How far is Grottoes, VA from Alexandria, VA?
The driving distance from Grottoes, VA to Alexandria, VA is about 147 miles (236.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 28m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 103.1 miles (165.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 56m 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 28m.
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
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Grottoes and Alexandria.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Grottoes and Alexandria.
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1
Start on 8th Street
24 m · 6 sec · 8th Street
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2
Turn right onto Dogwood Avenue
1.3 km · 1 min · Dogwood Avenue
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3
Continue on South River Road
1.2 mi · 2 min · South River Road
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4
Turn left onto Port Republic Road
5.5 mi · 8 min · Port Republic Road
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5
Turn right onto Cross Keys Road
2.2 mi · 3 min · Cross Keys Road
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6
Turn left onto Spotswood Trail
2.3 mi · 3 min · Spotswood Trail
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7
Continue on East Market Street
1.4 mi · 3 min · East Market Street
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8
Take the exit slight right
1416 ft · 35 sec
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9
Merge slight left
52.6 mi · 57 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward I 66 East: Front Royal, Washington
1920 ft · 47 sec
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11
Continue straight
42.8 mi · 46 min
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12
Keep slight right
21.4 mi · 26 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward I 495 South: Richmond, Alexandria
2186 ft · 42 sec
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14
Merge slight left onto Capital Beltway
12.1 mi · 15 min · Capital Beltway
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15
Keep slight right to continue on Capital Beltway (Local)
2 mi · 3 min · Capital Beltway (Local)
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16
Take the exit slight right toward US 1: Alexandria, Fort Belvoir
969 ft · 24 sec
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17
Keep slight left to continue on US 1 North: Alexandria
2328 ft · 57 sec
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18
Merge slight left onto Richmond Highway
134 m · 8 sec · Richmond Highway
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19
Continue on South Patrick Street
1551 ft · 46 sec · South Patrick Street
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20
Turn right onto Franklin Street
953 ft · 28 sec · Franklin Street
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21
Turn left onto South Washington Street
2462 ft · 2 min · South Washington Street
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Washington Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Grottoes and Alexandria.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
East Market Street
Merge slight left
52.6 mi · 00h 57m
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 Grottoes 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 Grottoes to Alexandria?
The road trip is about 147 miles (236.6 km) and usually takes 02h 28m 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 73.4 miles from Grottoes and 73.6 miles from Alexandria.
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 43.9 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 1:34 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.56 one way or $41.12 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 46.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers around Grottoes and Rain Showers near Alexandria.
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 Grottoes and Alexandria. Straight-line distance: 103.07 mi (165.87 km).
#1 Grottoes
City in Virginia, United States of America
| Population | 2,864 |
| Coordinates | 38.2673500, -78.8258600 |
| Altitude | 339 |
| 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: 237 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 53m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 40m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 56m |
| 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 | $20.56 | $41.12 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $22.99 | $45.97 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $24.80 | $49.60 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $29.19 | $58.38 |
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.