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minutes, optional
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7 years of age and older
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Disclaimer: All calculated fares are estimates only. While all applicable surcharges are factored into the fare calculator, certain unforeseen factors can change your final taxi fare. For example, traffic congestion, road closures, or accidents can slow the taxi to a speed of less than 15 mph or a complete stop and will trigger the wait time meter rate. Similarly, if unexpected road detours are necessary, these can increase your mileage and corresponding fare. Other factors such as inclement/hazardous weather conditions, tolls, or passenger requested additional stops can also affect these estimates. Tolls, if applicable, are not included in the fare calculator estimates. If tolls are incurred along your route, the driver pays for it via their E-ZPass and will add it to the final fare on ride completion after the meter has been stopped. To estimate tolls, please use the Tollguru Toll Calculator. To view tolls in Virginia please refer to Toll Roads in Virginia. For real-time traffic conditions in Virginia please refer to 511 Virginia

How to Use the Miles Based Taxi Fare Calculator

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Step 1: Check RIC Pickup

If your ride starts at Richmond International Airport (RIC), check the box. This adds the $5.00 airport access fee and locks the pickup address.

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Step 2: Enter or Select Pickup

Type any address or pick from the popular list. Use the swap button to reverse addresses if needed.

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Step 3: Enter or Select Dropoff

Enter the destination or choose a popular spot. Google Maps calculates the exact distance.

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Step 4: Add Waiting Time

Optional – enter minutes of expected stops; $0.50 per 80 seconds is added.

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Step 5: Select Trip Time

Choose “Day” or “Night” to apply the $1.00 night surcharge if applicable.

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Step 6: Passengers & Tips

Enter passengers (7+ years) and pick a tip percentage.

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Step 7: Get Quote

Click the button to see a full breakdown.

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Understanding Your Richmond Taxi Fare
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Understanding Your Richmond VA Metered Fare

Richmond, VA taxi fares are regulated by city ordinance and apply uniformly across licensed taxicabs operating within city limits, including trips to and from Richmond International Airport (RIC). The fare structure is meter-based and includes a combination of fixed charges, distance-based rates, and time-based waiting fees.

Official Source:

City of Richmond Taxicab Rates Ordinance

Official Rate Breakdown

  • Base Fare: $2.50 — covers the first 1⁄5 mile (flag drop)
  • Per Mile Rate: $2.50 per mile after the first 0.2 miles
  • Wait Time: $0.50 per 80 seconds ($22.50 per hour) — applied during traffic, stops, or delays
  • Night Surcharge: +$1.00 for trips between 10:00 PM and 6:00 AM
  • Additional Passenger: $1.00 per person over age 6 (children 6 and under ride free with paying adult)
  • RIC Airport Access Fee: $5.00 flat fee for pickups at Richmond International Airport
  • Minimum Fare from RIC: $15.00 total (including $5 access fee)

How the Meter Works in Practice

When you enter a taxi, the meter starts at $2.50. For the first 0.2 miles, no additional charge applies. After completing the first 0.2 miles, the meter increases by $0.50 every 1/5 th mile (or every 80 seconds of waiting). This ensures fair pricing whether you're stuck in traffic or cruising at normal speed.

Airport Trips: Special Rules

If your trip starts at RIC, two things happen:

  1. $5.00 Airport Access Fee is added automatically.
  2. Your total fare cannot be less than $15.00 — even for very short trips.

Drop-offs at RIC do not trigger the access fee or minimum fare.

Tolls, Tips & Extras

Tolls (if any) are paid by the passenger in addition to the meter fare. Tips are not included in the meter reading — standard is 15–20%, but entirely optional. To estimate tolls, please use the Tollguru Toll Calculator

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Frequently Asked Questions

Calculator Tool & Usage

How accurate are the fare estimates from the calculator? image of an arrow

The taxi fare calculator uses Richmond VA regulated taxi rates and real-time distance data from a Google Maps API to provide a close estimate. However, real-time factors such as heavy traffic, detours, or unexpected stops can cause slight variations. It’s best used as a planning tool—always confirm with your driver for the final fare.

What does the “Pickup from RIC Airport?” checkbox do? image of an arrow

If checked, it automatically applies the $5.00 Richmond Airport Access Fee and sets the pickup address to RIC. This ensures the estimate includes airport-specific charges, like the minimum fare requirement of $10.00 + fee for RIC pickups. Please leave unchecked if your ride doesn’t originate at RIC airport.

Why should I enter waiting time, and how is it calculated? image of an arrow

Enter waiting time in minutes for stops or delays; it’s optional but adds a layer of hedging against unpredictability to your estimate. The tool calculates $0.50 per 80 minutes, simulating real taximeter wait time resulting from traffic stops or requested car stopss. Leave it at 0 if no delays are expected.

How does the calculator handle addresses not in the popular list? image of an arrow

Simply type any valid address; the tool uses Google Maps autocomplete for accuracy. The popular list is for convenience, but custom addresses work just as well. Ensure they are recognizable for precise distance calculations—e.g., include city and state if needed.

Does the calculator include tolls in the estimate? image of an arrow

No, tolls are not automatically included as they vary by route. The estimate focuses on base rates, mileage, and surcharges. If your route involves tolls (e.g., highways), they will be added by the driver at the end of the ride. Check for possible tolls on your route with the tollguru toll calculator

What if I make a mistake in my inputs—can I recalculate? image of an arrow

Yes, simply adjust any fields and click “Get Instant Fare Quote” again. The tool recalculates instantly with new inputs. Use the swap button for quick address reversals, or clear fields to start over for different scenarios.

How does your taxi fare calculator tool look? image of an arrow

We designed the calculator to have a highly intuitive look with easy user navigation and UX. Take a look at an image of the taxi fare calculator

How are children counted in the passenger surcharge? image of an arrow

According to Richmond City Ordinance:

  • The first passenger pays only the base fare — no additional charge.
  • Each additional passenger over one adds $1.00 to the fare.
  • Children six years of age or younger, when traveling with a fare-paying adult, are not counted as additional passengers and ride free (no $1 surcharge applies).

In the calculator: Enter the total number of passengers who are 7 years or older, plus the primary adult. Leave children 6 and under out of the count — they won’t affect the estimate.

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