How far is Richmond, VA from Buchanan, VA?

The driving distance from Richmond, VA to Buchanan, VA is about 158 miles (254.3 km), with a travel time of about 02h 58m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 121.6 miles (195.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 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.
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
158 mi
02h 58m
Flight
121.61 mi
195.71 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Richmond.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
121.61 mi
Kilometers
195.71 km
Flight Time
00h 14m

Driving Distance

Road route
158 mi
Kilometers
254.28 km
Drive Time
02h 58m

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 58m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Buchanan
Sat, Apr 11, 9:16 PM EDT
Return by in Richmond
Sun, Apr 12, 12:14 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Richmond
2026-04-11T18:18
Arrive Buchanan
Sat, Apr 11, 9:16 PM EDT
Route Timing
02h 58m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:58 AM to 12:58 PM EDT

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

Leave by
12:34 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Richmond
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
Crozet
VA

Census designated place

From Richmond
78.9 mi
01h 29m
To Buchanan
79.1 mi
01h 29m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
76°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 11 2:00 AM EDT
Wind
7 mph N
Destination
79°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny then Isolated Rain Showers

Starts
Sat, Apr 11 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 mph NW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Richmond and Buchanan.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Richmond and Buchanan.

  1. 1

    Start on Marcus-David Peters Circle

    525 ft · 15 sec · Marcus-David Peters Circle

  2. 2

    Exit the rotary onto Monument Avenue

    684 ft · 26 sec · Monument Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn right onto North Meadow Street

    1157 ft · 30 sec · North Meadow Street

  4. 4

    Continue on Hermitage Road

    1.1 mi · 3 min · Hermitage Road

  5. 5

    Turn left onto Robin Hood Road

    908 ft · 32 sec · Robin Hood Road

  6. 6

    Turn right onto North Arthur Ashe Boulevard

    962 ft · 30 sec · North Arthur Ashe Boulevard

  7. 7

    Turn left onto I 95 North, I 64 West

    988 ft · 24 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike

    1797 ft · 28 sec · Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike

  9. 9

    Keep slight right to continue on I 64 West, I 195 South: Charlottesville

    130.2 mi · 2 hr 23 min

  10. 10

    Keep slight left

    22.8 mi · 24 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward SR 614: Arcadia

    990 ft · 26 sec

  12. 12

    Turn right onto Arcadia Road

    29 m · 8 sec · Arcadia Road

  13. 13

    Turn left onto Lee Highway

    1.3 mi · 2 min · Lee Highway

  14. 14

    Continue on Main Street

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Main Street

  15. 15

    Turn left

    33 m · 8 sec

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Richmond and Buchanan.

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
16 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
10.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 64 West
153 mi · 97%
Lee Highway
1.29 mi · 1%
Main Street
1.14 mi · 1%
Hermitage Road
1.07 mi · 1%
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
0.34 mi
North Meadow Street
0.22 mi
Longest Stretch

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.

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 58m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 56m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+36.4 mi
121.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Crozet
01h 29m from Richmond
Leave By
12:34 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Richmond and Mostly Sunny then Isolated Rain Showers near Buchanan.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Richmond to Buchanan?

The road trip is about 158 miles (254.3 km) and usually takes 02h 58m 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?

Crozet is a useful midpoint, sitting about 78.9 miles from Richmond and 79.1 miles from Buchanan.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 121.6 miles (195.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 36.4 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:34 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.10 one way or $44.20 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 49.6 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 Buchanan.

Stop Ideas Near Crozet

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Crozet, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

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

RAIL

Charlottesville Union Station

19 mi away
810 West Main St
RAIL

Staunton station

34 mi away
1 Middlebrook Avenue
RAIL

Culpeper station

76 mi away
109 South Commerce Street
RAIL

Kemper Street station

84 mi away
825 Kemper St

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Richmond and Buchanan. Straight-line distance: 121.61 mi (195.71 km).

Richmond

#1 Richmond

The capital of Virginia.

Population232,226
Coordinates37.5537600, -77.4602600
Altitude64
CountryUnited States
Buchanan

#2 Buchanan

Town in Virginia, United States

Population1,182
Coordinates37.5273600, -79.6797600
Altitude259
CountryUnited States
Start: Richmond (-77.46026, 37.55376)
End: Buchanan (-79.67976, 37.52736)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 254 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 15m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 57m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 09m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 38m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 15m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 58m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.58 gal
21.11 L · about $22.10
Round trip
$44.20
11.16 gal · 42.22 L
Estimated CO2
49.6 kg one way
Round trip: 99.2 kg / 219 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $22.10 $44.20
Mid-grade $4.43 $24.71 $49.43
Premium $4.78 $26.66 $53.32
Diesel $5.62 $31.38 $62.76

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

There is no time difference between Richmond and Buchanan. The current time is 18:18:24.

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.