How far is Richmond, VA from Bristol, VA?
The driving distance from Richmond, VA to Bristol, VA is about 322.5 miles (519 km), with a travel time of about 05h 58m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 268.9 miles (432.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 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 05h 58m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Town in Virginia, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Richmond and Bristol.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Richmond and Bristol.
-
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 · 26 sec · Monument Avenue
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3
Turn right onto North Meadow Street
1157 ft · 30 sec · North Meadow Street
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4
Continue on Hermitage Road
1.1 mi · 3 min · Hermitage Road
-
5
Turn left onto Robin Hood Road
908 ft · 32 sec · Robin Hood Road
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6
Turn right onto North Arthur Ashe Boulevard
962 ft · 30 sec · North Arthur Ashe Boulevard
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7
Turn left onto I 95 North, I 64 West
988 ft · 24 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
1797 ft · 28 sec · Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
-
9
Keep slight right to continue on I 64 West, I 195 South: Charlottesville
130.2 mi · 2 hr 23 min
-
10
Keep slight left
117.1 mi · 2 hr 10 min
-
11
Continue straight
1.3 mi · 1 min
-
12
Keep slight left
68.6 mi · 1 hr 14 min
-
13
Take the exit slight right toward I 381: Bristol
1.2 km · 1 min
-
14
Continue straight
1 mi · 2 min
-
15
Continue on Commonwealth Avenue
1.1 mi · 2 min · Commonwealth Avenue
-
16
Turn left onto Sullins Street
35 m · 5 sec · Sullins Street
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Sullins Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Richmond and Bristol.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
I 64 West
Keep slight right to continue on I 64 West, I 195 South: Charlottesville
130 mi · 02h 23m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Richmond and Sunny near Bristol.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Richmond to Bristol?
The road trip is about 322.5 miles (519 km) and usually takes 05h 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?
Buchanan is a useful midpoint, sitting about 161.1 miles from Richmond and 161.4 miles from Bristol.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 268.9 miles (432.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 53.6 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 5:04 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $45.08 one way or $90.15 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 101.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Richmond and Sunny near Bristol.
Stop Ideas Near Buchanan
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 Buchanan.
Clifton Forge
Roanoke
Kemper Street station
White Sulphur Springs
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Richmond and Bristol. Straight-line distance: 268.87 mi (432.71 km).
#1 Richmond
The capital of Virginia.
| Population | 232,226 |
| Coordinates | 37.5537600, -77.4602600 |
| Altitude | 64 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Bristol
Independent city in Virginia, United States
| Population | 17,329 |
| Coordinates | 36.5964900, -82.1884700 |
| Altitude | 512 |
| Country | United States |
End: Bristol (-82.18847, 36.59649)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 519 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 44m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 03m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 26m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 22m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 36m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 01m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $45.08 | $90.15 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $50.40 | $100.80 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $54.37 | $108.75 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $64.00 | $128.00 |
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 12, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.