Origin
Arlington, VA
Afternoon in Arlington on Thursday
Local time
2:54 PM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Arlington, VA to Castlewood, VA
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
7h 21m
Distance
384.5 mi
619 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$60
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
7h 11m
★
6 AM
7h 22m
8 AM
7h 43m
10 AM
7h 29m
12 PM
7h 27m
3 PM
7h 30m
5 PM
7h 42m
8 PM
7h 15m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Arlington, VA
Dominik Gryzbon
Castlewood, VA
Eric Joseph
Trip Overview
The drive from Arlington, VA to Castlewood, VA covers 384.5 miles and takes about 7h 21m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 81, Custis Memorial Parkway, US Highway 58 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 281.6 miles on I 81. At current regular gas prices, budget about $60.13 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
192.3 miles from Arlington, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 36m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 21m. Total distance: 384.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 21m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Drive Character
This is a 7h 21m highway drive covering 384.5 miles, with most of the trip on I 81 and Custis Memorial Parkway. The longest continuous stretch is about 281.6 miles on I 81.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 23 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 81 is the longest continuous segment at about 281.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and Custis Memorial Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.6 miles in near I 66 / Custis Memorial Parkway.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 384.5 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 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; at 181 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
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
6
181 mi into trip
|
~3h 24m in
|
I 81
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
299.5 mi into trip
|
~5h 35m in
|
I 81; US 52
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81; US 52
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
356.2 mi into trip
|
~6h 37m in
|
Valley Street Northwest
At end of road, turn left onto Valley Street Northwest
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Arlington, VA to Castlewood, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Holston Dam along the way.
Holston Dam
355.3 mi in
|
~6h 35m
|
via US 58 ALT
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 81 | 281.6 mi | 5h 7m |
| Custis Memorial Parkway | 70.4 mi | 1h 20m |
| US Highway 58 | 12.4 mi | 17m |
| Porterfield Highway | 10.3 mi | 14m |
| US 19 | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| Memorial Drive | 1.5 mi | 3m |
| I 77 | 1.3 mi | 1m |
| Russell Road Northwest | 0.9 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 281.6 mi, about 5h 7m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Arlington, VA and Castlewood, 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
109 mi
·
1 hr 58 min
·
I 81
Toward I 81 South: Roanoke
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
117 mi
·
2 hr 9 min
·
I 81
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on I 77; I 81; US 52
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
I 77; I 81; US 52
Use the straight lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81; US 52
56 mi
·
59 min
·
I 81; US 52
Use the straight lane.
12
Take the exit onto US 58 ALT
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
US 58 ALT
Toward US 58 Alternate, VA 75: Abingdon, South Holston Dam
13
Turn right onto US 58 ALT; VA 75
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Cummings Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
14
At end of road, turn left onto Valley Street Northwest
0.3 mi
·
48 sec
·
Valley Street Northwest
Use the left lane.
15
At end of road, turn right onto US 58 ALT
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Russell Road Northwest
Use the right lane.
16
Turn slight right onto US 19; US 58 ALT
10 mi
·
14 min
·
Porterfield Highway
17
Continue on US 19; US 58 ALT
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
US 19; US 58 ALT
18
Turn left onto US 58 ALT
12 mi
·
17 min
·
US Highway 58
Use the left lane.
19
Turn right onto SR 683
1.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Memorial Drive
20
Turn left onto SR 695
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
Trout Farm Road
21
Continue on SR 615
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Red Oak Ridge Road
22
Turn slight right onto SR 750
201 ft
·
8 sec
·
Church Street
23
Arrive at destination
SR 750
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 192.3 miles from Arlington, VA, or about 3h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 281.6 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 85 miles or 1h 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 192.3 miles or 3h 36m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 2m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Castlewood, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Arlington, VA
This is one driving day of about 384.5 miles and 7h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 85 miles from Arlington, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 81 for about 281.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 192.3 mi from Arlington, VA · 3h 36m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
192 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 85 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 192.3 miles from Arlington, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 81 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 281.6 miles.
Arriving in Castlewood, VA
The final approach into Castlewood, 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 Castlewood, VA.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$60.13 one way
$120.25 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
135 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $65.74 | $131.49 |
| premium | $4.70 | $71.16 | $142.33 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $84.89 | $169.79 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$60
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$85–$110
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 134.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $40 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 115.4 | 1 | $40.37 | $18.46 |
| Efficient EV | 96.1 | 1 | $33.64 | $15.38 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 153.8 | 1 | $53.83 | $24.61 |
Gas CO2
135 kg
EV CO2
45 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Castlewood, VA
Afternoon in Castlewood on Thursday
Local time
2:54 PM
EDT
Current temp
39°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
13 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
7h 21m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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 Castlewood, VA covers 384.5 miles and takes about 7h 21m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 81, Custis Memorial Parkway, US Highway 58. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 192.3 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 $60.13 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 384.5 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 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; at 181 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Arlington, VA to Castlewood, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Holston Dam along the way.
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