Tazewell, VA to Arlington, VA is 353.5 miles and takes about 6h 38m via I 81 and I 66, with a fuel budget near $55 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route focuses heavily on highway travel, making it a straightforward journey through Virginia. Given its duration and highway-focused profile, it's well-suited for a single-day trip. You'll spend most of your time on major interstates, so pack for a drive that prioritizes efficiency over leisurely sightseeing. Consider this a solid option when you need to get from Southwest Virginia to Northern Virginia without much fuss.
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
176.7 miles from Tazewell, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 19m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 38m. Total distance: 353.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 38m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Drive Character
This is a highway-focused drive, with 93% of the route on major roadways like I 81 and I 66. You'll experience long, uninterrupted stretches, including a significant 218.6-mile segment on I 81. The profile suggests a driving experience that prioritizes speed and directness, moving you efficiently across the state. While the majority is interstate, be aware that the initial and final portions might involve transitions on US 52, offering a brief change of pace before reaching the broader highway network.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 21 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 218.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and I 66. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near US 19 BUS; US 460 BUS; VA 16 / Main Street.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 353.5 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 0.1 miles (US 19 BUS; US 460 BUS; VA 16 / Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 62.6 miles (I 81; US 11): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 324.6 miles (I 66): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|US 19 BUS; US 460 BUS; VA 16 / Main Street
Turn right onto US 19 BUS; US 460 BUS; VA 16 / Main Street
Navigation decision point
8
62.6 mi into trip|~1h 13m in|I 81; US 11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81; US 11 toward I 81 North, US 11 North: Roanoke
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 81 North, US 11 North: Roanoke
6
324.6 mi into trip|~6h 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
352.3 mi into trip|~6h 35m 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
352.7 mi into trip|~6h 35m 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.
On the drive from Tazewell, VA to Arlington, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Washington along the way.
Washington
281.4 mi in|~5h 13m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 81
218.6 mi
4h
I 66
70.5 mi
1h 20m
US 52
19.7 mi
22m
I 77
16 mi
17m
Governor G C Peery Highway
13.3 mi
16m
Trail of the Lonesome Pine
9.8 mi
11m
US 52 Truck
2.3 mi
2m
Tazewell Avenue
0.8 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 218.6 mi, about 4h
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tazewell, VA and Arlington, VA.
1
Start on Mill Road
397 ft·19 sec·Mill Road
2
Turn right onto US 19 BUS; US 460 BUS; VA 16
436 ft·7 sec·Main Street
3
Continue on US 19 BUS; US 460 BUS; VA 16
0.4 mi·44 sec·Fincastle Turnpike
4
Turn left onto VA 16
0.8 mi·1 min·Tazewell Avenue
5
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·18 sec
Toward Bluefield
6
Merge onto US 19; US 460
13 mi·16 min·Governor G C Peery Highway
7
Continue on US 19; US 460
9.8 mi·11 min·Trail of the Lonesome Pine
Use the straight lane.
8
Take the exit onto US 52 Truck
2.3 mi·2 min·US 52 Truck
9
Take the exit onto US 52
20 mi·22 min·US 52
10
Continue on I 77
16 mi·17 min·I 77
Use the straight lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81; US 11
140 mi·2 hr 33 min·I 81; US 11
Toward I 81 North, US 11 North: RoanokeUse the straight lane.
12
Continue on I 64; I 81
0.3 mi·17 sec·I 64; I 81
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
79 mi·1 hr 26 min·I 81
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi·47 sec
Toward I 66 East: Front Royal, Washington
15
Continue on I 66
43 mi·46 min·I 66
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 66
28 mi·34 min·I 66
Use the straight lane.
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi·31 sec
Exit 71Toward VA 120, VA 237Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on Fairfax Drive
0.1 mi·24 sec·Fairfax Drive
19
Turn right onto VA 120
0.2 mi·32 sec·North Glebe Road
Use the right lane.
20
Turn slight left onto Wilson Boulevard
0.5 mi·1 min·Wilson Boulevard
Use the left lane.
21
Arrive at destination
Wilson Boulevard
Trip Plan
With a drive time of under 7 hours, this trip is comfortably manageable in a single day, allowing for a flexible departure time. Leaving Tazewell in the morning should get you into Arlington with ample daylight. The longest stretch on I 81 means you can cover significant ground before needing a break, but plan for at least one fuel and rest stop. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you approach the I 66 corridor, as services can sometimes be more spread out on interstates compared to local roads.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 176.7 miles from Tazewell, VA, or about 3h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 218.6 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 78 miles or 1h 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 176.7 miles or 3h 19m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 27m
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 Tazewell, 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 Tazewell, VA
This is one driving day of about 353.5 miles and 6h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 78 miles from Tazewell, 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 218.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 176.7 mi from Tazewell, VA
· 3h 19m into the drive
The midpoint is around 176.7 miles from Tazewell, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before I 81 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 218.6 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.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
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.
Cedar Creek & Belle Grove National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley has a long and rich heritage that still inspires today. Native Americans first shaped the land, followed by colonists and settlers. The fertile valley became an important...
1 mi from route
~2 min detour
Free
near mile 280.3
Just 75 miles from the bustle of Washington, D.C., Shenandoah National Park is a land bursting with cascading waterfalls, spectacular vistas, fields of wildflowers, and quiet wooded hollows. With over...
15 mi from route
~39 min detour
$30
near mile 243.8
Booker T. Washington was born a slave in April 1856 on the 207-acre farm of James Burroughs. After the Civil War, Washington became the first principal of Tuskegee Normal and Industrial School. Later...
22 mi from route
~55 min detour
Free
near mile 121.9
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!
23 mi from route
~56 min detour
Free
near mile 341.3
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
106.1
1
$37.12
$16.97
Efficient EV
88.4
1
$30.93
$14.14
EV Truck/SUV
141.4
1
$49.49
$22.62
Gas CO2
124 kg
EV CO2
41 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 15, 2026
Origin
Tazewell, VA
Morning
in Tazewell on Saturday
Local time
9:41 AM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Arlington, VA
Morning
in Arlington on Saturday
Local time
9:41 AM
EDT
Current temp
83°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
39 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
6h 38m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Tazewell, VA to Arlington, VA covers 353.5 miles and takes about 6h 38m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 81, I 66, US 52. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 176.7 miles from Tazewell, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $55.28 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 353.5 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 0.1 miles (US 19 BUS; US 460 BUS; VA 16 / Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 62.6 miles (I 81; US 11): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 324.6 miles (I 66): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Tazewell, VA to Arlington, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Washington along the way.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
