Virginia State Route 3
Encyclopedia
State Route 3 is a primary state highway
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
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...

 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...

 that extends from the town
Town
A town is a human settlement larger than a village but smaller than a city. The size a settlement must be in order to be called a "town" varies considerably in different parts of the world, so that, for example, many American "small towns" seem to British people to be no more than villages, while...

 of Culpeper
Culpeper, Virginia
Culpeper is an incorporated town in Culpeper County, Virginia, United States. The population was 9,664 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Culpeper County. Culpeper is part of the Culpeper Micropolitan Statistical Area, which includes all of Culpeper County. Both the Town of Culpeper and...

 south and eastwardly to Gloucester in Virginia's Middle Peninsula
Middle Peninsula
The Middle Peninsula is the second of three large peninsulas on the western shore of Chesapeake Bay in Virginia, in the United States. It lies between the Northern Neck and the Virginia Peninsula. This peninsula is bounded by the Rappahannock River on the north and the York River on the south...

 region. For many years, a portion was named "Historyland Highway".

Gloucester County

Route 3 begins as the John Clayton Memorial Highway in Gloucester, sharing the highway with State Route 14.

Mathews County

After entering Mathews County, Virginia
Mathews County, Virginia
As of the census of 2010, there were 8,978 people, 3,932 households, and 2,823 families residing in the county. The population density was 108 people per square mile . There were 5,333 housing units at an average density of 62 per square mile...

, Route 3 takes a left onto Windsor Road and then a Right on Dutton Road. After that, it takes a left and crosses the Piankatank River
Piankatank River
The Piankatank River is a river in the U.S. state of Virginia. Located on the Middle Peninsula, between the Rappahannock and York rivers, it was the site of numerous actions during the American Civil War....

.

Middlesex County

After crossing the Piankatank River, goes through Hartfield and Greys Point, and then crosses the Rappahannock River
Rappahannock River
The Rappahannock River is a river in eastern Virginia, in the United States, approximately in length. It traverses the entire northern part of the state, from the Blue Ridge Mountains in the west, across the Piedmont, to the Chesapeake Bay, south of the Potomac River.An important river in American...

 on the Robert O. Norris Bridge
Robert O. Norris Bridge
The Robert O. Norris bridge is a truss bridge that spans the Rappahannock River between Lancaster County and Middlesex County in Virginia. It serves as the crossing for Virginia State Route 3 over the river. It was opened on August 30, 1957, and replaced the old ferry service...

.

Lancaster County

Route 3 is called Mary Ball Road in Lancaster County
Lancaster County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 11,567 people, 5,004 households, and 3,412 families residing in the county. The population density was 87 people per square mile . There were 6,498 housing units at an average density of 49 per square mile...

, named after George Washington
George Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...

's mother Mary Ball Washington
Mary Ball Washington
Mary Ball Washington was the second wife to Augustine Washington, and was the mother of George Washington.-Life:...

, who was born there.

Richmond County

In Richmond County
Richmond County, Virginia
Richmond County is a county located on the Northern Neck in the Commonwealth of Virginia, a state in the United States. As of 2010, the population was 9,254. Its county seat is Warsaw. The rural county should not be confused with the large city and state capital Richmond, Virginia, which is over...

, Route 3 splits into a business route and a bypass in Warsaw
Warsaw, Virginia
Warsaw is the county seat of Richmond County, Virginia, United States. The population was 1,375 at the 2000 census.-History:The original name of the town was Richmond Courthouse. In 1830 the town's named changed to Warsaw...

. The business route is concurrent with US 360 going through the town. After leaving the town, it narrows into two lanes.

Westmoreland County

Route 3 is a Scenic Byway between Montross
Montross, Virginia
Montross is a town in Westmoreland County, Virginia, United States. The population was 315 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Westmoreland County. Located in the historic Northern Neck of Virginia, Montross is near the George Washington Birthplace National Monument and Stratford Hall...

 and Oak Grove. It passes by Westmoreland State Park
Westmoreland State Park
Westmoreland State Park lies within Westmoreland County, Virginia. The park extends about one and a half miles along the Potomac River. The park covers 1,311 acres. The park's Horsehead Cliffs provide visitors with a panoramic view of the Potomac River...

 and the George Washington Birthplace National Monument
George Washington Birthplace National Monument
The George Washington Birthplace National Monument is in Westmoreland County, Virginia, United States. Originally settled by John Washington, George Washington's great-grandfather, George Washington was born here on February 22, 1732...

.

