Arlington, VA to Franklin, VA is 186.9 miles and takes about 3h 50m via I 95 and Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, with a fuel budget near $29 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Southeast region, primarily navigating through Virginia. The route offers a mixed driving experience, balancing highway stretches with surface roads. Given its manageable distance and duration, it's a straightforward option for a single-day excursion, making it easy to fit into a busy schedule without requiring an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
93.4 miles from Arlington, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 52m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
53.9 mi
59m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
42.2 mi
45m
Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
42.2 mi
50m
Jerusalem Plank Road
17.7 mi
24m
Plank Road
10.2 mi
13m
Courtland Road
4.3 mi
6m
Southampton Parkway
2.6 mi
3m
Clay Street
2.4 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 53.9 mi, about 59m
Traffic on I-95
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 70 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,667 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,285
Quietest
2 AM
~388 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.9×
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 Franklin, VA.
1
Start on Wilson Boulevard
90 ft·8 sec·Wilson Boulevard
2
Turn right onto North Oakland Street
0.4 mi·1 min·North Oakland Street
3
Turn right onto North Pershing Drive
0.1 mi·28 sec·North Pershing Drive
4
Turn left onto VA 120
2.4 mi·6 min·North Glebe Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward I 395 South: Richmond
6
Keep slight left at fork
315 ft·7 sec
Toward I 395 South: Richmond, Quaker Lane
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·20 sec
Toward I 395 South: RichmondUse the slight left lane.
8
Merge onto I 395
5.8 mi·7 min·Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 395
36 mi·43 min·Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
Exit 1AToward I 95 South: RichmondUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
49 mi·53 min·I 95
Use the straight lane.
11
Take the exit
1.9 mi·2 min
Exit 84AToward I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va BeachUse the slight left / straight lanes.
12
Merge onto I 295
42 mi·45 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 95
5.3 mi·5 min·I 95
Toward I 95 South: Emporia, Rocky Mount NCUse the straight lane.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit 41Toward US 301, VA 35, VA 156: CourtlandUse the right lane.
15
Turn right onto US 301; VA 35
4.3 mi·6 min·Courtland Road
16
Continue on VA 35
18 mi·24 min·Jerusalem Plank Road
17
Continue on VA 35
10 mi·13 min·Plank Road
18
Continue on VA 35
1.9 mi·4 min·Main Street
19
Continue on US 58 BUS
0.8 mi·1 min·Jerusalem Road
20
Enter roundabout onto US 58 BUS
44 ft·1 sec·Old Bridge Road
21
Continue on US 58 BUS
0.3 mi·24 sec·Old Bridge Road
22
Enter roundabout onto US 58 BUS
61 ft·1 sec·US 58 BUS
23
Continue on US 58 BUS
0.2 mi·30 sec·US 58 BUS
24
Merge onto US 58
2.6 mi·3 min·Southampton Parkway
25
Turn left onto US 58 BUS
2.2 mi·2 min·Camp Parkway
26
Continue on US 58 BUS
2.4 mi·5 min·Clay Street
27
At end of road, turn left onto US 58 BUS
0.2 mi·38 sec·West 4th Avenue
28
Turn right onto North Main Street
0.1 mi·22 sec·North Main Street
29
Arrive at destination
North Main Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 1-day trip, consider an early morning departure from Arlington, VA, to bypass potential rush hour traffic. With a total drive time under 4 hours, you can comfortably complete this route without needing an overnight stop. The single recommended stop suggests a brief pause to stretch your legs or refuel. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $29, and plan your fill-up accordingly, especially as you move away from major highway services. The mixed highway and surface road profile means you'll encounter varying speed limits, so stay attentive.
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 93.4 miles from Arlington, VA, or about 1h 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 53.9 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 41 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 93.4 miles or 1h 52m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 59m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Franklin, 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 186.9 miles and 3h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 41 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 I 95 for about 53.9 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.3 and 143.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
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
8
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
8
94.3 mi into trip|~1h 52m in
Take the exit toward I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va Beach
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 84A
Toward I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va B...
7
138.4 mi into trip|~2h 40m in|I 95
Merge onto I 95 toward I 95 South: Emporia, Rocky Mount NC
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 95 South: Emporia, Rocky Mount NC
8
143.7 mi into trip|~2h 46m in
Take the exit toward US 301, VA 35, VA 156: Courtland
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 41
Toward US 301, VA 35, VA 156: Courtland
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.73 one way
$59.45 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg65 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.41
$32.41
$64.83
premium
$4.78
$35.17
$70.33
diesel
$5.35
$39.37
$78.73
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 65.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
56.1
0
$19.62
$8.97
Efficient EV
46.7
0
$16.35
$7.48
EV Truck/SUV
74.8
0
$26.17
$11.96
Gas CO2
65 kg
EV CO2
22 kg (66% 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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Arlington, VA
Afternoon
in Arlington on Wednesday
Local time
3:44 PM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Partly Cloudy then Chance Rain Showers
S 2 to 6 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Franklin, VA
Afternoon
in Franklin on Wednesday
Local time
3:44 PM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 6 mph6% chanceLive forecast
80°F
Montrose, VA
93 mi in
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
1 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
3h 50m on the road
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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Petersburg National Battlefield
National Battlefield
Two hundred ninety-two days, eight offensives, over 70,000 casualties, U. S. Colored Troops, and the decline of Gen. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia all describe the Siege of Petersburg. U.S. forces c...
8 mi from route
~21 min detour
Free
near mile 135.3
Park Closure: Eastern Front Tour Road south of Route 36 - Closed
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!
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route features a 32% highway share, meaning you'll spend a significant portion on surface roads after the initial highway segments. The longest continuous stretch on the highway is 53.9 miles along I 95. You'll notice the transition from high-speed interstate driving to more local road conditions as you progress. Expect a mix of faster travel and slower, more controlled speeds as you navigate through different types of terrain.
32% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 53.9 mi on I 95.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 Effort9/10
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 186.9 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 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 94.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
268 ft17 ft
Total Climb
210 ft
Total Descent
461 ft
Highest Point
268 ft
Elevation Range
251 ft
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 Franklin, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk, Va Beach and Rocky Mount.
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,...
Central Virginia, also known as the Piedmont, is the largest region of the state of Virginia and contains the state capital, Richmond. It is marked on the east by the Fall Line, and on the west by the Appalachian Mountains. The southern part of this region, bordering on North Carolina, is generally referred to in the state as "Southside Virginia".
Top landmarks
•Woods Hill — historic house in Virginia, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 50m. Total distance: 186.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 53.9 miles on I 95. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 17 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 Franklin, 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. There are 17 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 94.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Petersburg National Battlefield and Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Franklin, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
