Origin
Arlington, VA
Morning in Arlington on Friday
Local time
9:22 AM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Arlington, VA to Basye, VA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 17m
Distance
110.7 mi
178 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$17
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 8m
★
6 AM
2h 18m
8 AM
2h 37m
10 AM
2h 24m
12 PM
2h 22m
3 PM
2h 25m
5 PM
2h 36m
8 PM
2h 12m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Arlington, VA
Dominik Gryzbon
Basye, VA
Eric Joseph
Trip Overview
This 110.7-mile journey from Arlington, VA, to Basye, VA, is designed for a single day, taking approximately 2 hours and 17 minutes. You'll primarily be on the Custis Memorial Parkway and I-81, with a small portion on Orkney Grade, making it an 87% highway-focused drive. With an estimated fuel cost of $17, this route offers a straightforward and efficient trip within the Southeast region. Given its manageable distance and duration, it's an ideal day trip, allowing for flexibility in your departure time and pace.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
55.3 miles from Arlington, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 6m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 17m. Total distance: 110.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 17m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-centric experience for the majority of this 110.7-mile drive, with 87% of the route utilizing major roadways like I-81. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 70.4 miles on the Custis Memorial Parkway, indicating a significant period of consistent highway travel. While the profile suggests a highway-focused drive, the inclusion of Orkney Grade hints at a potential shift in scenery or road type towards the end of your journey. This route generally prioritizes efficiency over winding backroads.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Custis Memorial Parkway is the longest continuous segment at about 70.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Custis Memorial Parkway and I 81. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.7 miles in near Fairfax Drive.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 110.7 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.7 miles (Fairfax Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.6 miles (I 66 / Custis Memorial Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 71.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.7 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
Fairfax Drive
Turn left onto Fairfax Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
4.6 mi into trip
|
~8m in
|
I 66 / Custis Memorial Parkway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 66 / Custis Memorial Parkway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
71.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 24m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 81 South: Roanoke
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Exit 1A
Toward I 81 South: Roanoke
4
72.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 26m in
|
I 81
Merge onto I 81 toward I 81 South: Roanoke
Merge point - match speed before joining
Toward I 81 South: Roanoke
5
98.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 54m in
Take the exit toward VA 292, SR 703: Mount Jackson, Basye
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward VA 292, SR 703: Mount Jackson, Basye
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Custis Memorial Parkway | 70.4 mi | 1h 20m |
| I 81 | 26.3 mi | 28m |
| Orkney Grade | 9.3 mi | 16m |
| Mount Jackson Road | 1.4 mi | 3m |
| South Middle Road | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| Wilson Boulevard | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| North Glebe Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Fairfax Drive | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Custis Memorial Parkway
— 70.4 mi, about 1h 20m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Arlington, VA and Basye, VA.
1
Start on Wilson Boulevard
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Wilson Boulevard
2
Turn slight right onto VA 120
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
North Glebe Road
Use the right lane.
3
Turn left onto Fairfax Drive
0.1 mi
·
27 sec
·
Fairfax Drive
Use the left lane.
4
Continue on this road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
this road
Toward I 66 Toll West
5
Merge onto I 66
3.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Custis Memorial Parkway
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 66
67 mi
·
1 hr 16 min
·
Custis Memorial Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 1A
Toward I 81 South: Roanoke
Use the straight lane.
8
Merge onto I 81
26 mi
·
28 min
·
I 81
Toward I 81 South: Roanoke
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Toward VA 292, SR 703: Mount Jackson, Basye
10
Turn right onto SR 703
1.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Mount Jackson Road
11
Turn left onto SR 614
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
South Middle Road
12
Turn right onto VA 263
9.3 mi
·
16 min
·
Orkney Grade
13
Turn right onto Alum Springs Road
91 ft
·
2 sec
·
Alum Springs Road
14
Arrive at destination
Alum Springs Road
Trip Plan
For this 2 hour and 17 minute trip, consider an early morning departure from Arlington to maximize your time in Basye. Since there are no designated stops in the data, you'll have the flexibility to add breaks as needed, but plan for one around the halfway point, especially given the longest stretch is over 70 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, with an estimated cost of $17 for the 110.7 miles; it’s wise to fill up before hitting I-81 if you're starting with less than half a tank. The predominantly highway nature means you can cover ground quickly, so be mindful of posted speed limits.
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 55.3 miles from Arlington, VA, or about 1h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 70.4 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 24 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 55.3 miles or 1h 6m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 46m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Basye, 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 110.7 miles and 2h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 miles from Arlington, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Custis Memorial Parkway for about 70.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 55.3 mi from Arlington, VA · 1h 6m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
55 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 24 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 55.3 miles from Arlington, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Custis Memorial Parkway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 70.4 miles.
Arriving in Basye, VA
The final approach into Basye, 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 Basye, 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
$17.31 one way
$34.62 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
39 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $18.93 | $37.86 |
| premium | $4.70 | $20.49 | $40.98 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $24.44 | $48.88 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 38.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 33.2 | 0 | $11.62 | $5.31 |
| Efficient EV | 27.7 | 0 | $9.69 | $4.43 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 44.3 | 0 | $15.50 | $7.08 |
Gas CO2
39 kg
EV CO2
13 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.
Destination
Basye, VA
Morning in Basye on Friday
Local time
9:22 AM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
48°F
Petersburg, VA
55 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
6 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 17m 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 Basye, VA covers 110.7 miles and takes about 2h 17m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Custis Memorial Parkway, I 81, Orkney Grade. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 55.3 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 $17.31 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 110.7 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.7 miles (Fairfax Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.6 miles (I 66 / Custis Memorial Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 71.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Arlington, VA to Basye, VA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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. Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our methodology page documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
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