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2 cleaner spots within a 3-hour drive

Richmond is breathing 4.1 cigarettes a week

13
PM2.5 µg/m³
58
AQI
5.1
Cleanest in reach · µg/m³
See the 2 cleaner spots

Where are you?

Search covers Canada and the United States.

The better move within a 3-hour drive

Dates

Dates follow you into hotel searches. Live inventory is confirmed by the provider.

Norfolk looks like the better move.43% cleaner air with a verified 1 h 55 min road trip. Rankings balance cleaner air with trip ease.

Every town is also available in the ranked list.
Richmond Clean · PM2.5 0–5 Good · 5–9 Elevated · 9–15 Polluted · 15–35 Unhealthy · 35–55 Severe · 55+
Top pick
Norfolk
Cel-shaded illustration of Norfolk
#1NorfolkPM2.5 7.4~1 h 55 min drivesaves 1.8 cigs/wk

Virginia· PM2.5 7.4 µg/m³

A major Virginia city with broad lodging options and live air-quality readings for comparison when smoke shifts across the region.

43% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 7.4 µg/m³ here vs 13 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 7.4/22 × 7 = 2.4 here; 13/22 × 7 = 4.1 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

5.6 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Richmond right now

43% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 27, 7:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Williamsburg
Cel-shaded illustration of Williamsburg
#2WilliamsburgPM2.5 8.3Checking road routesaves 1.5 cigs/wk

Virginia· PM2.5 8.3 µg/m³

Colonial capital between the James and York rivers, with tidewater air and an extensive hotel base.

36% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 8.3 µg/m³ here vs 13 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 8.3/22 × 7 = 2.6 here; 13/22 × 7 = 4.1 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

4.7 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Richmond right now

36% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 27, 7:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Charlottesville
Cel-shaded illustration of Charlottesville
#3CharlottesvillePM2.5 15~1 h 25 min drive

Virginia· PM2.5 15 µg/m³

Blue Ridge foothills college city, with mountain-edge air, vineyards nearby and a broad base of hotels and inns.

Worse air than home. Don't bother.

PM2.5 is 15 µg/m³ here vs 13 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 15/22 × 7 = 4.8 here; 13/22 × 7 = 4.1 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
15% worse airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 27, 7:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Bellwood
Cel-shaded illustration of Bellwood
#4BellwoodParticle data unavailableChecking road routesaves 4.1 cigs/wk

Virginia

Virginia community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Chesterfield Court House
Cel-shaded illustration of Chesterfield Court House
#5Chesterfield Court HouseParticle data unavailableChecking road routesaves 4.1 cigs/wk

Virginia

Virginia community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Midlothian
Cel-shaded illustration of Midlothian
#6MidlothianParticle data unavailableChecking road routesaves 4.1 cigs/wk

Virginia

Virginia community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Short Pump
Cel-shaded illustration of Short Pump
#7Short PumpParticle data unavailableChecking road routesaves 4.1 cigs/wk

Virginia

Virginia community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Chester
Cel-shaded illustration of Chester
#8ChesterParticle data unavailableChecking road routesaves 4.1 cigs/wk

Virginia

Virginia community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Brandermill
Cel-shaded illustration of Brandermill
#9BrandermillParticle data unavailableChecking road routesaves 4.1 cigs/wk

Virginia

Virginia community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Wyndham
Cel-shaded illustration of Wyndham
#10WyndhamParticle data unavailableChecking road routesaves 4.1 cigs/wk

Virginia

Virginia community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Ashland
Cel-shaded illustration of Ashland
#11AshlandParticle data unavailableChecking road routesaves 4.1 cigs/wk

Virginia

Virginia community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Enon
Cel-shaded illustration of Enon
#12EnonParticle data unavailableChecking road routesaves 4.1 cigs/wk

Virginia

Virginia community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Virginia Beach
Cel-shaded illustration of Virginia Beach
#13Virginia BeachPM2.5 9.7~2 h 10 min drivesaves 1.1 cigs/wk

Virginia· PM2.5 9.7 µg/m³

A major Virginia city with broad lodging options and live air-quality readings for comparison when smoke shifts across the region.

25% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 9.7 µg/m³ here vs 13 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 9.7/22 × 7 = 3.1 here; 13/22 × 7 = 4.1 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

3.3 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Richmond right now

25% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 27, 7:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Durham
Cel-shaded illustration of Durham
#14DurhamPM2.5 10.1~2 h 50 min drivesaves 0.9 cigs/wk

North Carolina· PM2.5 10.1 µg/m³

A major North Carolina city with broad lodging options and live air-quality readings for comparison when smoke shifts across the region.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 10.1 µg/m³ here vs 13 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 10.1/22 × 7 = 3.2 here; 13/22 × 7 = 4.1 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

2.9 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Richmond right now

22% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 27, 7:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Cambridge
Cel-shaded illustration of Cambridge
#15CambridgePM2.5 11Checking road routesaves 0.6 cigs/wk

