Spanning 175.8 miles from Lawrenceville to Arlington, this journey takes approximately 2 hours and 57 minutes to complete. Because the route relies on local roads rather than major interstates, it is best suited for a single-day trip rather than an overnight excursion. You can expect to spend about $28 on fuel, making it a budget-friendly way to navigate through Virginia. Moving from the Southeast region toward the Northern Virginia area, you will find this transition straightforward if you prefer staying off the highways. It is a practical, direct option for those who want to avoid the typical traffic patterns of high-speed transit corridors.
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
87.7 miles from Lawrenceville, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 49m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 85
56 mi
1h 6m
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
52.8 mi
58m
I 95
36.6 mi
43m
Old Stage Road
12.2 mi
17m
Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
8.7 mi
10m
Governor Harrison Parkway
2.9 mi
3m
Washington Boulevard
1.8 mi
3m
Lawrenceville Plank Road
1.3 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 85
— 56 mi, about 1h 6m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lawrenceville, VA and Arlington, VA.
1
Start on US 58 Business; VA 46
10 ft·5 sec·West Hicks Street
2
Turn left onto US 58 Business; VA 46
0.4 mi·1 min·North Main Street
3
Continue on US 58 Business
1.3 mi·2 min·Lawrenceville Plank Road
4
Take the ramp onto US 58 Business
0.2 mi·21 sec·US 58 Business
5
Merge onto US 58
2.9 mi·3 min·Governor Harrison Parkway
6
Turn left onto SR 712
12 mi·17 min·Old Stage Road
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·42 sec
8
Merge onto I 85
56 mi·1 hr 6 min·I 85
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
53 mi·58 min·Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 95; US 17
1.6 mi·1 min·I 95; US 17
11
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
12
Merge onto I 95
35 mi·41 min·I 95
Use the slight left lane.
13
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.
14
Continue on I 395
8.1 mi·9 min·Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
Exit 170AToward I 395 North: WashingtonUse the straight lane.
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi·49 sec
Exit 8AToward VA 27: Washington Boulevard, Columbia PikeUse the slight right lane.
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·45 sec
Toward VA 27 West: Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Washington Boulevard, Columbia PikeUse the slight left lane.
17
Merge onto VA 27
1.8 mi·3 min·Washington Boulevard
Toward Columbia PikeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Turn left onto VA 237
0.3 mi·1 min·10th Street North
19
Turn slight left
137 ft·8 sec
20
Turn left onto Wilson Boulevard
0.4 mi·1 min·Wilson Boulevard
21
Arrive at destination
Wilson Boulevard
Trip Plan
Since this is a sub-three-hour drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though planning for one strategic stop will help break up the technical nature of the local roads. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge early in the trip, as local routes may offer fewer high-capacity service stations than a major interstate. Given the turn-heavy profile, aim to travel during daylight hours to ensure better visibility for navigation. Use your single planned stop to check your route progress, as local road signage can occasionally be less intuitive than highway markers. Prioritize comfort and patience, as this route rewards a steady, consistent driving style over aggressive maneuvers.
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 87.7 miles from Lawrenceville, VA, or about 1h 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 56 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 39 miles or 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 87.7 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 52m
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 Lawrenceville, 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 Lawrenceville, VA
This is one driving day of about 175.5 miles and 3h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from Lawrenceville, 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 85 for about 56 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 73.2 and 173 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
73.2 mi into trip|~1h 32m in|I 95 / Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 / Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
163.6 mi into trip|~3h 15m 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
172.3 mi into trip|~3h 26m 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
172.7 mi into trip|~3h 27m 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...
6
173 mi into trip|~3h 27m in|VA 27 / Washington Boulevard
Merge onto VA 27 / Washington Boulevard toward Columbia Pike
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Columbia Pike
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.44 one way
$54.89 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg61 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$30.01
$60.02
premium
$4.70
$32.48
$64.96
diesel
$5.61
$38.75
$77.50
Estimated Tolls: $3.69
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
(52.8 mi)$3.69
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
$27
Tolls
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 61.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
52.7
0
$18.43
$8.42
Efficient EV
43.9
0
$15.36
$7.02
EV Truck/SUV
70.2
0
$24.57
$11.23
Gas CO2
61 kg
EV CO2
21 kg (66% 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 18, 2026
Origin
Lawrenceville, VA
Morning
in Lawrenceville on Sunday
Local time
8:53 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Arlington, VA
Morning
in Arlington on Sunday
Local time
8:53 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
23 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 34m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that prioritizes secondary roads over the monotony of an interstate grind. You will navigate via North Main Street, Lawrenceville Plank Road, and the Governor Harrison Parkway, keeping your steering wheel active throughout the journey. With a 0% highway share, the experience is entirely defined by local infrastructure, requiring your full attention as you transition between sections. The route lacks long, uninterrupted stretches, meaning you will stay engaged with the road's changing geometry from start to finish. This is a deliberate, hands-on driving experience that demands a steady pace rather than high-speed cruising.
85% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 56 mi on I 85.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 85 and Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 73.2 miles in near I 95 / Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike.
Driving Effort9/10
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 14 significant decision points across 175.5 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 73.2 miles (I 95 / Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 163.6 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 172.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
On the drive from Lawrenceville, VA to Arlington, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Tysons Corner along the way.
Tysons Corner
163.6 mi in|~3h 15m|via I 395
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 34m. Total distance: 175.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 56 miles on I 85. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $3.69 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.
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 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. There are 1 rest area along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 73.2 miles (I 95 / Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 163.6 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 172.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Arlington, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
