Trip from Arlington, VA to North Shore, VA

Data updated 4 hours ago

Drive Time

4h 59m

Distance

224.6 mi

362 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$35

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min

4 AM

4h 46m ★

6 AM

5h 0m

8 AM

5h 27m

10 AM

5h 9m

12 PM

5h 7m

3 PM

5h 11m

5 PM

5h 25m

8 PM

4h 52m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Arlington, VA

Dominik Gryzbon

North Shore, VA

Cyrill

Trip Overview

The drive from Arlington, VA to North Shore, VA covers 224.6 miles and takes about 4h 59m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on US 29, North Seminole Trail, Custis Memorial Parkway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 63.9 miles on US 29. At current regular gas prices, budget about $35.12 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

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

112.3 miles from Arlington, VA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 33m into the drive .

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Drive Character

The drive from Arlington, VA to North Shore, VA covers 224.6 miles and takes about 4h 59m, using a mix of highways and local roads.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.

There are about 28 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

US 29 is the longest continuous segment at about 63.9 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 4.6 miles in near I 66 / Custis Memorial Parkway.

Route Complexity 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 224.6 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 28.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 29.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 17 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

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.

28.8 mi into trip | ~38m in

Take the exit toward US 29 South: Gainesville, Warrenton

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 43A Toward US 29 South: Gainesville, Warrenton

29.6 mi into trip | ~39m in

Keep slight left at fork toward US 29 South: Gainesville, Warrenton

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward US 29 South: Gainesville, Warrenton

40.3 mi into trip | ~55m in | US 15; US 29

Keep slight left at fork onto US 15; US 29 toward US 15 South, US 29 South

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 15 South, US 29 South

172 mi into trip | ~3h 46m in | US 29

Keep slight right at fork onto US 29 toward US 29 South, US 460 West: Lynchburg, Danville

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 29 South, US 460 West: Lynchburg, Dan...

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 North Shore, VA, road signs point toward Warrenton and Danville.

Warrenton

28.8 mi in | ~38m

Danville

172 mi in | ~3h 46m | via US 29

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
US 29	63.9 mi	1h 18m
North Seminole Trail	33.8 mi	47m
Custis Memorial Parkway	27.5 mi	34m
James Madison Highway	23.3 mi	30m
Moneta Road	15.9 mi	23m
East Lynchburg Salem Turnpike	13.9 mi	18m
Richmond Highway	12.7 mi	15m
Lee Highway	10.6 mi	15m

Longest stretch: US 29 — 63.9 mi, about 1h 18m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Arlington, VA and North Shore, VA.

Start on Wilson Boulevard

0.5 mi · 1 min · Wilson Boulevard

Turn slight right onto VA 120

0.2 mi · 30 sec · North Glebe Road

Use the right lane.

Turn left onto Fairfax Drive

0.1 mi · 27 sec · Fairfax Drive

Use the left lane.

Continue on this road

0.5 mi · 1 min · this road

Toward I 66 Toll West

Merge onto I 66

3.3 mi · 4 min · Custis Memorial Parkway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 66

24 mi · 29 min · Custis Memorial Parkway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min

Exit 43A Toward US 29 South: Gainesville, Warrenton Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 23 sec

Toward US 29 South: Gainesville, Warrenton Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Merge onto US 29

11 mi · 15 min · Lee Highway

Use the left lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto US 15; US 29

0.5 mi · 44 sec · US 15; US 29

Toward US 15 South, US 29 South

Merge onto US 15; US 17; US 29

2.6 mi · 3 min · Eastern Bypass

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on US 15; US 17; US 29

5.1 mi · 7 min · James Madison Highway

Keep slight left at fork onto US 15; US 29

18 mi · 23 min · James Madison Highway

Continue on US 29

7.8 mi · 9 min · James Monroe Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on US 29

34 mi · 47 min · North Seminole Trail

Continue on US 29

0.3 mi · 41 sec · Emmet Street North

Use the straight lane.