King George County

The King George County segment of State Route 3 is known as King's Highway
King's Highway (Charleston to Boston)
The King's Highway is a route over in length in the eastern United States. It joins Charleston, South Carolina, to Boston, Massachusetts. It was named after Charles II of England, who in 1650 directed his colonial governors to build it. It did not become a continuous wagon road until 1735...

throughout the county. It traverses the county boundaries in a fairly east–west direction, starting at the King George County-Westmoreland County
Westmoreland County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 16,718 people, 6,846 households, and 4,689 families residing in the county. The population density was . There were 9,286 housing units at an average density of...

 boundary line. It extends westward, crossing U.S. Route 301 and widening back to four lanes as it continues towards Stafford County
Stafford County, Virginia
Stafford County is a county located in the Commonwealth of Virginia, a U.S. state, and just across the Rappahannock River from the City of Fredericksburg. As of the 2000 census, the population was 92,446, increasing to 128,961 in 2010.. Its county seat is Stafford. In 2006, and again in 2009,...

 and the city of Fredericksburg
Fredericksburg, Virginia
Fredericksburg is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia located south of Washington, D.C., and north of Richmond. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 24,286...

.

Kings Highway is also the main access road to Interstate 95 through Fredericksburg for King George County.

A large portion of the King George County Administration is situated on Kings Highway. The county courthouse, county seat, Sheriff's office, the offices of the Board of Supervisors and School Board are located at State Route 3 through King George County.

Stafford County

Route 3 enters the county after passing over Muddy Creek. In Stafford County
Stafford County, Virginia
Stafford County is a county located in the Commonwealth of Virginia, a U.S. state, and just across the Rappahannock River from the City of Fredericksburg. As of the 2000 census, the population was 92,446, increasing to 128,961 in 2010.. Its county seat is Stafford. In 2006, and again in 2009,...

, Route 3 is called Kings Highway. It passes by Ferry Farm
Ferry Farm
Ferry Farm, also known as George Washington Boyhood Home Site or Ferry Farm Site, is the name of the farm and home at which George Washington spent much of his childhood. The site is located in Stafford County, Virginia, along the northern bank of the Rappahannock River, across from the city of...

, the boyhood home of George Washington
George Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...

.

City of Fredericksburg

Route 3 splits into a business route and a bypass while going through Fredericksburg
Fredericksburg, Virginia
Fredericksburg is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia located south of Washington, D.C., and north of Richmond. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 24,286...

. The bypass is called the Blue and Gray Parkway. The business route follows William Street. Both routes enter the city by passing over the Rappahannock River
Rappahannock River
The Rappahannock River is a river in eastern Virginia, in the United States, approximately in length. It traverses the entire northern part of the state, from the Blue Ridge Mountains in the west, across the Piedmont, to the Chesapeake Bay, south of the Potomac River.An important river in American...

, although on different bridges. They rejoin as William Street just before the U.S. 1
U.S. Route 1 in Virginia
U.S. Route 1 in the U.S. state of Virginia runs north–south through South Hill, Petersburg, Richmond, Fredericksburg, and Alexandria on its way from North Carolina to the 14th Street Bridge into the District of Columbia...

 interchange. The street name changes to Plank Road somewhere between Route 1 and Interstate 95.

Spotsylvania County

Route 3 is known as Plank Road in Spotsylvania County. It's a divided highway of at least four lanes for the duration of this segment. The Spotsylvania Mall and large Central Park regional shopping center next to it, are located at the junction with Interstate 95.

Orange County

SR 3 slightly goes through Orange County
Orange County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 25,881 people, 10,150 households, and 7,470 families residing in the county. The population density was 76 people per square mile . There were 11,354 housing units at an average density of 33 per square mile...

. When entering westbound the highway intersects VA 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...

 at Wilderness
Battle of the Wilderness
The Battle of the Wilderness, fought May 5–7, 1864, was the first battle of Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant's 1864 Virginia Overland Campaign against Gen. Robert E. Lee and the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia. Both armies suffered heavy casualties, a harbinger of a bloody war of attrition by...

.

Culpeper County

Route 3 is known as Germanna Highway in Culpeper County
Culpeper County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 34,262 people, 12,141 households, and 9,045 families residing in the county. The population density was 90 people per square mile . There were 12,871 housing units at an average density of 34 per square mile...

, after an early colonial community of German ironworkers.

Town of Culpeper

Route 3 enters the town of Culpeper
Culpeper, Virginia
Culpeper is an incorporated town in Culpeper County, Virginia, United States. The population was 9,664 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Culpeper County. Culpeper is part of the Culpeper Micropolitan Statistical Area, which includes all of Culpeper County. Both the Town of Culpeper and...

 after crossing over the U.S. Route 15/U.S. Route 29 bypass of the city. It ends at U.S. Route 15 Business at an intersection with Orange Road.

