The drive from McLean, VA to Petersburg, VA covers 131.8 miles and takes about 2h 40m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 95, Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway, Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 58.4 miles on I 95.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $20.61 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
65.9 miles from McLean, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 22m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 40m. Total distance: 131.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (62%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 2h 40m highway drive covering 131.8 miles, with most of the trip on I 95 and Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway. The longest continuous stretch is about 58.4 miles on I 95.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 17 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 58.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Beverly Road.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 131.8 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 0.1 miles (Beverly Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 12.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 13.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|Beverly Road
Turn left onto Beverly Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
12.6 mi into trip|~19m in
Take the exit toward I 95 South: Richmond
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 57A
Toward I 95 South: Richmond
8
13.1 mi into trip|~20m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 South, SR 644 East: Richmond, Franconia
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 95 South, SR 644 East: Richmond, Franc...
6
49.5 mi into trip|~1h 3m in|I 95
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
131.2 mi into trip|~2h 39m in
Take the exit toward Washington Street, Wythe Street, Petersburg National Battlefield
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 52
Toward Washington Street, Wythe Street, Petersb...
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 McLean, VA to Petersburg, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Franconia along the way.
Franconia
13.1 mi in|~20m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
58.4 mi
1h 5m
Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
35.7 mi
42m
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
23.3 mi
29m
Capital Beltway
9.7 mi
12m
Dolley Madison Boulevard
2 mi
4m
Old Dominion Drive
0.3 mi
<1m
East Washington Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Elm Street
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 58.4 mi, about 1h 5m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between McLean, VA and Petersburg, VA.
1
Start on Elm Street
0.1 mi·23 sec·Elm Street
2
Turn left onto Beverly Road
365 ft·15 sec·Beverly Road
Use the left lane.
3
Turn right onto VA 309
0.3 mi·48 sec·Old Dominion Drive
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Turn left onto VA 123
2.0 mi·4 min·Dolley Madison Boulevard
Use the left lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward I 495 South
6
Merge onto I 495
9.7 mi·12 min·Capital Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 57AToward I 95 South: RichmondUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward I 95 South, SR 644 East: Richmond, FranconiaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·33 sec
Toward I 95 South: Richmond
10
Merge onto I 395
36 mi·42 min·Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
58 mi·1 hr 5 min·I 95
Use the straight lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
23 mi·29 min·Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.1 mi·19 sec
Exit 52Toward Washington Street, Wythe Street, Petersburg National BattlefieldUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward US 301 North: Washington Street
15
Turn straight onto US 460 BUS
0.3 mi·37 sec·East Washington Street
16
Turn left
36 ft·2 sec
17
Arrive at destination
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 65.9 miles from McLean, VA, or about 1h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 58.4 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 29 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 65.9 miles or 1h 22m 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 9m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Petersburg, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving McLean, 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 McLean, VA
This is one driving day of about 131.8 miles and 2h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 miles from McLean, 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 I 95 for about 58.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 65.9 mi from McLean, VA
· 1h 22m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Petersburg National Battlefield
National Battlefield
Two hundred ninety-two days, eight offensives, over 70,000 casualties, U. S. Colored Troops, and the decline of Gen. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia all describe the Siege of Petersburg. U.S. forces c...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 131.8
Park Closure: Eastern Front Tour Road south of Route 36 - Closed
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!
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.61 one way
$41.22 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg46 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$22.54
$45.07
premium
$4.70
$24.39
$48.79
diesel
$5.61
$29.10
$58.20
Estimated Tolls: $1.63
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
(23.3 mi)$1.63
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 46.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
39.5
0
$13.84
$6.33
Efficient EV
33
0
$11.53
$5.27
EV Truck/SUV
52.7
0
$18.45
$8.44
Gas CO2
46 kg
EV CO2
15 kg (67% 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
McLean, VA
Late night
in McLean on Friday
Local time
4:24 AM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Petersburg, VA
Late night
in Petersburg on Friday
Local time
4:24 AM
EDT
Current temp
82°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
7 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 40m 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 McLean, VA to Petersburg, VA covers 131.8 miles and takes about 2h 40m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 95, Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway, Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 65.9 miles from McLean, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $20.61 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 is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 131.8 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 0.1 miles (Beverly Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 12.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 13.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from McLean, VA to Petersburg, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Franconia along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Petersburg National Battlefield and Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from
OSRM
over
OpenStreetMap.
Fuel cost uses
EIA
weekly regional averages.
National park proximity is from the
NPS API.
Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our
methodology page
documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
