Origin
McLean, VA
Afternoon in McLean on Sunday
Local time
12:13 PM
EDT
Current temp
82°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from McLean, VA to East Highland Park, VA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 11m
Distance
106.8 mi
172 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$17
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 2m
★
6 AM
2h 11m
8 AM
2h 30m
10 AM
2h 18m
12 PM
2h 16m
3 PM
2h 19m
5 PM
2h 29m
8 PM
2h 6m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
McLean, VA
Wikimedia Commons
East Highland Park, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are planning a trip from McLean to East Highland Park, expect a journey covering 106.8 miles. You should budget approximately 2 hours and 11 minutes of driving time for this trek, making it an ideal candidate for a single-day trip. With a fuel cost estimate of $17, this route is quite affordable for a quick getaway. Because the path relies entirely on local roads rather than interstates, you won't need to worry about splitting the trip into multiple days. Both locations are situated within the Southeast region, ensuring a consistent climate and environment throughout your transit.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
53.4 miles from McLean, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 8m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 95 | 52.5 mi | 57m |
| Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway | 35.7 mi | 42m |
| Capital Beltway | 9.7 mi | 12m |
| Dolley Madison Boulevard | 2 mi | 4m |
| Azalea Avenue | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| Richmond Henrico Turnpike | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| East Laburnum Avenue | 1 mi | 2m |
| Chamberlayne Road | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 52.5 mi, about 57m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between McLean, VA and East Highland Park, VA.
1
Start on Elm Street
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
·
Elm Street
2
Turn left onto Beverly Road
365 ft
·
15 sec
·
Beverly Road
Use the left lane.
3
Turn right onto VA 309
0.3 mi
·
48 sec
·
Old Dominion Drive
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Turn left onto VA 123
2.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Dolley Madison Boulevard
Use the left lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward I 495 South
6
Merge onto I 495
9.7 mi
·
12 min
·
Capital Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 57A
Toward I 95 South: Richmond
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Toward I 95 South, SR 644 East: Richmond, Franconia
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
33 sec
Toward I 95 South: Richmond
10
Merge onto I 395
36 mi
·
42 min
·
Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
52 mi
·
57 min
·
I 95
Use the straight lane.
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
35 sec
Exit 82
Toward US 301: Chamberlayne Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
13
Turn straight onto US 301; VA 2
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Chamberlayne Road
14
Turn left onto Azalea Avenue
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Azalea Avenue
Use the straight lane.
15
Turn right onto Richmond Henrico Turnpike
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Richmond Henrico Turnpike
Use the straight / left / slight right / right lanes.
16
Turn left onto SR 7555
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
East Laburnum Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
17
Turn right onto Fenwick Street
56 ft
·
2 sec
·
Fenwick Street
18
Arrive at destination
Fenwick Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a straightforward 2-hour and 11-minute drive with no formal stops required, you have plenty of flexibility in your scheduling. Aim to depart during off-peak hours to avoid potential congestion on the local roads that make up this route. While the $17 fuel estimate is modest, it is wise to ensure your tank is topped off before leaving, as navigating local turns can sometimes be less fuel-efficient than steady highway driving. Stay alert for frequent changes in speed limits and intersections along Beverly Road and Old Dominion Drive. Keep your navigation system active, as the turn-heavy nature of this route makes it easy to miss a turn in a residential or local commercial area.
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 53.4 miles from McLean, VA, or about 1h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 52.5 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 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 53.4 miles or 1h 8m 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 45m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near East Highland Park, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving McLean, 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 McLean, VA
This is one driving day of about 106.8 miles and 2h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from McLean, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 95 for about 52.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
53 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 23 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 53.4 miles from McLean, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 155 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 101.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Beverly Road
Turn left onto Beverly Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
12.6 mi into trip
|
~19m in
Take the exit toward I 95 South: Richmond
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 57A
Toward I 95 South: Richmond
8
13.1 mi into trip
|
~20m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 South, SR 644 East: Richmond, Franconia
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 95 South, SR 644 East: Richmond, Franc...
6
49.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 3m in
|
I 95
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
101.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 1m in
Take the exit toward US 301: Chamberlayne Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 82
Toward US 301: Chamberlayne Avenue
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.70 one way
$33.40 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
37 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $18.26 | $36.52 |
| premium | $4.70 | $19.77 | $39.53 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $23.58 | $47.16 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.09
Richmond Henrico Turnpike
(1.3 mi)
$0.09
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
$17
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 37.4 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 | 32 | 0 | $11.21 | $5.13 |
| Efficient EV | 26.7 | 0 | $9.34 | $4.27 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 42.7 | 0 | $14.95 | $6.84 |
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.
Destination
East Highland Park, VA
Afternoon in East Highland Park on Sunday
Local time
12:13 PM
EDT
Current temp
60°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
22 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 11m 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!
23 mi from route
~58 min detour
Free
near mile 3.7
Caution: Great Allegheny Passage Erosion Near Confluence, Pennsylvania (Mile Marker 56)
Park Closure: Trail Closure at Veterans Park at Balls Bluff (Leesburg, Virginia)
Petersburg National Battlefield
National Battlefield
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...
27 mi from route
~68 min detour
Free
near mile 106.8
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. Unlike a monotonous interstate cruise, this route features zero highway miles, meaning you will navigate through local infrastructure for the duration of the 106.8-mile journey. You will spend your time navigating roads like Beverly Road, Old Dominion Drive, and Dolley Madison Boulevard. Because the route profile is technical and winding, the pace is dictated by local traffic and road geometry rather than high-speed cruising. Expect a hands-on driving experience where the road surface and navigation require constant engagement.
50% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 52.5 mi on I 95.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Beverly Road.
Driving Effort
9/10
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 15 significant decision points across 106.8 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 0.1 miles (Beverly Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 12.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 13.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
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 McLean, VA to East Highland Park, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Franconia along the way.
Franconia
13.1 mi in
|
~20m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 11m. Total distance: 106.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 11m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (50%). 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 52.5 miles on I 95. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.09 in tolls one way, starting with Richmond Henrico 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.
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 East Highland Park, 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 0.1 miles (Beverly Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 12.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 13.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 East Highland Park, VA before heading back.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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