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Trip from Madison Heights, VA to McLean, VA

Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026

Drive Time

3h 47m

Distance

169.7 mi

273 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$27

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
3h 35m ★
6 AM
3h 48m
8 AM
4h 13m
10 AM
3h 57m
12 PM
3h 54m
3 PM
3h 58m
5 PM
4h 12m
8 PM
3h 40m

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 Madison Heights, VA, VA

Madison Heights, VA

Josh Sorenson

census-designated place and unincorporated community in Virginia, United States

McLean, VA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Madison Heights, VA to McLean, VA covers 169.7 miles and takes about 3h 47m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Seminole Trail, James Madison Highway, Thomas Nelson Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 33.9 miles on Seminole Trail. At current regular gas prices, budget about $26.54 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

84.8 miles from Madison Heights, VA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 52m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 47m. Total distance: 169.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 47m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Turn-heavy local drive route profile.

Drive Character

Expect a 3h 47m drive with frequent turns across 169.7 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 26 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Seminole Trail is the longest continuous segment at about 33.9 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.6 miles in near VA 130 / Amelon Expressway.

Driving Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 169.7 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 2.6 miles (VA 130 / Amelon Expressway): Lane positioning matters here; at 130.8 miles (US 15; US 29): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 142.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 14 key points

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

6
2.6 mi into trip | ~4m in | VA 130 / Amelon Expressway

Turn right onto VA 130 / Amelon Expressway

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
8
130.8 mi into trip | ~2h 53m 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
142.4 mi into trip | ~3h 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
164.3 mi into trip | ~3h 37m 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
167 mi into trip | ~3h 41m 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

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Seminole Trail 33.9 mi 48m
James Madison Highway 23.3 mi 30m
Thomas Nelson Highway 21.6 mi 27m
I 66 21 mi 25m
Monacan Trail 20.2 mi 25m
US 15 11.7 mi 17m
South Amherst Highway 9.2 mi 11m
James Monroe Highway 7.7 mi 9m
Longest stretch: Seminole Trail — 33.9 mi, about 48m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Madison Heights, VA and McLean, VA.

1

Start on Phelps Road

134 ft · 7 sec · Phelps Road
2

Turn right onto VA 163

0.4 mi · 41 sec · South Amherst Highway
3

Continue on US 29 BUS

2.2 mi · 3 min · Amherst Highway
4

Turn right onto VA 130

2.2 mi · 3 min · Amelon Expressway
Use the right lane.
5

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 30 sec
Toward US 29 North
6

Merge onto US 29

7.1 mi · 7 min · Monacan Parkway
Toward US 29 North: Amherst
7

Continue on US 29

8.8 mi · 10 min · South Amherst Highway
8

Continue on US 29

22 mi · 27 min · Thomas Nelson Highway
9

Continue on US 29

20 mi · 25 min · Monacan Trail
10

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 25 sec
11

Turn slight right onto US 29 BUS

144 ft · 10 sec · Emmet Street North
12

Continue on US 29 BUS

0.5 mi · 1 min · Emmet Street North
13

Continue on US 29

34 mi · 48 min · Seminole Trail
Use the straight / right lanes.
14

Continue on US 29

7.7 mi · 9 min · James Monroe Highway
15

Continue on US 15; US 29

23 mi · 30 min · James Madison Highway
16

Continue on US 15; US 17; US 29

2.4 mi · 3 min · Eastern Bypass
17

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.
18

Take the exit

0.9 mi · 1 min
Toward I 66 East: Washington Use the slight right lane.
19

Merge onto I 66

21 mi · 25 min · I 66
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
20

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Exit 64B Toward I 495 North: Tysons Corner, Baltimore Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21

Merge onto I 495

2.2 mi · 2 min · Capital Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 53 sec
Exit 46B Toward VA 123 North: McLean Use the slight right lane.
23

Turn straight onto VA 123

1.7 mi · 4 min · Dolley Madison Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
24

Turn right onto VA 309

0.5 mi · 1 min · Old Dominion Drive
Use the right lane.
25

Turn sharp left onto Elm Street

101 ft · 2 sec · Elm Street
26

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 84.8 miles from Madison Heights, VA, or about 1h 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 33.9 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 37 miles or 47m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 84.8 miles or 1h 52m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 6m

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 Madison Heights, 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 Madison Heights, VA

This is one driving day of about 169.7 miles and 3h 47m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from Madison Heights, 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 Seminole Trail for about 33.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 84.8 mi from Madison Heights, VA · 1h 52m into the drive

independent city in Virginia, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Lexington, VA

85 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

Waynesboro, VA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 37 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Lexington, VA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 84.8 miles from Madison Heights, 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

$26.54 one way

$53.07 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 59 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $29.02 $58.03
premium $4.70 $31.41 $62.82
diesel $5.61 $37.47 $74.94

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$27

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$52–$77

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 59.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 50.9 0 $17.82 $8.15
Efficient EV 42.4 0 $14.85 $6.79
EV Truck/SUV 67.9 0 $23.76 $10.86

Gas CO2

59 kg

EV CO2

20 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 16, 2026

Origin

Madison Heights, VA

Night in Madison Heights on Thursday

Local time

9:26 PM

EDT

Current temp

90°F

Sunny

SW 13 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued April 16 at 2:28PM EDT by NWS Blacksburg VA

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued April 16 at 1:12PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA

Destination

McLean, VA

Night in McLean on Thursday

Local time

9:26 PM

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

15 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

3h 47m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Madison Heights, VA to McLean, VA covers 169.7 miles and takes about 3h 47m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Seminole Trail, James Madison Highway, Thomas Nelson Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 84.8 miles from Madison Heights, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $26.54 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 169.7 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 2.6 miles (VA 130 / Amelon Expressway): Lane positioning matters here; at 130.8 miles (US 15; US 29): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 142.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Madison Heights, VA to McLean, VA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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