Drive Time
4h 26m
Distance
214.8 mi
346 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$34
one way
Photo: Dominik Gryzbon
The drive from South Boston, VA to Arlington, VA covers 214.8 miles and takes about 4h 26m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike, Kings Highway, I 95 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 51.8 miles on Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike. At current regular gas prices, budget about $34.38 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
107.4 miles from South Boston, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 17m into the drive .
The drive from South Boston, VA to Arlington, VA covers 214.8 miles and takes about 4h 26m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 98.7 miles in.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 214.8 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 98.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 112.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 202.9 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.
Keep slight right at fork toward VA 76 Toll North: Powhite Parkway, Richmond
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward I 95, I 64 East: Washington, Norfolk
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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
Between South Boston, VA and Arlington, VA, road signs point toward Richmond, Norfolk and Tysons Corner.
Richmond
Norfolk
Tysons Corner
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike | 51.8 mi | 57m |
| Kings Highway | 39.7 mi | 47m |
| I 95 | 36.6 mi | 43m |
| West Patrick Henry Highway | 24.6 mi | 31m |
| James D Hagood Highway | 14.5 mi | 18m |
| Hull Street Road | 14.2 mi | 20m |
| Powhite Parkway | 11.2 mi | 14m |
| Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway | 8.7 mi | 10m |
Step-by-step road directions between South Boston, VA and Arlington, VA.
Start on VA 129
Turn right onto VA 34
Turn left onto US 360
Continue on US 360
Continue on US 360
Merge onto US 360; US 460
Keep slight left at fork onto US 360
Continue on US 360
Take the exit
Merge onto VA 288
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto VA 76
Keep slight right at fork onto VA 76
Keep slight left at fork onto VA 76
Merge onto I 195
Keep slight right at fork
Keep slight left at fork
Merge 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
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 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 107.4 miles or 2h 17m 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 36m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Arlington, VA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving South Boston, 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 South Boston, VA
This is one driving day of about 214.8 miles and 4h 26m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 107.4 mi from South Boston, VA · 2h 17m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
107 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 107.4 miles from South Boston, 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
$34.38 one way
$68.75 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $37.45 | $74.91 |
| premium | $4.78 | $40.41 | $80.81 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $47.72 | $95.44 |
Estimated Tolls: $3.63
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
$34
Tolls
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 75.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 64.4 | 0 | $22.55 | $10.31 |
| Efficient EV | 53.7 | 0 | $18.79 | $8.59 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 85.9 | 1 | $30.07 | $13.75 |
Gas CO2
75 kg
EV CO2
25 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Evening in South Boston on Saturday
Local time
6:07 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Evening in Arlington on Saturday
Local time
6:07 PM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
88°F
Middletown, MD
107 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 South Boston, VA or browse trips ending in Arlington, VA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse VA road trips.
Explore maps for South Boston, VA or Arlington, VA on MapSof.net.
