Drive Time
3h 32m
Distance
158.5 mi
255 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$25
one way
Photo: Photography Maghradze PH
The drive from Arlington, VA to Amherst, VA covers 158.5 miles and takes about 3h 32m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on North Glebe Road, Fairfax Drive, I 66 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $25.37 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
79.2 miles from Arlington, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 46m into the drive .
Expect a 3h 32m drive with frequent turns across 158.5 miles of local and secondary roads.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Arlington, VA to Amherst, VA is easy. At 3h 32m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Arlington, VA to Amherst, VA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North Glebe Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Fairfax Drive | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 66 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Custis Memorial Parkway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| US 29 South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Lee Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| US 15 South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Eastern Bypass | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Arlington, VA and Amherst, VA.
Start on Wilson Boulevard
Turn slight right onto North Glebe Road
Turn left onto Fairfax Drive
Continue on I 66 Toll West
Merge slight left onto Custis Memorial Parkway
Keep slight left to continue on Custis Memorial Parkway
Take the exit slight right toward US 29 South: Gainesville, Warrenton
Keep slight left to continue on US 29 South: Gainesville, Warrenton
Merge slight left onto Lee Highway
Keep slight left to continue on US 15 South, US 29 South
Merge slight right onto Eastern Bypass
Continue on James Madison Highway
Keep slight left to continue on James Madison Highway
Continue on James Monroe Highway
Continue on North Seminole Trail
Continue on Emmet Street North
Take the exit slight right toward US 29 South, US 250 West
Take the exit slight right toward US 60: Amherst
Keep slight right
Turn right onto Richmond Highway
Turn sharp left onto Washington Street
Turn right onto 2nd Street
Turn right onto Goodwin Street
Arrive at your destination
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 80 miles or 1h 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 79.2 miles or 1h 46m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 54m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Amherst, VA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Arlington, VA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Arlington, VA
This is one driving day of about 158.5 miles and 3h 32m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 79.2 mi from Arlington, VA · 1h 46m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
79 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 79.2 miles from Arlington, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Amherst, VA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Amherst, VA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$25.37 one way
$50.73 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $27.64 | $55.28 |
| premium | $4.78 | $29.82 | $59.63 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $35.21 | $70.43 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 55.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 47.6 | 0 | $16.64 | $7.61 |
| Efficient EV | 39.6 | 0 | $13.87 | $6.34 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 63.4 | 0 | $22.19 | $10.14 |
Gas CO2
55 kg
EV CO2
19 kg (65% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Late night in Arlington on Sunday
Local time
2:31 AM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Late night in Amherst on Sunday
Local time
2:31 AM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
65°F
Poolesville, MD
79 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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