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Trip from South Riding, VA to McLean, VA

Data updated 4 hours ago

Drive Time

35m

Distance

21.9 mi

35 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$3

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

11 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 9 min
4 AM
0h 33m ★
6 AM
0h 36m
8 AM
0h 42m
10 AM
0h 38m
12 PM
0h 37m
3 PM
0h 38m
5 PM
0h 41m
8 PM
0h 34m

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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census-designated place and planned community in Loudoun County, Virginia, United States

South Riding, VA

Wikimedia Commons

census-designated place and unincorporated community in Virginia, United States

McLean, VA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 21.9-mile drive from South Riding, VA to McLean, VA is a short one, clocking in at just 35 minutes. It's a perfect candidate for a single-day trip, so you won't need to worry about overnight stays. The primary roads you'll encounter are Route 50, I-66, and the Capital Beltway, with a significant 72% of the journey focused on highway driving. Given the brief duration and minimal distance, the estimated fuel cost is a modest $3. Both locations are within the Southeast region of Virginia, so you'll be staying within the same general area for this excursion. This route is straightforward and efficient, making it a practical choice for a quick commute or an easy hop between these two Virginia locales.

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

11 miles from South Riding, VA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 18m into the drive .

Loading map...

Drive Character

Expect a highway-focused drive for this trip, with 72% of the route utilizing faster-paced roads. You'll experience stretches on Route 50, I-66, and the Capital Beltway. The longest continuous segment you'll encounter is 7.7 miles on Route 50, offering a good taste of that particular roadway. While much of this drive is on the highway, it's not an overwhelmingly monotonous experience, offering some variation as you transition between these main arteries. The overall character is one of efficient travel, designed to get you from point A to point B with minimal fuss.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Route 50 is the longest continuous segment at about 7.7 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Route 50 and I 66. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 10.4 miles in near I 66.

Route Complexity 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 21.9 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 10.4 miles (I 66): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 16.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 17.1 miles (I 495 / Capital Beltway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 11 key points

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

5
10.4 mi into trip | ~17m in | I 66

Merge onto I 66

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
16.6 mi into trip | ~25m in

Take the exit toward I 495 North: Tysons Corner, Baltimore

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 64B Toward I 495 North: Tysons Corner, Baltimore
5
17.1 mi into trip | ~26m in | I 495 / Capital Beltway

Merge onto I 495 / Capital Beltway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
19.3 mi into trip | ~29m in

Take the exit toward VA 123 North: McLean

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 46B Toward VA 123 North: McLean
5
21.4 mi into trip | ~34m in | VA 309 / Old Dominion Drive

Turn right onto VA 309 / Old Dominion Drive

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

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 South Riding, VA to McLean, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Baltimore along the way.

Baltimore

16.6 mi in | ~25m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Route 50 7.7 mi 13m
I 66 6.2 mi 7m
Capital Beltway 2.2 mi 2m
Little River Turnpike 1.9 mi 2m
Dolley Madison Boulevard 1.7 mi 4m
Old Dominion Drive 0.5 mi 1m
Defender Drive 0.1 mi <1m
South Riding Boulevard <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Route 50 — 7.7 mi, about 13m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between South Riding, VA and McLean, VA.

1

Start on this road

34 ft · 7 sec · this road
2

Turn left onto Defender Drive

0.1 mi · 28 sec · Defender Drive
3

Turn right onto SR 2201

396 ft · 10 sec · South Riding Boulevard
4

Turn right onto US 50

1.9 mi · 2 min · Little River Turnpike
Use the right lane.
5

Continue on US 50

7.7 mi · 13 min · Route 50
Use the left lane.
6

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward I 66 East: Washington
7

Merge onto I 66

6.2 mi · 7 min · I 66
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Exit 64B Toward I 495 North: Tysons Corner, Baltimore Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Merge onto I 495

2.2 mi · 2 min · Capital Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 53 sec
Exit 46B Toward VA 123 North: McLean Use the slight right lane.
11

