Bensley, VA to Arlington, VA is 114.9 miles and takes about 2h 19m via Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike and I-95, with a fuel budget near $18 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route is a straightforward, highway-focused drive connecting two points within the Southeast region of Virginia. Given its relatively short duration and predominantly highway profile, it's an ideal option for a single-day trip. You'll spend most of your time on major interstates, so expect consistent speed and minimal detours. Plan for this to be a functional journey rather than a scenic adventure.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
57.4 miles from Bensley, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 8m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
63.3 mi
1h 12m
I 95
36.6 mi
43m
Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
8.7 mi
10m
Washington Boulevard
1.8 mi
3m
Wilson Boulevard
0.4 mi
1m
Route 1
0.3 mi
<1m
10th Street North
0.3 mi
1m
Pocahontas Parkway
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
— 63.3 mi, about 1h 12m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bensley, VA and Arlington, VA.
1
Start on this road
237 ft·17 sec·this road
2
Turn right
306 ft·24 sec
3
Turn right
444 ft·34 sec
4
Turn right onto US 1; US 301
0.3 mi·29 sec·Route 1
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward VA 150 South: Richmond International
6
Continue on VA 150
0.3 mi·19 sec·Pocahontas Parkway
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi·39 sec
Toward I 95: Richmond, PetersburgUse the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 95 North: RichmondUse the slight left lane.
9
Merge onto I 95
11 mi·13 min·Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
Use the straight lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
53 mi·58 min·Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 95; US 17
1.6 mi·1 min·I 95; US 17
12
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
13
Merge onto I 95
35 mi·41 min·I 95
Use the slight left lane.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 395
0.6 mi·52 sec·Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
Exit 170A; 170BToward I 395 North, I 495 North: Washington, Tysons CornerUse the straight / slight left lanes.
15
Continue on I 395
8.1 mi·9 min·Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
Exit 170AToward I 395 North: WashingtonUse the straight lane.
16
Take the exit
0.4 mi·49 sec
Exit 8AToward VA 27: Washington Boulevard, Columbia PikeUse the slight right lane.
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·45 sec
Toward VA 27 West: Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Washington Boulevard, Columbia PikeUse the slight left lane.
18
Merge onto VA 27
1.8 mi·3 min·Washington Boulevard
Toward Columbia PikeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Turn left onto VA 237
0.3 mi·1 min·10th Street North
20
Turn slight left
137 ft·8 sec
21
Turn left onto Wilson Boulevard
0.4 mi·1 min·Wilson Boulevard
22
Arrive at destination
Wilson Boulevard
Trip Plan
Since this 114.9-mile trip can be completed in under 2.5 hours, you have considerable flexibility with your departure time. Leaving Bensley, VA in the morning or early afternoon should allow you to reach Arlington, VA with ample daylight. The estimated fuel cost is around $18, so factor that into your budget. Given the minimal stops and highway-focused nature, you won't need to plan for extensive breaks, though rest areas are available along I-95 if needed. A practical tip: be aware that I-95 can experience significant traffic congestion, especially during peak commuting hours, so consider this when choosing your departure time.
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 57.4 miles from Bensley, VA, or about 1h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 63.3 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 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 57.4 miles or 1h 8m 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 51m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Arlington, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Bensley, 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 Bensley, VA
This is one driving day of about 114.9 miles and 2h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Bensley, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike for about 63.3 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.9 and 112.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
0.9 mi into trip|~2m in
Take the exit toward I 95: Richmond, Petersburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 95: Richmond, Petersburg
7
1.3 mi into trip|~3m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 North: Richmond
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 95 North: Richmond
9
103 mi into trip|~2h 1m in|I 395 / Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 395 / Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway toward I 395 North, I 495 North: Washington, Tysons Corner
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Exit 170A; 170B
Toward I 395 North, I 495 North: Washington, Ty...
8
111.7 mi into trip|~2h 12m in
Take the exit toward VA 27: Washington Boulevard, Columbia Pike
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 8A
Toward VA 27: Washington Boulevard, Columbia Pi...
8
112.1 mi into trip|~2h 12m in
Keep slight left at fork toward VA 27 West: Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Washington Boulevard, Columbia Pike
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward VA 27 West: Joint Base Myer-Henderson Ha...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.97 one way
$35.94 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg40 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$19.65
$39.29
premium
$4.70
$21.27
$42.53
diesel
$5.61
$25.37
$50.74
Estimated Tolls: $4.43
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
(63.3 mi)$4.43
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Tolls
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 40.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
34.5
0
$12.06
$5.52
Efficient EV
28.7
0
$10.05
$4.60
EV Truck/SUV
46
0
$16.09
$7.35
Gas CO2
40 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (68% 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 17, 2026
Origin
Bensley, VA
Morning
in Bensley on Sunday
Local time
7:51 AM
EDT
Current temp
87°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Arlington, VA
Morning
in Arlington on Sunday
Local time
7:51 AM
EDT
Current temp
82°F
Mostly Sunny
NW 10 mph1% 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
5 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 19m 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...
18 mi from route
~44 min detour
Free
Park Closure: Eastern Front Tour Road south of Route 36 - Closed
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!
29 mi from route
~73 min detour
Free
near mile 114.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 87% of the journey taking place on major roadways like the Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike and I-95. You'll encounter one long stretch of 63.3 miles on the Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike, offering a consistent pace for a significant portion of the trip. The Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway continues this high-speed theme as you approach your destination. Expect a driving experience characterized by smooth, fast travel with limited transitions to slower local roads.
87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 63.3 mi on Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike and I 95. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.9 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 16 significant decision points across 114.9 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 0.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 103 miles (I 395 / Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Bensley, VA to Arlington, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Tysons Corner along the way.
Tysons Corner
103 mi in|~2h 1m|via I 395
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 19m. Total distance: 114.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 63.3 miles on Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $4.43 in tolls one way, starting with Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
Yes — we found about 1 rest area or service plaza 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 Arlington, 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 1 rest area along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 103 miles (I 395 / Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Petersburg National Battlefield 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 Arlington, VA before heading back.
