Origin
Stuarts Draft, VA
Late night in Stuarts Draft on Friday
Local time
5:17 AM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Stuarts Draft, VA to Arlington, VA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 3m
Distance
160 mi
257 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$25
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 52m
★
6 AM
3h 3m
8 AM
3h 26m
10 AM
3h 11m
12 PM
3h 9m
3 PM
3h 13m
5 PM
3h 25m
8 PM
2h 56m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Stuarts Draft, VA
Ivan S
Arlington, VA
Dominik Gryzbon
Trip Overview
The drive from Stuarts Draft, VA to Arlington, VA covers 160 miles and takes about 3h 3m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 81, I 66, Tinkling Spring Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 78.2 miles on I 81. At current regular gas prices, budget about $25.02 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
80 miles from Stuarts Draft, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 30m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 3m. Total distance: 160 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 3m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 3h 3m highway drive covering 160 miles, with most of the trip on I 81 and I 66. The longest continuous stretch is about 78.2 miles on I 81.
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 81 is the longest continuous segment at about 78.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and I 66. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near SR 608 / Draft Avenue.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 160 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (SR 608 / Draft Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 9.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 131.1 miles (I 66): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
SR 608 / Draft Avenue
Turn right onto SR 608 / Draft Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
9.2 mi into trip
|
~12m in
Take the exit toward I 81 North: Staunton, Winchester
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 81 North: Staunton, Winchester
6
131.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 25m in
|
I 66
Keep slight right at fork onto I 66
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
158.8 mi into trip
|
~3h in
Take the exit toward VA 120, VA 237
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 71
Toward VA 120, VA 237
6
159.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 1m in
|
VA 120 / North Glebe Road
Turn right onto VA 120 / North Glebe Road
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.
Between Stuarts Draft, VA and Arlington, VA, road signs point toward Winchester and Washington.
Winchester
9.2 mi in
|
~12m
Washington
87.9 mi in
|
~1h 39m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 81 | 78.2 mi | 1h 25m |
| I 66 | 70.5 mi | 1h 20m |
| Tinkling Spring Road | 5 mi | 7m |
| I 64 | 3.6 mi | 3m |
| Wilson Boulevard | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Draft Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| North Glebe Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Fairfax Drive | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 78.2 mi, about 1h 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Stuarts Draft, VA and Arlington, VA.
1
Start on SR 1502
136 ft
·
7 sec
·
Cambridge Drive
2
Turn right onto SR 608
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
Draft Avenue
3
Continue on SR 608
5.0 mi
·
7 min
·
Tinkling Spring Road
4
Turn left
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
5
Merge onto I 64
3.6 mi
·
3 min
·
I 64
6
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
47 sec
Toward I 81 North: Staunton, Winchester
7
Merge onto I 81
78 mi
·
1 hr 25 min
·
I 81
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
Toward I 66 East: Front Royal, Washington
9
Continue on I 66
43 mi
·
46 min
·
I 66
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 66
28 mi
·
34 min
·
I 66
Use the straight lane.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
Exit 71
Toward VA 120, VA 237
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on Fairfax Drive
0.1 mi
·
24 sec
·
Fairfax Drive
13
Turn right onto VA 120
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
·
North Glebe Road
Use the right lane.
14
Turn slight left onto Wilson Boulevard
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Wilson Boulevard
Use the left lane.
15
Arrive at destination
Wilson Boulevard
Trip Plan
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 80 miles from Stuarts Draft, VA, or about 1h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 78.2 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 35 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 80 miles or 1h 30m 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 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Arlington, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Stuarts Draft, 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 Stuarts Draft, VA
This is one driving day of about 160 miles and 3h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from Stuarts Draft, 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 81 for about 78.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 80 mi from Stuarts Draft, VA · 1h 30m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
80 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 35 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 80 miles from Stuarts Draft, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 81 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 78.2 miles.
Arriving in Arlington, VA
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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.02 one way
$50.04 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
56 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $27.36 | $54.71 |
| premium | $4.70 | $29.61 | $59.23 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $35.33 | $70.65 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 56 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 48 | 0 | $16.80 | $7.68 |
| Efficient EV | 40 | 0 | $14.00 | $6.40 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 64 | 0 | $22.40 | $10.24 |
Gas CO2
56 kg
EV CO2
19 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Arlington, VA
Late night in Arlington on Friday
Local time
5:17 AM
EDT
Current temp
52°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
2 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
3h 3m 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 Stuarts Draft, VA to Arlington, VA covers 160 miles and takes about 3h 3m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 81, I 66, Tinkling Spring Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 80 miles from Stuarts Draft, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $25.02 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 160 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (SR 608 / Draft Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 9.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 131.1 miles (I 66): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Stuarts Draft, VA and Arlington, VA, road signs point toward Winchester and Washington.
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. Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our methodology page documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
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