Compiled by the Trip.ovh editorial team · Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026 · Methodology
Drive Time
28m
Distance
18.1 mi
29 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Arlington, VA
Dominik Gryzbon
Dranesville, VA
Wikimedia Commons
The drive from Arlington, VA to Dranesville, VA covers 18.1 miles and takes about 28m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Leesburg Pike, Dulles Toll Road, Custis Memorial Parkway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 8.2 miles on Leesburg Pike. At current regular gas prices, budget about $2.83 one way before food or hotel costs.
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 28m. Total distance: 18.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
28m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Expect a 28m drive with frequent turns across 18.1 miles of local and secondary roads.
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.
Focused - lots of decisions in a short distance, but it is over quickly
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 11 decision points packed into just 18.1 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 28m.
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.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto Fairfax Drive
Lane positioning matters here
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
Keep slight right at fork onto VA 267 / Dulles Toll Road toward VA 267 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward VA 7: Tysons Corner, Leesburg, Leesburg Pike
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward VA 7 West: Leesburg Pike, Leesburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Arlington, VA to Dranesville, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Leesburg along the way.
Leesburg
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Leesburg Pike | 8.2 mi | 12m |
| Dulles Toll Road | 4.6 mi | 6m |
| Custis Memorial Parkway | 3.3 mi | 4m |
| Wilson Boulevard | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| North Glebe Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Fairfax Drive | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Arlington, VA and Dranesville, VA.
Start on Wilson Boulevard
Turn slight right onto VA 120
Turn left onto Fairfax Drive
Continue on this road
Merge onto I 66
Keep slight right at fork onto VA 267
Keep slight right at fork onto VA 267
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto VA 267
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto VA 7
Continue on VA 7
Arrive at destination
Regular Gas
$2.83 one way
$5.66 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $3.09 | $6.19 |
| premium | $4.70 | $3.35 | $6.70 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $4.00 | $7.99 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.92
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$3
Tolls
$1
Total
$4
Estimated CO2 emission: 6.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 5.4 | 0 | $1.90 | $0.87 |
| Efficient EV | 4.5 | 0 | $1.58 | $0.72 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 7.2 | 0 | $2.53 | $1.16 |
Gas CO2
6 kg
EV CO2
2 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Arlington on Friday
Local time
2:07 AM
EDT
Current temp
94°F
Mostly Sunny
Destination
Late night in Dranesville on Friday
Local time
2:07 AM
EDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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