Trip from Arlington, VA to Pantops, VA

Pin this trip

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

Drive Time

2h 34m

Distance

111.5 mi

179 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$17

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 31 min

4 AM

2h 24m ★

6 AM

2h 35m

8 AM

2h 55m

10 AM

2h 42m

12 PM

2h 40m

3 PM

2h 43m

5 PM

2h 54m

8 PM

2h 28m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly

Google Maps Waze Apple Maps

Download GPX

Arlington, VA

Dominik Gryzbon

Pantops, VA

Photography Maghradze PH

Trip Overview

This 111.5-mile journey from Arlington, VA, to Pantops, VA, is comfortably manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 34 minutes. You'll navigate primarily via North Seminole Trail, Custis Memorial Parkway, and James Madison Highway, with about 27% of the drive on highways. Given the relatively short distance and manageable duration, it's an ideal route for a day trip, allowing for flexibility in your schedule. Expect a fuel cost of around $17 for this drive. As both your origin and destination are within the Southeast region, you'll be experiencing a consistent regional feel throughout your travels.

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

55.7 miles from Arlington, VA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 16m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
North Seminole Trail	33.8 mi	47m
Custis Memorial Parkway	27.5 mi	34m
James Madison Highway	23.3 mi	30m
Lee Highway	10.6 mi	15m
James Monroe Highway	7.8 mi	9m
Eastern Bypass	2.6 mi	3m
U.S. 250 Bypass	2.1 mi	4m
Wilson Boulevard	0.5 mi	1m

Longest stretch: North Seminole Trail — 33.8 mi, about 47m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on Wilson Boulevard

0.5 mi · 1 min · Wilson Boulevard

Turn slight right onto VA 120

0.2 mi · 30 sec · North Glebe Road

Use the right lane.

Turn left onto Fairfax Drive

0.1 mi · 27 sec · Fairfax Drive

Use the left lane.

Continue on this road

0.5 mi · 1 min · this road

Toward I 66 Toll West

Merge onto I 66

3.3 mi · 4 min · Custis Memorial Parkway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 66

24 mi · 29 min · Custis Memorial Parkway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min

Exit 43A Toward US 29 South: Gainesville, Warrenton Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 23 sec

Toward US 29 South: Gainesville, Warrenton Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Merge onto US 29

11 mi · 15 min · Lee Highway

Use the left lane.

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

Merge onto US 15; US 17; US 29

2.6 mi · 3 min · Eastern Bypass

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on US 15; US 17; US 29

5.1 mi · 7 min · James Madison Highway

Keep slight left at fork onto US 15; US 29

18 mi · 23 min · James Madison Highway

Continue on US 29

7.8 mi · 9 min · James Monroe Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on US 29

34 mi · 47 min · North Seminole Trail

Turn left onto SR 743

0.2 mi · 31 sec · Hydraulic Road

Use the left lane.

Enter roundabout onto SR 743

96 ft · 2 sec · Hydraulic Road

Continue on SR 743

0.2 mi · 32 sec · Hydraulic Road

Turn left onto US 250

2.1 mi · 4 min · U.S. 250 Bypass

Continue on US 250

0.3 mi · 41 sec · Long Street

Continue on US 250; VA 20

0.2 mi · 28 sec · Richmond Road

Turn left onto VA 20

34 ft · 0 sec · Stony Point Road

Arrive at destination

VA 20

Trip Plan

For this 111.5-mile trip, leaving in the morning will allow you to enjoy your destination without feeling rushed, and the 2h 34m duration means you won't need to split the drive. With only one stop recommended, you have the flexibility to make it brief or extend it as needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $17, and plan your last fill-up accordingly. A specific tip for this route: pay close attention to signage when transitioning from North Seminole Trail, as this 33.8-mile segment is your longest stretch and you'll want to be prepared for any upcoming changes in road type.

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.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 55.7 miles from Arlington, VA, or about 1h 16m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 33.8 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 25 miles or 33m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 55.7 miles or 1h 16m 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 3m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Pantops, 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 111.5 miles and 2h 34m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 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 North Seminole Trail for about 33.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in Culpeper County, Virginia, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Culpeper, VA

56 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

Manassas, VA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 25 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Culpeper, VA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 55.7 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 · first break window

Pastry Xpo Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Falls Church, Virginia

Near the start, right off the route

First break · 11min in 0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 7:30 am–9 pm

+15712824970

Visit website

My Cravingz Bakery Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Manassas, Virginia

