This 158.7-mile journey from Amherst, VA to Arlington, VA, takes approximately 3 hours and 33 minutes. With a fuel cost estimated at $25, it's an economical trip for a single day. The route predominantly utilizes local roads, with Seminole Trail and James Madison Highway forming key parts of the path, interspersed with I-66. Given its manageable length and the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile, it’s perfectly suited for a day trip, allowing you to arrive with time to spare. You'll be traveling within the Southeast region of Virginia throughout this drive.
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
79.3 miles from Amherst, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 47m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Seminole Trail
33.9 mi
48m
I 66
27.2 mi
33m
James Madison Highway
23.3 mi
30m
Thomas Nelson Highway
21.6 mi
27m
Monacan Trail
20.2 mi
25m
US 15
11.7 mi
17m
James Monroe Highway
7.7 mi
9m
North Amherst Highway
6 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
Seminole Trail
— 33.9 mi, about 48m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Amherst, VA and Arlington, VA.
1
Start on Goodwin Street
52 ft·7 sec·Goodwin Street
2
Turn left onto East Court Street
142 ft·8 sec·East Court Street
3
Turn right onto US 29 BUS
0.2 mi·22 sec·South Main Street
4
Enter roundabout onto US 29 BUS
162 ft·3 sec·North Main Street
5
Continue on US 29 BUS
1.2 mi·1 min·North Main Street
6
Continue on US 29 BUS
432 ft·7 sec·Boxwood Farm Road
7
Take the ramp onto US 29 BUS
0.2 mi·35 sec·US 29 BUS
Toward US 29 North
8
Merge onto US 29
6.0 mi·7 min·North Amherst Highway
9
Continue on US 29
22 mi·27 min·Thomas Nelson Highway
10
Continue on US 29
20 mi·25 min·Monacan Trail
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
12
Turn slight right onto US 29 BUS
144 ft·10 sec·Emmet Street North
13
Continue on US 29 BUS
0.5 mi·1 min·Emmet Street North
14
Continue on US 29
34 mi·48 min·Seminole Trail
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Continue on US 29
7.7 mi·9 min·James Monroe Highway
16
Continue on US 15; US 29
23 mi·30 min·James Madison Highway
17
Continue on US 15; US 17; US 29
2.4 mi·3 min·Eastern Bypass
18
Keep slight left at fork onto US 15; US 29
12 mi·17 min·US 15; US 29
Toward US 15 North, US 29 NorthUse the left / straight lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 66 East: WashingtonUse the slight right lane.
20
Merge onto I 66
27 mi·33 min·I 66
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi·31 sec
Exit 71Toward VA 120, VA 237Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on Fairfax Drive
0.1 mi·24 sec·Fairfax Drive
23
Turn right onto VA 120
0.2 mi·32 sec·North Glebe Road
Use the right lane.
24
Turn slight left onto Wilson Boulevard
0.5 mi·1 min·Wilson Boulevard
Use the left lane.
25
Arrive at destination
Wilson Boulevard
Trip Plan
For this 158.7-mile drive, leaving Amherst, VA, in the morning is advisable to maximize daylight and take advantage of the 3h 33m estimated travel time. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $25, you have the flexibility to depart when convenient. Keep an eye out for the transitions between local roads and I-66, as these can require quick adjustments. The 'turn-heavy local drive' profile means staying alert and checking your navigation frequently will be key to a smooth arrival in Arlington, VA.
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 79.3 miles from Amherst, VA, or about 1h 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 33.9 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 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 79.3 miles or 1h 47m 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 56m
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 Amherst, 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 Amherst, VA
This is one driving day of about 158.7 miles and 3h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from Amherst, 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 Seminole Trail for about 33.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 157.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
0.3 mi into trip|~0m in|US 29 BUS / North Main Street
Enter roundabout onto US 29 BUS / North Main Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
8
117.7 mi into trip|~2h 37m in|US 15; US 29
Keep slight left at fork onto US 15; US 29 toward US 15 North, US 29 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left / straight lanes.
Toward US 15 North, US 29 North
6
129.4 mi into trip|~2h 54m in
Take the exit toward I 66 East: Washington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 66 East: Washington
8
157.5 mi into trip|~3h 30m 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
157.9 mi into trip|~3h 31m in|VA 120 / North Glebe Road
Turn right onto VA 120 / North Glebe Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.82 one way
$49.63 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg56 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$27.14
$54.27
premium
$4.70
$29.37
$58.74
diesel
$5.61
$35.04
$70.08
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: 55.5 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
47.6
0
$16.66
$7.62
Efficient EV
39.7
0
$13.89
$6.35
EV Truck/SUV
63.5
0
$22.22
$10.16
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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Amherst, VA
Late night
in Amherst on Sunday
Local time
1:59 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Arlington, VA
Late night
in Arlington on Sunday
Local time
1:59 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
11 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 33m 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.
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...
14 mi from route
~35 min detour
$30
near mile 76.6
On April 9, 1865, the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia in the McLean House in the village of Appomattox Court House, Virginia signaled the effective end of the nation's largest war. Question...
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
~54 min detour
Free
near mile 142.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' profile for this 158.7-mile trip, meaning you'll encounter frequent changes in direction rather than long, straight stretches. Only 25% of the route is on highways, so much of your time will be spent on local roads like Seminole Trail and James Madison Highway. The longest uninterrupted segment you'll experience is 33.9 miles on Seminole Trail. This suggests a more engaging, less monotonous driving experience as you navigate through varied terrain and local communities.
Only 25% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 33.9 mi on Seminole Trail.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near US 29 BUS / North Main Street.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 158.7 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 0.3 miles (US 29 BUS / North Main Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 117.7 miles (US 15; US 29): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 129.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 33m. Total distance: 158.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 33m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 33.9 miles on Seminole Trail. 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 Arlington, 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 0.3 miles (US 29 BUS / North Main Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 117.7 miles (US 15; US 29): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 129.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Shenandoah National Park, Appomattox Court House National Historical Park and Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Arlington, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
