Arlington, VA to Clintwood, VA is 415.5 miles and takes about 8h 6m via I 81 and US Highway 58, with a fuel budget near $64 and enough daylight to finish in a day if you start early, but it's best as an overnight trip. This route takes you from the Southeast region of Virginia to another part of the Southeast, covering a significant distance. While it's mostly highway driving, it offers a practical way to get from Northern Virginia to Southwest Virginia. Consider this if you're looking for a straightforward drive with minimal navigation challenges.
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
207.7 miles from Arlington, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 53m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 81
281.6 mi
5h 7m
Custis Memorial Parkway
70.4 mi
1h 20m
US Highway 58
14.7 mi
20m
Dante Mountain Road
13.9 mi
20m
Porterfield Highway
10.3 mi
14m
Dante Road
8.9 mi
13m
Dickenson Highway
6.4 mi
9m
US 19
1.9 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 281.6 mi, about 5h 7m
Traffic on I-81
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 126 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,681 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,239
Quietest
2 AM
~246 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Arlington, VA and Clintwood, 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
67 mi·1 hr 16 min·Custis Memorial Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 1AToward I 81 South: RoanokeUse the straight lane.
8
Merge onto I 81
109 mi·1 hr 58 min·I 81
Toward I 81 South: Roanoke
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
117 mi·2 hr 9 min·I 81
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on I 77; I 81; US 52
1.3 mi·1 min·I 77; I 81; US 52
Use the straight lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81; US 52
56 mi·59 min·I 81; US 52
Use the straight lane.
12
Take the exit onto US 58 ALT
0.2 mi·25 sec·US 58 ALT
Toward US 58 Alternate, VA 75: Abingdon, South Holston Dam
13
Turn right onto US 58 ALT; VA 75
0.8 mi·2 min·Cummings Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
14
At end of road, turn left onto Valley Street Northwest
0.3 mi·48 sec·Valley Street Northwest
Use the left lane.
15
At end of road, turn right onto US 58 ALT
0.9 mi·2 min·Russell Road Northwest
Use the right lane.
16
Turn slight right onto US 19; US 58 ALT
10 mi·14 min·Porterfield Highway
17
Continue on US 19; US 58 ALT
1.9 mi·2 min·US 19; US 58 ALT
18
Turn left onto US 58 ALT
15 mi·20 min·US Highway 58
Use the left lane.
19
Continue on US 58 ALT
348 ft·6 sec·Trail of the Lonesome Pine
20
Continue on US 58 ALT
0.2 mi·20 sec·Castlewood Drive
21
Turn right onto VA 270
0.3 mi·52 sec·4th Avenue
Use the right lane.
22
Turn right onto VA 63
1.1 mi·1 min·Wise Street
23
Continue on VA 63
8.9 mi·13 min·Dante Road
24
Continue on VA 63
14 mi·20 min·Dante Mountain Road
25
Turn sharp left onto VA 83
6.2 mi·9 min·Dickenson Highway
26
Continue on VA 83
0.2 mi·17 sec·Dickenson Highway
27
Enter roundabout onto SR 607
31 ft·0 sec·Clintwood Main Street
28
Continue on SR 607
0.2 mi·24 sec·Clintwood Main Street
29
Turn right onto Skeens Avenue
58 ft·4 sec·Skeens Avenue
30
Arrive at destination
Skeens Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 8-hour driving time, splitting this trip over two days is highly recommended for a more relaxed experience. Aim to depart Arlington early in the morning to maximize daylight. With two recommended stops, you can break up the 415.5-mile drive comfortably. The longest continuous stretch is over 280 miles on I 81, so plan your fuel and rest breaks accordingly, perhaps around the halfway point of that segment. Your estimated fuel cost is around $64, so budget for that and any additional expenses.
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 207.7 miles from Arlington, VA, or about 3h 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 281.6 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 91 miles or 1h 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 207.7 miles or 3h 53m 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 207.7 miles or 3h 53m
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 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Clintwood, 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.
+
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 Arlington, VA
Aim for roughly 208 miles and 4.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Clintwood, VA
Aim for roughly 208 miles and 4.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 91 miles from Arlington, 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 281.6 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 4.6 and 384.6 — 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
71.7 mi into trip|~1h 24m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 81 South: Roanoke
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Exit 1A
Toward I 81 South: Roanoke
6
181 mi into trip|~3h 24m in|I 81
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
356.2 mi into trip|~6h 37m in|Valley Street Northwest
At end of road, turn left onto Valley Street Northwest
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
384.6 mi into trip|~7h 19m in|VA 270 / 4th Avenue
Turn right onto VA 270 / 4th Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$61.34 one way
$122.69 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg145 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$67.41
$134.82
premium
$4.49
$73.48
$146.96
diesel
$4.80
$78.45
$156.91
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$61
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$191–$301
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 145.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $44 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
124.7
1
$43.63
$19.94
Efficient EV
103.9
1
$36.36
$16.62
EV Truck/SUV
166.2
2
$58.17
$26.59
Gas CO2
145 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.
Forecast as of Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Arlington, VA
Night
in Arlington on Saturday
Local time
9:27 PM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Smoke
N 5 to 8 mph11% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Clintwood, VA
Night
in Clintwood on Saturday
Local time
9:27 PM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Mostly Clear
W 1 mph1% chanceLive 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.
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
9 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 6m 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...
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 114.6
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
~54 min detour
Free
near mile 229.2
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 14.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is predominantly highway driving, with 89% of the route on major roads. You'll spend a considerable amount of time on I 81, including a long stretch of 281.6 miles. After the highway portions, the route transitions to surface roads as you approach Clintwood. Be prepared for the dense exits and merging traffic common on major interstates before transitioning to more rural cruising.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 281.6 mi on I 81.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and Custis Memorial Parkway. 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 Effort8/10
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 415.5 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 71.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 181 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,247 ft268 ft
Total Climb
2,736 ft
Total Descent
1,233 ft
Highest Point
2,247 ft
~326.5 mi in
Elevation Range
1,979 ft
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 Arlington, VA to Clintwood, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Holston Dam along the way.
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,...
The longest stretch is about 281.6 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 208 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 Clintwood, 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 4.6 miles (I 66 / Custis Memorial Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 71.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 181 miles (I 81): 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 Clintwood, VA before the return drive.