Take the exit onto US 29

63 mi · 1 hr 17 min · US 29

Toward US 29 South, US 250 West

Keep slight right at fork onto US 29

0.6 mi · 1 min · US 29

Toward US 29 South, US 460 West: Lynchburg, Danville

Merge onto US 29; US 460

13 mi · 15 min · Richmond Highway

Continue on US 460

14 mi · 18 min · East Lynchburg Salem Turnpike

Take the exit onto VA 122

0.2 mi · 31 sec · VA 122

Toward VA 122 South, VA 122 Business North

Turn left onto VA 122

0.7 mi · 1 min · Burks Hill Road

Use the straight / left lanes.

Continue on VA 122

16 mi · 23 min · Moneta Road

Continue on VA 122

0.2 mi · 19 sec · Halesford Bridge

Continue on VA 122

3.4 mi · 5 min · Booker T Washington Highway

Turn left onto SR 616

4.8 mi · 6 min · Scruggs Road

Turn left onto SR 942

0.2 mi · 54 sec · Bluewater Drive

Arrive at destination

SR 942

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 112.3 miles from Arlington, VA, or about 2h 33m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 63.9 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 80 miles or 1h 47m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 112.3 miles or 2h 33m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 2m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near North Shore, 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 224.6 miles and 4h 59m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Arlington, VA.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on US 29 for about 63.9 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 112.3 mi from Arlington, VA · 2h 33m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Cumberland, MD

112 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

Poolesville, MD

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Poolesville, MD

Meal break

The midpoint is around 112.3 miles from Arlington, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 29 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 63.9 miles.

Arriving in North Shore, VA

The final approach into North Shore, 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 North Shore, 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.

Booker T Washington National Monument

National Monument

Booker T. Washington was born a slave in April 1856 on the 207-acre farm of James Burroughs. After the Civil War, Washington became the first principal of Tuskegee Normal and Industrial School. Later...

3 mi from route ~9 min detour Free near mile 216.9

View on nps.gov

Shenandoah National Park

National Park

Just 75 miles from the bustle of Washington, D.C., Shenandoah National Park is a land bursting with cascading waterfalls, spectacular vistas, fields of wildflowers, and quiet wooded hollows. With over...

14 mi from route ~35 min detour $30 near mile 85.2

View on nps.gov

Appomattox Court House National Historical Park

National Historical Park

On April 9, 1865, the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia in the McLean House in the village of Appomattox Court House, Virginia signaled the effective end of the nation's largest war. Question...

16 mi from route ~39 min detour Free near mile 170.4

View on nps.gov

Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail

National Scenic Trail

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!

22 mi from route ~55 min detour Free near mile 15.5

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$35.12 one way

$70.24 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 79 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.34	$38.40	$76.81
premium	$4.70	$41.57	$83.14
diesel	$5.61	$49.59	$99.18

Estimated Tolls: $0.97

East Lynchburg Salem Turnpike (13.9 mi) $0.97

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

$35

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$61–$86

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 78.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	67.4	0	$23.58	$10.78
Efficient EV	56.2	0	$19.65	$8.98
EV Truck/SUV	89.8	1	$31.44	$14.37

Gas CO2

79 kg

EV CO2

26 kg (67% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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 data refreshed 1 day ago

Origin

Arlington, VA

Late night in Arlington on Wednesday

Local time

12:29 AM

EDT

Current temp

78°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

North Shore, VA

Late night in North Shore on Wednesday

Local time

12:29 AM

EDT

Current temp

46°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

61°F

Cumberland, MD

112 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

32 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

4h 59m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

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 North Shore, VA covers 224.6 miles and takes about 4h 59m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are US 29, North Seminole Trail, Custis Memorial Parkway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 112.3 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 $35.12 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Between Arlington, VA and North Shore, VA, road signs point toward Warrenton and Danville.

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