Drive Time
2h 10m
Distance
127 mi
204 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$20
one way
Photo: Dominik Gryzbon
The drive from Colonial Heights, VA to Arlington, VA covers 127 miles and takes about 2h 10m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on East Ellerslie Avenue, Boulevard, Route 1 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $19.81 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
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
63.5 miles from Colonial Heights, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 5m into the drive .
Expect a 2h 10m drive with frequent turns across 127 miles of local and secondary roads.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| East Ellerslie Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Boulevard | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Route 1 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Woods Edge Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Henry G | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| VA 27 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| VA 27 West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Colonial Heights, VA and Arlington, VA.
Start on the route
At the end of the road, turn left onto East Ellerslie Avenue
Turn right onto Boulevard
Continue on Route 1
Turn right onto Woods Edge Road
Take the ramp slight right
Merge slight left onto Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
Keep slight left to continue on Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
Keep slight right
Keep slight left
Merge slight left
Keep slight right to continue on Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
Continue on Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
Take the exit slight right toward VA 27: Washington Boulevard, Columbia Pike
Keep slight left to continue on VA 27 West: Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Washington Boulevard, Columbia Pike
Merge slight right onto Washington Boulevard
Turn left onto 10th Street North
Turn slight left
Turn left onto Wilson Boulevard
Arrive at your destination
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.
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 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 63.5 miles or 1h 5m 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 47m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Arlington, VA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Colonial Heights, 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 Heights, VA
This is one driving day of about 127 miles and 2h 10m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 63.5 mi from Colonial Heights, VA · 1h 5m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
64 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 63.5 miles from Colonial Heights, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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
$19.81 one way
$39.61 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $22.15 | $44.29 |
| premium | $4.78 | $23.89 | $47.78 |
| diesel | $5.62 | $28.12 | $56.24 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 44.4 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 38.1 | 0 | $13.33 | $6.10 |
| Efficient EV | 31.8 | 0 | $11.11 | $5.08 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 50.8 | 0 | $17.78 | $8.13 |
Gas CO2
44 kg
EV CO2
15 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Morning in Colonial Heights on Saturday
Local time
10:21 AM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Morning in Arlington on Saturday
Local time
10:21 AM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
88°F
Middletown, MD
64 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.
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Return Trip
Arlington, VA to Colonial Heights, VAPlan the drive back the other way.
Explore more options from Colonial Heights, VA or browse trips ending in Arlington, VA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse VA road trips.
Explore maps for Colonial Heights, VA or Arlington, VA on MapSof.net.
