This 68.2-mile drive from Arlington, VA to King George, VA is a straightforward trip, estimated to take about 1 hour and 33 minutes. With a fuel cost of approximately $11, it's an economical option for a day trip, as recommended. You'll primarily be navigating local roads like Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway and Kings Highway, with no highway driving involved. The journey is entirely within the Southeast region, offering a consistent feel throughout. This route is best suited for a single day, allowing for a relaxed pace without the need for an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
34.1 miles from Arlington, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 46m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 33m. Total distance: 68.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 33m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive for this 68.2-mile journey. With 0% highway share, you'll be on surface streets and highways like Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway for the majority of the trip. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 41.9 miles on Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway, offering a brief period of consistent travel before transitioning back to more local roads. The profile suggests a route that requires attention to turns and traffic signals, rather than a high-speed interstate cruise.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 41.9 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 early in the drive near North Oakland Street.
Driving Effort9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 68.2 miles you will encounter 14 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: near the start (North Oakland Street): Navigation decision point; 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.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0 mi into trip|~0m in|North Oakland Street
Turn right onto North Oakland Street
Navigation decision point
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
5
3.5 mi into trip|~9m in|I 395 / Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
Merge onto I 395 / Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
50 mi into trip|~1h 7m in|SR 607 / Cool Springs Road
Turn right onto SR 607 / Cool Springs Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
41.9 mi
50m
Kings Highway
17.2 mi
24m
North Glebe Road
2.4 mi
6m
Warrenton Road
1.7 mi
3m
Butler Road
1.1 mi
1m
Cool Springs Road
1.1 mi
1m
North Oakland Street
0.4 mi
1m
White Oak Road
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
— 41.9 mi, about 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Arlington, VA and King George, 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·42 min·Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
Exit 1AToward I 95 South: RichmondUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·40 sec
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·43 sec
13
Merge onto US 17 BUS
1.7 mi·3 min·Warrenton Road
14
Continue on VA 218
1.1 mi·1 min·Butler Road
15
Continue on VA 218
0.3 mi·32 sec·White Oak Road
Use the left lane.
16
Turn right onto SR 607
1.1 mi·1 min·Cool Springs Road
Use the right lane.
17
Turn left onto VA 3 BUS
17 mi·24 min·Kings Highway
Use the left lane.
18
Arrive at destination
VA 3
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short 1 hour and 33-minute duration and 68.2-mile length, this trip is ideal for a spontaneous day excursion. You can depart whenever suits you best, but leaving early might help you avoid potential local traffic. Since there are no designated stops and the longest stretch is under 42 miles, you can easily complete this drive without needing to plan for extensive breaks. Keep an eye on your navigation for the numerous turns indicated by the 'turn-heavy' profile, especially as you transition between Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway and Kings Highway.
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 34.1 miles from Arlington, VA, or about 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 41.9 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 15 miles or 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 34.1 miles or 46m 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 19m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near King George, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Arlington, VA
This is one driving day of about 68.2 miles and 1h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 15 miles from Arlington, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway for about 41.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 34.1 mi from Arlington, VA
· 46m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
George Washington Birthplace National Monument
National Monument
George Washington Birthplace National Monument is located in the Northern Neck of Virginia. It encompasses 551 acres of land where seven generations of the Washington family lived and where George Was...
15 mi from route
~38 min detour
Free
near mile 68.2
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
$10.66 one way
$21.33 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg24 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$11.66
$23.32
premium
$4.70
$12.62
$25.24
diesel
$5.61
$15.06
$30.12
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$11
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$36–$61
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 23.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
4 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
Market Common Clarendon - Tesla Supercharger
Arlington, VA
Tesla
18 DCFC
Jamestown Georgetown Park Garage (Washington, DC)
Washington, DC
Electrify America
6 DCFC
Safeway Arlington #4007
Arlington, VA
eVgo Network
4 DCFC
Market Common Clarendon
Arlington, VA
eVgo Network
2 DCFC
eVgo Network: 2
Electrify America: 1
Tesla: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
20.5
0
$7.16
$3.27
Efficient EV
17.1
0
$5.97
$2.73
EV Truck/SUV
27.3
0
$9.55
$4.36
Gas CO2
24 kg
EV CO2
8 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 as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Arlington, VA
Night
in Arlington on Thursday
Local time
10:51 PM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
King George, VA
Night
in King George on Thursday
Local time
10:51 PM
EDT
Current temp
53°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
1 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
1h 33m 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 King George, VA covers 68.2 miles and takes about 1h 33m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway, Kings Highway, North Glebe Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 34.1 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 $10.66 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 68.2 miles you will encounter 14 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: near the start (North Oakland Street): Navigation decision point; 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.
The route from Arlington, VA to King George, VA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
