginia, United States

Population5,257
Coordinates36.6859800, -77.5424800
Altitude34
CountryUnited States
Alexandria

#2 Alexandria

A city in Virginia.

Population158,726
Coordinates38.8048400, -77.0469200
Altitude12
CountryUnited States
Start: Hicksford Avenue (-77.54249, 36.685948)
End: South Washington Street (-77.04696, 38.804845)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 280 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 47m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 20m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 28m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 53m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 29m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 10m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.14 gal
23.24 L · about $24.32
Round trip
$48.64
12.28 gal · 46.48 L
Estimated CO2
54.6 kg one way
Round trip: 109.1 kg / 241 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $24.32 $48.64
Mid-grade $4.43 $27.19 $54.39
Premium $4.78 $29.34 $58.67
Diesel $5.62 $34.53 $69.06

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

There is no time difference between Emporia and Alexandria. The current time is 17:31:29.

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.