How far is Richmond, VA from Amherst, VA?
The driving distance from Richmond, VA to Amherst, VA is about 99 miles (159.3 km), with a travel time of about 02h 18m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 87.2 miles (140.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 36m 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 18m.
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 Cumberland County, Virginia, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny then Isolated Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Richmond and Amherst.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Richmond and Amherst.
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1
Start on Marcus-David Peters Circle
525 ft · 15 sec · Marcus-David Peters Circle
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2
Exit the rotary onto Monument Avenue
684 ft · 29 sec · Monument Avenue
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3
Turn left onto North Meadow Street
2437 ft · 1 min · North Meadow Street
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4
Turn right onto West Main Street
3079 ft · 2 min · West Main Street
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5
Continue on Ellwood Avenue
837 ft · 36 sec · Ellwood Avenue
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6
Turn left onto South Sheppard Street
754 ft · 25 sec · South Sheppard Street
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7
Turn right onto Parkwood Avenue
1038 ft · 43 sec · Parkwood Avenue
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8
Turn left onto McCloy Street
1223 ft · 45 sec · McCloy Street
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9
Turn left onto Maplewood Avenue
9 m · 1 sec · Maplewood Avenue
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10
Take the ramp slight right toward VA 76 Toll South
1078 ft · 27 sec
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11
Merge slight left
3000 ft · 47 sec
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12
Merge slight left onto Powhite Parkway
1.6 km · 1 min · Powhite Parkway
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13
Keep slight left to continue on E-ZPass Only (Powhite Parkway)
1.6 km · 2 min · E-ZPass Only (Powhite Parkway)
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14
Merge slight right onto Powhite Parkway
2.5 mi · 3 min · Powhite Parkway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward US 60: Midlothian Turnpike
1518 ft · 37 sec
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16
Continue on US 60: Midlothian Turnpike
791 ft · 19 sec
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17
Keep slight right to continue on US 60 West: Midlothian Turnpike, Midlothian
1625 ft · 41 sec
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18
Merge slight left onto Midlothian Turnpike
9.9 mi · 16 min · Midlothian Turnpike
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19
Continue on Anderson Highway
36.7 mi · 48 min · Anderson Highway
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20
Continue on East James Anderson Highway
8.1 mi · 9 min · East James Anderson Highway
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21
Continue on West James Anderson Highway
17.1 mi · 22 min · West James Anderson Highway
-
22
Continue on Anderson Highway
4.1 mi · 6 min · Anderson Highway
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23
Continue on Richmond Highway
14.7 mi · 20 min · Richmond Highway
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24
Turn sharp left onto Washington Street
132 m · 14 sec · Washington Street
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25
Turn right onto 2nd Street
1250 ft · 36 sec · 2nd Street
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26
Turn right onto Goodwin Street
44 m · 6 sec · Goodwin Street
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Goodwin Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Richmond and Amherst.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Anderson Highway
Continue on Anderson Highway
36.7 mi · 00h 48m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Richmond and Mostly Sunny then Isolated Rain Showers near Amherst.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Richmond to Amherst?
The road trip is about 99 miles (159.3 km) and usually takes 02h 18m 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?
Cumberland is a useful midpoint, sitting about 49.4 miles from Richmond and 49.6 miles from Amherst.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 87.2 miles (140.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 11.8 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 1:54 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $15.21 one way or $30.42 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 34.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Richmond and Mostly Sunny then Isolated Rain Showers near Amherst.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Richmond and Amherst. Straight-line distance: 87.17 mi (140.28 km).
#1 Richmond
The capital of Virginia.
| Population | 232,226 |
| Coordinates | 37.5537600, -77.4602600 |
| Altitude | 64 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Amherst
Town in Virginia, USA
| Population | 2,182 |
| Coordinates | 37.5851400, -79.0514100 |
| Altitude | 232 |
| Country | United States |
End: Amherst (-79.05141, 37.58514)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 159 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 17m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 28m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 58m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 38m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 24m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 14m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $15.21 | $30.42 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $17.01 | $34.01 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $18.35 | $36.70 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $21.60 | $43.19 |
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 11, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.