Origin
Highland Springs, VA
Evening in Highland Springs on Sunday
Local time
6:36 PM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Highland Springs, VA to McLean, VA
Drive Time
2h 15m
Distance
114 mi
183 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$18
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 6m
★
6 AM
2h 15m
8 AM
2h 34m
10 AM
2h 22m
12 PM
2h 20m
3 PM
2h 23m
5 PM
2h 33m
8 PM
2h 9m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
McLean, VA
Никита Кригер
Trip Overview
Traveling from Highland Springs to McLean covers 114 miles and typically takes 2 hours and 15 minutes. This journey is a straightforward trek across the Southeast region of Virginia, making it an ideal day trip that doesn't require an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via I-95, the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, and the Capital Beltway. With a fuel budget of approximately $18, this route is quite economical for a quick transit between the two areas. Since the entire trip stays within Virginia, you won't need to worry about crossing state lines or adjusting for regional differences. It is a practical, efficient drive that gets you from point A to point B without any necessary stops.
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
57 miles from Highland Springs, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 4m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 72% of this trip is spent on major thoroughfares. The most significant portion of your journey involves an 82.3-mile uninterrupted stretch along I-95, which defines the bulk of your time behind the wheel. You will find that the road remains consistent and fast-paced, shifting from the open interstate into the more complex, high-traffic environment of the Capital Beltway. This is not a scenic, winding backroad adventure, but rather a functional, high-speed transit route. Be prepared to maintain focus as you transition from the relative openness of the highway into the busier, more congested regions surrounding your destination.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 95 is the longest continuous segment at about 82.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway. 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 33 / East Nine Mile Road.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 114 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 33 / East Nine Mile Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 14.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 99.8 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 17 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 33 / East Nine Mile Road
Turn right onto VA 33 / East Nine Mile Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
7
14.1 mi into trip
|
~17m in
Take the exit toward I 95 North: Washington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 43A
Toward I 95 North: Washington
9
99.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 54m 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
100.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 55m 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
111.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 8m 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 Highland Springs, VA to McLean, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Tysons Corner along the way.
Tysons Corner
99.8 mi in
|
~1h 54m
|
via I 395
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 95 | 82.3 mi | 1h 33m |
| Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway | 10.9 mi | 11m |
| Capital Beltway | 9.5 mi | 11m |
| North Airport Drive | 2.1 mi | 3m |
| Dolley Madison Boulevard | 1.7 mi | 4m |
| East Nine Mile Road | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway | 0.6 mi | <1m |
| Old Dominion Drive | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 82.3 mi, about 1h 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Highland Springs, VA and McLean, VA.
1
Start on South Holly Avenue
30 ft
·
4 sec
·
South Holly Avenue
2
Turn right onto VA 33
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
East Nine Mile Road
Use the none lane.
3
Turn left onto VA 156
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
North Airport Drive
Use the none lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
Toward I 295: Charlottesville, Washington
5
Merge onto I 295
11 mi
·
11 min
·
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the none lane.
6
Take the exit
2.4 mi
·
2 min
Exit 43A
Toward I 95 North: Washington
Use the slight left lane.
7
Merge onto I 95
46 mi
·
49 min
·
I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 95; US 17
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
I 95; US 17
9
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi
·
1 min
10
Merge onto I 95
35 mi
·
41 min
·
I 95
Use the none lane.
11
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.
12
Take the exit
1.4 mi
·
1 min
Exit 170B
Toward I 495 North: Tysons Corner
Use the slight right lane.
13
Merge onto I 495
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Capital Beltway
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 495
8.5 mi
·
10 min
·
Capital Beltway
Use the straight lane.
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
Exit 46B
Toward VA 123 North: McLean
Use the slight right lane.
16
Turn straight onto VA 123
1.7 mi
·
4 min
·
Dolley Madison Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
17
Turn right onto VA 309
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Old Dominion Drive
Use the right lane.
18
Turn sharp left onto Elm Street
101 ft
·
2 sec
·
Elm Street
19
Arrive at destination
Elm Street
Trip Plan
Because this drive is relatively short, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though avoiding peak traffic on the Capital Beltway is always a smart move. Since the trip covers 114 miles without any mandatory stops, you can easily complete the drive in one go, saving you the hassle of planning breaks. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before merging onto the I-95 stretch, as the longest 82.3-mile segment offers fewer opportunities for quick exits. Given the $18 estimated fuel cost, filling up before you leave Highland Springs ensures you won't have to worry about finding gas in high-traffic zones. Plan your arrival to account for potential congestion as you approach the McLean area, which can fluctuate based on the time of day.
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 57 miles from Highland Springs, VA, or about 1h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 82.3 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 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 57 miles or 1h 4m 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 46m
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 Highland Springs, 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 Highland Springs, VA
This is one driving day of about 114 miles and 2h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Highland Springs, 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 95 for about 82.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 57 mi from Highland Springs, VA · 1h 4m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
57 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 57 miles from Highland Springs, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 95 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 82.3 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
$18.24 one way
$36.49 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
40 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $19.88 | $39.76 |
| premium | $4.78 | $21.44 | $42.89 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $25.33 | $50.65 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 39.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 34.2 | 0 | $11.97 | $5.47 |
| Efficient EV | 28.5 | 0 | $9.98 | $4.56 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 45.6 | 0 | $15.96 | $7.30 |
Gas CO2
40 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (68% 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
6:36 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
62°F
La Plata, MD
57 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
3 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 15m 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 Highland Springs, VA to McLean, VA covers 114 miles and takes about 2h 15m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 95, Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, 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 57 miles from Highland Springs, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $18.24 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 17 significant decision points across 114 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 33 / East Nine Mile Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 14.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 99.8 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 Highland Springs, VA to McLean, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Tysons Corner along the way.
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