The drive from Arlington, VA to Appomattox, VA covers 191.9 miles and takes about 3h 54m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 95, Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway, Anderson Highway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is mixed drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 49.3 miles on I 95.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $30.01 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
95.9 miles from Arlington, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 55m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 54m. Total distance: 191.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 54m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
The drive from Arlington, VA to Appomattox, VA covers 191.9 miles and takes about 3h 54m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 29 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 95 is the longest continuous segment at about 49.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.3 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 191.9 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 3.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 45.7 miles (I 95): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 22 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
3.3 mi into trip|~8m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 395 South: Richmond, Quaker Lane
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 395 South: Richmond, Quaker Lane
8
3.4 mi into trip|~9m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 395 South: Richmond
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 395 South: Richmond
6
45.7 mi into trip|~59m in|I 95
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
94.9 mi into trip|~1h 53m in
Take the exit toward I 295 North: Charlottesville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 84B
Toward I 295 North: Charlottesville
8
114.7 mi into trip|~2h 16m in
Take the exit toward SR 617: Oilville, Goochland
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 167
Toward SR 617: Oilville, Goochland
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Arlington, VA to Appomattox, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Goochland along the way.
Goochland
114.7 mi in|~2h 16m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
49.3 mi
53m
Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
42.2 mi
50m
Anderson Highway
24.7 mi
31m
Maidens Road
11.6 mi
16m
Old Courthouse Road
10.3 mi
11m
I 64
9.9 mi
10m
Mount Rush Highway
8.6 mi
9m
East James Anderson Highway
8.1 mi
9m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 49.3 mi, about 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Arlington, VA and Appomattox, VA.
1
Start on Wilson Boulevard
90 ft·8 sec·Wilson Boulevard
2
Turn right onto North Oakland Street
0.4 mi·1 min·North Oakland Street
3
Turn right onto North Pershing Drive
0.1 mi·28 sec·North Pershing Drive
4
Turn left onto VA 120
2.4 mi·6 min·North Glebe Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward I 395 South: Richmond
6
Keep slight left at fork
315 ft·7 sec
Toward I 395 South: Richmond, Quaker Lane
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·20 sec
Toward I 395 South: RichmondUse the slight left lane.
8
Merge onto I 395
5.8 mi·7 min·Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 395
36 mi·43 min·Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
Exit 1AToward I 95 South: RichmondUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
49 mi·53 min·I 95
Use the straight lane.
11
Take the exit
0.5 mi·59 sec
Exit 84BToward I 295 North: CharlottesvilleUse the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·29 sec
Toward US 1 South: Richmond
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
14
Merge onto I 295
8.1 mi·8 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·55 sec
Exit 53AToward I 64 West: Charlottesville
16
Merge onto I 64
9.9 mi·10 min·I 64
Toward I 64 West: Charlottesville
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 167Toward SR 617: Oilville, GoochlandUse the slight right lane.
18
At end of road, turn left onto SR 617
0.6 mi·1 min·Oilville Road
19
At end of road, turn right onto US 250
0.8 mi·1 min·Broad Street Road
20
Turn left onto SR 632
3.5 mi·4 min·Fairground Road
21
Turn left onto SR 634
12 mi·16 min·Maidens Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
22
Turn right onto US 60
25 mi·31 min·Anderson Highway
23
Continue on US 60
8.1 mi·9 min·East James Anderson Highway
24
Continue on US 60
7.8 mi·9 min·West James Anderson Highway
25
Turn slight left onto VA 24
8.6 mi·9 min·Mount Rush Highway
26
Continue on VA 24
10 mi·11 min·Old Courthouse Road
27
Continue on VA 131
0.4 mi·40 sec·VA 131
28
Turn left onto US 460 BUS; VA 131
0.6 mi·1 min·Confederate Boulevard
29
Arrive at destination
US 460 BUS
Trip Plan
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 95.9 miles from Arlington, VA, or about 1h 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 49.3 miles.
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 42 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 95.9 miles or 1h 55m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 14m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Appomattox, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
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 191.9 miles and 3h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 42 miles from Arlington, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 95 for about 49.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 95.9 mi from Arlington, VA
· 1h 55m into the drive
The midpoint is around 95.9 miles from Arlington, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Appomattox, VA
The final approach into Appomattox, 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 Appomattox, VA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Appomattox Court House National Historical Park
National Historical Park
On April 9, 1865, the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia in the McLean House in the village of Appomattox Court House, Virginia signaled the effective end of the nation's largest war. Question...
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Free
near mile 191.9
The Potomac River corridor is rich in both history and recreation, offering a chance to both explore your heritage and choose your adventure along the way. Start your journey here!
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.01 one way
$60.02 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg67 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$32.81
$65.62
premium
$4.70
$35.52
$71.03
diesel
$5.61
$42.37
$84.74
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 67.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
57.6
0
$20.15
$9.21
Efficient EV
48
0
$16.79
$7.68
EV Truck/SUV
76.8
0
$26.87
$12.28
Gas CO2
67 kg
EV CO2
22 kg (67% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 13, 2026
Origin
Arlington, VA
Morning
in Arlington on Friday
Local time
9:38 AM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Appomattox, VA
Morning
in Appomattox on Friday
Local time
9:38 AM
EDT
Current temp
83°F
Chance Drizzle
W 12 mph11% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 13 at 5:52AM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 13 at 4:18AM EDT by NWS Baltimore MD/Washington DC
53°F
Ashland, VA
96 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
31 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 54m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Arlington, VA to Appomattox, VA covers 191.9 miles and takes about 3h 54m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 95, Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway, Anderson Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 95.9 miles from Arlington, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $30.01 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 191.9 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 45.7 miles (I 95): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Arlington, VA to Appomattox, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Goochland along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Appomattox Court House National Historical Park and Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from
OSRM
over
OpenStreetMap.
Fuel cost uses
EIA
weekly regional averages.
National park proximity is from the
NPS API.
Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our
methodology page
documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
