Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
52m
Distance
38.1 mi
61 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Arlington, VA
Dominik Gryzbon
Aquia Harbour, VA
Wikimedia Commons
If you are planning a trip from Arlington to Aquia Harbour, you are looking at a manageable 38.1-mile journey that typically takes about 52 minutes. This drive is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about overnight logistics. Budgeting around $6 for fuel should cover your travel costs, keeping this a very affordable outing. You will spend your time moving through the Southeast region of Virginia, transitioning from the urban environment of Arlington toward the residential community of Aquia Harbour. Because of the relatively short distance, this is an excellent option for a quick getaway or a straightforward commute.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway | 33 mi | 39m |
| North Glebe Road | 2.4 mi | 6m |
| Washington Drive | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Richmond Drive | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| North Oakland Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Garrisonville Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| North Pershing Drive | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Aquia Drive | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Arlington, VA and Aquia Harbour, VA.
Start on Wilson Boulevard
Turn right onto North Oakland Street
Turn right onto North Pershing Drive
Turn left onto VA 120
Take the ramp
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 395
Continue on I 395
Take the exit
Turn straight onto SR 610
Continue on Washington Drive
Turn left onto Richmond Drive
At end of road, turn right onto Aquia Drive
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
19 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.
A short stop after about 38 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 19.1 miles from Arlington, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.3 and 38 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Keep slight left at fork toward I 395 South: Richmond, Quaker Lane
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward I 395 South: Richmond
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Merge onto I 395 / Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward SR 610 East: Aquia
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
At end of road, turn right onto Aquia Drive
Navigation decision point
Regular Gas
$5.96 one way
$11.92 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $6.51 | $13.03 |
| premium | $4.70 | $7.05 | $14.10 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $8.41 | $16.82 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$6
Estimated CO2 emission: 13.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 11.4 | 0 | $4.00 | $1.83 |
| Efficient EV | 9.5 | 0 | $3.33 | $1.52 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 15.2 | 0 | $5.33 | $2.44 |
Gas CO2
13 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (69% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in Arlington on Sunday
Local time
8:52 AM
EDT
Current temp
83°F
Mostly Sunny
Destination
Morning in Aquia Harbour on Sunday
Local time
8:52 AM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
85°F
Woodbridge, VA
19 mi in
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that requires your full attention behind the wheel. While you will spend a significant portion of the trip on the Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway, the route lacks a high highway-to-local road ratio, making the experience feel more like a series of connected neighborhood and arterial roads. You can anticipate a longest uninterrupted stretch of 33 miles on the Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway, which provides the most consistent pace of the trip. The transition between North Glebe Road and Washington Drive adds to the technical nature of the drive. Be prepared for frequent turns as you navigate off the main highway and toward your destination.
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 3.3 miles in.
Focused - busy navigation packed into a short drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 11 decision points packed into just 38.1 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 52m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 3.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 3.5 miles (I 395 / Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 52m. Total distance: 38.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
52m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
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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