Mount Sidney Safety Rest Area North
0 mi from route
Trip from Appalachia, VA to Arlington, VA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
8h 7m
Distance
417.2 mi
671 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$66
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
7h 59m
★
6 AM
8h 7m
8 AM
8h 24m
10 AM
8h 13m
12 PM
8h 11m
3 PM
8h 14m
5 PM
8h 23m
8 PM
8h 2m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Appalachia, VA
Sherry
Arlington, VA
Dominik Gryzbon
Trip Overview
Appalachia, VA to Arlington, VA is 417.2 miles and takes about 8h 7m via I 81 and I 66, with a fuel budget near $65 and enough daylight to finish in a day, though an overnight stop is recommended. This trip stays within Virginia, moving from the Southeast region to another part of the Southeast. With a high percentage of highway driving, this route is primarily about covering ground efficiently between these two points. Plan for about 2 recommended days to make the most of the drive without feeling rushed.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
208.6 miles from Appalachia, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 13m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 81 | 275.8 mi | 5h 1m |
| I 66 | 70.5 mi | 1h 20m |
| US 19 | 12.7 mi | 18m |
| Bull Run Road | 12.5 mi | 17m |
| Trail of the Lonesome Pine | 7.9 mi | 10m |
| Kent Junction Road | 7.8 mi | 11m |
| I 77 | 7.1 mi | 7m |
| US Highway 58 Alternate | 6.9 mi | 9m |
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 275.8 mi, about 5h 1m
Traffic on I-81
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 249 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,655 veh/hr typical · worst 2,277
Quietest
2 AM
~247 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 105 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Appalachia, VA and Arlington, VA.
1
Start on East Main Street
104 ft
·
4 sec
·
East Main Street
2
Continue on VA 78
490 ft
·
17 sec
·
VA 78
3
At end of road, turn right onto US 23 BUS
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
East Main Street
4
Continue on US 23 BUS
7.8 mi
·
11 min
·
Kent Junction Road
5
Turn right onto SR 621
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
Junction Road
6
Turn left onto Main Avenue Southwest
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Main Avenue Southwest
7
At end of road, turn right onto US 58 Alternate Business
0.1 mi
·
26 sec
·
11th Street Southwest
8
At end of road, turn left onto Kentucky Avenue Southwest
3.0 mi
·
5 min
·
Kentucky Avenue Southwest
9
Turn right onto US 58 ALT
6.5 mi
·
9 min
·
Norton Coeburn Road
10
Continue on US 58 ALT
13 mi
·
17 min
·
Bull Run Road
11
Continue on US 58 ALT
365 ft
·
6 sec
·
Trail of the Lonesome Pine
12
Continue on US 58 ALT
6.9 mi
·
9 min
·
US Highway 58 Alternate
13
Continue on US 58 ALT; VA 71
7.8 mi
·
10 min
·
Trail of the Lonesome Pine
14
Turn right onto US 19
13 mi
·
18 min
·
US 19
15
Turn left onto US 11
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
West Main Street
16
Turn right onto Preston Street Southwest
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
Preston Street Southwest
17
At end of road, turn left onto Bradley Street Southwest
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Bradley Street Southwest
18
At end of road, turn right onto US 58 ALT; VA 75
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Cummings Street
Use the straight lane.
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
20
Merge onto I 81; US 58
57 mi
·
1 hr 1 min
·
I 81; US 58
Use the straight lane.
21
Continue on I 77; I 81; US 11; US 52
7.1 mi
·
7 min
·
I 77; I 81; US 11; US 52
22
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: Roanoke
Use the straight lane.
23
Continue on I 64; I 81
0.3 mi
·
17 sec
·
I 64; I 81
24
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
79 mi
·
1 hr 26 min
·
I 81
25
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
Toward I 66 East: Front Royal, Washington
26
Continue on I 66
43 mi
·
46 min
·
I 66
27
Keep slight right at fork onto I 66
28 mi
·
34 min
·
I 66
Use the straight lane.
28
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
Exit 71
Toward VA 120, VA 237
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Continue on Fairfax Drive
0.1 mi
·
24 sec
·
Fairfax Drive
30
Turn right onto VA 120
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
·
North Glebe Road
Use the right lane.
31
Turn slight left onto Wilson Boulevard
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Wilson Boulevard
Use the left lane.
32
Arrive at destination
Wilson Boulevard
Trip Plan
Given the 8h 7m estimated drive time, splitting this trip into two days is a good idea. Aim to depart Appalachia in the morning to take advantage of daylight. With two recommended stops, you can break up the 417.2 miles into manageable segments. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 275.8-mile stretch on I 81, as services can sometimes be spaced out. Budget around $65 for fuel, but check current prices before you leave.
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.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 208.6 miles from Appalachia, VA, or about 4h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 275.8 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 92 miles or 2h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 208.6 miles or 4h 13m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 208.6 miles or 4h 13m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 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 Appalachia, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Appalachia, VA
Aim for roughly 209 miles and 4.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Arlington, VA
Aim for roughly 209 miles and 4.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 92 miles from Appalachia, VA.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 81 for about 275.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Overnight candidate
209 mi into the route
Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start
This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.
