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Trip from Brandermill, VA to McLean, VA

Data updated 2 hours ago

Drive Time

2h 29m

Distance

121.5 mi

196 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$19

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 30 min
4 AM
2h 19m ★
6 AM
2h 29m
8 AM
2h 49m
10 AM
2h 36m
12 PM
2h 34m
3 PM
2h 37m
5 PM
2h 48m
8 PM
2h 23m

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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human settlement in Richmond, Virginia, United States of America

Brandermill, VA

Wikimedia Commons

census-designated place and unincorporated community in Virginia, United States

McLean, VA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 121.5-mile drive from Brandermill, VA to McLean, VA is best tackled in a single day, taking approximately 2 hours and 29 minutes. You'll primarily travel on major highways like the Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike, I-95, and Powhite Parkway, with 86% of the route being highway driving. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $19. Both your origin and destination are within the Southeast region, so expect a consistent feel throughout. This route is straightforward and efficient, making it a convenient option for a quick trip.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

0 planned breaks

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

60.7 miles from Brandermill, VA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 14m into the drive .

Loading map...

Drive Character

Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this trip, with 86% of the route utilizing major interstates. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 51.8 miles on the Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike. While primarily highway, this route offers a consistent pace, allowing you to cover ground efficiently. The road character remains largely the same, emphasizing smooth travel and minimal interruptions as you head north.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 28 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike is the longest continuous segment at about 51.8 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike and I 95. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 16.9 miles in.

Route Complexity 10/10

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

This is a demanding drive. With 24 significant decision points across 121.5 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 16.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 17 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 107.2 miles (I 395 / Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 24 key points

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

8
16.9 mi into trip | ~24m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 95, I 64 East: Washington, Norfolk

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 95, I 64 East: Washington, Norfolk
7
17 mi into trip | ~25m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 North: Washington

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 95 North: Washington
9
107.2 mi into trip | ~2h 8m in | I 395 / Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 395 / Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway toward I 395 North, I 495 North: Washington, Tysons Corner

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

Use the straight / slight left lanes. Exit 170A; 170B Toward I 395 North, I 495 North: Washington, Ty...
7
107.9 mi into trip | ~2h 9m in

Take the exit toward I 495 North: Tysons Corner

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 170B Toward I 495 North: Tysons Corner
7
118.8 mi into trip | ~2h 22m in

Take the exit toward VA 123 North: McLean

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 46B Toward VA 123 North: McLean

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Brandermill, VA and McLean, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk and Tysons Corner.

Norfolk

16.9 mi in | ~24m

Tysons Corner

107.2 mi in | ~2h 8m | via I 395

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike 51.8 mi 57m
I 95 36.6 mi 43m
Powhite Parkway 12.3 mi 16m
Capital Beltway 9.5 mi 11m
Beltline Expressway 2.2 mi 3m
Dolley Madison Boulevard 1.7 mi 4m
Charter Colony Parkway 0.8 mi 1m
Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway 0.6 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike — 51.8 mi, about 57m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Brandermill, VA and McLean, VA.

1

Start on this road

112 ft · 9 sec · this road
2

Turn right onto SR 1883

370 ft · 19 sec · Timber Ridge Road
3

Continue on East Timber Ridge Road

263 ft · 16 sec · East Timber Ridge Road
4

Turn left onto Millridge Parkway

0.3 mi · 43 sec · Millridge Parkway
5

Turn right onto SR 1921

0.5 mi · 1 min · Brandermill Parkway
6

Enter roundabout onto SR 754

243 ft · 5 sec · South Old Hundred Road
7

Continue on SR 754

0.6 mi · 1 min · South Old Hundred Road
8

Continue on SR 754

0.8 mi · 1 min · Charter Colony Parkway
Use the left / straight lanes.
9

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 12 sec
Toward Richmond
10

Merge onto VA 76

9.6 mi · 12 min · Powhite Parkway
Use the straight lane.
11

Keep slight right at fork onto VA 76

1.8 mi · 2 min · Powhite Parkway
Use the slight right lane.
12

Keep slight left at fork onto VA 76

0.9 mi · 1 min · Powhite Parkway
Use the straight lane.
13

Merge onto I 195

2.2 mi · 3 min · Beltline Expressway
Use the straight lane.
14

Keep slight right at fork

502 ft · 12 sec
Toward I 95, I 64 East: Washington, Norfolk Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Keep slight left at fork

