Traveling from Highland Springs to McLean covers 114 miles and typically takes 2 hours and 15 minutes. This journey is a straightforward trek across the Southeast region of Virginia, making it an ideal day trip that doesn't require an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via I-95, the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, and the Capital Beltway. With a fuel budget of approximately $18, this route is quite economical for a quick transit between the two areas. Since the entire trip stays within Virginia, you won't need to worry about crossing state lines or adjusting for regional differences. It is a practical, efficient drive that gets you from point A to point B without any necessary stops.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
57 miles from Highland Springs, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 4m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
82.3 mi
1h 33m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
10.9 mi
11m
Capital Beltway
9.5 mi
11m
North Airport Drive
2.1 mi
3m
Dolley Madison Boulevard
1.7 mi
4m
East Nine Mile Road
0.7 mi
1m
Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
0.6 mi
<1m
Old Dominion Drive
0.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 82.3 mi, about 1h 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Highland Springs, VA and McLean, VA.
1
Start on South Holly Avenue
30 ft·4 sec·South Holly Avenue
2
Turn right onto VA 33
0.7 mi·1 min·East Nine Mile Road
3
Turn left onto VA 156
2.1 mi·3 min·North Airport Drive
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·45 sec
Toward I 295: Charlottesville, Washington
5
Merge onto I 295
11 mi·11 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
6
Take the exit
2.4 mi·2 min
Exit 43AToward I 95 North: WashingtonUse the slight left lane.
7
Merge onto I 95
46 mi·49 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 95; US 17
1.6 mi·1 min·I 95; US 17
9
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
10
Merge onto I 95
35 mi·41 min·I 95
Use the slight left lane.
11
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.
12
Take the exit
1.4 mi·1 min
Exit 170BToward I 495 North: Tysons CornerUse the slight right lane.
13
Merge onto I 495
1.0 mi·1 min·Capital Beltway
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 495
8.5 mi·10 min·Capital Beltway
Use the straight lane.
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi·53 sec
Exit 46BToward VA 123 North: McLeanUse the slight right lane.
16
Turn straight onto VA 123
1.7 mi·4 min·Dolley Madison Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
17
Turn right onto VA 309
0.5 mi·1 min·Old Dominion Drive
Use the right lane.
18
Turn sharp left onto Elm Street
101 ft·2 sec·Elm Street
19
Arrive at destination
Elm Street
Trip Plan
Because this drive is relatively short, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though avoiding peak traffic on the Capital Beltway is always a smart move. Since the trip covers 114 miles without any mandatory stops, you can easily complete the drive in one go, saving you the hassle of planning breaks. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before merging onto the I-95 stretch, as the longest 82.3-mile segment offers fewer opportunities for quick exits. Given the $18 estimated fuel cost, filling up before you leave Highland Springs ensures you won't have to worry about finding gas in high-traffic zones. Plan your arrival to account for potential congestion as you approach the McLean area, which can fluctuate based on the time of day.
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 57 miles from Highland Springs, VA, or about 1h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 82.3 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 25 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 57 miles or 1h 4m 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 46m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near McLean, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Highland Springs, 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 Highland Springs, VA
This is one driving day of about 114 miles and 2h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Highland Springs, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 95 for about 82.3 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 14.1 and 111.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
14.1 mi into trip|~17m 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
99.8 mi into trip|~1h 54m 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...
7
100.4 mi into trip|~1h 55m in
Take the exit toward I 495 North: Tysons Corner
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 170B
Toward I 495 North: Tysons Corner
6
102.8 mi into trip|~1h 58m in|I 495 / Capital Beltway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 495 / Capital Beltway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
111.4 mi into trip|~2h 8m in
Take the exit toward VA 123 North: McLean
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 46B
Toward VA 123 North: McLean
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.83 one way
$35.65 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg40 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$19.49
$38.98
premium
$4.70
$21.10
$42.20
diesel
$5.61
$25.17
$50.34
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 39.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
34.2
0
$11.97
$5.47
Efficient EV
28.5
0
$9.98
$4.56
EV Truck/SUV
45.6
0
$15.96
$7.30
Gas CO2
40 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (68% 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
Highland Springs, VA
Morning
in Highland Springs on Tuesday
Local time
6:38 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
McLean, VA
Morning
in McLean on Tuesday
Local time
6:38 AM
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
5 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 15m 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.
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!
24 mi from route
~60 min detour
Free
near mile 114
Caution: Great Allegheny Passage Erosion Near Confluence, Pennsylvania (Mile Marker 56)
Park Closure: Trail Closure at Veterans Park at Balls Bluff (Leesburg, Virginia)
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 72% of this trip is spent on major thoroughfares. The most significant portion of your journey involves an 82.3-mile uninterrupted stretch along I-95, which defines the bulk of your time behind the wheel. You will find that the road remains consistent and fast-paced, shifting from the open interstate into the more complex, high-traffic environment of the Capital Beltway. This is not a scenic, winding backroad adventure, but rather a functional, high-speed transit route. Be prepared to maintain focus as you transition from the relative openness of the highway into the busier, more congested regions surrounding your destination.
72% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 82.3 mi on I 95.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 14.1 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 16 significant decision points across 114 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 14.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 99.8 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 100.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Highland Springs, VA to McLean, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Tysons Corner along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 15m. Total distance: 114 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 15m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (72%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 82.3 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 McLean, 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. There are 1 rest area along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 14.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 99.8 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 100.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail and Petersburg National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at McLean, VA before heading back.
