Virginia State Route 6
Encyclopedia
Virginia State Route 6 is a primary state highway
in the U.S. state of Virginia
. Known for most of its length as River Road, the state highway runs 102.26 miles (164.6 km) from U.S. Route 250
(US 250) in Afton
east to SR 161
in Richmond
. SR 6 is one of the main highways of mountainous Nelson County
, where the highway runs north–south from its beginning to US 29
. From Scottsville
to Richmond, the state highway parallels the James River
. SR 6 is a major suburban highway through southwestern Henrico County
and the main street of Richmond's West End.
, about 1 miles (1.6 km) east of Rockfish Gap
. The state highway heads south as Afton Mountain Road, which descends the mountain curvaceously and passes through the village of Afton, where the highway crosses over a CSX
rail line. At the bottom of the descent, SR 6 meets SR 151
(Critzers Shop Road) in the village of Avon
. The two highways head south as Rockfish Valley Highway through the namesake valley. Just south of Greenfield, SR 6 leaves SR 151 and heads east as River Road, which follows the Rockfish River
through a mountainous area south to US 29 (Thomas Nelson Highway). SR 6 heads east along the four-lane divided highway between several mountains before splitting to the southeast as Irish Road. The state highway crosses over Norfolk Southern Railway
's Washington District in Faber
and enters Albemarle County
at a gap between Shiloh Mountain and Butler Mountain.
SR 6 continues east along a mountainous area where the highway passes through the communities of Damon
, Tillmans
, Esmont
, and Porters
. The state highway enters an area of more gentle terrain on its way to Scottsville, which is on the border between Albemarle and Fluvanna
counties. At the north end of the town, SR 6 joins SR 20
in a concurrency on Valley Street. In the center of town, SR 6 heads east as Main Street while SR 20 crosses the James River. The state highway parallels the river and CSX's Rivanna Subdivision through the town before turning north and ascending out of the river valley. SR 6 continues east as River Road through Kidds Store
and Cohasset
to Fork Union
, home of Fork Union Military Academy
. The state highway runs concurrently with US 15
(James Madison Highway) northeast from Fork Union before diverging at Dixie.
SR 6 passes through Holmhead
and crosses the Rivanna River
shortly before passing through the town of Columbia
, where the highway is named St. James Street. At the east end of the town, SR 6 enters Goochland County and briefly parallels the Rivanna Subdivision through the valley of the James River. The state highway veers away from the river and meets the northern end of SR 45
(Cartersville Road) at Georges Tavern. SR 6 approaches the river again just before arriving in Goochland
. At the north end of the county seat
, the state highway joins US 522
(Sandy Hook Road) in a concurrency and heads south past the Western Campus of J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College
. SR 6 and US 522 pass the county offices and the Virginia Correctional Center for Women
before US 522 heads south across the James River as Maidens Road. SR 6 heads through the villages of Manakin and Sabot
, between which SR 6 expands to a four-lane divided highway. At Richmond Country Club, River Road splits to the south and the state highway continues east as Patterson Avenue.
SR 6 meets the SR 288
freeway at a cloverleaf interchange
before crossing Tuckahoe Creek into suburban Henrico County. The state highway intersects Gaskins Road, which heads north as SR 157
, and Parham Road in the suburb of Tuckahoe
. At Glenside Drive, which leads north to Monument Avenue
, SR 6 veers southeast and enters the city of Richmond. The state highway becomes an undivided highway just before intersectng SR 197
(Malvern Avenue). SR 6 crosses over Interstate 195
(Beltline Expressway), which is accessed via Thompson Street, which the state highway intersects as it shifts to two-lane Kensington Avenue. The state highway continues through the Museum District until it reaches its eastern terminus at SR 161 (Boulevard) one block north of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
.
