Arlington, VA to Windsor, VA is 178 miles and takes about 3h 39m via I 95 and Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway, with a fuel budget near $28 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Virginia, moving from the Southeast region of the state to another part of the Southeast. Given its relatively short distance and manageable duration, this route is ideal for a single-day excursion. The drive primarily uses surface roads, so expect a more local feel than a pure interstate experience. It's a straightforward trip for anyone needing to get from the Northern Virginia area down towards southeastern Virginia.
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
89 miles from Arlington, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 47m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
48.6 mi
53m
Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
42.2 mi
50m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
39.4 mi
42m
General Mahone Highway
14.3 mi
19m
County Drive
10.2 mi
15m
General Mahone Boulevard
8.4 mi
11m
Windsor Boulevard
6.6 mi
9m
North County Drive
2.4 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 48.6 mi, about 53m
Traffic on I-95
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 56 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,172 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,836
Quietest
2 AM
~455 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7×
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 Windsor, 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
39 mi·42 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi·56 sec
Exit 3AToward US 460 East: NorfolkUse the right lane.
14
Merge onto US 460
10 mi·15 min·County Drive
15
Continue on US 460
6.1 mi·8 min·General Mahone Highway
16
Continue on US 460
1.4 mi·2 min·North County Drive
17
Continue on US 460
6.2 mi·8 min·General Mahone Highway
18
Continue on US 460
1.1 mi·2 min·North County Drive
19
Continue on US 460
2.0 mi·2 min·General Mahone Highway
20
Continue on US 460
0.1 mi·9 sec·Mahone Highway
21
Continue on US 460
8.4 mi·11 min·General Mahone Boulevard
22
Continue on US 460
6.6 mi·9 min·Windsor Boulevard
23
Arrive at destination
US 460
Trip Plan
For this 178-mile drive, leaving Arlington, VA in the morning is recommended to avoid peak traffic, especially if heading south on I 95. With a duration of under four hours, you likely won't need extensive stops, but there's one recommended stop point. Keep an eye on your fuel, budgeting around $28, and consider filling up before you leave or at a convenient point along I 95. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility; you can depart later in the day if needed. Pay attention to the transition from highway to surface roads around the 48.6-mile mark on I 95, as this indicates a change in driving conditions.
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 89 miles from Arlington, VA, or about 1h 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 48.6 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 39 miles or 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 89 miles or 1h 47m 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 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Windsor, 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 178 miles and 3h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 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 48.6 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.3 and 135.6 — 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
6
45.7 mi into trip|~59m in|I 95
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
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
135.6 mi into trip|~2h 37m in
Take the exit toward US 460 East: Norfolk
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 3A
Toward US 460 East: Norfolk
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.31 one way
$56.62 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg62 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.41
$30.87
$61.74
premium
$4.78
$33.49
$66.98
diesel
$5.35
$37.49
$74.98
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 62.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
53.4
0
$18.69
$8.54
Efficient EV
44.5
0
$15.58
$7.12
EV Truck/SUV
71.2
0
$24.92
$11.39
Gas CO2
62 kg
EV CO2
21 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 May 24, 2026
Origin
Arlington, VA
Night
in Arlington on Wednesday
Local time
9:48 PM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Patchy Fog
NE 7 mph89% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued May 23 at 3:51PM EDT until May 24 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Destination
Windsor, VA
Night
in Windsor on Wednesday
Local time
9:48 PM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Chance Rain Showers
NE 1 mph32% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued May 23 at 3:51PM EDT until May 24 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
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
10 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
3h 39m 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...
9 mi from route
~21 min detour
Free
near mile 135
Park Closure: Eastern Front Tour Road south of Route 36 - Closed
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...
27 mi from route
~67 min detour
$15
near mile 165.7
Fort Monroe's story spans from prehistory to the 2000s. Kecoughtan Indians occupied Old Point Comfort before the arrival of English colonists. The first enslaved Africans arrived in 1619. Those escapi...
28 mi from route
~71 min detour
Free
near mile 178
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 covers 178 miles, with 27% on highways like I 95 and Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway. You'll encounter your longest stretch on I 95, spanning 48.6 miles. After the highway portions, you'll transition to surface roads for the majority of the trip. Be prepared for frequent exits and merges as you navigate through populated areas before reaching more open terrain.
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: 48.6 mi on I 95.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 178 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 45.7 miles (I 95): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
268 ft63 ft
Total Climb
252 ft
Total Descent
439 ft
Highest Point
268 ft
Elevation Range
205 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 Windsor, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk and Va Beach.
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 3h 39m. Total distance: 178 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 48.6 miles on I 95. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 16 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 Windsor, 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 16 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 45.7 miles (I 95): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Petersburg National Battlefield, Colonial National Historical Park and Fort Monroe National Monument (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Windsor, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
