Origin
Arlington, VA
Late night in Arlington on Tuesday
Local time
4:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Arlington, VA to Altavista, VA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 24m
Distance
198.4 mi
319 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$31
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 11m
★
6 AM
4h 24m
8 AM
4h 51m
10 AM
4h 33m
12 PM
4h 31m
3 PM
4h 35m
5 PM
4h 49m
8 PM
4h 16m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Arlington, VA
Dominik Gryzbon
Altavista, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling from Arlington to Altavista covers 198.4 miles and typically takes about 4 hours and 24 minutes behind the wheel. This route functions well as a straightforward day trip, though you should budget roughly $32 for fuel to complete the journey. You will navigate through Northern Virginia before heading further into the Southeast region, transitioning from dense urban corridors to more localized roads. Because the trip is under five hours, you won't need to worry about overnight logistics unless you prefer a slower pace. It is a practical drive for those looking to reach Altavista efficiently without the need for a multi-day itinerary.
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
99.2 miles from Arlington, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 15m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 29 | 64.3 mi | 1h 19m |
| North Seminole Trail | 33.8 mi | 47m |
| Custis Memorial Parkway | 27.5 mi | 34m |
| James Madison Highway | 23.3 mi | 30m |
| Wards Road | 15.8 mi | 21m |
| Lee Highway | 10.6 mi | 15m |
| James Monroe Highway | 7.8 mi | 9m |
| Richmond Highway | 6.4 mi | 8m |
Longest stretch:
US 29
— 64.3 mi, about 1h 19m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Arlington, VA and Altavista, VA.
1
Start on Wilson Boulevard
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Wilson Boulevard
2
Turn slight right onto VA 120
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
North Glebe Road
Use the right lane.
3
Turn left onto Fairfax Drive
0.1 mi
·
27 sec
·
Fairfax Drive
Use the left lane.
4
Continue on this road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
this road
Toward I 66 Toll West
5
Merge onto I 66
3.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Custis Memorial Parkway
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 66
24 mi
·
29 min
·
Custis Memorial Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Exit 43A
Toward US 29 South: Gainesville, Warrenton
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Toward US 29 South: Gainesville, Warrenton
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto US 29
11 mi
·
15 min
·
Lee Highway
Use the left lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto US 15; US 29
0.5 mi
·
44 sec
·
US 15; US 29
Toward US 15 South, US 29 South
11
Merge onto US 15; US 17; US 29
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Eastern Bypass
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on US 15; US 17; US 29
5.1 mi
·
7 min
·
James Madison Highway
13
Keep slight left at fork onto US 15; US 29
18 mi
·
23 min
·
James Madison Highway
14
Continue on US 29
7.8 mi
·
9 min
·
James Monroe Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on US 29
34 mi
·
47 min
·
North Seminole Trail
16
Continue on US 29
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
Emmet Street North
Use the straight lane.
17
Take the exit onto US 29
63 mi
·
1 hr 17 min
·
US 29
Toward US 29 South, US 250 West
18
Keep slight right at fork onto US 29
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
US 29
Toward US 29 South, US 460 West: Lynchburg, Danville
19
Merge onto US 29; US 460
6.4 mi
·
8 min
·
Richmond Highway
20
Take the exit onto US 29
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
·
US 29
Toward US 29 South
21
Merge onto US 29
16 mi
·
21 min
·
Wards Road
22
Take the exit onto US 29 BUS
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
US 29 BUS
Toward US 29 Business South
23
Turn left onto US 29 BUS
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Main Street
24
Turn right onto 7th Street
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
7th Street
25
Turn left onto Franklin Avenue
364 ft
·
17 sec
·
Franklin Avenue
26
Turn left onto US 29 BUS
30 ft
·
1 sec
·
Main Street
27
Arrive at destination
US 29 BUS
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 4-hour and 24-minute travel time, plan for at least one dedicated stop along the way to break up the technical driving. Leaving Arlington early in the day is your best bet to manage the local road segments before they become too congested. Since this is a turn-heavy route, ensure your vehicle is prepared for consistent steering adjustments rather than long, straight stretches. Take advantage of the trip's flexibility; since you only need one stop, you can easily adapt your pace to match your own comfort level. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $32 cost estimate assumes standard driving conditions on these local roads.
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 99.2 miles from Arlington, VA, or about 2h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 64.3 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 44 miles or 1h in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 99.2 miles or 2h 15m 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 34m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Altavista, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Arlington, 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 Arlington, VA
This is one driving day of about 198.4 miles and 4h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 miles from Arlington, 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 US 29 for about 64.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
99 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 44 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 99.2 miles from Arlington, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 29 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 64.3 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 205 decision points cluster between mile 4.6 and 172 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
4.6 mi into trip
|
~8m in
|
I 66 / Custis Memorial Parkway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 66 / Custis Memorial Parkway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
28.8 mi into trip
|
~38m in
Take the exit toward US 29 South: Gainesville, Warrenton
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 43A
Toward US 29 South: Gainesville, Warrenton
8
29.6 mi into trip
|
~39m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 29 South: Gainesville, Warrenton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward US 29 South: Gainesville, Warrenton
6
40.3 mi into trip
|
~55m in
|
US 15; US 29
Keep slight left at fork onto US 15; US 29 toward US 15 South, US 29 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 15 South, US 29 South
6
172 mi into trip
|
~3h 46m in
|
US 29
Keep slight right at fork onto US 29 toward US 29 South, US 460 West: Lynchburg, Danville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 29 South, US 460 West: Lynchburg, Dan...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.03 one way
$62.05 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
69 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $33.92 | $67.85 |
| premium | $4.70 | $36.72 | $73.44 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $43.80 | $87.61 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 69.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 59.5 | 0 | $20.83 | $9.52 |
| Efficient EV | 49.6 | 0 | $17.36 | $7.94 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 79.4 | 0 | $27.78 | $12.70 |
Gas CO2
69 kg
EV CO2
23 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
Altavista, VA
Late night in Altavista on Tuesday
Local time
4:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
53°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
14 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
4h 24m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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 82.1
Caution: 4/13/26 Fire ban in effect
Caution: Parking at Boundary Access Areas
Appomattox Court House National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
16 mi from route
~40 min detour
Free
near mile 171.1
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 13.7
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...
25 mi from route
~61 min detour
Free
near mile 198.4
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise, as this route features a 0% highway share. You will begin your journey navigating North Glebe Road and Fairfax Drive before transitioning onto I-66 for the initial leg. Once you move away from the major interstates, the character of the road shifts significantly toward more technical, winding local segments. Staying focused is key, as the constant turns demand more engagement than a standard highway trek. Be prepared for a driving experience that prioritizes local connectivity over high-speed transit.
47% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 64.3 mi on US 29.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.6 miles in near I 66 / Custis Memorial Parkway.
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 20 significant decision points across 198.4 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 4.6 miles (I 66 / Custis Memorial Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 28.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 29.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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.
Between Arlington, VA and Altavista, VA, road signs point toward Warrenton and Danville.
Warrenton
28.8 mi in
|
~38m
Danville
172 mi in
|
~3h 46m
|
via US 29
About the Cities
Starting in Arlington, VA
Full guide →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.
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 4h 24m. Total distance: 198.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 64.3 miles on US 29. 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 Altavista, 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 4.6 miles (I 66 / Custis Memorial Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 28.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 29.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Shenandoah National Park, Appomattox Court House National Historical Park and Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Altavista, 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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