!County
!Location
!Mile
!Destinations
!Notes
|-
|rowspan=5|Nelson
|Afton
|0.00
|
|Western terminus
|-
|Avon
|3.72
|
|West end of concurrency with SR 151
|-
|Martins Store
|9.94
|
|East end of concurrency with SR 151
|-
|Woods Mill
|15.73
|
|West end of concurrency with US 29
|-
|Faber
|19.67
|
|East end of concurrency with US 29
|-23.10
|rowspan=2|Albemarle
|rowspan=2|Scottsville
|35.97
|
|West end of concurrency with SR 20
|-
|36.55
|
|East end of concurrency with SR 20
|-
|rowspan=2|Fluvanna
|Fork Union
|56.69
|
|West end of concurrency with US 15
|-
|Dixie
|54.68
|
|East end of concurrency with US 15
|-59.6
|rowspan=6|Goochland
|Georges Tavern
|65.61
|
|
|-
|rowspan=2|Goochland
|75.49
|
|West end of concurrency with US 522
|-
|
|
|
|-
|rowspan=2|Maidens
|77.23
|
|East end of concurrency with US 522
|-
|
|
|
|-
|Manakin
|90.64
|
|Cloverleaf interchange
|-93.00
|Henrico
|Tuckahoe
|94.73
|
|
|-98.2
|rowspan=3 colspan=2|City of Richmond
|101.17
|
|
|-
|101.55
|Thompson Street to
|SR 6 veers onto Kensington Avenue
|-
|102.26
|
|Eastern terminus
State highway
State highway, state road or state route can refer to one of three related concepts, two of them related to a state or provincial government in a country that is divided into states or provinces :#A...
in the U.S. state of Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
. Known for most of its length as River Road, the state highway runs 102.26 miles (164.6 km) from U.S. Route 250
U.S. Route 250 in Virginia
U.S. Route 250 is a part of the U.S. Highway System that runs from Sandusky, Ohio to Richmond, Virginia. In Virginia, the U.S. Highway runs from the West Virginia state line near Hightown east to its eastern terminus at US 360 in Richmond...
(US 250) in Afton
Afton, Virginia
Afton is an unincorporated community in Nelson County, Virginia, United States. It is located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains about west of Charlottesville.Afton is home to the Blue Mountain Brewery.- Notable residents :...
east to SR 161
Virginia State Route 161
State Route 161 is a primary state highway in and near Richmond, Virginia, United States. It extends from an interchange with Interstate 95 in the independent city of Richmond north to an intersection with U.S...
in Richmond
Richmond, Virginia
Richmond is the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, in the United States. It is an independent city and not part of any county. Richmond is the center of the Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Greater Richmond area...
. SR 6 is one of the main highways of mountainous Nelson County
Nelson County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 14,445 people, 5,887 households, and 4,144 families residing in the county. The population density was 31 people per square mile . There were 8,554 housing units at an average density of 18 per square mile...
, where the highway runs north–south from its beginning to US 29
U.S. Route 29 in Virginia
U.S. Route 29 is a major north–south route in the Commonwealth of Virginia. It covers from the North Carolina border at the city of Danville to the Key Bridge in Washington, D.C....
. From Scottsville
Scottsville, Virginia
Scottsville is a town in Albemarle and Fluvanna counties in the U.S. state of Virginia. The population was 555 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Charlottesville Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
to Richmond, the state highway parallels the James River
James River
The James River may refer to:Rivers in the United States and their namesakes* James River * James River , North Dakota, South Dakota* James River * James River * James River...
. SR 6 is a major suburban highway through southwestern Henrico County
Henrico County, Virginia
Henrico is a county located in the Commonwealth of Virginia, a state of the United States. As of 2010, Henrico was home to 306,935 people. It is located in the Richmond-Petersburg region and is a portion of the Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area...
and the main street of Richmond's West End.
Route description
SR 6 begins at US 250 (Rockfish Gap Turnpike) on the slope of Afton Mountain, the local name for this section of the Blue Ridge MountainsBlue Ridge Mountains
The Blue Ridge Mountains are a physiographic province of the larger Appalachian Mountains range. This province consists of northern and southern physiographic regions, which divide near the Roanoke River gap. The mountain range is located in the eastern United States, starting at its southern-most...
, about 1 miles (1.6 km) east of Rockfish Gap
Rockfish Gap
Rockfish Gap is a wind gap located in the Blue Ridge Mountains between Charlottesville and Waynesboro, Virginia, United States, through Afton Mountain, which is frequently used to refer to the gap....
. The state highway heads south as Afton Mountain Road, which descends the mountain curvaceously and passes through the village of Afton, where the highway crosses over a CSX
CSX Transportation
CSX Transportation operates a Class I railroad in the United States known as the CSX Railroad. It is the main subsidiary of the CSX Corporation. The company is headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, and owns approximately 21,000 route miles...
rail line. At the bottom of the descent, SR 6 meets SR 151
Virginia State Route 151
Virginia State Route 151 is a primary state highway in the U.S. state of Virginia. The state highway runs from U.S. Route 29 at Buffalo Hill north to US 250 at Critzers Shop...
(Critzers Shop Road) in the village of Avon
Avon, Virginia
Avon is an unincorporated community in Nelson County, Virginia, United States.-References:*...
