This 150.3-mile drive from Arlington, VA to Williamsburg, VA is a straightforward journey through the Southeast region, easily manageable as a single-day trip. Expect to spend about 2 hours and 58 minutes on the road, with a projected fuel cost of around $24. The route primarily utilizes major interstates, making it an efficient way to travel between these two Virginia destinations. With a single recommended stop, this drive offers a practical option for a quick getaway without needing an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
75.1 miles from Arlington, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 31m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 58m. Total distance: 150.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (58%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
This drive is a mixed bag, with 58% of it being highway driving. You'll spend a significant portion on I-95, including a longest stretch of 48.6 miles. The highway portions, like Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway, offer a consistent pace. As you transition to I-64, the character remains largely interstate, but you might notice a slight shift in traffic patterns as you approach your destination. Overall, it's a drive that prioritizes getting you there efficiently.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 23 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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
268 ft64 ft
Total Climb
212 ft
Total Descent
395 ft
Highest Point
268 ft
Elevation Range
204 ft
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 Effort10/10
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 21 significant decision points across 150.3 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 94.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 21 key points
These 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
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...
8
109.1 mi into trip|~2h 9m in
Take the exit toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach
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 28A
Toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach
8
147.2 mi into trip|~2h 51m in
Take the exit toward VA 143: Camp Peary, Colonial, Williamsburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 238
Toward VA 143: Camp Peary, Colonial, Williamsbu...
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 Williamsburg, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk, Va Beach and Virginia Beach.
Norfolk
94.3 mi in|~1h 52m
Va Beach
94.3 mi in|~1h 52m
Virginia Beach
109.1 mi in|~2h 9m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
48.6 mi
53m
Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
42.2 mi
50m
I 64
36.8 mi
39m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
13 mi
14m
North Glebe Road
2.4 mi
6m
VA 132
2 mi
3m
Capitol Landing Road
0.5 mi
<1m
North Oakland Street
0.4 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 Williamsburg, 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·43 min·Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
Exit 1AToward I 95 South: RichmondUse 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 84AToward I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va BeachUse the slight left / straight lanes.
12
Merge onto I 295
13 mi·14 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
1.3 mi·2 min
Exit 28AToward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia BeachUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto I 64
37 mi·39 min·I 64
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 238Toward VA 143: Camp Peary, Colonial, WilliamsburgUse the slight right lane.
16
Turn right onto VA 143
0.5 mi·43 sec·Capitol Landing Road
17
Turn right onto VA 132
2.0 mi·3 min·VA 132
Use the straight lane.
18
Turn right onto Scotland Street
0.2 mi·33 sec·Scotland Street
19
Turn left onto Armistead Avenue
0.1 mi·24 sec·Armistead Avenue
20
Turn left onto Richmond Road
0.1 mi·23 sec·Richmond Road
21
Turn right onto South Boundary Street
106 ft·4 sec·South Boundary Street
22
Turn right onto VA 5
14 ft·0 sec·Jamestown Road
23
Arrive at destination
VA 5
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of under 3 hours, this route offers flexibility for departure. Leaving early in the morning can help you avoid the heaviest traffic, especially around the Northern Virginia area. While only one stop is recommended, consider breaking up the journey with a brief pause along I-95 to stretch your legs. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially before embarking on the longest highway stretch; your estimated fuel cost is $24, so plan accordingly.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 75.1 miles from Arlington, VA, or about 1h 31m 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 33 miles or 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 75.1 miles or 1h 31m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 25m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Williamsburg, 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 150.3 miles and 2h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 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 I 95 for about 48.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 75.1 mi from Arlington, VA
· 1h 31m into the drive
The midpoint is around 75.1 miles from Arlington, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Williamsburg, VA
The final approach into Williamsburg, 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 Williamsburg, 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.
Colonial National Historical Park
National Historical Park
On May 13, 1607, Jamestown was established as the first permanent English settlement in North America. Three cultures came together – European, Virginia Indian and African–to create a new society that...
6 mi from route
~14 min detour
$15
near mile 150.3
Park Closure: Rehabilitation of Colonial Parkway Continues
Two hundred ninety-two days, eight offensives, over 70,000 casualties, U. S. Colored Troops, and the decline of Gen. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia all describe the Siege of Petersburg. U.S. forces c...
26 mi from route
~65 min detour
Free
near mile 108.8
Fort Monroe's story spans from prehistory to the 2000s. Kecoughtan Indians occupied Old Point Comfort before the arrival of English colonists. The first enslaved Africans arrived in 1619. Those escapi...
28 mi from route
~71 min detour
Free
near mile 150.3
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
$23.50 one way
$47.01 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg53 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$25.70
$51.40
premium
$4.70
$27.82
$55.63
diesel
$5.61
$33.18
$66.37
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 52.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
45.1
0
$15.78
$7.21
Efficient EV
37.6
0
$13.15
$6.01
EV Truck/SUV
60.1
0
$21.04
$9.62
Gas CO2
53 kg
EV CO2
18 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.
Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Arlington, VA
Night
in Arlington on Thursday
Local time
10:48 PM
EDT
Current temp
94°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 3 to 14 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Williamsburg, VA
Night
in Williamsburg on Thursday
Local time
10:48 PM
EDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
49°F
Bowling Green, VA
75 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
23 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
2h 58m on the road
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Arlington, VA to Williamsburg, VA covers 150.3 miles and takes about 2h 58m 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, I 64. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 75.1 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 $23.50 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 150.3 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 94.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Arlington, VA and Williamsburg, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk, Va Beach and Virginia Beach.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 64 ft to 268 ft elevation with about 212 ft of total climbing.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Colonial National Historical Park, Petersburg National Battlefield and Fort Monroe National Monument. There are 4 parks within detour distance of this route.
