Arlington, VA to Warsaw, VA is 107.8 miles and takes about 2h 23m via I 95, with a fuel budget near $17 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Virginia, moving from the bustling Southeast region to another part of the Southeast. The majority of this drive involves surface roads, offering a more local feel than a pure interstate experience. With a recommended single day for this trip, it's a manageable drive for a quick getaway or a commute to a different part of the state.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
53.9 miles from Arlington, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 9m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
42.2 mi
50m
Tidewater Trail
38.4 mi
49m
I 95
8.1 mi
9m
Mills Drive
7.4 mi
11m
Queen Street
6.6 mi
9m
North Glebe Road
2.4 mi
6m
Church Lane
0.7 mi
1m
Patriot Highway
0.6 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
— 42.2 mi, about 50m
Traffic on I-95
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 72 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~3,065 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~415 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 105 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 Warsaw, 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
8.1 mi·9 min·I 95
11
Take the exit onto US 17
0.3 mi·41 sec·US 17
Exit 126Toward US 1, US 17: SpotsylvaniaUse the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto US 17
261 ft·6 sec·US 17
Toward US 1 South, US 17 South: Spotsylvania, Spotsylvania Regional Medical CenterUse the straight / slight left / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto US 1; US 17
0.6 mi·1 min·Patriot Highway
Use the straight lane.
14
Turn left onto Mills Drive
0.3 mi·34 sec·Mills Drive
Use the left lane.
15
Turn left onto US 17
7.1 mi·10 min·Mills Drive
Use the left lane.
16
Continue on US 17
38 mi·49 min·Tidewater Trail
17
Continue on US 17
0.7 mi·1 min·Church Lane
18
Turn left onto US 360
6.6 mi·9 min·Queen Street
19
Turn left
114 ft·10 sec
20
Turn right
93 ft·6 sec
21
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 2h 23m estimated drive time, this is definitely a one-day trip. You could leave Arlington in the morning and arrive in Warsaw with plenty of daylight to spare. Since it's not an excessively long drive, you have flexibility in when you depart; consider leaving during off-peak hours to minimize traffic. While there are no specified stops, keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you move away from the major interstate sections. The $17 fuel cost is an estimate, so check current prices. A specific tip: pay attention to local speed limits once you are off I-95, as they can change frequently on surface roads.
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 53.9 miles from Arlington, VA, or about 1h 9m 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 24 miles or 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 53.9 miles or 1h 9m 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 56m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Warsaw, 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 107.8 miles and 2h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 miles from Arlington, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway for about 42.2 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.3 and 54.1 — 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
5
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.
8
53.7 mi into trip|~1h 9m in|US 17
Take the exit onto US 17 toward US 1, US 17: Spotsylvania
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 126
Toward US 1, US 17: Spotsylvania
8
54.1 mi into trip|~1h 9m in|US 17
Keep slight right at fork onto US 17 toward US 1 South, US 17 South: Spotsylvania, Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward US 1 South, US 17 South: Spotsylvania, S...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.12 one way
$34.25 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg38 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$18.67
$37.35
premium
$4.78
$20.29
$40.57
diesel
$6.18
$26.22
$52.45
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: 37.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
32.3
0
$11.32
$5.17
Efficient EV
27
0
$9.43
$4.31
EV Truck/SUV
43.1
0
$15.09
$6.90
Gas CO2
38 kg
EV CO2
13 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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Arlington, VA
Morning
in Arlington on Monday
Local time
10:27 AM
EDT
Current temp
42°F
Mostly Clear
N 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Coastal Flood Watch
Coastal Flood Watch issued October 18 at 9:56PM EDT until October 21 at 10:00AM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Coastal Flood Watch
Coastal Flood Watch issued October 18 at 9:56PM EDT until October 21 at 10:00AM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Destination
Warsaw, VA
Morning
in Warsaw on Monday
Local time
10:27 AM
EDT
Current temp
39°F
Clear
N 6 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Coastal Flood Watch
Coastal Flood Watch issued October 18 at 9:56PM EDT until October 21 at 10:00AM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Coastal Flood Watch
Coastal Flood Watch issued October 18 at 9:56PM EDT until October 21 at 10:00AM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
44°F
Fredericksburg, VA
54 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
3 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
2h 23m 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.
George Washington Birthplace National Monument
National Monument
George Washington Birthplace National Monument is located in the Northern Neck of Virginia. It encompasses 551 acres of land where seven generations of the Washington family lived and where George Was...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 85.5
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 highway share of 8%, meaning most of your driving will be on surface roads. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 42.2 miles on Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway before transitioning. Expect frequent exits and intersections as you navigate through populated areas and then transition to more rural cruising. The profile is mostly surface roads, so plan for traffic lights and varying speed limits.
Only 8% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 42.2 mi on Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway.
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 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 17 significant decision points across 107.8 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 3.5 miles (I 395 / Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
268 ft24 ft
Total Climb
520 ft
Total Descent
650 ft
Highest Point
268 ft
Elevation Range
244 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 Warsaw, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center 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,...
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 23m. Total distance: 107.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 42.2 miles on Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 5 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 Warsaw, 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. There are 5 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 3.5 miles (I 395 / Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — George Washington Birthplace National Monument 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 Warsaw, VA before heading back.