. The two highways head south as Rockfish Valley Highway through the namesake valley. Just south of Greenfield, SR 6 leaves SR 151 and heads east as River Road, which follows the Rockfish River
Rockfish River
The Rockfish River is a tributary of the James River in central Virginia in the United States. Via the James River, it is part of the watershed of Chesapeake Bay.-Course:...
through a mountainous area south to US 29 (Thomas Nelson Highway). SR 6 heads east along the four-lane divided highway between several mountains before splitting to the southeast as Irish Road. The state highway crosses over Norfolk Southern Railway
Norfolk Southern Railway
The Norfolk Southern Railway is a Class I railroad in the United States, owned by the Norfolk Southern Corporation. With headquarters in Norfolk, Virginia, the company operates 21,500 route miles in 22 eastern states, the District of Columbia and the province of Ontario, Canada...
's Washington District in Faber
Faber, Virginia
Faber is an unincorporated community in Nelson County, Virginia, United States.-References:*...
and enters Albemarle County
Albemarle County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 79,236 people, 31,876 households, and 21,070 families residing in the county. The population density was 110 people per square mile . There were 33,720 housing units at an average density of 47 per square mile...
at a gap between Shiloh Mountain and Butler Mountain.
SR 6 continues east along a mountainous area where the highway passes through the communities of Damon
Damon, Virginia
Damon is an unincorporated community in Albemarle County, Virginia....
, Tillmans
Tillmans, Virginia
Tillmans is an unincorporated community in Albemarle County, Virginia....
, Esmont
Esmont, Virginia
Esmont is a census-designated place in Albemarle County, Virginia, United States. The population as of the 2010 Census was 528.-References:*...
, and Porters
Porters, Virginia
Porters is an unincorporated community in Albemarle County, Virginia....
. The state highway enters an area of more gentle terrain on its way to Scottsville, which is on the border between Albemarle and Fluvanna
Fluvanna County, Virginia
As of 2002, Fluvanna County's population was 20,047. There are 7,387 households, and 5,702 families residing in the county. The population density was 70 people per square mile . There were 8,018 housing units at an average density of 28 per square mile...
counties. At the north end of the town, SR 6 joins SR 20
Virginia State Route 20
Virginia State Route 20 is a primary state highway in the U.S. state of Virginia. The state highway runs from U.S. Route 15 in Dillwyn north to SR 3 in Wilderness. SR 20 is a C-shaped route that connects Charlottesville with Farmville in Southside Virginia...
in a concurrency on Valley Street. In the center of town, SR 6 heads east as Main Street while SR 20 crosses the James River. The state highway parallels the river and CSX's Rivanna Subdivision through the town before turning north and ascending out of the river valley. SR 6 continues east as River Road through Kidds Store
Kidds Store, Virginia
Kidds Store is an unincorporated community in Fluvanna County, in the U.S. state of Virginia.-Reference:...
and Cohasset
Cohasset, Virginia
Cohasset is an unincorporated community in Fluvanna County, in the U.S. state of Virginia.-Reference:...
to Fork Union
Fork Union, Virginia
Fork Union is an unincorporated community in southern Fluvanna County, Virginia, along U.S. Highway 15. Its ZIP code is 23055; the population within that ZIP code was 1148 according to the 2000 Census...
, home of Fork Union Military Academy
Fork Union Military Academy
Fork Union Military Academy is a private, military boarding school located in the town of Fork Union, Virginia. The school is more commonly known by its acronym FUMA ....
. The state highway runs concurrently with US 15
U.S. Route 15 in Virginia
U.S. Route 15 is a part of the U.S. Highway System that runs from Walterboro, South Carolina to Painted Post, New York. In Virginia, the U.S. Highway runs from the North Carolina state line near Clarksville north to the Maryland state line at the Potomac River near Lucketts...
(James Madison Highway) northeast from Fork Union before diverging at Dixie.
SR 6 passes through Holmhead
Holmhead, Virginia
Holmhead is an unincorporated community in Fluvanna County, in the U.S. state of Virginia.-Reference:...
and crosses the Rivanna River
Rivanna River
The Rivanna River is a tributary of the James River in central Virginia in the United States. The Rivanna's tributaries originate in the Blue Ridge Mountains; via the James River, it is part of the watershed of Chesapeake Bay....
shortly before passing through the town of Columbia
Columbia, Virginia
Columbia is a town in Fluvanna County, Virginia, United States, at the confluence of the James and Rivanna Rivers. The population was 49 at the 2000 census, making it Virginia's smallest incorporated town...
