Collinsville, VA to Arlington, VA is 282.1 miles and takes about 5h 31m via I 81 and I 66, with a fuel budget near $43 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Virginia, moving from the Southeast region to the Southeast region. The route is predominantly highway driving, making it a straightforward trip for a single day. With only one recommended stop and a relatively short duration, it's an efficient way to cover the distance.
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
141.1 miles from Collinsville, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 51m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 81
143.6 mi
2h 35m
I 66
70.5 mi
1h 20m
Virgil H Goode Highway
35.4 mi
50m
US 220
13.1 mi
15m
Roy L. Webber Expressway
10 mi
13m
Virginia Avenue
7.4 mi
10m
Wilson Boulevard
0.5 mi
1m
South Daniel Creek Road
0.4 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 143.6 mi, about 2h 35m
Traffic on I-81
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 75 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,703 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,270
Quietest
2 AM
~248 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 Collinsville, VA and Arlington, VA.
1
Start on SR 609
0.4 mi·1 min·South Daniel Creek Road
2
Turn left onto US 220 BUS
1.9 mi·2 min·Virginia Avenue
Use the left lane.
3
Take the ramp onto US 220 BUS
0.2 mi·29 sec·US 220 BUS
Toward US 220 North: Roanoke
4
Merge onto US 220
5.6 mi·7 min·Virginia Avenue
Toward US 220 North: Roanoke
5
Continue on US 220
12 mi·16 min·Virgil H Goode Highway
6
Keep slight left at fork onto US 220
23 mi·33 min·Virgil H Goode Highway
Toward US 220 NorthUse the straight lane.
7
Continue on US 220
10.0 mi·13 min·Roy L. Webber Expressway
Toward US 220 NorthUse the straight lane.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto US 220
13 mi·15 min·US 220
Exit 1NToward I 81 North, US 220 North: LexingtonUse the straight lane.
9
Continue on I 81
65 mi·1 hr 9 min·I 81
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
79 mi·1 hr 26 min·I 81
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi·47 sec
Toward I 66 East: Front Royal, Washington
12
Continue on I 66
43 mi·46 min·I 66
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 66
28 mi·34 min·I 66
Use the straight lane.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·31 sec
Exit 71Toward VA 120, VA 237Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on Fairfax Drive
0.1 mi·24 sec·Fairfax Drive
16
Turn right onto VA 120
0.2 mi·32 sec·North Glebe Road
Use the right lane.
17
Turn slight left onto Wilson Boulevard
0.5 mi·1 min·Wilson Boulevard
Use the left lane.
18
Arrive at destination
Wilson Boulevard
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 31m estimated drive time, leaving Collinsville in the morning should allow you to reach Arlington with plenty of daylight. The $43 fuel cost is an estimate, so keep an eye on your gauge, especially during the longest stretch on I 81. With only one recommended stop and an 84% highway profile, you have flexibility in planning your breaks. Consider a brief stop around the halfway point to stretch your legs before the final push.
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 141.1 miles from Collinsville, VA, or about 2h 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 143.6 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 62 miles or 1h 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 141.1 miles or 2h 51m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 30m
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 Collinsville, 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 Collinsville, VA
This is one driving day of about 282.1 miles and 5h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 miles from Collinsville, 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 81 for about 143.6 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 20.4 and 281.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
20.4 mi into trip|~29m in|US 220 / Virgil H Goode Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto US 220 / Virgil H Goode Highway toward US 220 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward US 220 North
9
53.4 mi into trip|~1h 16m in|US 220
Keep slight right at fork onto US 220 toward I 81 North, US 220 North: Lexington
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Exit 1N
Toward I 81 North, US 220 North: Lexington
6
253.2 mi into trip|~4h 54m in|I 66
Keep slight right at fork onto I 66
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
281 mi into trip|~5h 28m in
Take the exit toward VA 120, VA 237
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 71
Toward VA 120, VA 237
6
281.4 mi into trip|~5h 29m in|VA 120 / North Glebe Road
Turn right onto VA 120 / North Glebe Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.65 one way
$83.30 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg99 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$45.77
$91.54
premium
$4.49
$49.89
$99.78
diesel
$4.80
$53.27
$106.53
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 98.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
84.6
1
$29.62
$13.54
Efficient EV
70.5
0
$24.68
$11.28
EV Truck/SUV
112.8
1
$39.49
$18.05
Gas CO2
99 kg
EV CO2
33 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 18, 2026
Origin
Collinsville, VA
Morning
in Collinsville on Sunday
Local time
10:42 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Mostly Cloudy
NE 1 mph8% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Arlington, VA
Morning
in Arlington on Sunday
Local time
10:42 AM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Smoke
SE 5 mph17% 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
5h 31m 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.
Cedar Creek & Belle Grove National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley has a long and rich heritage that still inspires today. Native Americans first shaped the land, followed by colonists and settlers. The fertile valley became an important...
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...
10 mi from route
~25 min detour
Free
near mile 29.2
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...
16 mi from route
~39 min detour
$30
near mile 175.1
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 262.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll be on the highway for about 84% of this 282.1-mile drive. The longest continuous stretch without needing to exit is 143.6 miles on I 81. After that, you'll transition to surface roads, including Virgil H Goode Highway, for the remaining portion of the trip. Expect a good amount of highway cruising and frequent exits as you approach your destination.
84% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 143.6 mi on I 81.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and I 66. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 20.4 miles in near US 220 / Virgil H Goode Highway.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 282.1 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 20.4 miles (US 220 / Virgil H Goode Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 53.4 miles (US 220): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 253.2 miles (I 66): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,619 ft229 ft
Total Climb
1,271 ft
Total Descent
1,825 ft
Highest Point
1,619 ft
~120.9 mi in
Elevation Range
1,390 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 Collinsville, VA to Arlington, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Washington 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 5h 31m. Total distance: 282.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (84%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 143.6 miles on I 81. 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 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. 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 20.4 miles (US 220 / Virgil H Goode Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 53.4 miles (US 220): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 253.2 miles (I 66): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Cedar Creek & Belle Grove National Historical Park, Booker T Washington National Monument and Shenandoah National Park (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 11.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Arlington, VA before the return drive.
