Drive Time
4h 37m
Distance
285.7 mi
460 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$45
one way
Photo: Dominik Gryzbon
The drive from Martinsville, VA to Arlington, VA covers 285.7 miles and takes about 4h 37m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on East Church Street, Broad Street, East Market Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $44.55 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
142.9 miles from Martinsville, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 18m into the drive .
Expect a 4h 37m drive with frequent turns across 285.7 miles of local and secondary roads.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| East Church Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Broad Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| East Market Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| West Church Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Memorial Boulevard North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Virginia Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| US 220 North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Virgil H Goode Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Martinsville, VA and Arlington, VA.
Start on Walnut Street
At the end of the road, turn left onto East Church Street
Turn right onto Broad Street
Turn right onto East Market Street
Turn left onto West Church Street
Turn right onto Memorial Boulevard North
Continue on Virginia Avenue
Take the ramp slight right toward US 220 North: Roanoke
Merge slight left onto Virginia Avenue
Continue on Virgil H Goode Highway
Keep slight left to continue on Virgil H Goode Highway
Continue on Roy L. Webber Expressway
Keep slight right to continue on I 81 North, US 220 North: Lexington
Continue straight
Continue straight
Keep slight left
Take the exit slight right toward I 66 East: Front Royal, Washington
Continue straight
Keep slight right
Take the exit slight right toward VA 120, VA 237
Continue on Fairfax Drive
Turn right onto North Glebe Road
Turn slight left onto Wilson Boulevard
Arrive at your destination
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.
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 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 142.9 miles or 2h 18m 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 47m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Arlington, VA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Martinsville, 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 Martinsville, VA
This is one driving day of about 285.7 miles and 4h 37m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 142.9 mi from Martinsville, VA · 2h 18m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
143 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 142.9 miles from Martinsville, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Regular Gas
$44.55 one way
$89.11 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $49.82 | $99.64 |
| premium | $4.78 | $53.74 | $107.49 |
| diesel | $5.62 | $63.26 | $126.52 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$45
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 100 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 85.7 | 1 | $30.00 | $13.71 |
| Efficient EV | 71.4 | 0 | $25.00 | $11.43 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 114.3 | 1 | $40.00 | $18.28 |
Gas CO2
100 kg
EV CO2
33 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Morning in Martinsville on Saturday
Local time
10:21 AM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Morning in Arlington on Saturday
Local time
10:21 AM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
76°F
Oakland, MD
143 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Martinsville, VA or browse trips ending in Arlington, VA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse VA road trips.
Explore maps for Martinsville, VA or Arlington, VA on MapSof.net.