, where the highway is named St. James Street. At the east end of the town, SR 6 enters Goochland County and briefly parallels the Rivanna Subdivision through the valley of the James River. The state highway veers away from the river and meets the northern end of SR 45
Virginia State Route 45
Virginia State Route 45 is a primary state highway in the U.S. state of Virginia. The state highway runs from the junction of U.S. Route 15 Business and US 460 Business in Farmville north to SR 6 at Georges Tavern...
(Cartersville Road) at Georges Tavern. SR 6 approaches the river again just before arriving in Goochland
Goochland, Virginia
Goochland is a census-designated place in and the county seat of Goochland County, Virginia, United States. The population as of the 2010 Census was 861. The community is also known as Goochland Courthouse or by an alternative spelling, Goochland Court House...
. At the north end of the county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
, the state highway joins US 522
U.S. Route 522 in Virginia
U.S. Route 522 is a part of the U.S. Highway System that runs from Powhatan, Virginia to Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania. In Virginia, the U.S. highway runs from its southern terminus at US 60 in Powhatan north to the West Virginia state line near Cross Junction...
(Sandy Hook Road) in a concurrency and heads south past the Western Campus of J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College
J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College
J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a community college serving not only Richmond, Virginia, but Goochland County, Hanover County, Henrico County, Louisa County, Powhatan County as well. Named for Lieutenant Governor J. Sargeant Reynolds, JSRCC is a member of the Virginia Community College...
. SR 6 and US 522 pass the county offices and the Virginia Correctional Center for Women
Virginia Correctional Center for Women
Chesterfield Division Correctional Center for Women is a female-only state prison in Virginia, USA.Opened in 1931, it is located in Goochland, in central Virginia.-External links:*...
before US 522 heads south across the James River as Maidens Road. SR 6 heads through the villages of Manakin and Sabot
Manakin-Sabot, Virginia
Manakin-Sabot, consisting of the villages of Manakin and Sabot, is an unincorporated community in Goochland County, Virginia, United States. It is located northwest of Richmond and is part of the Greater Richmond region. The area is home to several country clubs. Justin Verlander, pitcher for the...
, between which SR 6 expands to a four-lane divided highway. At Richmond Country Club, River Road splits to the south and the state highway continues east as Patterson Avenue.
SR 6 meets the SR 288
Virginia State Route 288
State Route 288 is a primary state highway in the U.S. state of Virginia. It is a freeway-standard partial beltway around the southwest side of Richmond...
freeway at a cloverleaf interchange
Cloverleaf interchange
A cloverleaf interchange is a two-level interchange in which left turns, reverse direction in left-driving regions, are handled by ramp roads...
before crossing Tuckahoe Creek into suburban Henrico County. The state highway intersects Gaskins Road, which heads north as SR 157
Virginia State Route 157
Virginia State Route 157 is a primary state highway in the U.S. state of Virginia. The state highway runs from SR 6 in Tuckahoe north to U.S. Route 33 in Glen Allen...
, and Parham Road in the suburb of Tuckahoe
Tuckahoe, Virginia
Tuckahoe is a census-designated place in Henrico County, Virginia, and a northwestern suburb of Richmond. The population was 43,242 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Tuckahoe is located at ....
. At Glenside Drive, which leads north to Monument Avenue
Monument Avenue
Monument Avenue, in Richmond, Virginia, is a premier example of the Grand American Avenue city planning style. The first monument, a statue of Robert E. Lee was erected in 1890. Between 1900 and 1925, Monument Avenue exploded with architecturally significant houses, churches and apartment buildings...
, SR 6 veers southeast and enters the city of Richmond. The state highway becomes an undivided highway just before intersectng SR 197
Virginia State Route 197
State Route 197 is a primary state highway in and near Richmond, Virginia, United States. It forms a partial bypass of downtown Richmond, using Malvern Avenue, Westwood Avenue, Saunders Avenue, and Laburnum Avenue between State Route 147 and U.S. Route 1/U.S. Route 301 .-External links:*...
(Malvern Avenue). SR 6 crosses over Interstate 195
Interstate 195 (Virginia)
Interstate 195 is an Interstate Highway in the U.S. state of Virginia. Known as the Beltline Expressway, the highway runs from Virginia State Route 195 , a toll road that continues south into Downtown Richmond, north to I-64 and I-95 on the northern edge of Richmond. I-195 passes through the West...
(Beltline Expressway), which is accessed via Thompson Street, which the state highway intersects as it shifts to two-lane Kensington Avenue. The state highway continues through the Museum District until it reaches its eastern terminus at SR 161 (Boulevard) one block north of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
The Virginia Museum of Fine arts, or VMFA, is an art museum in Richmond, Virginia, in the United States, which opened in 1936.The museum is owned and operated by the Commonwealth of Virginia, while private donations, endowments, and funds are used for the support of specific programs and all...