Turn straight onto VA 123

1.7 mi · 4 min · Dolley Madison Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
12

Turn right onto VA 309

0.5 mi · 1 min · Old Dominion Drive
Use the right lane.
13

Turn sharp left onto Elm Street

101 ft · 2 sec · Elm Street
14

Arrive at destination

Elm Street

Trip Plan

With a total travel time of only 35 minutes for the 21.9 miles, this trip offers a lot of flexibility. You can leave whenever it suits you best, as the short duration means you won't need to break it up. Since there are no specific stops recommended and the fuel cost is only around $3, planning is minimal. Keep an eye on traffic conditions, especially if you're traveling during peak hours, as I-66 and the Capital Beltway can experience congestion. A good tip for this specific route is to be aware of the transition points between Route 50, I-66, and the Beltway, as these can sometimes require quick lane changes.

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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 11 miles from South Riding, VA, or about 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 7.7 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 21.9 miles or 35m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 11 miles or 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 28m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near McLean, VA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving South Riding, 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 Riding, VA

This is one driving day of about 21.9 miles and 35m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from South Riding, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Route 50 for about 7.7 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 11 mi from South Riding, VA · 18m into the drive

Downtown North Bethesda, MD, MD

Mid-route town

Meal stop

North Bethesda, MD

11 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.

Pacing Suggestions

North Bethesda, MD

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 21.9 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

North Bethesda, MD

Meal break

The midpoint is around 11 miles from South Riding, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in McLean, VA

The final approach into McLean, 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 McLean, VA.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail

Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail

National Scenic Trail

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!

16 mi from route ~40 min detour Free
Caution: Great Allegheny Passage Erosion Near Confluence, Pennsylvania (Mile Marker 56)
Park Closure: Trail Closure at Veterans Park at Balls Bluff (Leesburg, Virginia)
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$3.42 one way

$6.85 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 8 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $3.74 $7.49
premium $4.70 $4.05 $8.11
diesel $5.61 $4.84 $9.67

Estimated Tolls: $0.13

Little River Turnpike (1.9 mi) $0.13

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

$3

Tolls

$0

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$29–$54

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 7.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

EV Charging Along Route

11 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

Royal Farms - Tesla Supercharger

South Riding, VA

Tesla

8 DCFC

Walmart 3639 (Dulles, VA)

Dulles, VA

Electrify America

4 DCFC

Sheetz #304

Chantilly, VA

eVgo Network

4 DCFC

Sheetz Herndon #726

Herndon, VA

eVgo Network

4 DCFC

Village Center at Dulles

Herndon, VA

eVgo Network

4 DCFC

Walmart 5969 (Chantilly, VA)

Chantilly, VA

Electrify America

4 DCFC

The Field at Commonwealth

Chantilly, VA

eVgo Network

4 DCFC

Fox Mill Shopping Center

Herndon, VA

eVgo Network

4 DCFC

eVgo Network: 6 Electrify America: 2 Tesla: 1 FORD_CHARGE: 1 Non-Networked: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 63% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 6.6 0 $2.30 $1.05
Efficient EV 5.5 0 $1.92 $0.88
EV Truck/SUV 8.8 0 $3.07 $1.40

Gas CO2

8 kg

EV CO2

3 kg (63% 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 data refreshed 5 days ago

Origin

South Riding, VA

Morning in South Riding on Wednesday

Local time

7:27 AM

EDT

Current temp

66°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

McLean, VA

Morning in McLean on Wednesday

Local time

7:27 AM

EDT

Current temp

69°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

3 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

35m 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 South Riding, VA to McLean, VA covers 21.9 miles and takes about 35m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Route 50, I 66, Capital Beltway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 11 miles from South Riding, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $3.42 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 21.9 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 10.4 miles (I 66): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 16.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 17.1 miles (I 495 / Capital Beltway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from South Riding, VA to McLean, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Baltimore along the way.

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