Trip from Colonial Beach, VA to Arlington, VA

Drive Time

1h 46m

Distance

67.7 mi

109 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$11

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 24 min

4 AM

1h 39m ★

6 AM

1h 47m

8 AM

2h 3m

10 AM

1h 52m

12 PM

1h 51m

3 PM

1h 53m

5 PM

2h 2m

8 PM

1h 42m

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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Colonial Beach, VA

Sarah O'Shea

Arlington, VA

Dominik Gryzbon

Trip Overview

Traveling from Colonial Beach to Arlington covers a 67.7-mile distance that typically takes about 1 hour and 46 minutes to complete. This route is perfectly suited for a one-day trip, allowing you to easily manage the journey without needing an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $11 for fuel, making this a very affordable excursion within Virginia. Because the trip is relatively short, you won't need to plan for any formal stops along the way. It functions best as a straightforward transit between the coast and the northern urban corridor, keeping you within the Southeast region for the entire duration.

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

33.9 miles from Colonial Beach, VA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 50m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention rather than a monotonous highway cruise. You will spend only 9% of your time on highways, as the route relies heavily on local roads like Branch Avenue and Windsor Drive. A significant portion of your travel—28.8 miles—will be spent on the Nice Middleton Bridge, which serves as the longest uninterrupted stretch of the trip. The road personality shifts from quiet coastal surroundings to the more complex navigation required as you approach the Arlington area. Prepare for a dynamic driving experience that prioritizes local navigation over high-speed interstate travel.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.

There are about 33 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

Nice Middleton Bridge is the longest continuous segment at about 28.8 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 44.8 miles in near MD 5 / Branch Avenue.

Route Complexity 10/10

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

This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 67.7 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 44.8 miles (MD 5 / Branch Avenue): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 56.6 miles (MD 5 / Branch Avenue): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 64.1 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.

44.8 mi into trip | ~1h 7m in | MD 5 / Branch Avenue

Keep slight left at fork onto MD 5 / Branch Avenue toward MD 5 North: Washington

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane. Toward MD 5 North: Washington

56.6 mi into trip | ~1h 23m in | MD 5 / Branch Avenue

Keep slight right at fork onto MD 5 / Branch Avenue

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.

64.1 mi into trip | ~1h 38m in

Take the exit toward VA 27: Pentagon South Parking, Washington Boulevard, South Arlington Ridge Road

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 8A Toward VA 27: Pentagon South Parking, Washingto...

64.3 mi into trip | ~1h 38m in

Keep slight right at fork toward VA 27 West: South Arlington Ridge Road

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane. Toward VA 27 West: South Arlington Ridge Road

65.2 mi into trip | ~1h 40m in | VA 27 / Washington Boulevard

Keep slight left at fork onto VA 27 / Washington Boulevard toward VA 27 West, VA 244 West: Columbia Pike

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

Use the none lane. Toward VA 27 West, VA 244 West: Columbia Pike

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Nice Middleton Bridge	28.8 mi	42m
Branch Avenue	12.2 mi	16m
Windsor Drive	4.4 mi	6m
James Madison Parkway	4.1 mi	6m
Ridge Road	3.5 mi	4m
Washington Boulevard	2.1 mi	4m
McKinney Boulevard	1.8 mi	3m
Tetotum Road	1.6 mi	2m

Longest stretch: Nice Middleton Bridge — 28.8 mi, about 42m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Colonial Beach, VA and Arlington, VA.

Start on Washington Avenue

32 ft · 7 sec · Washington Avenue

Turn left onto VA 205Y

0.6 mi · 1 min · Colonial Avenue

Turn right onto VA 205

1.8 mi · 3 min · McKinney Boulevard

Continue on VA 205

3.5 mi · 4 min · Ridge Road

Turn right onto VA 218

1.6 mi · 2 min · Tetotum Road

Turn left onto VA 218

4.4 mi · 6 min · Windsor Drive

Turn right onto US 301

4.1 mi · 6 min · James Madison Parkway

Continue on US 301

29 mi · 42 min · Nice Middleton Bridge

Use the straight lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto MD 5

12 mi · 16 min · Branch Avenue

Toward MD 5 North: Washington Use the none lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto MD 5

0.4 mi · 38 sec · Branch Avenue

Use the none lane.

Take the exit onto MD 637

0.2 mi · 28 sec · MD 637

Use the left lane.

