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Create accountDrive Time
2h 6m
Distance
104.6 mi
168 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$17
one way
EV Charging
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Arlington, VA
Dominik Gryzbon
Driving from Richmond to Arlington covers 104.6 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 6 minutes. Because this is a straightforward, highway-focused route, you can easily complete it as a single-day trip without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend roughly $17 on fuel for the journey, making it a very cost-effective way to travel between these two Virginia hubs. Both cities are situated in the Southeast region, so you will remain within the same geographic area throughout your transit. If you are looking for a practical, no-nonsense path between these points, this direct interstate drive is your most efficient option.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
52.3 miles from Richmond, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 1m into the drive .
This trip is defined by a high-speed, interstate-heavy experience, with 86% of the route consisting of highway driving. You will spend the bulk of your time navigating the Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike, I-95, and the Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 53.1-mile segment on the Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike. Because the route is almost entirely highway-focused, you should prepare for a consistent, steady pace behind the wheel. Expect a functional rather than scenic drive, as the road is designed specifically for moving traffic efficiently between these two urban corridors.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
460 ft
Total Descent
626 ft
Highest Point
253 ft
~52.3 mi in
Elevation Range
206 ft
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike and I 95. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.7 miles in near VA 161 / North Arthur Ashe Boulevard.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 104.6 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 1.7 miles (VA 161 / North Arthur Ashe Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 92.7 miles (I 395 / Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto VA 161 / North Arthur Ashe Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Turn left toward I 95 North, I 64 West
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork onto I 395 / Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway toward I 395 North, I 495 North: Washington, Tysons Corner
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward VA 27: Washington Boulevard, Columbia Pike
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward VA 27 West: Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Washington Boulevard, Columbia Pike
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
On the drive from Richmond, VA to Arlington, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Tysons Corner along the way.
Tysons Corner
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike | 53.1 mi | 58m |
| I 95 | 36.6 mi | 43m |
| Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway | 8.7 mi | 10m |
| Washington Boulevard | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| Hermitage Road | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| Wilson Boulevard | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| 10th Street North | 0.3 mi | 1m |
| North Meadow Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Richmond, VA and Arlington, VA.
Start on Marcus-David Peters Circle
Continue on Monument Avenue
Turn right onto North Meadow Street
Continue on Hermitage Road
Turn left onto Robin Hood Road
Turn right onto VA 161
Turn left
Merge onto I 64; I 95
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
Keep slight right at fork onto I 95; US 17
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 95
Keep slight right at fork onto I 395
Continue on I 395
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto VA 27
Turn left onto VA 237
Turn slight left
Turn left onto Wilson Boulevard
Arrive at destination
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility in your schedule, but keep in mind that I-95 traffic can be unpredictable. Planning your departure to avoid peak commuting hours is a smart way to ensure you stay close to the 2-hour and 6-minute estimate. You won't necessarily need to schedule formal stops given the manageable duration, but having your $17 fuel budget ready before you hit the road keeps things simple. A concrete tip for this specific route is to stay vigilant while transitioning between the major interstates, as traffic volume can increase significantly as you approach Northern Virginia. Keep your eyes on road signage to navigate these highway transitions smoothly.
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.
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 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 52.3 miles or 1h 1m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 40m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Arlington, VA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Richmond, 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 Richmond, VA
This is one driving day of about 104.6 miles and 2h 6m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 52.3 mi from Richmond, VA · 1h 1m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
52 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 52.3 miles from Richmond, 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
$16.74 one way
$33.48 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $18.24 | $36.48 |
| premium | $4.78 | $19.68 | $39.35 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $23.24 | $46.48 |
Estimated Tolls: $3.69
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
$17
Tolls
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 36.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 31.4 | 0 | $10.98 | $5.02 |
| Efficient EV | 26.2 | 0 | $9.15 | $4.18 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 41.8 | 0 | $14.64 | $6.69 |
Gas CO2
37 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (68% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Richmond on Sunday
Local time
6:22 PM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Mostly Sunny
Destination
Evening in Arlington on Sunday
Local time
6:22 PM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Sunny
Along the Route
62°F
La Plata, MD
52 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
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.
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