Origin
Alexandria, VA
Late night in Alexandria on Sunday
Local time
3:59 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Alexandria, VA to Glasgow, VA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 56m
Distance
206.7 mi
333 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$32
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 43m
★
6 AM
3h 56m
8 AM
4h 22m
10 AM
4h 5m
12 PM
4h 3m
3 PM
4h 7m
5 PM
4h 21m
8 PM
3h 49m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Alexandria, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Glasgow, VA
Sinitta Leunen
Trip Overview
Alexandria, VA to Glasgow, VA is 206.7 miles and takes about 3h 56m via I 81, I 66, and the Capital Beltway, with a fuel budget near $32 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This highway-focused drive stays within the Southeast region, taking you from Northern Virginia into the Shenandoah Valley. Given its relatively short duration and predominantly highway profile, it's a straightforward trip best suited for a single day. You'll spend most of your time on major interstates, making it a functional transit route rather than a scenic exploration.
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
103.4 miles from Alexandria, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 1m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 81 | 111.6 mi | 2h 1m |
| I 66 | 64.2 mi | 1h 12m |
| Capital Beltway | 8.8 mi | 10m |
| Glasgow Highway | 6.1 mi | 7m |
| Capital Beltway (Local) | 5 mi | 6m |
| East Midland Trail | 3 mi | 3m |
| Sycamore Avenue | 2.7 mi | 3m |
| 29th Street | 0.6 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 111.6 mi, about 2h 1m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Alexandria, VA and Glasgow, VA.
1
Start on VA 400
75 ft
·
6 sec
·
South Washington Street
2
Turn right onto King Street
314 ft
·
14 sec
·
King Street
3
Turn right onto South Saint Asaph Street
0.2 mi
·
41 sec
·
South Saint Asaph Street
4
Turn right onto Duke Street
334 ft
·
18 sec
·
Duke Street
5
Turn left onto VA 400
0.2 mi
·
50 sec
·
South Washington Street
6
Turn right onto Gibbon Street
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
·
Gibbon Street
7
Turn left onto US 1
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
South Patrick Street
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
8
Take the exit
438 ft
·
10 sec
Toward I 95 South, I 495 West, I 95 North, I 495 East: Richmond, Baltimore
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 95 South, I 495 West
Use the slight right lane.
10
Merge onto I 95; I 495
5.0 mi
·
6 min
·
Capital Beltway (Local)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 495
0.7 mi
·
47 sec
·
Capital Beltway
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on I 495
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Capital Beltway
Exit 170A
Toward I 495 North: Tysons Corner
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 495
5.7 mi
·
7 min
·
Capital Beltway
Use the straight lane.
14
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Exit 49B
Toward I 66 West: Vienna, Front Royal
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto I 66
64 mi
·
1 hr 12 min
·
I 66
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 1A
Toward I 81 South: Roanoke
Use the straight lane.
17
Merge onto I 81
109 mi
·
1 hr 58 min
·
I 81
Toward I 81 South: Roanoke
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
I 81
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Toward US 60 East: Buena Vista
20
Continue on US 60
3.0 mi
·
3 min
·
East Midland Trail
21
Continue on US 60
0.6 mi
·
39 sec
·
29th Street
22
Take the exit
302 ft
·
8 sec
23
Merge onto US 501
0.4 mi
·
30 sec
·
Beech Avenue
24
Continue on US 501
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Sycamore Avenue
25
Continue on US 501
6.1 mi
·
7 min
·
Glasgow Highway
26
Turn right onto VA 130
0.5 mi
·
55 sec
·
Rockbridge Road
27
Turn right onto SR 684
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
·
Blue Ridge Road
28
Turn right onto McCulloch Street
149 ft
·
9 sec
·
McCulloch Street
29
Turn right
91 ft
·
6 sec
30
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
With a drive time under 4 hours, this route is easily manageable in a single day, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. Starting earlier in the day will help you avoid potential traffic around the Capital Beltway. The longest stretch without many exits is over 111 miles on I-81, so ensure you have adequate fuel before embarking on that segment. While there's only one recommended stop, consider breaking up the drive on I-81 if you feel the need for a break, as it's a long continuous highway segment.
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 103.4 miles from Alexandria, VA, or about 2h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 111.6 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 45 miles or 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 103.4 miles or 2h 1m 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 13m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Glasgow, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Alexandria, 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 Alexandria, VA
This is one driving day of about 206.7 miles and 3h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from Alexandria, 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 111.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
103 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 45 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 103.4 miles from Alexandria, 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 111.6 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 245 decision points cluster between mile 0.9 and 80.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
0.9 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Take the exit toward I 95 South, I 495 West, I 95 North, I 495 East: Richmond, 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.
Toward I 95 South, I 495 West, I 95 North, I 49...
8
1 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 95 South, I 495 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 95 South, I 495 West
6
6.6 mi into trip
|
~11m in
|
I 495 / Capital Beltway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 495 / Capital Beltway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
15.4 mi into trip
|
~22m in
Take the exit toward I 66 West: Vienna, Front Royal
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 49B
Toward I 66 West: Vienna, Front Royal
8
80.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 36m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 81 South: Roanoke
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Exit 1A
Toward I 81 South: Roanoke
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.32 one way
$64.65 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
72 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $35.34 | $70.68 |
| premium | $4.70 | $38.26 | $76.51 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $45.64 | $91.27 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 72.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 62 | 0 | $21.70 | $9.92 |
| Efficient EV | 51.7 | 0 | $18.09 | $8.27 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 82.7 | 1 | $28.94 | $13.23 |
Gas CO2
72 kg
EV CO2
24 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.
Destination
Glasgow, VA
Late night in Glasgow on Sunday
Local time
3:59 AM
EDT
Current temp
87°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
18 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 56m 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.
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...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 78.4
View on nps.gov
Shenandoah National Park
National Park
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...
16 mi from route
~39 min detour
$30
near mile 121.2
View on nps.gov
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!
22 mi from route
~55 min detour
Free
near mile 28.5
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is largely a highway-focused drive, with 85% of the journey utilizing major interstates like I-81 and I-66. Expect a significant portion of your drive to involve consistent speeds on well-maintained highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 111.6 miles on I-81, so plan for extended periods of highway travel without many opportunities for quick exits. While it's primarily an interstate experience, the shift from the busy Capital Beltway to the more open stretches of I-81 provides a noticeable change in driving pace.
85% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 111.6 mi on I 81.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 0.9 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 24 significant decision points across 206.7 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 0.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.6 miles (I 495 / Capital Beltway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Alexandria, VA to Glasgow, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Front Royal along the way.
Front Royal
15.4 mi in
|
~22m
About the Cities
Starting in Alexandria, VA
Full guide →Alexandria is a city in Virginia, just outside of Washington, D.C., in the United States.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 56m. Total distance: 206.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 111.6 miles on I 81. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Glasgow, VA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.6 miles (I 495 / Capital Beltway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Cedar Creek & Belle Grove National Historical Park, Shenandoah National Park and Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Glasgow, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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