Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 13m
Distance
148.5 mi
239 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$23
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Gloucester Courthouse, VA
Phil Evenden
Arlington, VA
Dominik Gryzbon
Gloucester Courthouse, VA to Arlington, VA is 148.5 miles and takes about 3h 13m via I 95, with a fuel budget near $23 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily stays within Virginia, connecting the Southeast region from a more rural starting point to a more urban destination. Expect a mixed drive that balances highway speeds with some local road navigation. With only one recommended stop and a duration under four hours, this trip is easily manageable as a single-day journey. Consider this route if you need a straightforward connection between these two Virginia locations.
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
74.3 miles from Gloucester Courthouse, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 43m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 95 | 69.9 mi | 1h 19m |
| King William Road | 23.9 mi | 33m |
| King William Avenue | 12.7 mi | 17m |
| Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway | 8.7 mi | 10m |
| George Washington Memorial Highway | 8 mi | 10m |
| Dawn Boulevard | 6.8 mi | 9m |
| VA 14 | 5.6 mi | 8m |
| Buena Vista Road | 4.9 mi | 7m |
Step-by-step road directions between Gloucester Courthouse, VA and Arlington, VA.
Start on SR 1014
Turn left onto US 17 BUS; VA 14
Continue on US 17 BUS; VA 14
Turn left onto SR 616
Turn right onto US 17
Turn left onto VA 14
Continue on VA 14
At end of road, turn left onto VA 14; VA 33
Turn right onto VA 30
Continue on VA 30
Continue on VA 30
Continue on VA 30
Continue on VA 30
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 95
Keep slight right at fork onto I 95; US 17
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 95
Keep slight right at fork onto I 395
Continue on I 395
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto VA 27
Turn left onto VA 237
Turn slight left
Turn left onto Wilson Boulevard
Arrive at destination
Given the 3h 13m duration, departing in the morning from Gloucester Courthouse will allow you ample time to reach Arlington before evening. You'll want to factor in the $23 fuel cost, ensuring your tank is sufficiently full before heading out, as the longest stretch without a known break is nearly 70 miles on I 95. With only one recommended stop, plan your restroom and refreshment breaks strategically, perhaps around the halfway point or before merging onto the busiest sections of I 95. This route is designed for a single-day trip, so you have flexibility in when you depart and how you pace yourself.
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.
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 33 miles or 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 74.3 miles or 1h 43m 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 37m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Arlington, VA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Gloucester Courthouse, 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 Gloucester Courthouse, VA
This is one driving day of about 148.5 miles and 3h 13m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
74 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.
A short stop after about 33 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 74.3 miles from Gloucester Courthouse, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 95 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 69.9 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 146 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn left onto US 17 BUS; VA 14 / Main Street
Navigation decision point
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
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
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
Merge onto VA 27 / Washington Boulevard toward Columbia Pike
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$23.22 one way
$46.44 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $25.39 | $50.78 |
| premium | $4.70 | $27.48 | $54.97 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $32.79 | $65.57 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 52 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 44.6 | 0 | $15.59 | $7.13 |
| Efficient EV | 37.1 | 0 | $12.99 | $5.94 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 59.4 | 0 | $20.79 | $9.50 |
Gas CO2
52 kg
EV CO2
17 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Gloucester Courthouse on Sunday
Local time
3:57 AM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Partly Cloudy
Destination
Late night in Arlington on Sunday
Local time
3:57 AM
EDT
Current temp
83°F
Unavailable
53°F
Ashland, VA
74 mi in
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
National Historical Park
On May 13, 1607, Jamestown was established as the first permanent English settlement in North America. Three cultures came together – European, Virginia Indian and African–to create a new society that...
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!
National Monument
Fort Monroe's story spans from prehistory to the 2000s. Kecoughtan Indians occupied Old Point Comfort before the arrival of English colonists. The first enslaved Africans arrived in 1619. Those escapi...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
This journey offers a mixed drive, with 51% of the route on highways. You'll experience stretches of faster travel, including a significant 69.9-mile segment on I 95. The drive progresses from more localized roads around Gloucester Courthouse, transitioning onto King William Road and King William Avenue before merging onto the interstate. While the majority of the mileage is on I 95, be prepared for the initial and final portions to involve navigating through local traffic and roadways, offering a varied driving experience.
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 0.3 miles in near US 17 BUS; VA 14 / Main Street.
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 148.5 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 0.3 miles (US 17 BUS; VA 14 / Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 136.6 miles (I 395 / Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 145.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Gloucester Courthouse, VA to Arlington, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Tysons Corner along the way.
Tysons Corner
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 13m. Total distance: 148.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
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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