The drive from Danville, VA to McLean, VA covers 248.4 miles and takes about 5h 13m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike, Kings Highway, I 95 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is mixed drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 51.8 miles on Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $38.84 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
124.2 miles from Danville, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 42m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 13m. Total distance: 248.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
The drive from Danville, VA to McLean, VA covers 248.4 miles and takes about 5h 13m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 36 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 51.8 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 129.7 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 27 significant decision points across 248.4 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 129.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 129.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 143.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 27 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
129.7 mi into trip|~2h 49m in
Take the exit toward VA 76: Lucks Lane, Old Hundred Road
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.
Toward VA 76: Lucks Lane, Old Hundred Road
8
129.9 mi into trip|~2h 50m in
Keep slight right at fork toward VA 76 Toll North: Powhite Parkway, Richmond
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward VA 76 Toll North: Powhite Parkway, Richm...
8
143.8 mi into trip|~3h 9m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 95, I 64 East: Washington, Norfolk
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 95, I 64 East: Washington, Norfolk
7
143.9 mi into trip|~3h 9m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 North: Washington
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 95 North: Washington
9
234.1 mi into trip|~4h 52m 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...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Danville, VA and McLean, VA, road signs point toward Richmond, Norfolk and Tysons Corner.
Richmond
129.9 mi in|~2h 50m
Norfolk
143.8 mi in|~3h 9m
Tysons Corner
234.1 mi in|~4h 52m|via I 395
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
51.8 mi
57m
Kings Highway
39.7 mi
47m
I 95
36.6 mi
43m
West Patrick Henry Highway
24.6 mi
31m
Philpott Road
19.7 mi
25m
James D Hagood Highway
14.5 mi
18m
Hull Street Road
14.2 mi
20m
Powhite Parkway
11.2 mi
14m
Longest stretch:
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
— 51.8 mi, about 57m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Danville, VA and McLean, VA.
1
Start on VA 293
415 ft·15 sec·South Ridge Street
2
Turn left onto VA 293
0.6 mi·1 min·Patton Street
3
Turn right onto US 360; US 58 BUS
0.6 mi·1 min·River Street
4
Continue on US 360; US 58 BUS
4.2 mi·7 min·South Boston Road
Use the straight lane.
5
Continue on US 58; US 360
5.3 mi·7 min·South Boston Highway
6
Continue on US 58; US 360
20 mi·25 min·Philpott Road
7
Continue on US 58; US 360
0.7 mi·1 min·Bill Tuck Highway
8
Turn left onto US 360
1.7 mi·2 min·John Randolph Boulevard
Use the left lane.
9
Continue on US 360
15 mi·18 min·James D Hagood Highway
10
Continue on US 360
40 mi·47 min·Kings Highway
11
Merge onto US 360; US 460
1.5 mi·2 min·West Colonial Trail Highway
12
Keep slight left at fork onto US 360
25 mi·31 min·West Patrick Henry Highway
13
Continue on US 360
14 mi·20 min·Hull Street Road
Use the straight lane.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward VA 288 North: Powhite Parkway
15
Merge onto VA 288
2.1 mi·2 min·World War II Veterans Memorial Highway
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Toward VA 76: Lucks Lane, Old Hundred RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward VA 76 Toll North: Powhite Parkway, RichmondUse the slight right lane.
18
Merge onto VA 76
8.5 mi·10 min·Powhite Parkway
Use the straight lane.
19
Keep slight right at fork onto VA 76
1.8 mi·2 min·Powhite Parkway
Use the slight right lane.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto VA 76
0.9 mi·1 min·Powhite Parkway
Use the straight lane.
21
Merge onto I 195
2.2 mi·3 min·Beltline Expressway
Use the straight lane.
22
Keep slight right at fork
502 ft·12 sec
Toward I 95, I 64 East: Washington, NorfolkUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 95 North: WashingtonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Merge onto I 95
52 mi·57 min·Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight right at fork onto I 95; US 17
1.6 mi·1 min·I 95; US 17
26
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
27
Merge onto I 95
35 mi·41 min·I 95
Use the slight left lane.
28
Keep slight right at fork onto I 395
0.6 mi·52 sec·Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
Exit 170A; 170BToward I 395 North, I 495 North: Washington, Tysons CornerUse the straight / slight left lanes.
29
Take the exit
1.4 mi·1 min
Exit 170BToward I 495 North: Tysons CornerUse the slight right lane.
30
Merge onto I 495
1.0 mi·1 min·Capital Beltway
31
Keep slight right at fork onto I 495
8.5 mi·10 min·Capital Beltway
Use the straight lane.
32
Take the exit
0.4 mi·53 sec
Exit 46BToward VA 123 North: McLeanUse the slight right lane.
33
Turn straight onto VA 123
1.7 mi·4 min·Dolley Madison Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
34
Turn right onto VA 309
0.5 mi·1 min·Old Dominion Drive
Use the right lane.
35
Turn sharp left onto Elm Street
101 ft·2 sec·Elm Street
36
Arrive at destination
Elm Street
Trip Plan
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 124.2 miles from Danville, VA, or about 2h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 51.8 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 55 miles or 1h 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 124.2 miles or 2h 42m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 16m
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 Danville, 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 Danville, VA
This is one driving day of about 248.4 miles and 5h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 miles from Danville, 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 51.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 124.2 mi from Danville, VA
· 2h 42m into the drive
The midpoint is around 124.2 miles from Danville, 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.
Petersburg National Battlefield
National Battlefield
Two hundred ninety-two days, eight offensives, over 70,000 casualties, U. S. Colored Troops, and the decline of Gen. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia all describe the Siege of Petersburg. U.S. forces c...
19 mi from route
~48 min detour
Free
near mile 128.5
Park Closure: Eastern Front Tour Road south of Route 36 - Closed
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!
24 mi from route
~60 min detour
Free
near mile 248.4
On April 9, 1865, the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia in the McLean House in the village of Appomattox Court House, Virginia signaled the effective end of the nation's largest war. Question...
29 mi from route
~73 min detour
Free
near mile 68.5
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
74.5
0
$26.08
$11.92
Efficient EV
62.1
0
$21.74
$9.94
EV Truck/SUV
99.4
1
$34.78
$15.90
Gas CO2
87 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 as of Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Danville, VA
Late night
in Danville on Saturday
Local time
3:17 AM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Mostly Clear
NW 2 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
McLean, VA
Late night
in McLean on Saturday
Local time
3:17 AM
EDT
Current temp
75°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
18 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 13m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Danville, VA to McLean, VA covers 248.4 miles and takes about 5h 13m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike, Kings Highway, I 95. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 124.2 miles from Danville, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $38.84 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 27 significant decision points across 248.4 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 129.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 129.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 143.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Danville, VA and McLean, VA, road signs point toward Richmond, Norfolk and Tysons Corner.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
