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Reston, VA Road Trips

With 4 routes heading out and 3 heading in, Reston, VA works well as a modest departure point in the Southeast. The route mix is balanced, with options ranging from 204-mile quick runs to 229-mile cross-state drives. Most routes from Reston, VA head south, giving the route network a clear directional lean.

Downtown Reston, VA, VA

Photo: Eric Joseph

Trip Routes

7

Longest Drive

229.3 mi

Roanoke, VA

Quickest Drive

4h 2m

Portsmouth, VA

Plan Around Reston, VA

Trips from Reston, VA

Driving from Reston, VA

On average, trips departing from Reston, VA run 214 miles with a drive time of roughly 4h 14m. There is a healthy spread of short hops, medium drives, and longer road trips to pick from. The longest mapped route runs 229 miles (4h 21m), while the shortest is just 204 miles.

Popular Destinations

The most popular drives from Reston, VA include Roanoke, VA (229.3 mi, 4h 21m), Virginia Beach, VA (216.4 mi, 4h 19m), Suffolk, VA (206 mi, 4h 11m), and Portsmouth Heights, VA (204.4 mi, 4h 4m). Most destinations stay within the same state, perfect for exploring the local region thoroughly.

Planning & Costs

Regular gas in VA currently averages around $3.96 per gallon. For the typical 214-mile trip from Reston, VA, budget about $33 in fuel one way, assuming 25 MPG. Longer hauls and premium fuel will cost proportionally more.

The majority of destinations are to the south. Morning starts help you avoid the midday heat on longer drives. Most trips take a half-day, so a morning start gets you there in time for lunch or an afternoon of exploring.

Frequently Asked Questions

There are 4 mapped routes leaving Reston, VA and 3 routes heading into Reston, VA, covering 7 total connections. Distances range from 204 to 229 miles.

The longest mapped route from Reston, VA covers 229 miles and takes approximately 4h 21m. Shorter options start at just 204 miles.

The average route from Reston, VA runs about 214 miles with a drive time of roughly 4h 14m. This includes both short day trips and longer multi-day drives.

At current gas prices (about $3.96/gallon for regular), the average 214-mile trip from Reston, VA costs roughly $33 in fuel one way, based on 25 MPG. Your actual cost depends on your vehicle's efficiency.

The most popular road trip destinations from Reston, VA include Roanoke, VA, Virginia Beach, VA, Suffolk, VA and Portsmouth Heights, VA. Each route page has detailed drive times, fuel estimates, stop suggestions, and turn-by-turn directions.

Reston, VA by the Numbers

Recent demographic snapshot from the US Census Bureau's American Community Survey.

Population

63,542

Median Income

$139,515

Median Home Value

$616,000

Median Age

40.2

Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-year (public domain). See our methodology for details.

Reston, VA at a Glance

Founded

1964

Elevation

328 ft

Area

16 mi²

Notable People from Reston, VA

A sampling of people born in Reston, VA.

Chloe Angelides

1992

American singer, songwriter and producer

Big Pooh

Big Pooh

1973

American rapper from North Carolina

City data from Wikidata (Q1375280), available under CC0. Photos from Wikimedia Commons under their respective licenses. See our methodology for details.

Traveler Guide to Reston, VA

Reston is in Virginia, United States of America) and is 20 miles (32 km) west of Washington, D.C. The population of Reston is approximately 58,000 people (2010).

Founded in 1964 by Robert E. Simon (RESton), Reston was the first modern planned community in the United States. Simon purchased a 6,750 acre tract using the proceeds from the sale of Carnegie Hall, which was owned by his family. Reston includes several planned urban developments, including Lake Anne Plaza, Reston Town Center, and Reston Station. The city is home to offices of many high tech companies, such as AOL, Microsoft, Accenture, and the US Geological Survey.

