Origin
Arlington, VA
Evening in Arlington on Sunday
Local time
6:37 PM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Arlington, VA to Aquia Harbour, VA
Drive Time
52m
Distance
38.1 mi
61 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 49m
★
6 AM
0h 53m
8 AM
1h 2m
10 AM
0h 56m
12 PM
0h 55m
3 PM
0h 56m
5 PM
1h 1m
8 PM
0h 50m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Arlington, VA
Dominik Gryzbon
Aquia Harbour, VA
David Kanigan
Trip Overview
If you are planning a trip from Arlington to Aquia Harbour, you are looking at a manageable 38.1-mile journey that typically takes about 52 minutes. This drive is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about overnight logistics. Budgeting around $6 for fuel should cover your travel costs, keeping this a very affordable outing. You will spend your time moving through the Southeast region of Virginia, transitioning from the urban environment of Arlington toward the residential community of Aquia Harbour. Because of the relatively short distance, this is an excellent option for a quick getaway or a straightforward commute.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
19.1 miles from Arlington, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 28m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that requires your full attention behind the wheel. While you will spend a significant portion of the trip on the Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway, the route lacks a high highway-to-local road ratio, making the experience feel more like a series of connected neighborhood and arterial roads. You can anticipate a longest uninterrupted stretch of 33 miles on the Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway, which provides the most consistent pace of the trip. The transition between North Glebe Road and Washington Drive adds to the technical nature of the drive. Be prepared for frequent turns as you navigate off the main highway and toward your destination.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 33 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.3 miles in.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 38.1 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. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 3.5 miles (I 395 / Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
3.3 mi into trip
|
~8m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 395 South: Richmond, Quaker Lane
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the none lane.
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
5
3.5 mi into trip
|
~9m in
|
I 395 / Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
Merge onto I 395 / Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
5
36.5 mi into trip
|
~49m in
Take the exit toward SR 610 East: Aquia
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 143 A
Toward SR 610 East: Aquia
5
38 mi into trip
|
~52m in
|
Aquia Drive
At end of road, turn right onto Aquia Drive
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway | 33 mi | 39m |
| North Glebe Road | 2.4 mi | 6m |
| Washington Drive | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Richmond Drive | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| North Oakland Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Garrisonville Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| North Pershing Drive | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Aquia Drive | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
— 33 mi, about 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Arlington, VA and Aquia Harbour, 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
Use the none lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
Toward I 395 South: Richmond
Use the slight left lane.
8
Merge onto I 395
5.8 mi
·
7 min
·
Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
Use the none lane.
9
Continue on I 395
27 mi
·
32 min
·
Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
Exit 1A
Toward I 95 South: Richmond
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Exit 143 A
Toward SR 610 East: Aquia
11
Turn straight onto SR 610
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
Garrisonville Road
Use the none lane.
12
Continue on Washington Drive
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Washington Drive
Use the straight / left / none lanes.
13
Turn left onto Richmond Drive
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Richmond Drive
14
At end of road, turn right onto Aquia Drive
376 ft
·
10 sec
·
Aquia Drive
15
Arrive at destination
Aquia Drive
Trip Plan
Given the 52-minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though avoiding peak traffic hours on the Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway is always a smart move. Since there are zero scheduled stops on this 38.1-mile route, you should ensure your vehicle is fueled up before you leave Arlington to avoid unnecessary detours. Keep in mind that the turn-heavy nature of the drive means you should pay close attention to your navigation as you transition between local roads. Because the trip is short and efficient, you can easily complete it in one go without needing to build in rest breaks. Use that flexibility to plan your arrival in Aquia Harbour exactly when it best suits your schedule.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 19.1 miles from Arlington, VA, or about 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 33 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 38.1 miles or 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 19.1 miles or 28m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Aquia Harbour, 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 38.1 miles and 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Arlington, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway for about 33 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 19.1 mi from Arlington, VA · 28m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
19 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 38.1 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 19.1 miles from Arlington, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Aquia Harbour, VA
The final approach into Aquia Harbour, 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 Aquia Harbour, VA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$6.10 one way
$12.20 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
13 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $6.64 | $13.29 |
| premium | $4.78 | $7.17 | $14.33 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $8.46 | $16.93 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$31–$56
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 13.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 11.4 | 0 | $4.00 | $1.83 |
| Efficient EV | 9.5 | 0 | $3.33 | $1.52 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 15.2 | 0 | $5.33 | $2.44 |
Gas CO2
13 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (69% 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.
Destination
Aquia Harbour, VA
Evening in Aquia Harbour on Sunday
Local time
6:37 PM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
68°F
Washington, DC
19 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
1 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
52m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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 Aquia Harbour, VA covers 38.1 miles and takes about 52m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway, North Glebe Road, Washington Drive. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 19.1 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 $6.10 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 38.1 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. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 3.5 miles (I 395 / Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Arlington, VA to Aquia Harbour, VA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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