History

State Route 7 was defined as part of the original 1918 state highway system from Winchester southeast via Front Royal, and Culpeper to Fredericksburg, and then along the Northern Neck
Northern Neck
The Northern Neck is the northernmost of three peninsulas on the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay in the Commonwealth of Virginia. This peninsula is bounded by the Potomac River on the north and the Rappahannock River on the south. It encompasses the following Virginia counties: Lancaster,...

 via Warsaw
Warsaw, Virginia
Warsaw is the county seat of Richmond County, Virginia, United States. The population was 1,375 at the 2000 census.-History:The original name of the town was Richmond Courthouse. In 1830 the town's named changed to Warsaw...

 to Reedville
Reedville, Virginia
Reedville is an unincorporated town in Northumberland County in the Northern Neck region of the U.S. state of Virginia. It is located at the eastern terminus of U.S...

. This is now approximated by U.S. Route 522, State Route 3, and U.S. Route 360.

In late 1921, the State Highway Commission looked at possible routes between Winchester and Front Royal, specifically via Middletown
Middletown, Virginia
Middletown is a town in Frederick County, Virginia, United States. The population was 1,265 at the 2010 census.- History :Belle Grove Plantation, about a mile southwest of Middletown, was first settled in about 1750 and its historic Federal-style manor house was completed in 1797...

 to Cedarville and via Boyce
Boyce, Virginia
Boyce is a town in Clarke County, Virginia, United States. The population was 426 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Boyce is located at ....

, White Post
White Post, Virginia
White Post is an unincorporated town in Clarke County, Virginia, USA. White Post is located at the crossroads of White Post and Berrys Ferry Roads off Lord Fairfax Highway White Post is an unincorporated town in Clarke County, Virginia, USA. White Post is located at the crossroads of White Post and...

, Stone Bridge
Stone Bridge, Virginia
Stone Bridge is an unincorporated community in southern Clarke County, Virginia, USA....

, and Rockland to Cedarville, and decided on the direct route via Double Toll Gate.

SR 7 at first ran from Montross
Montross, Virginia
Montross is a town in Westmoreland County, Virginia, United States. The population was 315 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Westmoreland County. Located in the historic Northern Neck of Virginia, Montross is near the George Washington Birthplace National Monument and Stratford Hall...

 via Templeman
Templeman, Virginia
Templeman is an unincorporated community in Westmoreland County, in the U. S. state of Virginia.-References:*...

 to Warsaw
Warsaw, Virginia
Warsaw is the county seat of Richmond County, Virginia, United States. The population was 1,375 at the 2000 census.-History:The original name of the town was Richmond Courthouse. In 1830 the town's named changed to Warsaw...

 and then east via Heathsville
Heathsville, Virginia
Heathsville is a census-designated place in and the county seat of Northumberland County, Virginia, United States. The population as of the 2010 Census was 142. It is located on U.S. Route 360 west of Reedville and east of Warsaw....

 to Reedville. By late 1922, a branch northwest from Callao
Callao, Virginia
Callao is an unincorporated community in Northumberland County, Virginia, United States. It is located on U.S. Route 360 Northwest of Heathsville and East of Warsaw....

 via Hague
Hague, Virginia
Hague is an unincorporated community in Westmoreland County, in the U. S. state of Virginia.-References:*...

 to Templeman was added and assigned the State Route 7-X designation.

In the 1923 renumbering, SR 7 became State Route 37 (and SR 7-X became State Route 371). By the end of that year, SR 37's east end was moved from Reedville to Westland
Westland, Virginia
Westland is an unincorporated community in Lancaster County in the U. S. state of Virginia....

, and the old road between Warsaw and Reedville became part of SR 371.

