Trip from Arlington, VA to Ashland, VA

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 49m

Distance

89.1 mi

143 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$14

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 24 min

4 AM

1h 41m ★

6 AM

1h 49m

8 AM

2h 5m

10 AM

1h 55m

12 PM

1h 53m

3 PM

1h 56m

5 PM

2h 4m

8 PM

1h 44m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Arlington, VA

Dominik Gryzbon

Ashland, VA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Spanning 89.1 miles, this journey from Arlington to Ashland, Virginia, is a straightforward trek that typically takes about 1 hour and 49 minutes to complete. Because the route is relatively short, it is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, meaning you won’t need to worry about overnight accommodations. You can expect to spend approximately $14 on fuel for the trip, making it an affordable option for travelers. Since both cities are located within the Southeast region, you will remain in a familiar geographic area throughout the drive. This path serves as a practical, efficient connection between the two locations, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for multiple stops.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

44.6 miles from Arlington, VA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 58m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 95	42.2 mi	46m
Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway	42.2 mi	50m
North Glebe Road	2.4 mi	6m
England Street	0.9 mi	2m
North Oakland Street	0.4 mi	1m
East Patrick Henry Road	0.1 mi	<1m
North Pershing Drive	0.1 mi	<1m
Wilson Boulevard	<0.1 mi	<1m

Longest stretch: I 95 — 42.2 mi, about 46m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Arlington, VA and Ashland, VA.

Start on Wilson Boulevard

90 ft · 8 sec · Wilson Boulevard

Turn right onto North Oakland Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · North Oakland Street

Turn right onto North Pershing Drive

0.1 mi · 28 sec · North Pershing Drive

Turn left onto VA 120

2.4 mi · 6 min · North Glebe Road

Use the left / straight lanes.

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 41 sec

Toward I 395 South: Richmond

Keep slight left at fork

315 ft · 7 sec

Toward I 395 South: Richmond, Quaker Lane

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 20 sec

Toward I 395 South: Richmond Use the slight left lane.

Merge onto I 395

5.8 mi · 7 min · Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 395

36 mi · 43 min · Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway

Exit 1A Toward I 95 South: Richmond Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 95

42 mi · 46 min · I 95

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 23 sec

Exit 92 Toward VA 54: Ashland, Hanover Use the slight right lane.

Turn right onto VA 54

0.1 mi · 17 sec · East Patrick Henry Road

Continue on VA 54

0.9 mi · 2 min · England Street

Use the left / straight / right lanes.

Turn sharp right

68 ft · 5 sec

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Given the local nature of these roads, you should plan for a flexible schedule, as traffic patterns on surface streets can be less predictable than those on a main highway. Since this is a sub-two-hour drive, you have the advantage of choosing your departure time based on your personal preference rather than being forced into a strict itinerary. Aim to fill your tank before you head out, keeping that $14 fuel estimate in mind as a baseline for your budget. A helpful tip for this specific route is to stay vigilant with your navigation app, as the turn-heavy layout requires constant awareness of upcoming intersections. With no mandatory stops required for a trip of this duration, you can easily complete the entire 89.1-mile stretch in one comfortable go.

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.

The halfway point lands around 44.6 miles from Arlington, VA, or about 58m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 42.2 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 20 miles or 29m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 44.6 miles or 58m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 32m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ashland, 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.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Arlington, VA

This is one driving day of about 89.1 miles and 1h 49m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from Arlington, VA.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

The longest stretch is on I 95 for about 42.2 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Dumfries, VA

45 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

Woodbridge, VA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 20 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Stafford, VA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 44.6 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.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · home stretch

The Caboose Market & Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ashland, Virginia

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch · 0min to go 0.1 mi from route $10 to $20

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+18047982933

Visit website

Cafe 54 Breakfast and Lunch

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Ashland, Virginia

0.1 mi

East West Cafe

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Arlington, Virginia

0.7 mi

Best coffee break · first break window

Cameron Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Alexandria, Virginia

Near the start, right off the route

First break · 8min in 1 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+17032128211

Visit website

Merge Cafe (Stafford)

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Stafford, Virginia

2 mi

The Caboose Market & Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.1 mi from route $10 to $20

Ashland, Virginia

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+18047982933

Visit website

Cafe 54 Breakfast and Lunch

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.1 mi from route $10 to $20

Ashland, Virginia

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+18043688671

Visit website

East West Cafe

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Arlington, Virginia

Hours: 8 am–10 pm

+15718003905

Visit website

Jake's Place Restaurant & Market

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Ashland, Virginia

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+18047983287

Visit website

Cafe Aurora

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

First break 0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Alexandria, Virginia

Hours: 8 am–9 pm

+17035674050

Visit website

Gallery Cafe at Ballston

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Arlington, Virginia

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+17035272080

Visit website

Brickmakers Cafe

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, right off the route

Early stretch 0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Lorton, Virginia

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+17036469486

Visit website

Olla Cafe & Bar

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour Moderately

Stafford, Virginia

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+15406996355

Visit website

Cameron Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

First break 1 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Alexandria, Virginia

