Hurt, VA to Arlington, VA is 200.2 miles and takes about 4h 28m via US 29 and I-66, with a fuel budget near $31 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Virginia, moving from the Southeast region towards the more populated Northern Virginia area. You'll spend a good portion of your time on highways, making it a relatively straightforward drive. Considering the total distance and duration, this route is easily manageable as a single-day trip. It's a practical option if you need to get from Central Virginia to the DC suburbs efficiently.
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
100.1 miles from Hurt, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 12m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 29
70.7 mi
1h 27m
Seminole Trail
33.9 mi
48m
I 66
27.2 mi
33m
James Madison Highway
23.3 mi
30m
US 29 BUS
15.8 mi
21m
US 15
11.7 mi
17m
James Monroe Highway
7.7 mi
9m
Eastern Bypass
2.4 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
US 29
— 70.7 mi, about 1h 27m
Traffic on I-66
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 18 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~3,062 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~172 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
17.8×
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 Hurt, VA and Arlington, VA.
1
Start on Prospect Road
0.5 mi·1 min·Prospect Road
2
At end of road, turn right onto SR 924
0.6 mi·1 min·East Hurt Road
3
At end of road, turn left onto SR 668
0.2 mi·19 sec·Ricky Van Shelton Drive
4
Continue on Pittsylvania Avenue
0.5 mi·55 sec·Pittsylvania Avenue
5
Turn right onto 7th Street
1.0 mi·2 min·7th Street
6
Turn left onto US 29 BUS
1.9 mi·3 min·Main Street
7
Take the ramp onto US 29 BUS
16 mi·21 min·US 29 BUS
Toward US 29 North
8
Take the exit onto US 29
6.5 mi·8 min·US 29
Toward US 29 North, US 460 EastUse the straight lane.
9
Take the exit onto US 29
64 mi·1 hr 19 min·US 29
Toward US 29 North: Amherst, CharlottesvilleUse the slight right lane.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
11
Turn slight right onto US 29 BUS
144 ft·10 sec·Emmet Street North
12
Continue on US 29 BUS
0.5 mi·1 min·Emmet Street North
13
Continue on US 29
34 mi·48 min·Seminole Trail
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Continue on US 29
7.7 mi·9 min·James Monroe Highway
15
Continue on US 15; US 29
23 mi·30 min·James Madison Highway
16
Continue on US 15; US 17; US 29
2.4 mi·3 min·Eastern Bypass
17
Keep slight left at fork onto US 15; US 29
12 mi·17 min·US 15; US 29
Toward US 15 North, US 29 NorthUse the left / straight lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 66 East: WashingtonUse the slight right lane.
19
Merge onto I 66
27 mi·33 min·I 66
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi·31 sec
Exit 71Toward VA 120, VA 237Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on Fairfax Drive
0.1 mi·24 sec·Fairfax Drive
22
Turn right onto VA 120
0.2 mi·32 sec·North Glebe Road
Use the right lane.
23
Turn slight left onto Wilson Boulevard
0.5 mi·1 min·Wilson Boulevard
Use the left lane.
24
Arrive at destination
Wilson Boulevard
Trip Plan
For this 200.2-mile drive, leaving in the morning is your best bet to avoid potential evening traffic. Since it's a single-day trip of under five hours, you have flexibility with stops. There's only one recommended stop, so consider breaking it up with a brief pause around the halfway mark if needed. Keep an eye on your fuel; the estimated cost is $31, but it's always wise to start with a full tank. Be aware that the final stretch into Arlington can be busy, so plan accordingly for merging traffic.
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 100.1 miles from Hurt, VA, or about 2h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 70.7 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 44 miles or 1h in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 100.1 miles or 2h 12m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 40m
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 Hurt, 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 Hurt, VA
This is one driving day of about 200.2 miles and 4h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 miles from Hurt, 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 US 29 for about 70.7 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 20.5 and 199 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
20.5 mi into trip|~31m in|US 29
Take the exit onto US 29 toward US 29 North, US 460 East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward US 29 North, US 460 East
7
27 mi into trip|~39m in|US 29
Take the exit onto US 29 toward US 29 North: Amherst, Charlottesville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 29 North: Amherst, Charlottesville
8
159.3 mi into trip|~3h 33m in|US 15; US 29
Keep slight left at fork onto US 15; US 29 toward US 15 North, US 29 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left / straight lanes.
Toward US 15 North, US 29 North
6
170.9 mi into trip|~3h 50m in
Take the exit toward I 66 East: Washington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 66 East: Washington
8
199 mi into trip|~4h 25m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.56 one way
$59.11 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg70 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$32.48
$64.96
premium
$4.49
$35.41
$70.81
diesel
$4.80
$37.80
$75.60
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 70 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
60.1
0
$21.02
$9.61
Efficient EV
50.1
0
$17.52
$8.01
EV Truck/SUV
80.1
1
$28.03
$12.81
Gas CO2
70 kg
EV CO2
23 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.
Forecast as of Jul 19, 2026
Origin
Hurt, VA
Late night
in Hurt on Monday
Local time
4:09 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Partly Cloudy
SW 6 mph5% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Arlington, VA
Late night
in Arlington on Monday
Local time
4:09 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Mostly Cloudy
W 7 mph11% 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
4h 28m 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.
Shenandoah National Park
National Park
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...
14 mi from route
~35 min detour
$30
near mile 117.3
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...
16 mi from route
~40 min detour
Free
near mile 27.6
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!
22 mi from route
~55 min detour
Free
near mile 186.4
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly highway, with 63% of the route on major roads. You'll encounter the longest continuous stretch of highway at 70.7 miles on US 29. After that, expect a shift to surface roads as you approach your destination. Keep an eye out for frequent exits as you get closer to Arlington, indicating a more developed area.
63% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 70.7 mi on US 29.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 29 and Seminole Trail. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 20.5 miles in near US 29.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 200.2 miles you will encounter 14 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 20.5 miles (US 29): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 27 miles (US 29): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 159.3 miles (US 15; US 29): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
944 ft268 ft
Total Climb
858 ft
Total Descent
1,325 ft
Highest Point
944 ft
~14.3 mi in
Elevation Range
676 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 Hurt, VA to Arlington, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Charlottesville 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 4h 28m. Total distance: 200.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 28m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 70.7 miles on US 29. 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 20.5 miles (US 29): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 27 miles (US 29): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 159.3 miles (US 15; US 29): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Shenandoah National Park, Appomattox Court House National Historical Park and Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Arlington, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
