Traveling the 105.4 miles from Lexington to Arlington is a straightforward journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 28 minutes. Because this is a manageable distance, it works perfectly as a single-day trip, meaning you don't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $17 on fuel, making it a budget-friendly option for your transit across Virginia. The route navigates through the Southeast region, transitioning from the quieter atmosphere of Lexington toward the bustling environment of Arlington. Whether you are heading out for business or a quick getaway, this drive offers a practical connection between these two points. It is a reliable route that gets you where you need to be without requiring an extensive travel itinerary.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
52.7 miles from Lexington, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 17m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 66
27.2 mi
33m
Seminole Trail
24.1 mi
33m
James Madison Highway
23.3 mi
30m
US 15
11.7 mi
17m
James Monroe Highway
7.7 mi
9m
Frays Mill Road
2.7 mi
6m
Eastern Bypass
2.4 mi
3m
Frays Mountain Road
1.7 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 66
— 27.2 mi, about 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lexington, VA and Arlington, VA.
1
Start on SR 1540
433 ft·20 sec·Lexington Lane
2
Turn right onto SR 604
1.0 mi·1 min·Buffalo River Road
3
Turn left onto SR 664
1.7 mi·4 min·Frays Mountain Road
4
Turn left onto SR 743
1.5 mi·3 min·Advance Mills Road
5
At end of road, turn right onto SR 641
2.7 mi·6 min·Frays Mill Road
6
Turn left onto US 29
24 mi·33 min·Seminole Trail
7
Continue on US 29
7.7 mi·9 min·James Monroe Highway
8
Continue on US 15; US 29
23 mi·30 min·James Madison Highway
9
Continue on US 15; US 17; US 29
2.4 mi·3 min·Eastern Bypass
10
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.
11
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 66 East: WashingtonUse the slight right lane.
12
Merge onto I 66
27 mi·33 min·I 66
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·31 sec
Exit 71Toward VA 120, VA 237Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on Fairfax Drive
0.1 mi·24 sec·Fairfax Drive
15
Turn right onto VA 120
0.2 mi·32 sec·North Glebe Road
Use the right lane.
16
Turn slight left onto Wilson Boulevard
0.5 mi·1 min·Wilson Boulevard
Use the left lane.
17
Arrive at destination
Wilson Boulevard
Trip Plan
Since the trip is relatively short, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though you should keep an eye on traffic patterns as you approach the Arlington area. With no mandatory stops required for a drive of this length, you can easily complete the trip in one go, but feel free to pull over whenever you need a quick break. Given that the fuel cost is estimated at $17, it is a good idea to fill up before you leave Lexington to ensure you have enough range for the entire 105.4-mile trip. Pay close attention to the transition points between the James Madison Highway and I-66 to stay on track. Making this a direct drive allows you to maximize your time once you arrive at your destination.
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 52.7 miles from Lexington, VA, or about 1h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 27.2 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 23 miles or 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 52.7 miles or 1h 17m 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 3m
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 Lexington, 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 Lexington, VA
This is one driving day of about 105.4 miles and 2h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Lexington, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 66 for about 27.2 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 64.5 and 104.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
64.5 mi into trip|~1h 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
76.2 mi into trip|~1h 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
5
77 mi into trip|~1h 51m in|I 66
Merge onto I 66
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
8
104.3 mi into trip|~2h 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
6
104.7 mi into trip|~2h 26m 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
$16.48 one way
$32.96 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg37 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$18.02
$36.04
premium
$4.70
$19.51
$39.01
diesel
$5.61
$23.27
$46.54
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 36.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
31.6
0
$11.07
$5.06
Efficient EV
26.4
0
$9.22
$4.22
EV Truck/SUV
42.2
0
$14.76
$6.75
Gas CO2
37 kg
EV CO2
12 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 14, 2026
Origin
Lexington, VA
Morning
in Lexington on Sunday
Local time
6:25 AM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Arlington, VA
Morning
in Arlington on Sunday
Local time
6:25 AM
EDT
Current temp
88°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 6 to 15 mph9% 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
38 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
2h 28m on the road
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.
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 21.8
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
~54 min detour
Free
near mile 87.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip features a mixed-drive profile that keeps you engaged as you transition between different types of roads. You will spend roughly 37% of your time on highways, utilizing a combination of I-66, the Seminole Trail, and the James Madison Highway. While the journey involves varied road types, the longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 27.2-mile segment on I-66. Expect the driving experience to shift as you move from local highways onto the more structured interstate segments. This blend of road types ensures the drive feels dynamic rather than repetitive, requiring you to remain alert as you navigate the changing infrastructure.
37% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 27.2 mi on I 66.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 64.5 miles in near US 15; 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 105.4 miles you will encounter 10 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 64.5 miles (US 15; US 29): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 76.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 77 miles (I 66): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 28m. Total distance: 105.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 28m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (37%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 27.2 miles on I 66. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 64.5 miles (US 15; US 29): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 76.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 77 miles (I 66): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Shenandoah National Park and Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail. 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 Arlington, VA before heading back.
