How far is Richmond, VA from Buena Vista, VA?

The driving distance from Richmond, VA to Buena Vista, VA is about 140 miles (225.3 km), with a travel time of about 02h 38m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 104.3 miles (167.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 16m 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
140.02 mi
02h 38m
Flight
104.35 mi
167.93 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
104.35 mi
Kilometers
167.93 km
Flight Time
00h 12m

Driving Distance

Road route
140.02 mi
Kilometers
225.34 km
Drive Time
02h 38m

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 38m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Buena Vista
Mon, May 25, 1:37 PM EDT
Return by in Richmond
Mon, May 25, 4:15 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Richmond
2026-05-25T10:59
Arrive Buena Vista
Mon, May 25, 1:37 PM EDT
Route Timing
02h 38m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:38 AM to 12:38 PM EDT

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

Leave by
1:14 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
Charlottesville
VA

The capital of Virginia.

From Richmond
70 mi
01h 19m
To Buena Vista
70.1 mi
01h 19m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
81°F
Memorial Day

Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Mon, May 25 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 8 mph SW
Destination
81°F
Memorial Day

Occasional Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Mon, May 25 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
1 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Richmond and Buena Vista.

  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

    2.9 mi · 3 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward US 60 East: Buena Vista

    1617 ft · 40 sec

  12. 12

    Continue on East Midland Trail

    3 mi · 3 min · East Midland Trail

  13. 13

    Continue on 29th Street

    3092 ft · 40 sec · 29th Street

  14. 14

    Take the exit right

    92 m · 8 sec

  15. 15

    Merge slight left onto Beech Avenue

    2224 ft · 31 sec · Beech Avenue

  16. 16

    Continue on Sycamore Avenue

    147 m · 14 sec · Sycamore Avenue

  17. 17

    Turn left onto West 21st Street

    135 m · 20 sec · West 21st Street

  18. 18

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East 21st Street

Car Route Details

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

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
18 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
12.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 64 West
133 mi · 95%
East Midland Trail
3 mi · 2%
Hermitage Road
1.07 mi · 1%
29th Street
0.64 mi
Beech Avenue
0.42 mi
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
0.34 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 38m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 16m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+35.7 mi
104.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Charlottesville
01h 19m from Richmond
Leave By
1:14 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Richmond and Occasional Showers And Thunderstorms near Buena Vista.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Richmond to Buena Vista?

The road trip is about 140 miles (225.3 km) and usually takes 02h 38m 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?

Charlottesville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 70 miles from Richmond and 70.1 miles from Buena Vista.

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

The direct path is about 104.3 miles (167.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 35.7 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 1:14 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.57 one way or $39.13 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 43.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Richmond and Occasional Showers And Thunderstorms near Buena Vista.

Stop Ideas Near Charlottesville

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Charlottesville, 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 Charlottesville.

RAIL

Charlottesville Union Station

1 mi away
810 West Main St
RAIL

Staunton station

54 mi away
1 Middlebrook Avenue
RAIL

Culpeper station

65 mi away
109 South Commerce Street
RAIL

Ashland

92 mi away
112 North Railroad Avenue

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Richmond and Buena Vista. Straight-line distance: 104.35 mi (167.93 km).

Richmond

#1 Richmond

The capital of Virginia.

Population232,226
Coordinates37.5537600, -77.4602600
Altitude64
CountryUnited States
Buena Vista

#2 Buena Vista

Independent city in Virginia, United States

Population6,402
Coordinates37.7343000, -79.3539200
Altitude255
CountryUnited States
Start: Richmond (-77.46026, 37.55376)
End: Buena Vista (-79.35392, 37.7343)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 225 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 39m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 30m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 48m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 20m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 00m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 44m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.94 gal
18.7 L · about $19.57
Round trip
$39.13
9.88 gal · 37.4 L
Estimated CO2
43.9 kg one way
Round trip: 87.8 kg / 194 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $19.57 $39.13
Mid-grade $4.43 $21.88 $43.76
Premium $4.78 $23.60 $47.21
Diesel $5.62 $27.78 $55.57

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 25, 2026

There is no time difference between Richmond and Buena Vista. The current time is 10:59:23.

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.