Origin
Fairfax, VA
Evening in Fairfax on Sunday
Local time
6:32 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fairfax, VA to McLean, VA
Drive Time
20m
Distance
11.5 mi
19 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$2
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 19m
★
6 AM
0h 20m
8 AM
0h 24m
10 AM
0h 22m
12 PM
0h 21m
3 PM
0h 22m
5 PM
0h 24m
8 PM
0h 19m
★
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fairfax, VA
Eric Joseph
McLean, VA
Никита Кригер
Trip Overview
If you are planning a quick commute from Fairfax to McLean, you are looking at a brief 11.5-mile journey that typically takes about 20 minutes. Since both locations are within the Southeast region of Virginia, this trip is best suited as a simple day outing rather than an overnight stay. You will primarily utilize I-66, the Capital Beltway, and Dolley Madison Boulevard to navigate between these two points. Budgeting roughly $2 for fuel should be more than sufficient for this short distance. It is a straightforward, functional drive that offers plenty of flexibility for your schedule, making it an easy trip to complete in a single day.
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
5.8 miles from Fairfax, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 9m into the drive .
Drive Character
This 11.5-mile route features a mixed drive profile, balancing fast-paced highway travel with local road navigation. Approximately 36% of your time will be spent on highways, with your longest uninterrupted stretch covering 4.1 miles on I-66. As you transition from the interstate onto the Capital Beltway and eventually Dolley Madison Boulevard, the character of the drive shifts from high-speed transit to standard local transit. Expect a functional experience that gets you to your destination efficiently without the need for extensive highway cruising. It is a practical, no-nonsense route that requires your focus as you transition between these major arterial roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 11 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 4.1 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 early in the drive near VA 123 / Chain Bridge Road.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 9 significant decision points across 11.5 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: near the start (VA 123 / Chain Bridge Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 2 miles (I 66): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
VA 123 / Chain Bridge Road
Turn right onto VA 123 / Chain Bridge Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
5
1.3 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Take the ramp toward I 66 East: Washington
Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 66 East: Washington
5
2 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
I 66
Merge onto I 66
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
8
6.1 mi into trip
|
~10m 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
8.9 mi into trip
|
~13m 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 Fairfax, VA to McLean, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Baltimore along the way.
Baltimore
6.1 mi in
|
~10m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 66 | 4.1 mi | 5m |
| Capital Beltway | 2.2 mi | 2m |
| Dolley Madison Boulevard | 1.7 mi | 4m |
| Chain Bridge Road | 1.3 mi | 3m |
| Old Dominion Drive | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Elm Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Main Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 66
— 4.1 mi, about 5m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fairfax, VA and McLean, VA.
1
Start on VA 236
69 ft
·
6 sec
·
Main Street
2
Turn right onto VA 123
1.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Chain Bridge Road
Use the none lane.
3
Take the ramp
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 66 East: Washington
Use the slight right lane.
4
Merge onto I 66
4.1 mi
·
5 min
·
I 66
Use the none lane.
5
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 64B
Toward I 495 North: Tysons Corner, Baltimore
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Merge onto I 495
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Capital Beltway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
Exit 46B
Toward VA 123 North: McLean
Use the slight right lane.
8
Turn straight onto VA 123
1.7 mi
·
4 min
·
Dolley Madison Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
9
Turn right onto VA 309
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Old Dominion Drive
Use the right lane.
10
Turn sharp left onto Elm Street
101 ft
·
2 sec
·
Elm Street
11
Arrive at destination
Elm Street
Trip Plan
Because this is a short, 20-minute drive, you have the advantage of total scheduling flexibility. You won't need to plan for any stops along the way, as the distance is short enough to drive straight through without a break. Be mindful that navigating the Capital Beltway and I-66 requires constant attention to traffic flow, especially during peak commute hours. Since your fuel cost is estimated at just $2, you can easily top off your tank in Fairfax before you head out to avoid any mid-trip concerns. Use the short duration to your advantage by checking traffic apps before you depart to choose the smoothest path through the I-66 and Beltway interchange.
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 5.8 miles from Fairfax, VA, or about 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 4.1 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 11.5 miles or 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 5.8 miles or 9m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 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 Fairfax, 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 Fairfax, VA
This is one driving day of about 11.5 miles and 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Fairfax, 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 4.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 5.8 mi from Fairfax, VA · 9m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
6 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 11.5 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 5.8 miles from Fairfax, 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$1.84 one way
$3.68 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
4 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $2.01 | $4.01 |
| premium | $4.78 | $2.16 | $4.33 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $2.55 | $5.11 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$27–$52
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 75% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 3.4 | 0 | $1.21 | $0.55 |
| Efficient EV | 2.9 | 0 | $1.01 | $0.46 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 4.6 | 0 | $1.61 | $0.74 |
Gas CO2
4 kg
EV CO2
1 kg (75% 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
Evening in McLean on Sunday
Local time
6:32 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
68°F
Washington, DC
6 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
20m 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 Fairfax, VA to McLean, VA covers 11.5 miles and takes about 20m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 66, Capital Beltway, Dolley Madison Boulevard. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 5.8 miles from Fairfax, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $1.84 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 9 significant decision points across 11.5 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: near the start (VA 123 / Chain Bridge Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 2 miles (I 66): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Fairfax, VA to McLean, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Baltimore along the way.
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