Arlington, VA to West Point, VA is 127.3 miles and takes about 2h 43m via Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway and I-95, with a fuel budget near $21 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Virginia, connecting two points in the Southeast region. You'll spend a good portion of your time on surface roads, so expect a more local feel than a pure interstate cruise. With only one recommended stop and a relatively short duration, this is a straightforward drive for a single day.
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
63.7 miles from Arlington, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 19m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
42.2 mi
50m
I 95
36 mi
39m
King William Road
23.9 mi
33m
King William Avenue
12.7 mi
17m
Dawn Boulevard
6.8 mi
9m
North Glebe Road
2.4 mi
6m
Kings Dominion Boulevard
1.6 mi
2m
North Oakland Street
0.4 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
— 42.2 mi, about 50m
Traffic on I-95
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 43 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~2,899 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,485
Quietest
2 AM
~419 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 West Point, 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
36 mi·39 min·I 95
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Exit 98Toward VA 30: Doswell, West Point, Kings DominionUse the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·22 sec
13
Turn left onto VA 30
1.6 mi·2 min·Kings Dominion Boulevard
14
Continue on VA 30
6.8 mi·9 min·Dawn Boulevard
15
Continue on VA 30
10 mi·14 min·King William Avenue
16
Continue on VA 30
24 mi·33 min·King William Road
17
Continue on VA 30
2.2 mi·3 min·King William Avenue
18
Continue on Main Street
0.4 mi·58 sec·Main Street
19
Arrive at destination
Main Street
Trip Plan
Given the 2 hour 43 minute drive time, leaving Arlington, VA in the morning will give you plenty of time to reach West Point, VA before evening. While the route is not excessively long, planning for one stop is recommended, especially if you want to break up the drive. The fuel cost is estimated at $21, so ensure your tank is adequately filled before departing, as services can be more spread out on surface roads. Pay attention to posted speed limits as you move from highway sections to local roads, particularly on King William Road.
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 63.7 miles from Arlington, VA, or about 1h 19m 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 28 miles or 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 63.7 miles or 1h 19m 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 11m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near West Point, 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 127.3 miles and 2h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 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 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.3 and 81.9 — 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
81.6 mi into trip|~1h 39m in
Take the exit toward VA 30: Doswell, West Point, Kings Dominion
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 98
Toward VA 30: Doswell, West Point, Kings Domini...
5
81.9 mi into trip|~1h 39m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.79 one way
$37.59 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg45 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$20.65
$41.31
premium
$4.49
$22.51
$45.03
diesel
$4.80
$24.04
$48.07
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 44.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
38.2
0
$13.37
$6.11
Efficient EV
31.8
0
$11.14
$5.09
EV Truck/SUV
50.9
0
$17.82
$8.15
Gas CO2
45 kg
EV CO2
15 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 Jul 19, 2026
Origin
Arlington, VA
Morning
in Arlington on Sunday
Local time
7:28 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Mostly Cloudy
W 7 mph11% chanceLive forecast
Destination
West Point, VA
Morning
in West Point on Sunday
Local time
7:28 AM
EDT
Current temp
76°F
Mostly Cloudy
SW 6 mph14% 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.
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
2 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 43m 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.
Colonial National Historical Park
National Historical Park
On May 13, 1607, Jamestown was established as the first permanent English settlement in North America. Three cultures came together – European, Virginia Indian and African–to create a new society that...
23 mi from route
~58 min detour
$15
near mile 127.3
Park Closure: Jamestown Island Loop Drive to Temporarily Close to Vehicles
Park Closure: Rehabilitation of Colonial Parkway Continues
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?
About 28% of this route is on highways, with the longest highway stretch covering 42.2 miles on Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway. The majority of your driving will be on surface roads, indicated by the "Mostly surface roads" profile. Be prepared for more frequent intersections and potentially slower speeds as you transition from highway cruising to navigating local streets. The shift from the interstate to King William Road means you'll be navigating a different type of traffic.
Only 28% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
19 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?
6/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 3.3 miles in.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 127.3 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
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 ft9 ft
Total Climb
217 ft
Total Descent
476 ft
Highest Point
268 ft
Elevation Range
259 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 West Point, VA, road signs point toward Point and Kings Dominion.
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,...
Highlands is a city in Orange County in New York state. It is home to the United States Military Academy at West Point.
Highlands includes the villages of Fort Montgomery and Highlands Falls.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 43m. Total distance: 127.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 43m 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 11 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 West Point, 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 11 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 — Colonial National Historical 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 West Point, VA before heading back.