0.9 mi

Le Pain Quotidien

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Fairfax, Virginia

0.6 mi

Pastry Xpo Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

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

Falls Church, Virginia

Hours: 7:30 am–9 pm

+15712824970

Visit website

My Cravingz Bakery Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

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

Manassas, Virginia

Hours: 9 am–9 pm

+17034052724

Visit website

Le Pain Quotidien

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

First break 0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour Moderately

Fairfax, Virginia

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+17034629350

Visit website

FIREFLY Restaurant + Game Room

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

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

Charlottesville, Virginia

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+14342021050

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

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

C & O Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $50 to $10

Charlottesville, Virginia

Hours: 5–9 pm

+14349717044

Visit website

Bostan Uyghur Cuisine

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $20 to $30

Arlington, Virginia

Hours: 10 am–10 pm

+17035272026

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

The Jeff Hotel

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour

Charlottesville, Virginia

+14349797264

Visit website

The Draftsman, Charlottesville, University, Autograph Collection Hotel

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour

Charlottesville, Virginia

+14349848000

Visit website

Little Mod Hotel

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour

Charlottesville, Virginia

+14344433207

Visit website

Gnade Hotel

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour

Washington, District of Columbia

Virginia Guesthouse Hotel

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 3 mi from route ~8 min detour

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

First break 4 mi from route ~10 min detour

Fairfax, Virginia

Hours: 12–9 pm

+17032700377

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 13

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.7 and 40.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

0.7 mi into trip | ~2m in | Fairfax Drive

Turn left onto Fairfax Drive

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

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.

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

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

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$17.44 one way

$34.87 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 39 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.34	$19.06	$38.13
premium	$4.70	$20.64	$41.27
diesel	$5.61	$24.62	$49.24

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$17

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$42–$67

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 39 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	33.4	$11.71	$5.35
Efficient EV	27.9	$9.76	$4.46
EV Truck/SUV	44.6	$15.61	$7.14

Gas CO2

39 kg

EV CO2

13 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.

Forecast as of Apr 20, 2026

Origin

Arlington, VA

Late night in Arlington on Tuesday

Local time

4:46 AM

EDT

Current temp

67°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Pantops, VA

Late night in Pantops on Tuesday

Local time

4:46 AM

EDT

Current temp

84°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

17 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

2h 34m 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.

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 84.6

Caution: 4/13/26 Fire ban in effect

Caution: Parking at Boundary Access Areas

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 ~54 min detour Free near mile 19.2

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

The character of this drive is best described as turn-heavy and local, suggesting a route that frequently transitions between different road types rather than a steady highway cruise. With only 27% of the route on highways, you'll spend a significant portion on local roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 33.8 miles along North Seminole Trail, offering a bit of sustained driving before potential turns. This profile indicates a drive where you'll be actively managing speed and direction more often than on a pure interstate experience, requiring your attention throughout.

Only 27% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.

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

Longest single stretch: 33.8 mi on North Seminole Trail.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

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 0.7 miles in near Fairfax Drive.

Driving Effort 9/10

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 13 significant decision points across 111.5 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 0.7 miles (Fairfax Drive): Lane positioning matters here; 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.

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 Pantops, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Warrenton along the way.

Warrenton

28.8 mi in | ~38m

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 2h 34m. Total distance: 111.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 33.8 miles on North Seminole Trail. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

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 Pantops, 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.

Yes — Shenandoah National Park and Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Pantops, 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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

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

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse VA road trips.

Trip from Arlington, VA to Pantops, 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

Pastry Xpo Cafe

Pastry Xpo Cafe

My Cravingz Bakery Cafe

Le Pain Quotidien

FIREFLY Restaurant + Game Room

East West Cafe

Gallery Cafe at Ballston

C & O Restaurant

Bostan Uyghur Cuisine

Tesla Supercharger

Tesla Destination Charger

Blink Charging Station

Blink Charging Station

Tesla Destination Charger

Tesla Supercharger

EV Connect Charging Station

Tesla Destination Charger

The Jeff Hotel

The Draftsman, Charlottesville, University, Autograph Collection Hotel

Little Mod Hotel

Gnade Hotel

Virginia Guesthouse Hotel

Hotel

O'Brien's Irish Pub and Restaurant

Long Branch Nature Center & Park

Museum of Culpeper History

Mountain Run Winery

Shirlington Park

Virginia Highlands Park

Hidden Oaks Nature Center

Bonds Escape Room - Fairfax

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Arlington, VA

Pantops, VA

Same local time

17 degrees warmer at arrival

2h 34m on the road

National Parks Near This Route

Shenandoah National Park

Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

About the Cities

Starting in Arlington, VA

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Are there national parks near this route?

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

How this page is built

Explore More

Continue From Pantops, VA

More from Arlington, VA

More trips to Pantops, VA