The drive from Arlington, VA to Brandermill, VA covers 118 miles and takes about 2h 26m 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, Powhite Parkway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is mixed drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 54.8 miles on I 95.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $18.45 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.
Midpoint
59 miles from Arlington, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 14m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 26m. Total distance: 118 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 26m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (60%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
The drive from Arlington, VA to Brandermill, VA covers 118 miles and takes about 2h 26m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 25 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 54.8 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 20 significant decision points across 118 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 100.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 20 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
8
100.5 mi into trip|~2h in
Take the exit toward I 195 South, I 64 West: Charlottesville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 79
Toward I 195 South, I 64 West: Charlottesville
7
100.7 mi into trip|~2h in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 195 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 195 South
8
103.1 mi into trip|~2h 4m in|VA 76 / Powhite Parkway
Keep slight left at fork onto VA 76 / Powhite Parkway toward SR 160, US 60, US 360: Powhite Parkway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward SR 160, US 60, US 360: Powhite Parkway
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
54.8 mi
1h
Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
42.2 mi
50m
Powhite Parkway
11.6 mi
15m
North Glebe Road
2.4 mi
6m
Beltline Expressway
2.1 mi
2m
E-ZPass Only (Powhite Parkway)
1 mi
1m
Charter Colony Parkway
0.8 mi
1m
South Old Hundred Road
0.6 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 54.8 mi, about 1h
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Arlington, VA and Brandermill, 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
55 mi·1 hr·I 95
Use the straight lane.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·18 sec
Exit 79Toward I 195 South, I 64 West: CharlottesvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·33 sec
Toward I 195 SouthUse the slight left lane.
13
Continue on I 195
2.1 mi·2 min·Beltline Expressway
Use the straight lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto VA 76
2.2 mi·3 min·Powhite Parkway
Toward SR 160, US 60, US 360: Powhite ParkwayUse the straight lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto VA 76
1.0 mi·1 min·E-ZPass Only (Powhite Parkway)
16
Merge onto VA 76
9.4 mi·12 min·Powhite Parkway
17
Turn left onto SR 754
0.8 mi·1 min·Charter Colony Parkway
Use the left lane.
18
Continue on SR 754
0.6 mi·1 min·South Old Hundred Road
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
19
Enter roundabout onto SR 1921
25 ft·0 sec·Brandermill Parkway
20
Continue on SR 1921
0.5 mi·1 min·Brandermill Parkway
21
Turn left onto Millridge Parkway
0.3 mi·45 sec·Millridge Parkway
22
Turn right onto East Timber Ridge Road
263 ft·17 sec·East Timber Ridge Road
23
Turn left onto SR 1883
370 ft·20 sec·Timber Ridge Road
24
Turn left
112 ft·8 sec
25
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
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 59 miles from Arlington, VA, or about 1h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 54.8 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 26 miles or 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 59 miles or 1h 14m 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 56m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Brandermill, 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 118 miles and 2h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Arlington, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 95 for about 54.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 59 mi from Arlington, VA
· 1h 14m into the drive
The midpoint is around 59 miles from Arlington, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Brandermill, VA
The final approach into Brandermill, 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 Brandermill, 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.
Petersburg National Battlefield
National Battlefield
Two hundred ninety-two days, eight offensives, over 70,000 casualties, U. S. Colored Troops, and the decline of Gen. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia all describe the Siege of Petersburg. U.S. forces c...
19 mi from route
~48 min detour
Free
near mile 118
Park Closure: Eastern Front Tour Road south of Route 36 - Closed
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
$18.45 one way
$36.91 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg41 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$20.18
$40.35
premium
$4.70
$21.84
$43.68
diesel
$5.61
$26.05
$52.11
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
35.4
0
$12.39
$5.66
Efficient EV
29.5
0
$10.33
$4.72
EV Truck/SUV
47.2
0
$16.52
$7.55
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 kg (66% 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 15, 2026
Origin
Arlington, VA
Morning
in Arlington on Friday
Local time
6:30 AM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Brandermill, VA
Morning
in Brandermill on Friday
Local time
6:30 AM
EDT
Current temp
87°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
79°F
Fredericksburg, VA
59 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
35 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
2h 26m 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 Brandermill, VA covers 118 miles and takes about 2h 26m 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, Powhite Parkway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 59 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 $18.45 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 20 significant decision points across 118 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 100.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Arlington, VA to Brandermill, VA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Petersburg National Battlefield 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.
