Origin
Colonial Heights, VA
Afternoon in Colonial Heights on Sunday
Local time
3:54 PM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Colonial Heights, VA to McLean, VA
Drive Time
2h 37m
Distance
129.1 mi
208 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 27m
★
6 AM
2h 38m
8 AM
2h 58m
10 AM
2h 45m
12 PM
2h 43m
3 PM
2h 46m
5 PM
2h 57m
8 PM
2h 31m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Colonial Heights, VA
Pavan Sai .D
McLean, VA
Никита Кригер
Trip Overview
Spanning 129.1 miles, this drive from Colonial Heights to McLean serves as a straightforward connection across Virginia. You should plan for a travel time of approximately 2 hours and 37 minutes, making it a very manageable day trip that does not require an overnight stay. Your budget for gas will be around $21, keeping the transit costs quite reasonable. The route relies heavily on the Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike, I-95, and the Capital Beltway, situating you firmly within the Southeast region for the duration of the trip. Since you are moving from one part of the state to another, you will find this path offers a practical way to navigate the corridor between these two points.
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
64.6 miles from Colonial Heights, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 18m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a classic highway-focused experience, as 86% of this journey is spent on major interstates. You will settle into a steady pace early on, with your longest uninterrupted stretch covering 73.1 miles along the Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike. Because of the high highway percentage, the drive maintains a consistent, fast-moving character rather than a technical or winding feel. Navigating through the Capital Beltway toward the end of your trip will likely be the most significant change in traffic flow you encounter. Prepare yourself for a straightforward, high-speed transit that prioritizes efficiency over scenic diversions.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 20 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 73.1 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 2.7 miles in near SR 620 / Woods Edge Road.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 129.1 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 2.7 miles (SR 620 / Woods Edge Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 24.5 miles (I 95 / Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 114.9 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 16 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
2.7 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
SR 620 / Woods Edge Road
Turn right onto SR 620 / Woods Edge Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
24.5 mi into trip
|
~33m in
|
I 95 / Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 / Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
114.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 16m 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
115.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 17m 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
126.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 31m 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 Along This Route
On the drive from Colonial Heights, VA to McLean, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Tysons Corner along the way.
Tysons Corner
114.9 mi in
|
~2h 16m
|
via I 395
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike | 73.1 mi | 1h 24m |
| I 95 | 36.6 mi | 43m |
| Capital Beltway | 9.5 mi | 11m |
| Dolley Madison Boulevard | 1.7 mi | 4m |
| Route 1 | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| Woods Edge Road | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Boulevard | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway | 0.6 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
— 73.1 mi, about 1h 24m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Colonial Heights, VA and McLean, VA.
1
Start on this road
257 ft
·
24 sec
·
this road
2
At end of road, turn left onto East Ellerslie Avenue
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
·
East Ellerslie Avenue
3
Turn right onto US 1; US 301; VA 144
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Boulevard
Use the right lane.
4
Continue on US 1; US 301; VA 144
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Route 1
Use the none lane.
5
Turn right onto SR 620
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Woods Edge Road
Use the right lane.
6
Take the ramp
0.6 mi
·
1 min
7
Merge onto I 95
20 mi
·
25 min
·
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
Use the none lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
53 mi
·
58 min
·
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 95; US 17
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
I 95; US 17
10
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi
·
1 min
11
Merge onto I 95
35 mi
·
41 min
·
I 95
Use the none lane.
12
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.
13
Take the exit
1.4 mi
·
1 min
Exit 170B
Toward I 495 North: Tysons Corner
Use the slight right lane.
14
Merge onto I 495
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Capital Beltway
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 495
8.5 mi
·
10 min
·
Capital Beltway
Use the straight lane.
16
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
Exit 46B
Toward VA 123 North: McLean
Use the slight right lane.
17
Turn straight onto VA 123
1.7 mi
·
4 min
·
Dolley Madison Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
18
Turn right onto VA 309
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Old Dominion Drive
Use the right lane.
19
Turn sharp left onto Elm Street
101 ft
·
2 sec
·
Elm Street
20
Arrive at destination
Elm Street
Trip Plan
Given the heavy reliance on I-95, your biggest challenge will be managing traffic fluctuations near the major urban centers. Aim to leave at an off-peak time to ensure your 2-hour and 37-minute travel estimate remains accurate. You only need to plan for a single stop along the way to stretch your legs or refuel, which is plenty for a trip of this length. Since the route is relatively short, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure to avoid the worst of the congestion on the Beltway. Keep a close eye on live traffic updates once you hit the 73.1-mile mark on the turnpike to decide if you need to adjust your approach into McLean.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 64.6 miles from Colonial Heights, VA, or about 1h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 73.1 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 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 64.6 miles or 1h 18m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 5m
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 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 129.1 miles and 2h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Colonial Heights, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike for about 73.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 64.6 mi from Colonial Heights, VA · 1h 18m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
65 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 64.6 miles from Colonial Heights, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 73.1 miles.
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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.66 one way
$41.32 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
45 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $22.51 | $45.02 |
| premium | $4.78 | $24.29 | $48.57 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $28.68 | $57.36 |
Estimated Tolls: $5.11
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
(73.1 mi)
$5.11
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
$21
Tolls
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 45.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 38.7 | 0 | $13.56 | $6.20 |
| Efficient EV | 32.3 | 0 | $11.30 | $5.16 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 51.6 | 0 | $18.07 | $8.26 |
Gas CO2
45 kg
EV CO2
15 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.
Destination
McLean, VA
Afternoon in McLean on Sunday
Local time
3:54 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
86°F
Middletown, MD
65 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
4 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 37m 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 Heights, VA to McLean, VA covers 129.1 miles and takes about 2h 37m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike, I 95, Capital Beltway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 64.6 miles from Colonial Heights, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $20.66 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 129.1 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 2.7 miles (SR 620 / Woods Edge Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 24.5 miles (I 95 / Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 114.9 miles (I 395 / Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Colonial Heights, VA to McLean, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Tysons Corner along the way.
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