Virginia

Skyline Drive through the Blue Ridge, the state capital in Richmond, and Old Town Alexandria near Washington, D.C.

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Virginia is a state on the U.S. East Coast, just south of Washington, D.C. Its land runs from the Blue Ridge Mountains in the west across the Piedmont to the Atlantic. Skyline Drive follows the ridge through Shenandoah National Park. Richmond, the state capital, was the capital of the Confederacy during the Civil War, and its downtown holds the Virginia State Capitol. Old Town Alexandria, on the Potomac, has cobbled streets and is a Metro ride from Washington.

Most trips work better with one or two bases than with a new town each night, because the distances are long. Fall brings leaf color to the Blue Ridge and mild weather for city walking. Summer is hot and humid in the cities. The Fan and Carytown in Richmond are good for walking, and the King Street waterfront suits an evening out. Give the mountains and the capital region about a week, or pick one area for four or five days.

Virginia in five

Drive Skyline Drive on a clear dayThe 105-mile road runs along the Blue Ridge crest, with a 35 mph limit in most places. Allow about three hours to drive it end to end without stopping.
Budget for Shenandoah entryThe park lists $30 per private vehicle. Skyline Drive is generally open 24 hours, but weather closures can limit the road even when the park is open on foot.
Add Alexandria or Richmond for historyAlexandria's Old Town is a short ride from Washington, DC, and Richmond is a compact city with museums and a river walk. Both are easy to add to a Virginia loop.Alexandria
Plan fall for foliage, spring for bloomsFall color on Skyline Drive draws the biggest crowds, so book lodging and weekend drives early. Spring brings wildflowers and fewer cars.
Pair with Washington, DCNorthern Virginia is a short Metro or car ride from the capital. A combined trip works with a few nights in each region.Washington, DC

Neighborhoods

wide-angle photography of buildings during daytime

Richmond

Richmond is Virginia's capital, known for Civil War history, the State Capitol, James River rapids and cast-iron neighborhoods. It suits a long weekend.

Read about Richmond

Things to do in Virginia

See all attractions in Virginia

Historic site · VirginiaContrabands and Freedmen Cemetery Memorial

Gallery · VirginiaTorpedo Factory Art CenterAllow about two hours to explore the large building at an unhurried pace.

Sight · VirginiaShirley Plantation

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to VirginiaPut the places you like in Virginia on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: Richmond (RIC), Dulles (IAD) or Reagan National (DCA) near Washington
Getting there: Fly into the DC area or Richmond; drive or take Amtrak between cities
Getting around: Car for Shenandoah and rural roads; trains and buses link the cities
Best base: Luray or Front Royal for Shenandoah; Richmond or Alexandria for cities
Time needed: 4–7 days for the mountains and two cities

Weather by month

Rainy days
Snowy days
Days with storms

Best
Good
Mixed

JanuaryPartly cloudy10 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh8°Low0°Cold, quiet
FebruaryPartly cloudy10 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh12°Low2°Cold, quiet
MarchPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh16°Low5°Mild, blossoms
AprilPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh21°Low10°Spring, blooms
MayPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh25°Low15°Warm, easy
JunePartly cloudy10 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh30°Low19°Hot, humid
JulyRain14 rainy daysHigh33°Low22°Hot, humid
AugustRain13 rainy daysHigh31°Low21°Hot, storms
SeptemberPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh28°Low18°Warm, easy
OctoberPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh22°Low13°Fall color
NovemberPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh15°Low6°Cool, quiet
DecemberPartly cloudy8 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh10°Low2°Cold, lights

Average daily high and low in Richmond, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Virginia

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 15°
Humidity: 48%
Wind: 4 km/h
Chance of rain: 8%

Richmond

07:03 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT-5

Today19°6°8%Monday: Cloudy. High 19°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 8%.
Tue22°9°3%Tuesday: Fog. High 22°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 3%.
Wed25°14°1%Wednesday: Fog. High 25°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 1%.
Thu24°17°44%Thursday: Drizzle. High 24°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 44%.
Fri19°14°46%Friday: Drizzle. High 19°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 46%.
Sat16°7°34%Saturday: Partly cloudy. High 16°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 34%.
Sun19°6°8%Sunday: Drizzle. High 19°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 8%.

Updated 03:32 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.116 USD

Amount

Converted to

USD · US Dollar

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Shenandoah National Parkabout 1.5 hours from Washington, DCA ridge drive with overlooks and short hikes.
Alexandriaabout 20–30 min from Washington, DCA walkable waterfront old town across the Potomac.Read the guide
Richmondabout 2 hours from Washington, DCA capital city with museums and river views, an easy add-on.Read the guide

Before you go to Virginia

Car for Skyline DriveA mountain road best driven slowlyCompare cars

Rooms near ShenandoahLuray and Front Royal fill in OctoberCheck availability

eSIM for VirginiaMountain roads lose signal for milesRead the guide

Insurance for a US road tripMedical cover and rental car cover gapsRead the guide

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Rules for Virginia, checked

Shenandoah National Park: $30 per private vehicle; Skyline Drive is 105 miles with a 35 mph limit in most places.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source

Plan around Virginia

Washington, DC

Capital, Mall and museums, 1.5 hours east of Shenandoah

Read the guide Alexandria

Old Town and the waterfront across the river

Read the guide Richmond

Museums and river walk in the capital

Read the guide Outer Banks

Barrier islands in North Carolina, south of the coast

Read the guide West Virginia

Mountains and rivers just west of Shenandoah

Read the guide All of the USA

Entry rules, parks and city trips for visitors

Read the guide

Virginia FAQ

How much does Shenandoah National Park cost?

The park lists $30 per private vehicle. Check the fees page for the validity period and for passes that suit a longer US trip.

How long does Skyline Drive take?

About three hours on a clear day if you drive it end to end without stopping, with a 35 mph limit in most places. Plan more for overlooks and a hike.

When is the best time to visit Virginia?

Late April to early June and September to October are the most comfortable. October brings the strongest fall color along Skyline Drive and the biggest crowds.

Do you need a car in Virginia?

Yes for Shenandoah and rural areas. Richmond and Alexandria are workable without one, and trains link cities.

Can you combine Virginia with Washington, DC?

Yes. Alexandria is a short ride from the capital, and Shenandoah is about 1.5 hours west. Base in DC or Virginia and plan one or two day trips.