This 126.8-mile drive from Harrisonburg, VA to Arlington, VA is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in a single day, with an estimated travel time of 2 hours and 26 minutes. The majority of your journey, 97%, will be on highways, making it a focused drive. You'll primarily use I-81 and I-66. With a fuel cost estimate of $20, this route is budget-friendly for a day trip. Both your origin and destination are within the Southeast region, so you won't be crossing major regional boundaries. This route is ideal for those looking to get from point A to point B efficiently.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
63.4 miles from Harrisonburg, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 11m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 26m. Total distance: 126.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 26m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive for most of this 126.8-mile trip, with 97% of the route utilizing major interstates. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 70.5 miles on I-66, offering a good opportunity to cover ground quickly. While primarily interstate driving, you will also navigate some segments on East Market Street. This road's character is geared towards efficient travel rather than scenic exploration, with a focus on getting you to your destination in a timely manner.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 14 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 70.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 66 and I 81. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near East Elizabeth Street.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 126.8 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (East Elizabeth Street): Navigation decision point; at 54.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 97.9 miles (I 66): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|East Elizabeth Street
Turn right onto East Elizabeth Street
Navigation decision point
5
54.8 mi into trip|~1h 1m in
Take the exit toward I 66 East: Front Royal, Washington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 66 East: Front Royal, Washington
6
97.9 mi into trip|~1h 48m in|I 66
Keep slight right at fork onto I 66
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
125.7 mi into trip|~2h 22m in
Take the exit toward VA 120, VA 237
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 71
Toward VA 120, VA 237
6
126.1 mi into trip|~2h 23m in|VA 120 / North Glebe Road
Turn right onto VA 120 / North Glebe Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Harrisonburg, VA to Arlington, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Washington along the way.
Washington
54.8 mi in|~1h 1m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 66
70.5 mi
1h 20m
I 81
52.8 mi
56m
East Market Street
1.5 mi
3m
Wilson Boulevard
0.5 mi
1m
North Glebe Road
0.2 mi
<1m
Fairfax Drive
0.1 mi
<1m
East Elizabeth Street
0.1 mi
<1m
North Mason Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 66
— 70.5 mi, about 1h 20m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Harrisonburg, VA and Arlington, VA.
1
Start on US 11; US 33
335 ft·15 sec·North Main Street
2
Turn right onto East Elizabeth Street
0.1 mi·28 sec·East Elizabeth Street
3
Turn right onto North Mason Street
382 ft·15 sec·North Mason Street
4
Turn left onto US 33
1.5 mi·3 min·East Market Street
5
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward I 81 North: Elkton
6
Merge onto I 81
53 mi·56 min·I 81
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi·47 sec
Toward I 66 East: Front Royal, Washington
8
Continue on I 66
43 mi·46 min·I 66
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 66
28 mi·34 min·I 66
Use the straight lane.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·31 sec
Exit 71Toward VA 120, VA 237Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on Fairfax Drive
0.1 mi·24 sec·Fairfax Drive
12
Turn right onto VA 120
0.2 mi·32 sec·North Glebe Road
Use the right lane.
13
Turn slight left onto Wilson Boulevard
0.5 mi·1 min·Wilson Boulevard
Use the left lane.
14
Arrive at destination
Wilson Boulevard
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short 2 hour and 26 minute duration for this 126.8-mile trip, you have a lot of flexibility with departure times. Leaving Harrisonburg mid-morning should help you avoid the worst of potential rush hour traffic as you approach Arlington. Plan for one or two brief stops for fuel or a quick break, especially considering the longest stretch is over 70 miles. The estimated fuel cost is around $20, so keep that in mind when budgeting. A specific tip for this route is to monitor traffic conditions on I-66 as you get closer to the Washington D.C. metropolitan area, as congestion can significantly impact your arrival time.
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 63.4 miles from Harrisonburg, VA, or about 1h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 70.5 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 28 miles or 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 63.4 miles or 1h 11m 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 56m
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 Harrisonburg, 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 Harrisonburg, VA
This is one driving day of about 126.8 miles and 2h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Harrisonburg, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 66 for about 70.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 63.4 mi from Harrisonburg, VA
· 1h 11m into the drive
The midpoint is around 63.4 miles from Harrisonburg, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before I 66 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 70.5 miles.
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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Cedar Creek & Belle Grove National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley has a long and rich heritage that still inspires today. Native Americans first shaped the land, followed by colonists and settlers. The fertile valley became an important...
Just 75 miles from the bustle of Washington, D.C., Shenandoah National Park is a land bursting with cascading waterfalls, spectacular vistas, fields of wildflowers, and quiet wooded hollows. With over...
15 mi from route
~39 min detour
$30
near mile 17.5
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!
22 mi from route
~54 min detour
Free
near mile 109.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.83 one way
$39.66 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg44 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$21.68
$43.36
premium
$4.70
$23.47
$46.94
diesel
$5.61
$28.00
$55.99
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.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
38
0
$13.31
$6.09
Efficient EV
31.7
0
$11.09
$5.07
EV Truck/SUV
50.7
0
$17.75
$8.12
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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Harrisonburg, VA
Afternoon
in Harrisonburg on Friday
Local time
2:34 PM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Arlington, VA
Afternoon
in Arlington on Friday
Local time
2:34 PM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
48°F
Petersburg, VA
63 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
18 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 26m 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 Harrisonburg, VA to Arlington, VA covers 126.8 miles and takes about 2h 26m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 66, I 81, East Market Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 63.4 miles from Harrisonburg, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $19.83 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.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 126.8 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (East Elizabeth Street): Navigation decision point; at 54.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 97.9 miles (I 66): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Harrisonburg, VA to Arlington, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Washington along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Cedar Creek & Belle Grove National Historical Park, Shenandoah National Park and Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail.
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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
