Origin
Arlington, VA
Afternoon in Arlington on Friday
Local time
12:14 PM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Arlington, VA to Montrose, VA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 14m
Distance
109.1 mi
176 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$17
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 5m
★
6 AM
2h 14m
8 AM
2h 33m
10 AM
2h 21m
12 PM
2h 19m
3 PM
2h 22m
5 PM
2h 32m
8 PM
2h 8m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Arlington, VA
Dominik Gryzbon
Montrose, VA
César O'neill
Trip Overview
Arlington, VA to Montrose, VA is 109.1 miles and takes about 2h 14m via I 95, with a fuel budget near $17 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Southeast region, predominantly traversing Virginia. Expect a fairly direct journey with a significant portion on major highways, making it a straightforward drive. It's a manageable distance for a single day, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay, provided you plan your departure wisely.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
54.6 miles from Arlington, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 9m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 14m. Total distance: 109.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (46%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This drive offers a mixed experience, with 46% of the journey on major highways like I 95, also known as Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway and Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway. You'll encounter your longest uninterrupted stretch of 48.6 miles on I 95, indicating periods of consistent highway travel. The profile suggests a blend of faster-paced sections with potentially more varied road types as you progress. Be prepared for highway driving for a substantial part of this route, which can offer efficiency but also means less varied scenery.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 21 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 48.6 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 Effort
9/10
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 17 significant decision points across 109.1 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 45.7 miles (I 95): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key pointsThese 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
6
45.7 mi into trip
|
~59m in
|
I 95
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
94.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 52m in
Take the exit toward I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va Beach
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 84A
Toward I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va B...
7
101.2 mi into trip
|
~2h in
Take the exit toward US 360 West: Mechanicsville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 37B
Toward US 360 West: Mechanicsville
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Arlington, VA and Montrose, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk and Va Beach.
Norfolk
94.3 mi in
|
~1h 52m
Va Beach
94.3 mi in
|
~1h 52m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 95 | 48.6 mi | 53m |
| Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway | 42.2 mi | 50m |
| Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway | 5 mi | 5m |
| East Laburnum Avenue | 2.9 mi | 4m |
| North Glebe Road | 2.4 mi | 6m |
| Mechanicsville Turnpike | 1.7 mi | 2m |
| Masonic Lane | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| Mechanicsville Bypass | 0.9 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 48.6 mi, about 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Arlington, VA and Montrose, 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: Richmond
Use 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 1A
Toward I 95 South: Richmond
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
49 mi
·
53 min
·
I 95
Use the straight lane.
11
Take the exit
1.9 mi
·
2 min
Exit 84A
Toward I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va Beach
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
12
Merge onto I 295
5.0 mi
·
5 min
·
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
13
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 37B
Toward US 360 West: Mechanicsville
Use the slight right lane.
14
Merge onto US 360
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Mechanicsville Bypass
15
Continue on US 360
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Mechanicsville Turnpike
16
Turn left onto East Laburnum Avenue
2.9 mi
·
4 min
·
East Laburnum Avenue
Use the left lane.
17
Turn right onto VA 33
0.5 mi
·
50 sec
·
Nine Mile Road
Use the right lane.
18
Turn left onto Masonic Lane
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Masonic Lane
Use the left lane.
19
Continue on Brittles Lane
0.4 mi
·
40 sec
·
Brittles Lane
20
Turn right onto Carlisle Avenue
283 ft
·
9 sec
·
Carlisle Avenue
21
Arrive at destination
Carlisle Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 2h 14m duration, starting your drive in Arlington, VA, after morning rush hour, around 9:30 AM, should allow for a smooth departure. While the drive is short enough for a single day, breaking it up with a brief stop around the halfway point can make it more comfortable. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially before entering longer stretches on I 95; planning your last fuel stop in Arlington before you depart is a smart move. There are no specific stops noted, so you have flexibility to decide when and where to take a break based on your needs.
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 54.6 miles from Arlington, VA, or about 1h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 48.6 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 24 miles or 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 54.6 miles or 1h 9m 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 47m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Montrose, 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 109.1 miles and 2h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 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 48.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 54.6 mi from Arlington, VA · 1h 9m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
55 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 24 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 54.6 miles from Arlington, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Montrose, VA
The final approach into Montrose, 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 Montrose, VA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.06 one way
$34.12 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
38 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $18.65 | $37.31 |
| premium | $4.70 | $20.19 | $40.38 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $24.09 | $48.18 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.12
Mechanicsville Turnpike
(1.7 mi)
$0.12
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
$17
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 38.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 32.7 | 0 | $11.46 | $5.24 |
| Efficient EV | 27.3 | 0 | $9.55 | $4.36 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 43.6 | 0 | $15.27 | $6.98 |
Gas CO2
38 kg
EV CO2
13 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.
Destination
Montrose, VA
Afternoon in Montrose on Friday
Local time
12:14 PM
EDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
79°F
Fredericksburg, VA
55 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
29 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 14m 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 Montrose, VA covers 109.1 miles and takes about 2h 14m 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, Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 54.6 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 $17.06 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 17 significant decision points across 109.1 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 45.7 miles (I 95): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Arlington, VA and Montrose, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk and Va Beach.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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