If you are planning a trip from Arlington to Timberlake, Virginia, prepare for a 184.5-mile journey that typically takes about 4 hours and 2 minutes to complete. This drive is perfectly suited as a one-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay unless you prefer a slower pace. Budgeting around $30 for fuel should cover your travel costs comfortably. Since both cities are located within the Southeast region, you will remain within the familiar landscape of Virginia for the duration of the trip. Navigating the route requires patience, as you will start by transitioning through North Glebe Road and Fairfax Drive before hopping onto I-66. Ultimately, this journey is a straightforward trek that serves as a practical connection between these two points.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
92.2 miles from Arlington, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 5m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 29
63.9 mi
1h 18m
North Seminole Trail
33.8 mi
47m
Custis Memorial Parkway
27.5 mi
34m
James Madison Highway
23.3 mi
30m
Richmond Highway
10.8 mi
13m
Lee Highway
10.6 mi
15m
James Monroe Highway
7.8 mi
9m
Eastern Bypass
2.6 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
US 29
— 63.9 mi, about 1h 18m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Arlington, VA and Timberlake, 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
24 mi·29 min·Custis Memorial Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 43AToward US 29 South: Gainesville, WarrentonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward US 29 South: Gainesville, WarrentonUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto US 29
11 mi·15 min·Lee Highway
Use the left lane.
10
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
11
Merge onto US 15; US 17; US 29
2.6 mi·3 min·Eastern Bypass
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on US 15; US 17; US 29
5.1 mi·7 min·James Madison Highway
13
Keep slight left at fork onto US 15; US 29
18 mi·23 min·James Madison Highway
14
Continue on US 29
7.8 mi·9 min·James Monroe Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on US 29
34 mi·47 min·North Seminole Trail
16
Continue on US 29
0.3 mi·41 sec·Emmet Street North
Use the straight lane.
17
Take the exit onto US 29
63 mi·1 hr 17 min·US 29
Toward US 29 South, US 250 West
18
Keep slight right at fork onto US 29
0.6 mi·1 min·US 29
Toward US 29 South, US 460 West: Lynchburg, Danville
19
Merge onto US 29; US 460
11 mi·13 min·Richmond Highway
20
Take the exit
0.4 mi·47 sec
Toward US 460 Business East
21
Continue on US 460 BUS
0.6 mi·1 min·Timberlake Road
22
Arrive at destination
US 460 BUS
Trip Plan
Because this is a 4-hour, 2-minute trip without the aid of major highways, timing your departure is critical to avoid unnecessary congestion on local roads. Plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh, as the turn-heavy nature of the route can be more fatiguing than a standard interstate cruise. Since you are looking at a $30 fuel budget, it is wise to fill up before you leave Arlington to avoid fluctuating local pump prices along the way. Keep a close eye on your navigation, especially during the initial transition from North Glebe Road to Fairfax Drive, as the local road layout requires frequent adjustments. Taking advantage of the route's flexibility allows you to pace your travel comfortably while managing the technical demands of the drive.
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 92.2 miles from Arlington, VA, or about 2h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 63.9 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 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 92.2 miles or 2h 5m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Timberlake, 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 184.5 miles and 4h 2m.
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 US 29 for about 63.9 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 4.6 and 172 — 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
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
8
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
6
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
6
172 mi into trip|~3h 46m in|US 29
Keep slight right at fork onto US 29 toward US 29 South, US 460 West: Lynchburg, Danville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 29 South, US 460 West: Lynchburg, Dan...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.85 one way
$57.70 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg65 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$31.55
$63.09
premium
$4.70
$34.15
$68.29
diesel
$5.61
$40.74
$81.47
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 64.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
55.4
0
$19.37
$8.86
Efficient EV
46.1
0
$16.14
$7.38
EV Truck/SUV
73.8
0
$25.83
$11.81
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 Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Arlington, VA
Late night
in Arlington on Tuesday
Local time
5:08 AM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Timberlake, VA
Late night
in Timberlake on Tuesday
Local time
5:08 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°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
5 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
4h 2m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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 82.7
On April 9, 1865, the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia in the McLean House in the village of Appomattox Court House, Virginia signaled the effective end of the nation's largest war. Question...
16 mi from route
~40 min detour
Free
near mile 171.7
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 19.1
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...
30 mi from route
~74 min detour
Free
near mile 184.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. Unlike a monotonous interstate slog, this route features a 0% highway share, placing you squarely on local roads for the entirety of the 184.5-mile distance. Because the path relies on intricate turns rather than long, straight highway stretches, you will find the driving experience to be much more technical and engaging. Your hands will stay busy on the steering wheel as you navigate the transition from the bustling streets of Arlington toward the quieter surroundings of Timberlake. It is a drive that rewards drivers who prefer staying off major interstates in favor of a more involved, hands-on journey.
50% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 63.9 mi on US 29.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 4.6 miles in near I 66 / Custis Memorial Parkway.
Driving Effort10/10
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 14 significant decision points across 184.5 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 28.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 29.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
684 ft242 ft
Total Climb
777 ft
Total Descent
465 ft
Highest Point
684 ft
~131.8 mi in
Elevation Range
442 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 Timberlake, VA, road signs point toward Warrenton and Danville.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 2m. Total distance: 184.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 63.9 miles on US 29. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Timberlake, 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.
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 28.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 29.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Shenandoah National Park, Appomattox Court House National Historical Park and Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Timberlake, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