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+17032128211

Visit website

Merge Cafe (Stafford)

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Stafford, Virginia

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+15404264142

Visit website

Curitiba Art Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10

Fredericksburg, Virginia

Hours: 10 am–7 pm

Visit website

Lil Cow Cafe Bistro

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~12 min detour

First break 4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20

Burke, Virginia

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+17038520544

Visit website

2.5 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour

Washington, District of Columbia

+18668167584

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour

Washington, District of Columbia

+12022231537

Visit website

Virginia Welcome Center at Fredericksburg

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour

Fredericksburg, VA

Hours: 8:30 am–5 pm

+15407868344

Visit website

2 stars hotel

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour

Ruther Glen, Virginia

Gnade Hotel

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour

Washington, District of Columbia

Flight Adventure Park Springfield

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

First break 0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour

Springfield, Virginia

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+17036632440

Visit website

Jerome "Buddie" Ford Nature Center

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

First break 0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour

Alexandria, Virginia

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+17037465559

Visit website

Armistead Boothe Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Alexandria, Virginia

Hours: 5 am–10 pm

+17037465414

Visit website

River Mill Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour

Occoquan Historic District, Virginia

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+17034901918

Visit website

Green Spring Gardens

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour

Alexandria, Virginia

Hours: 9 am–4:30 pm

+17036425173

Visit website

Occoquan Regional Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour

Lorton, Virginia

Hours: 6:30 am–7 pm

+17036902121

Visit website

Alum Spring Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour

Fredericksburg, Virginia

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+15403721086

National Museum of the United States Army

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour

Fort Belvoir, Virginia

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+18005062672

Visit website

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 3.3 and 89.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

3.3 mi into trip | ~8m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 395 South: Richmond, Quaker Lane

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 395 South: Richmond, Quaker Lane

3.4 mi into trip | ~9m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 395 South: Richmond

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Toward I 395 South: Richmond

3.5 mi into trip | ~9m in | I 395 / Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway

Merge onto I 395 / Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

87.9 mi into trip | ~1h 45m in

Take the exit toward VA 54: Ashland, Hanover

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 92 Toward VA 54: Ashland, Hanover

89.1 mi into trip | ~1h 49m in

Turn sharp right

Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$13.93 one way

$27.87 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 31 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.34	$15.23	$30.47
premium	$4.70	$16.49	$32.98
diesel	$5.61	$19.67	$39.34

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$14

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$39–$64

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 31.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	26.7	$9.36	$4.28
Efficient EV	22.3	$7.80	$3.56
EV Truck/SUV	35.6	$12.47	$5.70

Gas CO2

31 kg

EV CO2

10 kg (68% 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 20, 2026

Origin

Arlington, VA

Morning in Arlington on Tuesday

Local time

6:25 AM

EDT

Current temp

67°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Ashland, VA

Morning in Ashland on Tuesday

Local time

6:25 AM

EDT

Current temp

51°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

16 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

1h 49m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous highway cruise, as this route features a 0% highway share. You will navigate through local roads like North Oakland Street, North Pershing Drive, and North Glebe Road, which keeps the experience engaging and requires your full attention. Because the path relies entirely on local streets, you won't encounter the typical high-speed stretches found on interstates. The absence of long, straightaways means you should prepare for a steady pace with frequent turns. It is a hands-on driving experience that prioritizes navigation through local infrastructure over high-speed travel.

47% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.

15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 42.2 mi on I 95.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

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 3.3 miles in.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 89.1 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

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.

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.

Arriving in Ashland, VA

Full guide →

Ashland is in Central Virginia.

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 1h 49m. Total distance: 89.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (47%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 42.2 miles on I 95. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — we found about 1 rest area or service plaza 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 Ashland, VA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Ashland, VA before heading back.

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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Explore more options from Arlington, VA or browse trips ending in Ashland, VA.

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Trip from Arlington, VA to Ashland, VA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Stops Along Your Drive

The Caboose Market & Cafe

Cameron Cafe

The Caboose Market & Cafe

Cafe 54 Breakfast and Lunch

East West Cafe

Jake's Place Restaurant & Market

Cafe Aurora

Gallery Cafe at Ballston

Brickmakers Cafe

Olla Cafe & Bar

Cameron Cafe

Merge Cafe (Stafford)

Curitiba Art Cafe

Lil Cow Cafe Bistro

Tesla Supercharger

Tesla Destination Charger

Blink Charging Station

Blink Charging Station

Tesla Destination Charger

Tesla Supercharger

EV Connect Charging Station

Tesla Destination Charger

Virginia Welcome Center at Fredericksburg

2 stars hotel

Gnade Hotel

Flight Adventure Park Springfield

Jerome "Buddie" Ford Nature Center

Armistead Boothe Park

River Mill Park

Green Spring Gardens

Occoquan Regional Park

Alum Spring Park

National Museum of the United States Army

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Arlington, VA

Ashland, VA

Same local time

16 degrees cooler at arrival

1h 49m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

About the Cities

Starting in Arlington, VA

Arriving in Ashland, VA

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

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