The trail, which crosses Route 5 at marked intersections, ranges in width from eight to ten feet (2.4 to 3.0 m) and is dedicated exclusively to non-motorized pedestrian and bicycle use, with a vegetation barrier separating it from the automobile road.

[2] At Varina, near Richmond, the trail passes through Four Mile Creek Park and makes a 3.5-mile horseshoe-shaped diversion around the Route 5 and I295 interchange.

As discussed below, the VCT was largely purpose-built over 12 years[5] as a multi-use trail, with a small portion near downtown Richmond converted from a previous rail bed.

[8] Mileage is signaled in single mile markers along the trail in seven groups, color coded to sections which roughly reflect construction phases, here listed from Jamestown to Richmond: Despite the VCTF's desire to connect Richmond and Williamsburg, the VCT currently has its eastern terminus in Jamestown, and does not extend to Williamsburg.

[2] Near Richmond the trail passes through an area of riverfront adaptive reuse developments where former industrial factories have been converted to loft apartments and offices.

Before ending under flyovers of Interstate 95 near Richmond's Shockoe Bottom area, the trail passes through The Low Line, a landscaped linear park under an active, elevated CSX rail trestle.

As of early 2019, more than 50 trained volunteers serve as Capital Trail Ambassadors — identifying hazards (gravel, poor signage, etc.)