.
Major intersections
{| class=wikitable!County
!Location
!Mile
!Destinations
!Notes
|-
|rowspan=5|Nelson
Nelson County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 14,445 people, 5,887 households, and 4,144 families residing in the county. The population density was 31 people per square mile . There were 8,554 housing units at an average density of 18 per square mile...
|Afton
Afton, Virginia
Afton is an unincorporated community in Nelson County, Virginia, United States. It is located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains about west of Charlottesville.Afton is home to the Blue Mountain Brewery.- Notable residents :...
|0.00
|
|Western terminus
|-
|Avon
Avon, Virginia
Avon is an unincorporated community in Nelson County, Virginia, United States.-References:*...
|3.72
|
|West end of concurrency with SR 151
|-
|Martins Store
Martins Store, Virginia
Martins Store is an unincorporated community in Nelson County, Virginia, United States.-References:*...
|9.94
|
|East end of concurrency with SR 151
|-
|Woods Mill
Woods Mill, Virginia
Woods Mill is an unincorporated community in Nelson County, Virginia, United States. It was among the communities severely affected by flash flooding from Hurricane Camille in 1969.-References:*...
|15.73
|
|West end of concurrency with US 29
|-
|Faber
Faber, Virginia
Faber is an unincorporated community in Nelson County, Virginia, United States.-References:*...
|19.67
|
|East end of concurrency with US 29
|-23.10
|rowspan=2|Albemarle
Albemarle County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 79,236 people, 31,876 households, and 21,070 families residing in the county. The population density was 110 people per square mile . There were 33,720 housing units at an average density of 47 per square mile...
|rowspan=2|Scottsville
Scottsville, Virginia
Scottsville is a town in Albemarle and Fluvanna counties in the U.S. state of Virginia. The population was 555 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Charlottesville Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
|35.97
|
|West end of concurrency with SR 20
|-
|36.55
|
|East end of concurrency with SR 20
|-
|rowspan=2|Fluvanna
Fluvanna County, Virginia
As of 2002, Fluvanna County's population was 20,047. There are 7,387 households, and 5,702 families residing in the county. The population density was 70 people per square mile . There were 8,018 housing units at an average density of 28 per square mile...
|Fork Union
Fork Union, Virginia
Fork Union is an unincorporated community in southern Fluvanna County, Virginia, along U.S. Highway 15. Its ZIP code is 23055; the population within that ZIP code was 1148 according to the 2000 Census...
|56.69
|
|West end of concurrency with US 15
|-
|Dixie
|54.68
|
|East end of concurrency with US 15
|-59.6
|rowspan=6|Goochland
Goochland County, Virginia
Goochland County is a county located in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As of 2010, the population was 21,717. Its county seat is Goochland. It is located in the Richmond-Petersburg region and is a portion of the Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area ....
|Georges Tavern
|65.61
|
|
|-
|rowspan=2|Goochland
Goochland, Virginia
Goochland is a census-designated place in and the county seat of Goochland County, Virginia, United States. The population as of the 2010 Census was 861. The community is also known as Goochland Courthouse or by an alternative spelling, Goochland Court House...
|75.49
|
|West end of concurrency with US 522
|-
|
|
|
|-
|rowspan=2|Maidens
Maidens, Virginia
Maidens is a small unincorporated community in Goochland County, Virginia, United States. Sited on the north side of the James River, it is currently located on Maidens Rd. just south of the intersection of State Route 6....
|77.23
|
|East end of concurrency with US 522
|-
|
|
|
|-
|Manakin
|90.64
|
|Cloverleaf interchange
|-93.00
|Henrico
Henrico County, Virginia
Henrico is a county located in the Commonwealth of Virginia, a state of the United States. As of 2010, Henrico was home to 306,935 people. It is located in the Richmond-Petersburg region and is a portion of the Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area...
|Tuckahoe
Tuckahoe, Virginia
Tuckahoe is a census-designated place in Henrico County, Virginia, and a northwestern suburb of Richmond. The population was 43,242 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Tuckahoe is located at ....
|94.73
|
|
|-98.2
|rowspan=3 colspan=2|City of Richmond
Richmond, Virginia
Richmond is the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, in the United States. It is an independent city and not part of any county. Richmond is the center of the Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Greater Richmond area...
|101.17
|
|
|-
|101.55
|Thompson Street to
|SR 6 veers onto Kensington Avenue
|-
|102.26
|
|Eastern terminus