How far is Rural Retreat, VA from Richmond, VA?
The driving distance from Rural Retreat, VA to Richmond, VA is about 264.9 miles (426.3 km), with a travel time of about 04h 10m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 214.8 miles (345.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 20m 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 04h 10m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Independent city in Virginia, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Rural Retreat and Richmond.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rural Retreat and Richmond.
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1
Start on South Main Street
1.2 mi · 2 min · South Main Street
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2
Continue on Black Lick Road
2072 ft · 42 sec · Black Lick Road
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3
Take the ramp right
870 ft · 21 sec
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4
Merge slight left
20.6 mi · 22 min
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5
Keep slight left to continue on I 81 North, US 11 North: Roanoke
139.7 mi · 2 hr 34 min
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6
Continue straight
1353 ft · 18 sec
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7
Keep slight right to continue on I 64 East: Richmond
99.3 mi · 1 hr 50 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 195 South: Laburnum Avenue
953 ft · 15 sec
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9
Keep slight left to continue on I 195 South
1076 ft · 17 sec
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10
Continue on Beltline Expressway
1.2 km · 1 min · Beltline Expressway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward US 33, US 250: Broad Street, Hamilton Street
969 ft · 24 sec
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12
Turn straight onto North Hamilton Street
866 ft · 32 sec · North Hamilton Street
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13
Turn left onto West Broad Street
1.5 mi · 4 min · West Broad Street
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14
Turn right onto North Allen Avenue
651 ft · 18 sec · North Allen Avenue
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15
Enter the roundabout toward Marcus-David Peters Circle
84 m · 8 sec · Marcus-David Peters Circle
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Marcus-David Peters Circle
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Rural Retreat and Richmond.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 81 North
Keep slight left to continue on I 81 North, US 11 North: Roanoke
140 mi · 02h 34m
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Rural Retreat and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Richmond.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Rural Retreat to Richmond?
The road trip is about 264.9 miles (426.3 km) and usually takes 04h 10m 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?
Buena Vista is a useful midpoint, sitting about 132.3 miles from Rural Retreat and 132.6 miles from Richmond.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 214.8 miles (345.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 50.1 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 8:40 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $37.04 one way or $74.07 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 83.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Rural Retreat and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Richmond.
Stop Ideas Near Buena Vista
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 Buena Vista.
Kemper Street station
Clifton Forge
Staunton station
Roanoke
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Rural Retreat and Richmond. Straight-line distance: 214.81 mi (345.7 km).
#1 Rural Retreat
Town of the United States
| Population | 1,448 |
| Coordinates | 36.8937300, -81.2759300 |
| Altitude | 766 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Richmond
The capital of Virginia.
| Population | 232,226 |
| Coordinates | 37.5537600, -77.4602600 |
| Altitude | 64 |
| Country | United States |
End: Robert E. Lee Circle (-77.460437, 37.553637)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 426 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 49m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 37m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 17m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 24m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 47m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 18m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $37.04 | $74.07 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $41.41 | $82.82 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $44.67 | $89.35 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $52.58 | $105.17 |
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 · Jun 10, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.