Major intersections

{| class=wikitable
!County
!Location
!Mile

!Destinations
!Notes
|-
| rowspan="3" | Culpeper
Culpeper County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 34,262 people, 12,141 households, and 9,045 families residing in the county. The population density was 90 people per square mile . There were 12,871 housing units at an average density of 34 per square mile...


| rowspan="3" | Culpeper
Culpeper, Virginia
Culpeper is an incorporated town in Culpeper County, Virginia, United States. The population was 9,664 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Culpeper County. Culpeper is part of the Culpeper Micropolitan Statistical Area, which includes all of Culpeper County. Both the Town of Culpeper and...


| 0.00
|
| Western terminus; West end of concurrency with US 522
|-
| 1.30
|
| Diamond interchange
|-
| 1.62
|
| East end of concurrency with US 522
|-
| Orange
Orange County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 25,881 people, 10,150 households, and 7,470 families residing in the county. The population density was 76 people per square mile . There were 11,354 housing units at an average density of 33 per square mile...


| Wilderness
Wilderness, Virginia
Wilderness is the name of an area near the border of Orange and Spotsylvania counties in Virginia. Although not an official town, it is known as a locality and understood to be at the intersection of Virginia primary 20 and Virginia primary 3....


| 19.24
|
|
|-
| rowspan="5" colspan="2" | City
Independent city
An independent city is a city that does not form part of another general-purpose local government entity. These type of cities should not be confused with city-states , which are fully sovereign cities that are not part of any other sovereign state.-Historical precursors:In the Holy Roman Empire,...

 of Fredericksburg
Fredericksburg, Virginia
Fredericksburg is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia located south of Washington, D.C., and north of Richmond. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 24,286...


| 31.91
|
| Cloverleaf interchange
|-
| 33.15
|
| Cloverleaf interchange
|-
| 33.39
|
| Eastbound access to Downtown Fredericksburg
|-
| 33.92
|
| Northbound access to Downtown Fredericksburg
|-
| 34.92
|
| Partial cloverleaf interchange
|-
| Stafford
Stafford County, Virginia
Stafford County is a county located in the Commonwealth of Virginia, a U.S. state, and just across the Rappahannock River from the City of Fredericksburg. As of the 2000 census, the population was 92,446, increasing to 128,961 in 2010.. Its county seat is Stafford. In 2006, and again in 2009,...


| Ferry Farm
Ferry Farm
Ferry Farm, also known as George Washington Boyhood Home Site or Ferry Farm Site, is the name of the farm and home at which George Washington spent much of his childhood. The site is located in Stafford County, Virginia, along the northern bank of the Rappahannock River, across from the city of...


| 35.61
|
| Westbound access to Downtown Fredericksburg
|-
| rowspan="3" | King George
King George County, Virginia
As of the census of 2010, there were 23,584 people, 9,411 households, and 4,525 families residing in the county. The population density was 93 people per square mile . There were 6,820 housing units at an average density of 38 per square mile...


| Arnolds Corner
Arnolds Corner, Virginia
Arnolds Corner is an unincorporated community in King George County, Virginia, United States. Arnolds Corner lies to the west of King George at the crossroads of Kings Highway and Dahlgren Road...


| 50.84
|
|
|-
| King George
King George, Virginia
King George is a census-designated place in and the county seat of King George County, Virginia, United States, sometimes referred to as King George Courthouse because it is the location of the King George County Courthouse. The population as of the 2010 Census was 4,457...


| 53.42
|
|
|-
| Office Hall
Office Hall, Virginia
Office Hall is an unincorporated community in King George County, Virginia, United States. The main roads in Office Hall are U.S. Route 301 and Virginia State Route 3....


| 54.98
|
|
|-
| rowspan="5" | Westmoreland
Westmoreland County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 16,718 people, 6,846 households, and 4,689 families residing in the county. The population density was . There were 9,286 housing units at an average density of...


| Oak Grove
| 65.00
|
|
|-
| Potomac Mills
| 67.83
|
| Access to George Washington Birthplace National Monument
George Washington Birthplace National Monument
The George Washington Birthplace National Monument is in Westmoreland County, Virginia, United States. Originally settled by John Washington, George Washington's great-grandfather, George Washington was born here on February 22, 1732...


|-
| Baynesville
Baynesville, Virginia
Baynesville is an unincorporated community in Westmoreland County, in the U. S. state of Virginia.-References:*...


| 72.71
|
| Access to Westmoreland State Park
Westmoreland State Park
Westmoreland State Park lies within Westmoreland County, Virginia. The park extends about one and a half miles along the Potomac River. The park covers 1,311 acres. The park's Horsehead Cliffs provide visitors with a panoramic view of the Potomac River...


|-
| Lerty
Lerty, Virginia
Lerty is an unincorporated community in Westmoreland County, in the U. S. state of Virginia. Stratford Hall Plantation, a National Historic Landmark and birthplace of Robert E. Lee, is located near the community.-References:*...


| 73.39
|
|
|-
| Templeman
Templeman, Virginia
Templeman is an unincorporated community in Westmoreland County, in the U. S. state of Virginia.-References:*...