0.8 mi · 1 min
Toward I 95 North: Washington Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Merge onto I 95

52 mi · 57 min · Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Keep slight right at fork onto I 95; US 17

1.6 mi · 1 min · I 95; US 17
18

Keep slight left at fork

1.0 mi · 1 min
19

Merge onto I 95

35 mi · 41 min · I 95
Use the slight left lane.
20

Keep slight right at fork onto I 395

0.6 mi · 52 sec · Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
Exit 170A; 170B Toward I 395 North, I 495 North: Washington, Tysons Corner Use the straight / slight left lanes.
21

Take the exit

1.4 mi · 1 min
Exit 170B Toward I 495 North: Tysons Corner Use the slight right lane.
22

Merge onto I 495

1.0 mi · 1 min · Capital Beltway
23

Keep slight right at fork onto I 495

8.5 mi · 10 min · Capital Beltway
Use the straight lane.
24

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 53 sec
Exit 46B Toward VA 123 North: McLean Use the slight right lane.
25

Turn straight onto VA 123

1.7 mi · 4 min · Dolley Madison Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
26

Turn right onto VA 309

0.5 mi · 1 min · Old Dominion Drive
Use the right lane.
27

Turn sharp left onto Elm Street

101 ft · 2 sec · Elm Street
28

Arrive at destination

Elm Street

Trip Plan

Given the 2 hours and 29-minute duration, this trip is easily manageable in one day. Consider departing early in the morning to avoid potential traffic, especially as you approach McLean. With 121.5 miles and a highway-focused profile, you can comfortably complete the drive without needing extensive stops, though planning for a quick break around the halfway point might be wise. Keep an eye on your fuel, with an estimated cost of $19 for the journey; filling up before you leave Brandermill is a good strategy.

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 60.7 miles from Brandermill, VA, or about 1h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 51.8 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 36m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 60.7 miles or 1h 14m 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 59m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near McLean, VA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Brandermill, 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 Brandermill, VA

This is one driving day of about 121.5 miles and 2h 29m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Brandermill, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike for about 51.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 60.7 mi from Brandermill, VA · 1h 14m into the drive

town in Maryland, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

La Plata, MD

61 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

La Plata, MD

Fuel and coffee

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

Middletown, MD

Meal break

The midpoint is around 60.7 miles from Brandermill, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in McLean, VA

The final approach into McLean, 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 McLean, 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.

Petersburg National Battlefield

Petersburg National Battlefield

National Battlefield

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...

19 mi from route ~48 min detour Free
Park Closure: Eastern Front Tour Road south of Route 36 - Closed
View on nps.gov
Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail

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!

24 mi from route ~60 min detour Free near mile 121.5
View on nps.gov

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$19.00 one way

$38.00 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 43 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $20.77 $41.55
premium $4.70 $22.49 $44.97
diesel $5.61 $26.83 $53.65

Estimated Tolls: $3.63

Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike (51.8 mi) $3.63

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

$19

Tolls

$4

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$48–$73

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 42.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 36.4 0 $12.76 $5.83
Efficient EV 30.4 0 $10.63 $4.86
EV Truck/SUV 48.6 0 $17.01 $7.78

Gas CO2

43 kg

EV CO2

14 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 data refreshed 2 days ago

Origin

Brandermill, VA

Late night in Brandermill on Wednesday

Local time

4:47 AM

EDT

Current temp

87°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

McLean, VA

Late night in McLean on Wednesday

Local time

4:47 AM

EDT

Current temp

69°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

62°F

La Plata, MD

61 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

18 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 29m 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 Brandermill, VA to McLean, VA covers 121.5 miles and takes about 2h 29m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike, I 95, Powhite Parkway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 60.7 miles from Brandermill, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $19.00 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 24 significant decision points across 121.5 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 16.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 17 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 107.2 miles (I 395 / Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Brandermill, VA and McLean, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk and Tysons Corner.

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