Maryland· PM2.5 11 µg/m³

Eastern Shore town on the wide Choptank River, with waterfront air and a growing base of inns.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 11 µg/m³ here vs 13 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 11/22 × 7 = 3.5 here; 13/22 × 7 = 4.1 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
15% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 27, 7:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
St. Michaels
Cel-shaded illustration of St. Michaels
#16St. MichaelsPM2.5 11Checking road routesaves 0.6 cigs/wk

Maryland· PM2.5 11 µg/m³

Chesapeake Bay harbor town on Maryland's Eastern Shore, wrapped in open-water air, with waterfront inns.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 11 µg/m³ here vs 13 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 11/22 × 7 = 3.5 here; 13/22 × 7 = 4.1 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
15% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 27, 7:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Luray
Cel-shaded illustration of Luray
#17LurayPM2.5 12.6~2 h 45 min drive

Virginia· PM2.5 12.6 µg/m³

Shenandoah Valley town below the Blue Ridge and Skyline Drive, a caverns-and-hiking base with cool valley air and inns.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 12.6 µg/m³ here vs 13 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 12.6/22 × 7 = 4.0 here; 13/22 × 7 = 4.1 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
3% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 27, 7:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Chincoteague
Cel-shaded illustration of Chincoteague
#18ChincoteaguePM2.5 5.1~4 h 10 min drivesaves 2.5 cigs/wk

Virginia· PM2.5 5.1 µg/m³

Barrier-island town beside Assateague's wild beaches on Virginia's Eastern Shore, wrapped by bay and ocean air with plentiful lodging.

61% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 5.1 µg/m³ here vs 13 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 5.1/22 × 7 = 1.6 here; 13/22 × 7 = 4.1 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

7.9 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Richmond right now

61% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 27, 7:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Kill Devil Hills
Cel-shaded illustration of Kill Devil Hills
#19Kill Devil HillsPM2.5 5.5~3 h 40 min drivesaves 2.4 cigs/wk

North Carolina· PM2.5 5.5 µg/m³

Outer Banks beach town on a narrow Atlantic barrier island, swept by open-ocean wind, with oceanfront rentals and hotels.

58% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 5.5 µg/m³ here vs 13 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 5.5/22 × 7 = 1.8 here; 13/22 × 7 = 4.1 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

7.5 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Richmond right now

58% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 27, 8:12 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Nags Head
Cel-shaded illustration of Nags Head
#20Nags HeadPM2.5 5.5~3 h 50 min drivesaves 2.4 cigs/wk

North Carolina· PM2.5 5.5 µg/m³

Outer Banks beach town on the barrier islands, exposed to constant Atlantic wind, with cottages and hotels along the shore.

58% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 5.5 µg/m³ here vs 13 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 5.5/22 × 7 = 1.8 here; 13/22 × 7 = 4.1 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

7.5 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Richmond right now

58% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 27, 8:12 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Bad week ahead? Check the 7-day outlook — if it won’t clear, book the trip

7-day outlook

Plan the next seven days

Pick a day, or compare the whole week. Weather is forecast; air quality is the latest available reading.

Loading the week…

Finding the nicest days and reachable cities.

Observed Jul 27, 7:00 p.m. EDTLast scan Jul 27, 8:27 p.m. EDT · 53 min ago

Why live rankings? Smoke plumes are patchy and shift with the wind, so no direction is reliably cleaner. This list is recalculated from live PM2.5 every hour — and if everything nearby is smoky, it says so.

How we work this out →

Browse all 200 cities by province & state →

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What this means · Richmond

Phew.

4.1cigarettes

per week, if this air holds

Act two · The scale

Where today lands

From a crisp horizon to smoke you can taste — here’s your reading on it.

13 µg/m³
CrispSome smokeHeavy smoke

Act three · The ladder

What each rung feels like

  • 0–3µg/m³Natural. About as clean as outdoor air realistically gets.
  • 3–5µg/m³Clean. Crisp, destination-worthy air.
  • 5–9µg/m³Good. Clean city air; most people will not notice anything today.
  • 9–15µg/m³Elevated. Usually no big deal today; sensitive lungs may notice hard exercise.
  • 15–35µg/m³Polluted. Smoke or traffic pollution is now worth acting on.
  • 35–55µg/m³Unhealthy. Symptoms become more likely, especially with asthma or heart disease.
  • 55+µg/m³Severe. Everyone should reduce exposure and clean the indoor air.

Act four · The fine print

The receipts

What is PM2.5?

Fine particles about 30× thinner than a human hair — small enough to slip through your lungs and into your bloodstream. We measure them inµg/m³: micrograms of particle mass in a cubic metre of air.

The math

PM2.5 here is 13 µg/m³.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at this level: 13/22 × 7 = 4.1 cigarettes.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
See the full method →