Find hotels in Roanoke, VAOvernight Options
Night 1
209 mi · about 4.1h in
A practical overnight split lands near Roanoke, VA after about 209 miles or 4.1 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 92 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 208.6 miles from Appalachia, 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 275.8 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 209 miles or 4.1 hours on the road.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Mount Sidney Safety Rest Area South
0 mi from route
Rest Area
0 mi from route
Troutville Safety Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.1 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Iranto Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Lancer Truck Stop
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Fairfield Safety Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Manassas Safety/Rest Area West
0.1 mi from route
Manassas Safety/Rest Area East
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Radford Safety Rest Area South
0.1 mi from route
Radford Safety Rest Area North
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Radford Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
ONE9 Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.3 mi from route
Harrisonburg Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 195 decision points cluster between mile 61.1 and 416.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
61.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 31m in
|
US 58 ALT; VA 75 / Cummings Street
At end of road, turn right onto US 58 ALT; VA 75 / Cummings Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
126.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 42m 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
388.2 mi into trip
|
~7h 29m 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
416 mi into trip
|
~8h 4m 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
416.4 mi into trip
|
~8h 4m 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
$66.28 one way
$132.55 round trip
$4.04/gal
25.4 MPG avg
146 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.40 | $72.27 | $144.54 |
| premium | $4.78 | $78.51 | $157.02 |
| diesel | $6.18 | $101.49 | $202.98 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$66
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$196–$306
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 146 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $44 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 125.2 | 1 | $43.81 | $20.03 |
| Efficient EV | 104.3 | 1 | $36.51 | $16.69 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 166.9 | 2 | $58.41 | $26.70 |
Gas CO2
146 kg
EV CO2
49 kg (66% 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.
Origin
Appalachia, VA
Late night in Appalachia on Saturday
Local time
2:17 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Mostly Clear
S 5 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued October 16 at 4:21AM EDT by NWS Blacksburg VA
Destination
Arlington, VA
Late night in Arlington on Saturday
Local time
2:17 AM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Patchy Fog
S 7 mph
10% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued October 16 at 4:21AM EDT by NWS Blacksburg VA
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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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
3 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
8h 7m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
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...
0 mi from route
~1 min detour
Free
near mile 345.2
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 302.1
View on nps.gov
Booker T Washington National Monument
National Monument
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 187
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 402.8
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly highway, with 90% of the 417.2 miles on interstates. You'll experience a long stretch of 275.8 miles on I 81 before transitioning to I 66. Expect consistent cruising speeds on these major roads, with frequent exits and merges as you approach urban areas. The majority of the driving is on well-maintained freeways.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 275.8 mi on I 81.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 61.1 miles in near US 58 ALT; VA 75 / Cummings Street.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 417.2 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 61.1 miles (US 58 ALT; VA 75 / Cummings Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 126.3 miles (I 81; US 11): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 388.2 miles (I 66): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,237 ft
268 ft
Total Climb
1,057 ft
Total Descent
2,430 ft
Highest Point
2,237 ft
~89.3 mi in
Elevation Range
1,969 ft
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 Appalachia, VA to Arlington, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Washington along the way.
Washington
345.1 mi in
|
~6h 42m
About the Cities
Starting in Appalachia, VA
Full guide →Founded 1898
Appalachia is a broad term with many meanings. The Appalachian Mountains extend from Labrador in Canada to Alabama in the southern United States. In the United States, the Appalachian Region (capitalized) refers to a region of thirteen states from New York to Mississippi designated by the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC). ARC's definition includes parts of Mississippi lowland and excludes parts of the Virginian highlands, for various political and economic reasons. Appalachian culture is most often associated with Southern Appalachia, from Georgia to West Virginia. West Virginia is the only state entirely within the Appalachian Region.
Top landmarks
- • Stonega Historic District — historic district in Virginia, United States
Arriving in Arlington, VA
Full guide →Founded 1801
Arlington (along with the cities of Falls Church to the west and Alexandria to the south) forms part of the urban conglomeration around Washington, D.C. - inside the beltway. In Northern Virginia, and directly across the Potomac River from D.C. proper, Arlington is one of America's most densely populated regions. It has a land area 26 sq mi (67 km2) and a population of 230,000. Despite its density, Arlington mixes the best of both big city and suburban environments. Like the greater Washington area, Arlington has grown over the last several decades in part due to growth of the federal government.
Top landmarks
- • The Pentagon — headquarters of the United States Department of Defense; named after the shape o...
- • Arlington National Cemetery — national cemetery in Virginia, United States
- • Marine Corps War Memorial — monument consisting of a large sculptural group on a circular base in Arlington,...
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 275.8 miles on I 81. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 209 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 37 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 37 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 61.1 miles (US 58 ALT; VA 75 / Cummings Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 126.3 miles (I 81; US 11): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 388.2 miles (I 66): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Cedar Creek & Belle Grove National Historical Park, Shenandoah National Park and Booker T Washington National Monument (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 8.1 hours each way, a round trip means 16.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Arlington, VA before the return drive.
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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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