Hillsville, VA to Arlington, VA is 309.9 miles and takes about 5h 48m via I-81, I-77, and I-66, with a fuel budget near $48 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Virginia, moving from the Southeast region to the Southeast region. Given its mostly highway profile, this is a straightforward drive that should be manageable in a single day. Consider this route if you're looking for an efficient way to cover ground between these two points in the Old Dominion.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
155 miles from Hillsville, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 53m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 81
217.8 mi
3h 59m
I 66
70.5 mi
1h 20m
I 77
16.7 mi
19m
Carrollton Pike
1.4 mi
2m
West Stuart Drive
0.9 mi
2m
Wilson Boulevard
0.5 mi
1m
I 64
0.3 mi
<1m
North Glebe Road
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 217.8 mi, about 3h 59m
Traffic on I-81
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 101 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,711 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,272
Quietest
2 AM
~251 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hillsville, VA and Arlington, VA.
1
Start on US 221; US 58 BUS
0.9 mi·2 min·West Stuart Drive
2
Continue on US 221; US 58 BUS
1.4 mi·2 min·Carrollton Pike
3
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward I 77 North: Wytheville
4
Merge onto I 77
17 mi·19 min·I 77
5
Take the exit
0.4 mi·56 sec
Toward I 81 North: RoanokeUse the slight right lane.
6
Merge onto I 81; US 11
139 mi·2 hr 33 min·I 81; US 11
Toward I 81 North, US 11 North: RoanokeUse the straight lane.
7
Continue on I 64; I 81
0.3 mi·17 sec·I 64; I 81
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
79 mi·1 hr 26 min·I 81
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi·47 sec
Toward I 66 East: Front Royal, Washington
10
Continue on I 66
43 mi·46 min·I 66
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 66
28 mi·34 min·I 66
Use the straight lane.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·31 sec
Exit 71Toward VA 120, VA 237Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on Fairfax Drive
0.1 mi·24 sec·Fairfax Drive
14
Turn right onto VA 120
0.2 mi·32 sec·North Glebe Road
Use the right lane.
15
Turn slight left onto Wilson Boulevard
0.5 mi·1 min·Wilson Boulevard
Use the left lane.
16
Arrive at destination
Wilson Boulevard
Trip Plan
For this 5-hour, 48-minute drive, leaving in the morning is your best bet to maximize daylight and avoid potential rush hour traffic closer to Arlington. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $48, you can plan for a relatively uninterrupted drive. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before entering longer stretches like the 217.8 miles on I-81. Since this is a single-day trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time slightly based on weather or traffic conditions.
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 155 miles from Hillsville, VA, or about 2h 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 217.8 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 68 miles or 1h 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 155 miles or 2h 53m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 42m
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 Hillsville, 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 Hillsville, VA
This is one driving day of about 309.9 miles and 5h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 68 miles from Hillsville, 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 81 for about 217.8 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 19.3 and 309.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
19.3 mi into trip|~24m in
Take the exit toward I 81 North: Roanoke
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 81 North: Roanoke
7
19.8 mi into trip|~24m in|I 81; US 11
Merge onto I 81; US 11 toward I 81 North, US 11 North: Roanoke
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 81 North, US 11 North: Roanoke
6
281 mi into trip|~5h 11m in|I 66
Keep slight right at fork onto I 66
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
308.8 mi into trip|~5h 45m in
Take the exit toward VA 120, VA 237
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 71
Toward VA 120, VA 237
6
309.2 mi into trip|~5h 46m in|VA 120 / North Glebe Road
Turn right onto VA 120 / North Glebe Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$45.75 one way
$91.51 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg108 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$50.28
$100.56
premium
$4.49
$54.81
$109.61
diesel
$4.80
$58.51
$117.03
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$46
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 108.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
93
1
$32.54
$14.88
Efficient EV
77.5
0
$27.12
$12.40
EV Truck/SUV
124
1
$43.39
$19.83
Gas CO2
108 kg
EV CO2
36 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Hillsville, VA
Late night
in Hillsville on Sunday
Local time
3:00 AM
EDT
Current temp
88°F
Patchy Smoke
S 3 mph12% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Arlington, VA
Late night
in Arlington on Sunday
Local time
3:00 AM
EDT
Current temp
90°F
Smoke
NW 5 mph0% 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
2 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
5h 48m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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.
Cedar Creek & Belle Grove National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley has a long and rich heritage that still inspires today. Native Americans first shaped the land, followed by colonists and settlers. The fertile valley became an important...
2 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 235.1
Just 75 miles from the bustle of Washington, D.C., Shenandoah National Park is a land bursting with cascading waterfalls, spectacular vistas, fields of wildflowers, and quiet wooded hollows. With over...
16 mi from route
~39 min detour
$30
near mile 203.1
Booker T. Washington was born a slave in April 1856 on the 207-acre farm of James Burroughs. After the Civil War, Washington became the first principal of Tuskegee Normal and Industrial School. Later...
20 mi from route
~51 min detour
Free
near mile 85.5
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!
23 mi from route
~57 min detour
Free
near mile 299.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll be on highways for 99% of this 309.9-mile trip. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 217.8 miles on I-81. Expect a predominantly highway experience with a high concentration of exits and on-ramps for much of the drive. Surface roads will only become a factor in the final miles.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 217.8 mi on I 81.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and I 66. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 19.3 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 309.9 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 19.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 19.8 miles (I 81; US 11): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 281 miles (I 66): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,511 ft173 ft
Total Climb
421 ft
Total Descent
2,663 ft
Highest Point
2,511 ft
Elevation Range
2,338 ft
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 Hillsville, VA to Arlington, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Washington along the way.
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.
Top landmarks
•The Pentagon — headquarters of the United States Department of Defense; named after the shape o...
•Arlington National Cemetery — national cemetery in Virginia, United States
•Marine Corps War Memorial — monument consisting of a large sculptural group on a circular base in Arlington,...
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 48m. Total distance: 309.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (99%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 217.8 miles on I 81. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 19.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 19.8 miles (I 81; US 11): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 281 miles (I 66): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Cedar Creek & Belle Grove National Historical Park, Shenandoah National Park and Booker T Washington National Monument (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.8 hours each way, a round trip means 11.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Arlington, VA before the return drive.
