Drive Time
3h 50m
Distance
206.2 mi
332 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$33
one way
Photo: Dominik Gryzbon
The drive from Buchanan, VA to Arlington, VA covers 206.2 miles and takes about 3h 50m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 81, I 66, US 11 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 78.9 miles on I 81. At current regular gas prices, budget about $33.00 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
103.1 miles from Buchanan, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 52m into the drive .
This is a 3h 50m highway drive covering 206.2 miles, with most of the trip on I 81 and I 66. The longest continuous stretch is about 78.9 miles on I 81.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and I 66. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 11 / Main Street.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 3h 50m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 11 / Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 134.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 177.3 miles (I 66): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto US 11 / Main Street
Navigation decision point
Take the exit toward I 66 East: Front Royal, Washington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork onto I 66
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward VA 120, VA 237
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn right onto VA 120 / North Glebe Road
Lane positioning matters here
On the drive from Buchanan, VA to Arlington, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Washington along the way.
Washington
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 81 | 78.9 mi | 1h 26m |
| I 66 | 70.5 mi | 1h 20m |
| US 11 | 53.5 mi | 57m |
| Main Street | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| Wilson Boulevard | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Lee Highway | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| I 64 | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| North Glebe Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Buchanan, VA and Arlington, VA.
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.
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 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 103.1 miles or 1h 52m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 4m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Arlington, VA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Buchanan, 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 Buchanan, VA
This is one driving day of about 206.2 miles and 3h 50m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 103.1 mi from Buchanan, VA · 1h 52m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
103 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 103.1 miles from Buchanan, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 81 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 78.9 miles.
The final approach into Arlington, 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 Arlington, VA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$33.00 one way
$66.00 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $35.96 | $71.91 |
| premium | $4.78 | $38.79 | $77.58 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $45.81 | $91.62 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 72.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 61.9 | 0 | $21.65 | $9.90 |
| Efficient EV | 51.6 | 0 | $18.04 | $8.25 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 82.5 | 1 | $28.87 | $13.20 |
Gas CO2
72 kg
EV CO2
24 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Afternoon in Buchanan on Saturday
Local time
4:42 PM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Afternoon in Arlington on Saturday
Local time
4:42 PM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
61°F
Cumberland, MD
103 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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