How far is Gretna, VA from Alexandria, VA?
The driving distance from Gretna, VA to Alexandria, VA is about 221 miles (355.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 58m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 179.6 miles (289 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 56m 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 03h 58m.
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.
Independent city in Virginia, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Gretna and Alexandria.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gretna and Alexandria.
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1
Start on Northside Drive
772 ft · 20 sec · Northside Drive
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2
Turn right onto Main Street
32.3 mi · 43 min · Main Street
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3
Take the exit slight right toward US 29 North, US 460 East
6.5 mi · 9 min
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4
Take the exit slight right toward US 29 North: Amherst, Charlottesville
60.2 mi · 1 hr 14 min
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5
Take the exit slight right toward I 64 East
1473 ft · 36 sec
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6
Merge slight left
5.8 mi · 7 min
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7
Take the exit slight right toward US 250
1244 ft · 31 sec
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8
Keep slight right
136 m · 12 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto Richmond Road
2 mi · 4 min · Richmond Road
-
10
Turn left onto Louisa Road
5.3 mi · 9 min · Louisa Road
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11
Continue on Gordonsville Road
8.2 mi · 12 min · Gordonsville Road
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12
Continue on Gordon Avenue
1.4 mi · 3 min · Gordon Avenue
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13
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward the route
14 m · 1 sec
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14
Exit the roundabout
8.3 mi · 13 min
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15
Turn right onto Berry Hill Road
1.2 km · 2 min · Berry Hill Road
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16
Continue on Constitution Highway
21.6 mi · 30 min · Constitution Highway
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17
Turn right onto Germanna Highway
698 ft · 11 sec · Germanna Highway
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18
Continue on Plank Road
12.7 mi · 19 min · Plank Road
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19
Take the exit left toward I 95 North: Washington
1.6 mi · 4 min
-
20
Merge slight left
1.4 mi · 2 min
-
21
Keep slight left
1 mi · 1 min
-
22
Merge slight left
35 mi · 41 min
-
23
Keep slight left to continue on I 95 North, I 495 East: Baltimore
5.5 mi · 7 min
-
24
Keep slight right to continue on Capital Beltway (Local)
2 mi · 3 min · Capital Beltway (Local)
-
25
Take the exit slight right toward US 1: Alexandria, Fort Belvoir
969 ft · 24 sec
-
26
Keep slight left to continue on US 1 North: Alexandria
2328 ft · 57 sec
-
27
Merge slight left onto Richmond Highway
134 m · 8 sec · Richmond Highway
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28
Continue on South Patrick Street
1551 ft · 46 sec · South Patrick Street
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29
Turn right onto Franklin Street
953 ft · 28 sec · Franklin Street
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30
Turn left onto South Washington Street
2462 ft · 2 min · South Washington Street
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31
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Washington Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Gretna and Alexandria.
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 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.
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.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Gretna and Partly Sunny near Alexandria.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Gretna to Alexandria?
The road trip is about 221 miles (355.7 km) and usually takes 03h 58m 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 107 miles from Gretna and 114 miles from Alexandria.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 179.6 miles (289 km), while the road route adds roughly 41.4 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 9:04 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $30.90 one way or $61.79 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 69.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Gretna and Partly Sunny near Alexandria.
Stop Ideas Near Franklin
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 Franklin.
Charlottesville Union Station
Staunton station
Culpeper station
Ashland
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Gretna and Alexandria. Straight-line distance: 179.58 mi (289.01 km).
#1 Gretna
Town of the United States
| Population | 1,179 |
| Coordinates | 36.9537500, -79.3589100 |
| Altitude | 256 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Alexandria
A city in Virginia.
| Population | 158,726 |
| Coordinates | 38.8048400, -77.0469200 |
| Altitude | 12 |
| Country | United States |
End: South Washington Street (-77.04696, 38.804845)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 356 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 21m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 31m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 25m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 40m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 09m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 45m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $30.90 | $61.79 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $34.55 | $69.09 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $37.27 | $74.54 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $43.87 | $87.73 |
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 · Jun 01, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.