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Trip from Arlington, VA to Belmont, VA

Data updated 29 minutes ago

Drive Time

43m

Distance

29.9 mi

48 km

Drive Score

6/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$5

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 10 min
4 AM
0h 40m ★
6 AM
0h 43m
8 AM
0h 50m
10 AM
0h 46m
12 PM
0h 45m
3 PM
0h 46m
5 PM
0h 50m
8 PM
0h 41m

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 Belmont, VA, VA

Belmont, VA

Magda Ehlers

Trip Overview

This 29.9-mile drive from Arlington, VA to Belmont, VA is a manageable 43-minute trip, perfect for a single day. You'll primarily navigate using the Dulles Toll Road, Dulles Greenway, and Custis Memorial Parkway, with about 11% of the journey on highways. The estimated fuel cost for this short excursion is around $5. Given its brevity and character, this route is best enjoyed as a straightforward day trip without the need for an overnight stay. You'll be staying within the Southeast region of Virginia for this entire drive.

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

14.9 miles from Arlington, VA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 22m into the drive .

Loading map...

Drive Character

Expect a route with a 'turn-heavy local drive' profile. While 11% of the drive utilizes highways, much of your time will be spent on local roads with frequent turns. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 14.7 miles on the Dulles Toll Road. This means you'll experience a dynamic driving experience, shifting between faster toll road segments and more intricate local road navigation. The character of the road will change as you progress, requiring your attention to be on navigating various intersections and road types.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Dulles Toll Road is the longest continuous segment at about 14.7 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 0.7 miles in near Fairfax Drive.

Route Complexity 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 29.9 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 0.7 miles (Fairfax Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.6 miles (VA 267 / Dulles Toll Road): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 6.9 miles (VA 267 / Dulles Toll Road): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 10 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.
8
4.6 mi into trip | ~8m in | VA 267 / Dulles Toll Road

Keep slight right at fork onto VA 267 / Dulles Toll Road toward VA 267 West: Dulles Airport

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 67 Toward VA 267 West: Dulles Airport
7
6.9 mi into trip | ~11m in | VA 267 / Dulles Toll Road

Keep slight right at fork onto VA 267 / Dulles Toll Road toward VA 267 West

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight left lanes. Toward VA 267 West
7
27.5 mi into trip | ~38m in

Take the exit toward VA 659: Belmont Ridge Road

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 4 Toward VA 659: Belmont Ridge Road
8
27.7 mi into trip | ~39m in

Keep slight right at fork toward VA 659 North

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward VA 659 North

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Dulles Toll Road 14.7 mi 19m
Dulles Greenway 7.9 mi 9m
Custis Memorial Parkway 3.3 mi 4m
Belmont Ridge Road 2 mi 3m
Wilson Boulevard 0.5 mi 1m
North Glebe Road 0.2 mi <1m
Fairfax Drive 0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Dulles Toll Road — 14.7 mi, about 19m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Arlington, VA and Belmont, 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 right at fork onto VA 267

2.3 mi · 3 min · Dulles Toll Road
Exit 67 Toward VA 267 West: Dulles Airport Use the slight right lane.
7

Keep slight right at fork onto VA 267

2.2 mi · 3 min · Dulles Toll Road
Toward VA 267 West Use the straight / slight left lanes.
8

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 22 sec
9

Merge onto VA 267

10 mi · 13 min · Dulles Toll Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Continue on VA 267

7.9 mi · 9 min · Dulles Greenway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 21 sec
Exit 4 Toward VA 659: Belmont Ridge Road Use the slight right lane.
12

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 24 sec
Toward VA 659 North Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
13

Turn straight onto SR 659

2.0 mi · 3 min · Belmont Ridge Road
Use the left lane.
14

Arrive at destination

SR 659

Trip Plan

For this relatively short 43-minute drive, flexibility is key. Consider departing mid-morning to avoid peak commuter times, especially if you're traveling on a weekday. With only 29.9 miles and a low fuel cost of $5, you won't need extensive planning for stops or refueling. Keep an eye on road signs as you transition between the Dulles Toll Road, Dulles Greenway, and Custis Memorial Parkway to ensure you're following the most direct path. The 'turn-heavy' nature of this drive means paying close attention to navigation and traffic signals is your most important on-route consideration.

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 14.9 miles from Arlington, VA, or about 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 14.7 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 29.9 miles or 43m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 14.9 miles or 22m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 36m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Belmont, 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 29.9 miles and 43m.

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 Dulles Toll Road for about 14.7 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 14.9 mi from Arlington, VA · 22m into the drive

Downtown Rockville, MD, MD

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Rockville, MD

15 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

Montgomery Village, MD

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 29.9 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Rockville, MD

Meal break

The midpoint is around 14.9 miles from Arlington, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Belmont, VA

The final approach into Belmont, 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 Belmont, 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.

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!

6 mi from route ~15 min detour Free near mile 29.9
Caution: Great Allegheny Passage Erosion Near Confluence, Pennsylvania (Mile Marker 56)
Park Closure: Trail Closure at Veterans Park at Balls Bluff (Leesburg, Virginia)
View on nps.gov
Harpers Ferry National Historical Park

Harpers Ferry National Historical Park

National Historical Park

At the confluence of the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers, on the ancestral home of the Tuscarora and Shawnee people, lies Harpers Ferry. Here you can explore John Brown's Raid against slavery. Find your...

21 mi from route ~54 min detour $20 near mile 29.9
View on nps.gov

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$4.68 one way

$9.35 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 11 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $5.11 $10.22
premium $4.70 $5.53 $11.07
diesel $5.61 $6.60 $13.20

Estimated Tolls: $4.92

Dulles Toll Road (14.7 mi) $2.95
Dulles Greenway (7.9 mi) $1.97

Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$5

Tolls

$5

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$35–$60

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 10.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 70% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 9 0 $3.14 $1.44
Efficient EV 7.5 0 $2.62 $1.20
EV Truck/SUV 12 0 $4.19 $1.91

Gas CO2

10 kg

EV CO2

3 kg (70% 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

2:57 AM

EDT

Current temp

78°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Belmont, VA

Late night in Belmont on Wednesday

Local time

2:57 AM

EDT

Current temp

36°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

42 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

43m 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 Belmont, VA covers 29.9 miles and takes about 43m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Dulles Toll Road, Dulles Greenway, Custis Memorial Parkway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 14.9 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 $4.68 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 10 significant decision points across 29.9 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 0.7 miles (Fairfax Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.6 miles (VA 267 / Dulles Toll Road): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 6.9 miles (VA 267 / Dulles Toll Road): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Arlington, VA to Belmont, VA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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