| 81.29
|
|
|-
| rowspan="3" | Richmond
Richmond County, Virginia
Richmond County is a county located on the Northern Neck in the Commonwealth of Virginia, a state in the United States. As of 2010, the population was 9,254. Its county seat is Warsaw. The rural county should not be confused with the large city and state capital Richmond, Virginia, which is over...


| Lyells
Lyells, Virginia
Lyells is an unincorporated community in Richmond County, in the U.S. state of Virginia.-Reference:...


| 87.33
|
|
|-
| rowspan="2" | Warsaw
Warsaw, Virginia
Warsaw is the county seat of Richmond County, Virginia, United States. The population was 1,375 at the 2000 census.-History:The original name of the town was Richmond Courthouse. In 1830 the town's named changed to Warsaw...


| 89.78
|
| Access to Downtown Warsaw
|-
| 91.01
|
|
|-
| rowspan="5" | Lancaster
Lancaster County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 11,567 people, 5,004 households, and 3,412 families residing in the county. The population density was 87 people per square mile . There were 6,498 housing units at an average density of 49 per square mile...


| Litwalton
Litwalton, Virginia
Litwalton is an unincorporated community in Lancaster County in the U. S. state of Virginia....


| 105.43
|
|
|-
| Lively
Lively, Virginia
Lively is an unincorporated community in Lancaster County in the U. S. state of Virginia. Mary Ball Washington, mother of George Washington, was born in Lively.-Demographics:...


| 110.76
|
|
|-
| rowspan="2" | Kilmarnock
Kilmarnock, Virginia
Kilmarnock is a town in Lancaster and Northumberland counties in the U.S. state of Virginia. The population was 1,244 at the 2000 census. It is located near the mouth of the Rappahannock River and is located within the Northern Neck George Washington Birthplace American Viticultural Area winemaking...


| 120.57
|
| West end of concurrency with SR 200
|-
| 120.66
|
| East end of concurrency with SR 200
|-
| White Stone
White Stone, Virginia
White Stone is a town in Lancaster County, Virginia, United States. The population was 358 at the 2000 census. The name "White Stone" refers to the accumulations of white stones in the area's waterways...


| 125.16
|
|
|-
| colspan="5" style="text-align: center;" | Robert O. Norris Bridge
Robert O. Norris Bridge
The Robert O. Norris bridge is a truss bridge that spans the Rappahannock River between Lancaster County and Middlesex County in Virginia. It serves as the crossing for Virginia State Route 3 over the river. It was opened on August 30, 1957, and replaced the old ferry service...

 over the Rappahannock River
Rappahannock River
The Rappahannock River is a river in eastern Virginia, in the United States, approximately in length. It traverses the entire northern part of the state, from the Blue Ridge Mountains in the west, across the Piedmont, to the Chesapeake Bay, south of the Potomac River.An important river in American...


|-
| rowspan="2" | Middlesex
Middlesex County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 9,932 people, 4,253 households, and 2,913 families residing in the county. The population density was 76 people per square mile . There were 6,362 housing units at an average density of 49 per square mile...


| Topping
| 132.55
|
| West end of concurrency with SR 33
|-
| Hartfield
| 136.00
|
| East end of concurrency with SR 33
|-
| rowspan="3" | Mathews
Mathews County, Virginia
As of the census of 2010, there were 8,978 people, 3,932 households, and 2,823 families residing in the county. The population density was 108 people per square mile . There were 5,333 housing units at an average density of 62 per square mile...


| Dixie
Dixie, Mathews County, Virginia
Dixie, Mathews County is an unincorporated community in Mathews County, in the U. S. state of Virginia.-References:...


| 140.57
|
| West end of wrong-way concurrency with SR 198
|-
| Soles
Soles, Virginia
Soles is an unincorporated community in Mathews County, in the U. S. state of Virginia.-References:...


| 142.12
|
| East end of wrong-way concurrency with SR 198
|-
| Fort Nonsense
Fort Nonsense, Virginia
Fort Nonsense is an unincorporated community in Mathews County, Virginia, United States. Fort Nonsense is located at the junction of Virginia Route 3 and Virginia Route 14 northeast of Gloucester Courthouse....


| 144.19
|
| West end of wrong-way concurrency with SR 14
|-
| Gloucester
Gloucester County, Virginia
Gloucester County is within the Commonwealth of Virginia in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area in the USA. Formed in 1651 in the Virginia Colony, the county was named for Henry Stuart, Duke of Gloucester, third son of King Charles I of Great Britain. Located in the Middle Peninsula region, it...


| Gloucester
| 150.55
|
| Eastern terminus; East end of wrong-way concurrency with SR 14
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