Origin
Farmville, VA
Late night in Farmville on Sunday
Local time
4:02 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Farmville, VA to Arlington, VA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 29m
Distance
166.1 mi
267 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 17m
★
6 AM
3h 30m
8 AM
3h 54m
10 AM
3h 38m
12 PM
3h 36m
3 PM
3h 39m
5 PM
3h 53m
8 PM
3h 22m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Farmville, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Arlington, VA
Dominik Gryzbon
Trip Overview
Farmville, VA to Arlington, VA is 166.1 miles and takes about 3h 29m via Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike and I-95, with a fuel budget near $26 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within the Southeast region, primarily traversing Virginia. It's a largely highway-focused drive that should be manageable for most drivers in a single day. Given the relatively short duration, you'll likely find yourself with ample flexibility for your schedule.
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
83.1 miles from Farmville, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 49m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike | 51.8 mi | 57m |
| I 95 | 36.6 mi | 43m |
| Patrick Henry Highway | 17.2 mi | 21m |
| Hull Street Road | 14.2 mi | 20m |
| Powhite Parkway | 11.2 mi | 14m |
| Holly Farms Road | 9.3 mi | 12m |
| Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway | 8.7 mi | 10m |
| East 3rd Street | 6.7 mi | 9m |
Longest stretch:
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
— 51.8 mi, about 57m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Farmville, VA and Arlington, VA.
1
Start on this road
140 ft
·
12 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto US 460 BUS
6.7 mi
·
9 min
·
East 3rd Street
3
Turn left onto VA 307
9.3 mi
·
12 min
·
Holly Farms Road
4
Turn left onto US 360
17 mi
·
21 min
·
Patrick Henry Highway
5
Continue on US 360
14 mi
·
20 min
·
Hull Street Road
Use the straight lane.
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward VA 288 North: Powhite Parkway
7
Merge onto VA 288
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
World War II Veterans Memorial Highway
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Toward VA 76: Lucks Lane, Old Hundred Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward VA 76 Toll North: Powhite Parkway, Richmond
Use the slight right lane.
10
Merge onto VA 76
8.5 mi
·
10 min
·
Powhite Parkway
Use the straight lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto VA 76
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Powhite Parkway
Use the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto VA 76
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Powhite Parkway
Use the straight lane.
13
Merge onto I 195
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Beltline Expressway
Use the straight lane.
14
Keep slight right at fork
502 ft
·
12 sec
Toward I 95, I 64 East: Washington, Norfolk
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 95 North: Washington
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto I 95
52 mi
·
57 min
·
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 95; US 17
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
I 95; US 17
18
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi
·
1 min
19
Merge onto I 95
35 mi
·
41 min
·
I 95
Use the slight left lane.
20
Keep slight right at fork onto I 395
0.6 mi
·
52 sec
·
Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
Exit 170A; 170B
Toward I 395 North, I 495 North: Washington, Tysons Corner
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
21
Continue on I 395
8.1 mi
·
9 min
·
Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
Exit 170A
Toward I 395 North: Washington
Use the straight lane.
22
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
Exit 8A
Toward VA 27: Washington Boulevard, Columbia Pike
Use the slight right lane.
23
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
Toward VA 27 West: Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Washington Boulevard, Columbia Pike
Use the slight left lane.
24
Merge onto VA 27
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Washington Boulevard
Toward Columbia Pike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Turn left onto VA 237
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
10th Street North
26
Turn slight left
137 ft
·
8 sec
27
Turn left onto Wilson Boulevard
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Wilson Boulevard
28
Arrive at destination
Wilson Boulevard
Trip Plan
With a drive time under four hours, this trip is well-suited for a single day, allowing for a flexible departure. Consider leaving mid-morning to avoid the earliest rush and arrive in Arlington with plenty of afternoon time. The longest continuous stretch on the Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike is over 50 miles, so plan your fuel stops accordingly before you hit that segment. While the route is straightforward, always keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during longer highway portions. A good tip is to top off your tank before leaving Farmville to maximize your options.
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 83.1 miles from Farmville, VA, or about 1h 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 51.8 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 37 miles or 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 83.1 miles or 1h 49m 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 Farmville, 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 Farmville, VA
This is one driving day of about 166.1 miles and 3h 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from Farmville, 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 Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike for about 51.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
83 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 37 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 83.1 miles from Farmville, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 215 decision points cluster between mile 50 and 163.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
50 mi into trip
|
~1h 8m in
Keep slight right at fork toward VA 76 Toll North: Powhite Parkway, Richmond
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward VA 76 Toll North: Powhite Parkway, Richm...
8
64 mi into trip
|
~1h 27m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 95, I 64 East: Washington, Norfolk
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 95, I 64 East: Washington, Norfolk
9
154.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 11m 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
163 mi into trip
|
~3h 21m 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
163.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 22m 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
$25.97 one way
$51.95 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
58 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $28.40 | $56.80 |
| premium | $4.70 | $30.74 | $61.48 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $36.67 | $73.35 |
Estimated Tolls: $3.63
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
(51.8 mi)
$3.63
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
$26
Tolls
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 49.8 | 0 | $17.44 | $7.97 |
| Efficient EV | 41.5 | 0 | $14.53 | $6.64 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 66.4 | 0 | $23.25 | $10.63 |
Gas CO2
58 kg
EV CO2
19 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.
Destination
Arlington, VA
Late night in Arlington on Sunday
Local time
4:02 AM
EDT
Current temp
83°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
34 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 29m 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.
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
~45 min detour
Free
near mile 45.8
Park Closure: Eastern Front Tour Road south of Route 36 - Closed
Appomattox Court House National Historical Park
National Historical Park
On April 9, 1865, the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia in the McLean House in the village of Appomattox Court House, Virginia signaled the effective end of the nation's largest war. Question...
23 mi from route
~57 min detour
Free
View on nps.gov
Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail
National Scenic Trail
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 166.1
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway-focused, with a 61% highway share, meaning you'll spend a good portion of your time on faster-paced roads. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 51.8 miles on the Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike, offering a sustained period of consistent travel. Expect a mix of interstate cruising and potentially some stretches on Patrick Henry Highway, which may offer a slightly different driving experience. The overall character leans towards efficient travel rather than winding scenic byways.
61% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 51.8 mi on Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 50 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 21 significant decision points across 166.1 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 50 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 64 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 154.2 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Farmville, VA and Arlington, VA, road signs point toward Richmond, Norfolk and Tysons Corner.
Richmond
50 mi in
|
~1h 8m
Norfolk
64 mi in
|
~1h 27m
Tysons Corner
154.2 mi in
|
~3h 11m
|
via I 395
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 29m. Total distance: 166.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 29m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 51.8 miles on Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $3.63 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.
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 50 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 64 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 154.2 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, Appomattox Court House National Historical Park 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 7.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Arlington, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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