View south along SR 281 in Sandston (sign incorrectly notes SR 281 goes left and right, but it actually continues straight ahead)
SR 281 begins at a trumpet interchange with SR 895 (Pocahontas Parkway) north of Varina. Vehicles to and from SR 895 pay a toll either further west toward I-95 or at one-lane toll plazas on the ramps to and from SR 895 in the direction of I-295. SR 281 heads north as four-lane divided Airport Drive. The highway has one intermediate intersection, with 7 Hills Drive next to an industrial park. SR 281 crosses over Sprouse Drive and CSX's Peninsula Subdivision rail line then reaches its northern terminus at Charles City Road south of Sandston. Airport Drive continues north as an unsigned highway along the west side of Richmond International Airport, providing access to the airport terminal and parking, before intersecting U.S. Route 60 and SR 156, the latter of which retains the name Airport Drive and provides access to I-64.[1]