Traveling from Colonial Beach to Arlington covers a 67.7-mile distance that typically takes about 1 hour and 46 minutes to complete. This route is perfectly suited for a one-day trip, allowing you to easily manage the journey without needing an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $11 for fuel, making this a very affordable excursion within Virginia. Because the trip is relatively short, you won't need to plan for any formal stops along the way. It functions best as a straightforward transit between the coast and the northern urban corridor, keeping you within the Southeast region for the entire duration.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
33.9 miles from Colonial Beach, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 50m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Nice Middleton Bridge
28.8 mi
42m
Branch Avenue
12.2 mi
16m
Windsor Drive
4.4 mi
6m
James Madison Parkway
4.1 mi
6m
Ridge Road
3.5 mi
4m
Washington Boulevard
2.1 mi
4m
McKinney Boulevard
1.8 mi
3m
Tetotum Road
1.6 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Nice Middleton Bridge
— 28.8 mi, about 42m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Colonial Beach, VA and Arlington, VA.
1
Start on Washington Avenue
32 ft·7 sec·Washington Avenue
2
Turn left onto VA 205Y
0.6 mi·1 min·Colonial Avenue
3
Turn right onto VA 205
1.8 mi·3 min·McKinney Boulevard
4
Continue on VA 205
3.5 mi·4 min·Ridge Road
5
Turn right onto VA 218
1.6 mi·2 min·Tetotum Road
6
Turn left onto VA 218
4.4 mi·6 min·Windsor Drive
7
Turn right onto US 301
4.1 mi·6 min·James Madison Parkway
8
Continue on US 301
29 mi·42 min·Nice Middleton Bridge
Use the straight lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto MD 5
12 mi·16 min·Branch Avenue
Toward MD 5 North: WashingtonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto MD 5
0.4 mi·38 sec·Branch Avenue
11
Take the exit onto MD 637
0.2 mi·28 sec·MD 637
Use the left lane.
12
Enter roundabout onto MD 637
129 ft·2 sec·Naylor Road
13
Continue on MD 637
381 ft·13 sec·Naylor Road
14
Enter roundabout onto MD 637
48 ft·0 sec·Naylor Road
15
Continue on MD 637
0.3 mi·50 sec·Naylor Road
16
Turn straight
295 ft·10 sec
17
Turn slight right onto Naylor Road Southeast
0.7 mi·1 min·Naylor Road Southeast
Use the straight / left lanes.
18
Turn left onto Marion Barry Avenue Southeast
1.2 mi·2 min·Marion Barry Avenue Southeast
Use the left lane.
19
Turn right onto Martin Luther King Junior Avenue Southeast
0.5 mi·53 sec·Martin Luther King Junior Avenue Southeast
20
Continue on 11th Street Southeast
0.3 mi·51 sec·11th Street Southeast
21
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·29 sec
Toward I 695 WestUse the left lane.
22
Merge onto I 695
1.1 mi·1 min·Southeast Freeway
23
Continue on I 395
0.7 mi·1 min·Southwest Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Continue on I 395
1.1 mi·2 min·Francis Case Memorial Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Continue on I 395; US 1
0.7 mi·55 sec·Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
26
Take the exit
0.2 mi·19 sec
Exit 8AToward VA 27: Pentagon South Parking, Washington Boulevard, South Arlington Ridge RoadUse the slight right lane.
27
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward VA 27 West: South Arlington Ridge Road
28
Merge onto VA 27
0.2 mi·24 sec·Washington Boulevard
29
Keep slight left at fork onto VA 27
1.8 mi·3 min·Washington Boulevard
Toward VA 27 West, VA 244 West: Columbia PikeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Turn left onto VA 237
0.3 mi·1 min·10th Street North
31
Turn slight left
137 ft·8 sec
32
Turn left onto Wilson Boulevard
0.4 mi·1 min·Wilson Boulevard
33
Arrive at destination
Wilson Boulevard
Trip Plan
Since this is a compact 67.7-mile journey, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though avoiding peak traffic hours is always wise when heading toward Arlington. Because the trip is designed to be completed in one go, you can easily handle the drive in under two hours without needing to schedule rest breaks. Ensure your tank is ready for the $11 fuel expenditure before leaving Colonial Beach to avoid any mid-trip inconveniences. Focus your attention on the transition between the Nice Middleton Bridge and the local road segments, as these areas require frequent turns. Embracing the route's local nature will make the transition from the coast to the city much smoother.
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 33.9 miles from Colonial Beach, VA, or about 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 28.8 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 15 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 33.9 miles or 50m 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 25m
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 Colonial Beach, VA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Colonial Beach, VA
This is one driving day of about 67.7 miles and 1h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 15 miles from Colonial Beach, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Nice Middleton Bridge for about 28.8 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 44.8 and 65.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
44.8 mi into trip|~1h 7m in|MD 5 / Branch Avenue
Keep slight left at fork onto MD 5 / Branch Avenue toward MD 5 North: Washington
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward MD 5 North: Washington
6
57.2 mi into trip|~1h 24m in|MD 637 / Naylor Road
Enter roundabout onto MD 637 / Naylor Road
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
6
60.3 mi into trip|~1h 32m in
Take the ramp toward I 695 West
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 695 West
8
64.1 mi into trip|~1h 38m in
Take the exit toward VA 27: Pentagon South Parking, Washington Boulevard, South Arlington Ridge Road
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: Pentagon South Parking, Washingto...
8
65.2 mi into trip|~1h 40m in|VA 27 / Washington Boulevard
Keep slight left at fork onto VA 27 / Washington Boulevard toward VA 27 West, VA 244 West: Columbia Pike
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward VA 27 West, VA 244 West: Columbia Pike
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$10.59 one way
$21.17 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg24 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$11.58
$23.15
premium
$4.70
$12.53
$25.06
diesel
$5.61
$14.95
$29.89
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$11
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$36–$61
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 23.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
20.3
0
$7.11
$3.25
Efficient EV
16.9
0
$5.92
$2.71
EV Truck/SUV
27.1
0
$9.48
$4.33
Gas CO2
24 kg
EV CO2
8 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 Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Colonial Beach, VA
Afternoon
in Colonial Beach on Tuesday
Local time
12:58 PM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Arlington, VA
Afternoon
in Arlington on Tuesday
Local time
12:58 PM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
1h 46m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention rather than a monotonous highway cruise. You will spend only 9% of your time on highways, as the route relies heavily on local roads like Branch Avenue and Windsor Drive. A significant portion of your travel—28.8 miles—will be spent on the Nice Middleton Bridge, which serves as the longest uninterrupted stretch of the trip. The road personality shifts from quiet coastal surroundings to the more complex navigation required as you approach the Arlington area. Prepare for a dynamic driving experience that prioritizes local navigation over high-speed interstate travel.
Only 9% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 28.8 mi on Nice Middleton Bridge.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 44.8 miles in near MD 5 / Branch Avenue.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 67.7 miles you will encounter 20 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 44.8 miles (MD 5 / Branch Avenue): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 57.2 miles (MD 637 / Naylor Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 60.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 46m. Total distance: 67.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 46m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 28.8 miles on Nice Middleton Bridge. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 44.8 miles (MD 5 / Branch Avenue): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 57.2 miles (MD 637 / Naylor Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 60.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Arlington, VA before heading back.