1 Reston Zoo, 1228 Hunter Mill Rd, ☏ +1 703 757-6222. March 11-November 26. The Reston Zoo features several animals such as zebras, monkeys, and camels. It has a petting barn, exhibits, pony rides and wagon rides around the park. Admission is $12 for adults and $9 for children. The zoo is closed for the winter from November 28th to March 10th. Adults: $12, Seniors: $11, Children: $9. Lake Fairfax Park & The Water Mine Family Swimmin' Hole. Includes a water park with slides, etc... 2 Baron Cameron Park, 11300 Baron Cameron Ave.

Ice Skating at Reston Town Center Pavilion, 1818 Discovery Street, ☏ +1 703 709-6300. seasonally from early November until March. Adults: $10; Children: $8. Fishing is very popular in Reston. Reston National Golf Course. Designed by Ed Ault. Reston Community Players. Four major productions per season. This all-volunteer production company began in 1972 and has performed a variety of shows throughout the years. The shows are staged at the Reston Community Center Greater Reston Arts Center. Exhibits, classes, and seminars for all ages. Summer Concerts at Reston Town Center on the weekends at the pavilion. Bring a lawn chair or sit at a nearby restaurant, such as Clyde's.

Many chain restaurants have locations in Reston. While Reston has some unique dining options, the more ethnic and budget restaurants can be found in neighboring Herndon. Big Bowl - Asian Fusion, 11915 Democracy Drive (In Reston Town Center), ☏ +1 703 787-8852. Uncle Julio's Rio Grande Café, 1827 Library Street (In Reston Town Center). Ariake Japanese Restaurant, 12184 Glade Dr. (Slightly outside Hunters Woods Plaza), ☏ +1 703-391-9006. Monday-Saturday 11:30-2:30, 4:30-9:30, Sunday same but closes at 9:00. ~$20-$30 a perspn. PassionFish Seafood, 11960 Democracy Drive (In Reston Town Center), ☏ +1 703 230-3474. Il Fornaio Cucina Italiana, 11990 Market Street, Suite 106 (In Reston Town Center), ☏ +1 703 437-5544.

American Tap Room, 1811 Library St (In Reston Town Center), ☏ +1 703 834-0400. Jackson's Mighty Fine Food & Lucky Lounge, 11927 Democracy Dr (In Reston Town Center), ☏ +1 703 437-0800. American food with a happening bar scene. Barcelona Wine Bar, 12023 Town Square Street (In Reston Town Center), ☏ +1 703 689-0700. Spanish small plates & wine presented in rustic yet elegant digs with an outdoor patio. Kalypso's Sport Tavern, 1617 Washington Plaza (In Lake Anne Plaza), ☏ +1 703 707-0660. Lake Anne Coffee House, 1612 Washington Plaza West (In Lake Anne Plaza). Cafe Montmartre, 1625 Washington Plaza (In Lake Anne Plaza).

Several hotels offer free shuttle service to and from the airport, including: Comfort Inn, 200 Elden Street, ☏ +1 703 437-7555. Hyatt Regency Reston, 1800 Presidents Street, ☏ +1 703 709-1234. (updated Sep 2021) Sheraton Reston Hotel, 11810 Sunrise Valley Drive, ☏ +1 703 620-9000. Westin Reston Heights, 11750 Sunrise Valley Drive, ☏ +1 703 391-9000.

WMATA, which operates the DC Metrorail, serves Reston with stations on the Silver Line. For more information on riding the Metrorail, see Washington, DC#By public transportation. Reston is a 10-minute drive from Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD IATA). A taxi from the airport costs roughly $18 and most hotels in Reston offer free shuttle service to the airport. Dulles also has a Silver Line Metrorail Station. Reston is accessible from the Fairfax County Parkway, the Reston Parkway (West Ox Road in Fairfax County), the Leesburg Pike (Rte 7), and the Dulles Toll Road (Rte 267).

Reston Paths is an extensive bike/walking path system. Capital Bikeshare has rental bikes throughout Reston. Fairfax Connector operates bus service around Reston and the surrounding areas. Roads in Reston tend to be very winding and may require the use of a GPS.

Travel tips adapted from Reston on Wikivoyage, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Content summarized; visit the source for the full article. See our methodology for how we use it.

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