Embarking on a 177.5-mile journey from Courtland, VA, to Arlington, VA, will take approximately 3 hours and 31 minutes of driving time. This route is well-suited for a single-day trip, especially considering the estimated fuel cost of around $28. You'll be traveling through the Southeast region of Virginia for the entirety of your drive. The main roads you'll encounter include I-95, Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, and Jerusalem Plank Road, offering a varied driving experience. Plan for one planned stop along the way to break up the drive. This trip offers a straightforward path connecting two points within the state.
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
88.7 miles from Courtland, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 46m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
87.4 mi
1h 38m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
41.9 mi
45m
Jerusalem Plank Road
17.7 mi
24m
Plank Road
10.2 mi
13m
Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
8.7 mi
10m
Courtland Road
4.1 mi
5m
Washington Boulevard
1.8 mi
3m
Main Street
0.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 87.4 mi, about 1h 38m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Courtland, VA and Arlington, VA.
1
Start on US 58 BUS
0.7 mi·1 min·Main Street
2
Continue on VA 35
10 mi·13 min·Plank Road
3
Continue on VA 35
18 mi·24 min·Jerusalem Plank Road
4
Continue on VA 35
4.1 mi·5 min·Courtland Road
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward I 95 North: Petersburg
6
Merge onto I 95
5.1 mi·5 min·I 95
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 295
42 mi·45 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Toward I 295 North: Washington, Norfolk, WilliamsburgUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
2.4 mi·2 min
Exit 43AToward I 95 North: WashingtonUse the slight left lane.
9
Merge onto I 95
46 mi·49 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 95; US 17
1.6 mi·1 min·I 95; US 17
11
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
12
Merge onto I 95
35 mi·41 min·I 95
Use the slight left lane.
13
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.
14
Continue on I 395
8.1 mi·9 min·Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
Exit 170AToward I 395 North: WashingtonUse the straight lane.
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi·49 sec
Exit 8AToward VA 27: Washington Boulevard, Columbia PikeUse the slight right lane.
16
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.
17
Merge onto VA 27
1.8 mi·3 min·Washington Boulevard
Toward Columbia PikeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Turn left onto VA 237
0.3 mi·1 min·10th Street North
19
Turn slight left
137 ft·8 sec
20
Turn left onto Wilson Boulevard
0.4 mi·1 min·Wilson Boulevard
21
Arrive at destination
Wilson Boulevard
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour and 31-minute duration, this route is easily manageable as a single-day trip. Consider departing early in the morning to avoid potential traffic, especially as you approach the Northern Virginia area. With a total of 177.5 miles, pacing yourself with one stop is a good strategy. Keep an eye on your fuel, with an estimated cost of $28 for the trip. A specific tip for this route is to be aware of potential congestion on I-95 as you get closer to Arlington, as this is a heavily traveled corridor.
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 88.7 miles from Courtland, VA, or about 1h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 87.4 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 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 88.7 miles or 1h 46m 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 49m
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 Courtland, 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 Courtland, VA
This is one driving day of about 177.5 miles and 3h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from Courtland, 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 87.4 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 38.1 and 174.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
38.1 mi into trip|~51m in|I 295 / Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 295 / Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway toward I 295 North: Washington, Norfolk, Williamsburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 295 North: Washington, Norfolk, Willia...
7
79.9 mi into trip|~1h 36m in
Take the exit toward I 95 North: Washington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 43A
Toward I 95 North: Washington
9
165.6 mi into trip|~3h 13m 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
174.3 mi into trip|~3h 24m 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
174.7 mi into trip|~3h 24m 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
$27.76 one way
$55.51 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg62 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$30.35
$60.70
premium
$4.70
$32.85
$65.70
diesel
$5.61
$39.19
$78.38
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: 62.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
53.3
0
$18.64
$8.52
Efficient EV
44.4
0
$15.53
$7.10
EV Truck/SUV
71
0
$24.85
$11.36
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 Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Courtland, VA
Afternoon
in Courtland on Sunday
Local time
12:40 PM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Arlington, VA
Afternoon
in Arlington on Sunday
Local time
12:40 PM
EDT
Current temp
94°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 3 to 14 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
24 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 31m 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...
7 mi from route
~19 min detour
Free
near mile 36.7
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 177.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive presents a mixed profile, with 49% of the route being highway driving. You'll experience a significant stretch of 87.4 miles on I-95, which will likely feel like the most consistent part of the journey. Beyond the interstate, expect to navigate sections on Jerusalem Plank Road and the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, which may offer a different pace and feel. The character of the road shifts between faster highway speeds and potentially more varied local road conditions as you progress towards Arlington.
49% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 87.4 mi on I 95.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 38.1 miles in near I 295 / Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway.
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 13 significant decision points across 177.5 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 38.1 miles (I 295 / Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 79.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 165.6 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.
Between Courtland, VA and Arlington, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk, Williamsburg and Tysons Corner.
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 3h 31m. Total distance: 177.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 87.4 miles on I 95. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 1 rest area along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 38.1 miles (I 295 / Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 79.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 165.6 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.
Possible but tiring. At 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Arlington, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
