re: Williamsburg in the fall

We usually go to the mountains to leaf look but sometimes we have driven into southern VA for a day trip.

If the interstate bores you there are several easterly routes to take. Farmville, VA is worth a stop on Hwys 307 or 15. They have a huge furniture store and some good restaurants on or near the small river. This is an article about Farmville from May, 2020.
Farmville VA article from Northern VA Magazine

Depending on your route you could stop by Appomattox or Monticello (T. J.'s house). The Jamestown Settlement and Yorktown Battlefield are good places to go if you like history and they are near W'burg.

If you really do not like traveling on 4 lane roads take Hwy 10 out of Richmond to Surry and then catch the Jamestown ferry.

There are some plantation homes along the river road but I have not been to those.

Some friends stayed at Williamsburg Inn which is on the property but back then the rooms were small and expensive, probably still are. We stayed at a Hampton years ago, not sure where my wife and the daughters stayed on their trip.

It does not take that long to see Williamsburg; couple of days but you will walk a lot.