How far is South Boston, VA from Alexandria, VA?
The driving distance from South Boston, VA to Alexandria, VA is about 212.3 miles (341.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 38m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 177.3 miles (285.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 16m 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 03h 38m.
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.
The capital of Virginia.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between South Boston and Alexandria.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between South Boston and Alexandria.
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1
Start on North Main Street
2465 ft · 54 sec · North Main Street
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2
Turn right onto Hodges Street
2877 ft · 59 sec · Hodges Street
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3
Turn left onto John Randolph Boulevard
2910 ft · 1 min · John Randolph Boulevard
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4
Continue on James D Hagood Highway
14.5 mi · 18 min · James D Hagood Highway
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5
Continue on Kings Highway
39.7 mi · 48 min · Kings Highway
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6
Merge slight left onto West Colonial Trail Highway
1.5 mi · 2 min · West Colonial Trail Highway
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7
Keep slight left to continue on West Patrick Henry Highway
24.6 mi · 31 min · West Patrick Henry Highway
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8
Continue on Hull Street Road
14.2 mi · 21 min · Hull Street Road
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9
Take the exit slight right toward VA 288 North: Powhite Parkway
1244 ft · 31 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto World War II Veterans Memorial Highway
2.1 mi · 2 min · World War II Veterans Memorial Highway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward VA 76: Lucks Lane, Old Hundred Road
1218 ft · 30 sec
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12
Keep slight right to continue on VA 76 Toll North: Powhite Parkway, Richmond
2500 ft · 1 min
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13
Merge slight left onto Powhite Parkway
8.5 mi · 11 min · Powhite Parkway
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14
Keep slight right to continue on Powhite Parkway
1.8 mi · 3 min · Powhite Parkway
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15
Keep slight left to continue on Powhite Parkway
1.5 km · 1 min · Powhite Parkway
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16
Merge slight left onto Beltline Expressway
2.2 mi · 3 min · Beltline Expressway
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17
Keep slight right to continue on I 95, I 64 East: Washington, Norfolk
153 m · 12 sec
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18
Keep slight left to continue on I 95 North: Washington
1.2 km · 2 min
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19
Merge slight left onto Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
51.8 mi · 57 min · Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
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20
Keep slight right
1.6 mi · 2 min
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21
Keep slight left
1 mi · 1 min
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22
Merge slight left
35 mi · 41 min
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23
Keep slight left to continue on I 95 North, I 495 East: Baltimore
5.5 mi · 7 min
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24
Keep slight right to continue on Capital Beltway (Local)
2 mi · 3 min · Capital Beltway (Local)
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25
Take the exit slight right toward US 1: Alexandria, Fort Belvoir
969 ft · 24 sec
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26
Keep slight left to continue on US 1 North: Alexandria
2328 ft · 57 sec
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27
Merge slight left onto Richmond Highway
134 m · 8 sec · Richmond Highway
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28
Continue on South Patrick Street
1551 ft · 46 sec · South Patrick Street
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29
Turn right onto Franklin Street
953 ft · 28 sec · Franklin Street
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30
Turn left onto South Washington Street
2462 ft · 2 min · South Washington Street
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31
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Washington Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between South Boston and Alexandria.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
Merge slight left onto Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
51.8 mi · 00h 57m
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.
Chance Rain Showers leaving South Boston and Chance Rain Showers near Alexandria.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from South Boston to Alexandria?
The road trip is about 212.3 miles (341.7 km) and usually takes 03h 38m 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?
Richmond is a useful midpoint, sitting about 106.1 miles from South Boston and 106.3 miles from Alexandria.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 177.3 miles (285.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 35 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 9:44 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.67 one way or $59.34 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 66.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around South Boston and Chance Rain Showers near Alexandria.
Stop Ideas Near Richmond
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Town Hall
Old City Hall
City of Richmond Virginia (City Hall)
City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Richmond.
Richmond Main Street Station
Richmond Staples Mill Road station
Ashland
Petersburg station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between South Boston and Alexandria. Straight-line distance: 177.3 mi (285.34 km).
#1 South Boston
Town in Halifax County, Virginia, United States
| Population | 7,519 |
| Coordinates | 36.6987500, -78.9014000 |
| Altitude | 131 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Alexandria
A city in Virginia.
| Population | 158,726 |
| Coordinates | 38.8048400, -77.0469200 |
| Altitude | 12 |
| Country | United States |
End: South Washington Street (-77.04696, 38.804845)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 342 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 04m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 18m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 14m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 32m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 02m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 38m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $29.67 | $59.34 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $33.17 | $66.35 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $35.79 | $71.57 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $42.12 | $84.25 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.