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Trip from Lake Monticello, VA to Arlington, VA

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 49m

Distance

117.3 mi

189 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$18

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 33 min
4 AM
2h 39m ★
6 AM
2h 50m
8 AM
3h 12m
10 AM
2h 58m
12 PM
2h 55m
3 PM
2h 59m
5 PM
3h 11m
8 PM
2h 43m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Lake Monticello, VA, VA

Lake Monticello, VA

Connor Scott McManus

Downtown Arlington, VA, VA

Arlington, VA

Dominik Gryzbon

Trip Overview

The drive from Lake Monticello, VA to Arlington, VA covers 117.3 miles and takes about 2h 49m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on US 15, I 66, James Madison Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 43.7 miles on US 15. At current regular gas prices, budget about $18.34 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

58.7 miles from Lake Monticello, VA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 30m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 49m. Total distance: 117.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (65%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a 2h 49m highway drive covering 117.3 miles, with most of the trip on US 15 and I 66. The longest continuous stretch is about 43.7 miles on US 15.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 28 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 15 is the longest continuous segment at about 43.7 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 15 and I 66. You will hit about 17 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near Blackwood Lane.

Driving Effort 6/10

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 117.3 miles you will encounter 17 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 0.3 miles (Blackwood Lane): Navigation decision point; at 76.4 miles (US 15; US 29): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 88.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 17 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

5
0.3 mi into trip | ~0m in | Blackwood Lane

At end of road, turn left onto Blackwood Lane

Navigation decision point

8
76.4 mi into trip | ~1h 54m in | US 15; US 29

Keep slight left at fork onto US 15; US 29 toward US 15 North, US 29 North

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the left / straight lanes. Toward US 15 North, US 29 North
6
88.1 mi into trip | ~2h 11m in

Take the exit toward I 66 East: Washington

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 66 East: Washington
8
116.2 mi into trip | ~2h 46m 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
116.6 mi into trip | ~2h 47m in | VA 120 / North Glebe Road

Turn right onto VA 120 / North Glebe Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 15 43.7 mi 1h 1m
I 66 27.2 mi 33m
James Madison Highway 15.8 mi 22m
Gordonsville Road 8.2 mi 12m
Louisa Road 5.3 mi 9m
Thomas Jefferson Parkway 5.1 mi 7m
Milton Road 2.6 mi 4m
Eastern Bypass 2.4 mi 3m
Longest stretch: US 15 — 43.7 mi, about 1h 1m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Lake Monticello, VA and Arlington, VA.

1

Start on Sherwood Drive

0.3 mi · 50 sec · Sherwood Drive
2

At end of road, turn left onto Blackwood Lane

423 ft · 14 sec · Blackwood Lane
3

Turn right onto Briarwood Road

0.1 mi · 19 sec · Briarwood Road
4

Turn right onto Jefferson Drive

0.8 mi · 2 min · Jefferson Drive
5

Turn left onto Monish Drive

191 ft · 8 sec · Monish Drive
6

Turn right onto VA 53

0.4 mi · 41 sec · Thomas Jefferson Parkway
7

Enter roundabout onto VA 53

206 ft · 3 sec · Thomas Jefferson Parkway
8

Continue on VA 53

4.6 mi · 6 min · Thomas Jefferson Parkway
9

Turn right onto SR 729

2.6 mi · 4 min · Milton Road
10

Continue on SR 729

0.6 mi · 1 min · North Milton Road
11

At end of road, turn left onto US 250

0.2 mi · 24 sec · Richmond Road
12

Turn right onto VA 22

5.3 mi · 9 min · Louisa Road
13

Continue on VA 231

8.2 mi · 12 min · Gordonsville Road
14

Continue on VA 231

1.4 mi · 2 min · Gordon Avenue
15

Enter roundabout onto US 15

46 ft · 0 sec · US 15
16

Continue on US 15

8.5 mi · 12 min · US 15
17

Turn right onto US 15

1.4 mi · 2 min · South Madison Road
18

Continue on US 15

16 mi · 22 min · James Madison Highway
19

Take the ramp onto US 15

24 mi · 30 min · US 15
Toward US 15 North, US 29 North
20

Continue on US 15; US 17; US 29

2.4 mi · 3 min · Eastern Bypass
21

Keep slight left at fork onto US 15; US 29

12 mi · 17 min · US 15; US 29
Toward US 15 North, US 29 North Use the left / straight lanes.
22

Take the exit

0.9 mi · 1 min
Toward I 66 East: Washington Use the slight right lane.
23

Merge onto I 66

27 mi · 33 min · I 66
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
24

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 31 sec
Exit 71 Toward VA 120, VA 237 Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25

Continue on Fairfax Drive

0.1 mi · 24 sec · Fairfax Drive
26

Turn right onto VA 120

0.2 mi · 32 sec · North Glebe Road
Use the right lane.
27

Turn slight left onto Wilson Boulevard

0.5 mi · 1 min · Wilson Boulevard
Use the left lane.
28

Arrive at destination

Wilson Boulevard

Trip Plan

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 58.7 miles from Lake Monticello, VA, or about 1h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 43.7 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 26 miles or 44m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 58.7 miles or 1h 30m 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 22m

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 Lake Monticello, 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 Lake Monticello, VA

This is one driving day of about 117.3 miles and 2h 49m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Lake Monticello, 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 US 15 for about 43.7 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 58.7 mi from Lake Monticello, VA · 1h 30m into the drive

city in Culpeper County, Virginia, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Culpeper, VA

59 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

Gordonsville, VA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 26 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Culpeper, VA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 58.7 miles from Lake Monticello, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

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.

Shenandoah National Park

Shenandoah National Park

National Park

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...

21 mi from route ~54 min detour $30 near mile 40.5
Caution: 4/13/26 Fire ban in effect
Caution: Parking at Boundary Access Areas
View on nps.gov
Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail

Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail

National Scenic Trail

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 101.2
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$18.34 one way

$36.69 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 41 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $20.06 $40.11
premium $4.70 $21.71 $43.42
diesel $5.61 $25.90 $51.80

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: 41 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 35.2 0 $12.32 $5.63
Efficient EV 29.3 0 $10.26 $4.69
EV Truck/SUV 46.9 0 $16.42 $7.51

Gas CO2

41 kg

EV CO2

14 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

Lake Monticello, VA

Late night in Lake Monticello on Saturday

Local time

2:13 AM

EDT

Current temp

48°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Arlington, VA

Late night in Arlington on Saturday

Local time

2:13 AM

EDT

Current temp

52°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

4 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

2h 49m 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 Lake Monticello, VA to Arlington, VA covers 117.3 miles and takes about 2h 49m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are US 15, I 66, James Madison Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 58.7 miles from Lake Monticello, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $18.34 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 117.3 miles you will encounter 17 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 0.3 miles (Blackwood Lane): Navigation decision point; at 76.4 miles (US 15; US 29): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 88.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

The route from Lake Monticello, VA to Arlington, VA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

Yes. Nearby national parks include 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.

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