Enter roundabout onto MD 637

129 ft · 2 sec · Naylor Road

Continue on MD 637

381 ft · 13 sec · Naylor Road

Enter roundabout onto MD 637

48 ft · 0 sec · Naylor Road

Continue on MD 637

0.3 mi · 50 sec · Naylor Road

Use the none lane.

Turn straight

295 ft · 10 sec

Turn slight right onto Naylor Road Southeast

0.7 mi · 1 min · Naylor Road Southeast

Use the straight / left lanes.

Turn left onto Marion Barry Avenue Southeast

1.2 mi · 2 min · Marion Barry Avenue Southeast

Use the left lane.

Turn right onto Martin Luther King Junior Avenue Southeast

0.5 mi · 53 sec · Martin Luther King Junior Avenue Southeast

Use the none lane.

Continue on 11th Street Southeast

0.3 mi · 51 sec · 11th Street Southeast

Use the none lane.

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 29 sec

Toward I 695 West Use the left lane.

Merge onto I 695

1.1 mi · 1 min · Southeast Freeway

Use the none lane.

Continue on I 395

0.7 mi · 1 min · Southwest Freeway

Use the none lane.

Continue on I 395

1.1 mi · 2 min · Francis Case Memorial Bridge

Use the none lane.

Continue on I 395; US 1

0.7 mi · 55 sec · Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 19 sec

Exit 8A Toward VA 27: Pentagon South Parking, Washington Boulevard, South Arlington Ridge Road Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight right at fork

0.7 mi · 1 min

Toward VA 27 West: South Arlington Ridge Road Use the none lane.

Merge onto VA 27

0.2 mi · 24 sec · Washington Boulevard

Use the none lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto VA 27

1.8 mi · 3 min · Washington Boulevard

Toward VA 27 West, VA 244 West: Columbia Pike Use the none lane.

Turn left onto VA 237

0.3 mi · 1 min · 10th Street North

Turn slight left

137 ft · 8 sec

Turn left onto Wilson Boulevard

0.4 mi · 1 min · Wilson Boulevard

Arrive at destination

Wilson Boulevard

Trip Plan

Since this is a compact 67.7-mile journey, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though avoiding peak traffic hours is always wise when heading toward Arlington. Because the trip is designed to be completed in one go, you can easily handle the drive in under two hours without needing to schedule rest breaks. Ensure your tank is ready for the $11 fuel expenditure before leaving Colonial Beach to avoid any mid-trip inconveniences. Focus your attention on the transition between the Nice Middleton Bridge and the local road segments, as these areas require frequent turns. Embracing the route's local nature will make the transition from the coast to the city much smoother.

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 33.9 miles from Colonial Beach, VA, or about 50m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 28.8 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 67.7 miles or 1h 46m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 33.9 miles or 50m 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 25m

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

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Colonial Beach, 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 Colonial Beach, VA

This is one driving day of about 67.7 miles and 1h 46m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Colonial Beach, 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 Nice Middleton Bridge for about 28.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 33.9 mi from Colonial Beach, VA · 50m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Staten Island, NY

34 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

Washington, DC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 67.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Staten Island, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 33.9 miles from Colonial Beach, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Arlington, VA

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.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$10.83 one way

$21.67 round trip

$4.07/gal 25.4 MPG avg 24 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.43	$11.80	$23.61
premium	$4.78	$12.74	$25.47
diesel	$5.64	$15.04	$30.08

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$11

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$36–$61

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 23.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	20.3	$7.11	$3.25
Efficient EV	16.9	$5.92	$2.71
EV Truck/SUV	27.1	$9.48	$4.33

Gas CO2

24 kg

EV CO2

8 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 3 days ago

Origin

Colonial Beach, VA

Evening in Colonial Beach on Sunday

Local time

8:54 PM

EDT

Current temp

69°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Arlington, VA

Evening in Arlington on Sunday

Local time

8:54 PM

EDT

Current temp

67°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

2 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

1h 46m 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 Colonial Beach, VA to Arlington, VA covers 67.7 miles and takes about 1h 46m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Nice Middleton Bridge, Branch Avenue, Windsor Drive. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 33.9 miles from Colonial Beach, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $10.83 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.

The route from Colonial Beach, VA to Arlington, VA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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Trip from Colonial Beach, VA to Arlington, VA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Arlington, VA

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Colonial Beach, VA

Arlington, VA

Same local time

2 degrees cooler at arrival

1h 46m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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