Trip from Montclair, VA to Alexandria, VA

Q: How long is the trip from Montclair, VA to Alexandria, VA?

The drive from Montclair, VA to Alexandria, VA covers 28.7 miles and takes about 40m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

Q: What are the main roads on this route?

The main roads are I 95, Dumfries Road, Capital Beltway (Local). Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

Q: Is this a good same-day trip?

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Q: Where should I stop halfway?

The midpoint is about 14.4 miles from Montclair, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

Q: How much does gas cost for this trip?

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $4.49 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

Q: What is the best time to leave?

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026

Drive Time

40m

Distance

28.7 mi

46 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$4

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 11 min

4 AM

0h 37m ★

6 AM

0h 41m

8 AM

0h 48m

10 AM

0h 43m

12 PM

0h 43m

3 PM

0h 44m

5 PM

0h 47m

8 PM

0h 39m

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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Trip Overview

This 28.7-mile drive from Montclair, VA to Alexandria, VA is a quick trip, estimated to take around 40 minutes. It's a straightforward journey predominantly on highways, making it an ideal candidate for a single-day excursion. With a modest fuel cost estimated at $4, this route is budget-friendly for a short hop. Both your origin and destination are within the Southeast region, so expect a consistent regional feel throughout. You'll be navigating primarily on I-95 and the Capital Beltway (Local), with no planned stops, so you can get there efficiently.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 40m. Total distance: 28.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

40m drive, comfortable solo distance.

EV Driver

0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (75%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this trip, with about 75% of the route utilizing major roadways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 21.5 miles on I-95, offering a chance to settle into a steady pace. While primarily interstate, you'll also navigate sections of Dumfries Road and the Capital Beltway (Local), which might offer a slightly different driving experience as you approach your destination. The overall feel is one of efficiency and direct travel rather than scenic meandering.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 15 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 21.5 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and Dumfries Road. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.1 miles in.

Driving Effort 10/10

Focused - lots of decisions in a short distance, but it is over quickly

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a short but busy drive. With 12 decision points packed into just 28.7 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 40m.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 3.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 19.6 miles (I 95): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 25.1 miles (I 95; I 495 / Capital Beltway (Local)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 12 key points

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

7

3.1 mi into trip | ~6m in

Turn left toward I 95 North

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane. Toward I 95 North

8

19.6 mi into trip | ~26m in | I 95

Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 toward I 95 North, I 495 East: Baltimore

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

Use the slight left / straight lanes. Toward I 95 North, I 495 East: Baltimore

8

25.1 mi into trip | ~33m in | I 95; I 495 / Capital Beltway (Local)

Keep slight right at fork onto I 95; I 495 / Capital Beltway (Local) toward I 95, I 495: Alexandria

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

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 95, I 495: Alexandria

8

27.1 mi into trip | ~36m in

Take the exit toward US 1: Alexandria, Fort Belvoir

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 177A-B Toward US 1: Alexandria, Fort Belvoir

6

27.2 mi into trip | ~36m in

Keep slight left at fork toward US 1 North: Alexandria

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Exit 177B Toward US 1 North: Alexandria

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 Montclair, VA to Alexandria, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Fort Belvoir along the way.

Fort Belvoir

27.1 mi in | ~36m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 95	21.5 mi	26m
Dumfries Road	2.1 mi	3m
Capital Beltway (Local)	2 mi	2m
Waterway Drive	0.8 mi	1m
South Washington Street	0.5 mi	1m
South Patrick Street	0.3 mi	<1m
Franklin Street	0.2 mi	<1m
Fallstone Place	0.1 mi	<1m

Longest stretch: I 95 — 21.5 mi, about 26m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Montclair, VA and Alexandria, VA.

1

Start on Fallstone Place

0.1 mi · 28 sec · Fallstone Place

2

Turn right onto SR 1451

0.8 mi · 1 min · Waterway Drive

3

Turn left onto SR 1450

0.1 mi · 22 sec · Country Club Drive

4

At end of road, turn left onto VA 234

2.1 mi · 3 min · Dumfries Road

Use the left lane.

5

Turn left

0.4 mi · 53 sec

Toward I 95 North Use the left lane.

6

Merge onto I 95

16 mi · 19 min · I 95

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

7

Keep slight left at fork onto I 95

5.5 mi · 7 min · I 95

Toward I 95 North, I 495 East: Baltimore Use the slight left / straight lanes.

8

Keep slight right at fork onto I 95; I 495

2.0 mi · 2 min · Capital Beltway (Local)

Toward I 95, I 495: Alexandria Use the slight right lane.

9

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 23 sec

Exit 177A-B Toward US 1: Alexandria, Fort Belvoir Use the slight right lane.

10

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 56 sec

Exit 177B Toward US 1 North: Alexandria

11

Merge onto US 1

440 ft · 8 sec · Richmond Highway

12

Continue on US 1

0.3 mi · 45 sec · South Patrick Street

13

Turn right onto Franklin Street

0.2 mi · 28 sec · Franklin Street

Use the right lane.

14

Turn left onto VA 400

0.5 mi · 1 min · South Washington Street

Use the left lane.

15

Arrive at destination

VA 400

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$4.49 one way

$8.98 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 10 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.34	$4.91	$9.81
premium	$4.70	$5.31	$10.62
diesel	$5.61	$6.34	$12.67

No toll roads detected on this route.

Drive Cost (one way)

Fuel

$4

Estimated CO2 emission: 10 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 70% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	8.6	$3.01	$1.38
Efficient EV	7.2	$2.51	$1.15
EV Truck/SUV	11.5	$4.02	$1.84

Gas CO2

10 kg

EV CO2

3 kg (70% 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 13, 2026

Origin

Montclair, VA

Night in Montclair on Thursday

Local time

11:47 PM

EDT

Current temp

85°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Alexandria, VA

Night in Alexandria on Thursday

Local time

11:47 PM

EDT

Current temp

69°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

16 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

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