This 26.1-mile drive from Buckhall, VA, to McLean, VA, is a short trip that can easily be completed in about 42 minutes. It's a straightforward journey, primarily utilizing I-66 and the Capital Beltway, making it a convenient option for a single-day trip with no need for an overnight stay. The estimated fuel cost for this route is around $4, reflecting its manageable distance. You'll be traveling within the Southeast region of Virginia for the entire duration. This drive offers a practical way to navigate between these two locations without significant time commitment.
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
13 miles from Buckhall, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 22m into the drive
.
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Drive Character
Expect a mixed driving experience on this route, with 47% of the journey on highways. You'll encounter stretches of I-66, which will provide the longest uninterrupted driving segment at 11.2 miles. The drive transitions between interstate travel and local roads like Centreville Road, offering a blend of faster-paced driving and more controlled sections. This variety means you won't be stuck in a monotonous highway grind for the entire trip, as the road character shifts throughout the 42-minute travel time.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 66 is the longest continuous segment at about 11.2 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 1.4 miles in near Liberia Avenue.
Route Complexity8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 26.1 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 1.4 miles (Liberia Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 9.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 9.5 miles (I 66): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
1.4 mi into trip|~2m in|Liberia Avenue
Turn right onto Liberia Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
9.1 mi into trip|~17m in
Take the exit toward I 66 East: Washington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 66 East: Washington
5
9.5 mi into trip|~18m in|I 66
Merge onto I 66
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
20.7 mi into trip|~32m in
Take the exit toward I 495 North: Tysons Corner, Baltimore
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 64B
Toward I 495 North: Tysons Corner, Baltimore
7
23.4 mi into trip|~35m 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.
On the drive from Buckhall, VA to McLean, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Baltimore along the way.
Baltimore
20.7 mi in|~32m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 66
11.2 mi
13m
Centreville Road
5.5 mi
10m
Capital Beltway
2.2 mi
2m
Dolley Madison Boulevard
1.7 mi
4m
Liberia Avenue
1.7 mi
4m
Prince William Parkway
1.1 mi
1m
Sully Road
0.5 mi
<1m
Old Dominion Drive
0.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 66
— 11.2 mi, about 13m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Buckhall, VA and McLean, VA.
1
Start on SR 662
0.2 mi·42 sec·Moore Drive
2
Turn left onto VA 294
1.1 mi·1 min·Prince William Parkway
3
Turn right onto Liberia Avenue
1.7 mi·4 min·Liberia Avenue
Use the right lane.
4
Turn right onto VA 28
5.5 mi·10 min·Centreville Road
Use the left lane.
5
Continue on VA 28
0.5 mi·52 sec·Sully Road
6
Take the exit
0.4 mi·51 sec
Toward I 66 East: WashingtonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 66
11 mi·13 min·I 66
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 64BToward I 495 North: Tysons Corner, BaltimoreUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 495
2.2 mi·2 min·Capital Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi·53 sec
Exit 46BToward VA 123 North: McLeanUse the slight right lane.
11
Turn straight onto VA 123
1.7 mi·4 min·Dolley Madison Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
12
Turn right onto VA 309
0.5 mi·1 min·Old Dominion Drive
Use the right lane.
13
Turn sharp left onto Elm Street
101 ft·2 sec·Elm Street
14
Arrive at destination
Elm Street
Trip Plan
Given the short 42-minute duration, this drive offers considerable flexibility, so you can depart at your convenience. The $4 fuel cost is minimal, but it’s always wise to start with a full tank to avoid any last-minute stops. The longest stretch you'll cover without a significant change in road is 11.2 miles on I-66, so plan your breaks accordingly if you prefer more frequent pauses. Keep an eye on traffic conditions, especially as you approach the Capital Beltway, as this area can experience congestion.
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 13 miles from Buckhall, VA, or about 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 11.2 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 26.1 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 13 miles or 22m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 34m
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 Buckhall, 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 Buckhall, VA
This is one driving day of about 26.1 miles and 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Buckhall, 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 I 66 for about 11.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 13 mi from Buckhall, VA
· 22m into the drive
The midpoint is around 13 miles from Buckhall, 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.
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
~54 min detour
Free
near mile 9.9
Caution: Great Allegheny Passage Erosion Near Confluence, Pennsylvania (Mile Marker 56)
Park Closure: Trail Closure at Veterans Park at Balls Bluff (Leesburg, Virginia)
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$4.08 one way
$8.16 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg9 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$4.46
$8.93
premium
$4.70
$4.83
$9.66
diesel
$5.61
$5.76
$11.53
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$29–$54
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 9.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
7.8
0
$2.74
$1.25
Efficient EV
6.5
0
$2.28
$1.04
EV Truck/SUV
10.4
0
$3.65
$1.67
Gas CO2
9 kg
EV CO2
3 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
Buckhall, VA
Morning
in Buckhall on Wednesday
Local time
7:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
85°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
McLean, VA
Morning
in McLean on Wednesday
Local time
7:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
16 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
42m 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 Buckhall, VA to McLean, VA covers 26.1 miles and takes about 42m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 66, Centreville Road, Capital Beltway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 13 miles from Buckhall, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $4.08 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 10 significant decision points across 26.1 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 1.4 miles (Liberia Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 9.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 9.5 miles (I 66): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Buckhall, VA to McLean, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Baltimore along the way.
