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Trip from Arlington, VA to Basye, VA

Data updated 2 hours ago

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

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 29 min
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.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Arlington, VA, VA

Arlington, VA

Dominik Gryzbon

Downtown Basye, VA, VA

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.

Break Rhythm

0 planned breaks

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

55.3 miles from Arlington, VA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 6m into the drive .

Loading map...

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.

Route Complexity 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

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 points

These 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 80 miles or 1h 34m 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 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 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

Downtown Poolesville, MD, MD

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Poolesville, MD

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

Cumberland, MD

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Poolesville, MD

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 check

Top 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Cedar Creek & Belle Grove National Historical Park

Cedar Creek & Belle Grove National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley has a long and rich heritage that still inspires today. Native Americans first shaped the land, followed by colonists and settlers. The fertile valley became an important...

0 mi from route Free near mile 72.5
View on nps.gov
Shenandoah National Park

Shenandoah National Park

National Park

Just 75 miles from the bustle of Washington, D.C., Shenandoah National Park is a land bursting with cascading waterfalls, spectacular vistas, fields of wildflowers, and quiet wooded hollows. With over...

21 mi from route ~52 min detour $30 near mile 99.2
View on nps.gov
Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail

Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail

National Scenic Trail

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!

22 mi from route ~54 min detour Free near mile 19.1
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

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.

Forecast data refreshed 1 day ago

Origin

Arlington, VA

Late night in Arlington on Wednesday

Local time

5:32 AM

EDT

Current temp

78°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Basye, VA

Late night in Basye on Wednesday

Local time

5:32 AM

EDT

Current temp

62°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

16 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.

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