This 183.6-mile journey from Onancock, VA to Arlington, VA is best tackled in a single day, taking approximately 4 hours and 17 minutes. You'll primarily navigate using Ocean Gateway and Ocean Highway, with a portion on John Hanson Highway. With a fuel cost estimated at $29, this trip is relatively budget-friendly. The route is characterized as a turn-heavy local drive, suggesting a need for attention rather than a relaxed cruise. As both your origin and destination are in the Southeast region, you'll remain within a familiar geographic and cultural area throughout the drive.
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
91.8 miles from Onancock, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 7m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Ocean Gateway
28.5 mi
39m
Ocean Highway
26.4 mi
36m
John Hanson Highway
24.3 mi
28m
Lankford Highway
23 mi
32m
Sussex Highway
19.3 mi
26m
Shore Highway
17.4 mi
24m
Salisbury Bypass
10.8 mi
12m
Seashore Highway
7.5 mi
9m
Longest stretch:
Ocean Gateway
— 28.5 mi, about 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Onancock, VA and Arlington, VA.
1
Start on this road
173 ft·17 sec·this road
2
At end of road, turn left onto Queen Street
0.1 mi·25 sec·Queen Street
3
Turn right onto VA 179
1.1 mi·2 min·Market Street
4
Turn left onto VA 126
1.4 mi·2 min·Fairgrounds Road
5
Enter roundabout onto Tasley Road
104 ft·1 sec·Tasley Road
6
Continue on Tasley Road
1.1 mi·1 min·Tasley Road
7
Turn left onto US 13
23 mi·32 min·Lankford Highway
8
Continue on US 13
26 mi·36 min·Ocean Highway
9
Continue on US 13
0.3 mi·22 sec·South Fruitland Boulevard
10
Keep slight left at fork onto US 13
11 mi·12 min·Salisbury Bypass
11
Take the exit onto US 13
0.3 mi·36 sec·US 13
Toward US 13 North, US 13 Business: Salisbury, Dover
12
Keep slight right at fork onto US 13
0.2 mi·27 sec·US 13
Toward US 13 North: Dover
13
Merge onto US 13
0.8 mi·1 min·North Salisbury Boulevard
14
Keep slight right at fork onto US 13
3.1 mi·3 min·North Salisbury Boulevard
15
Continue on US 13
19 mi·26 min·Sussex Highway
16
Take the exit
166 ft·5 sec
17
Continue on Rifle Range Road
0.1 mi·18 sec·Rifle Range Road
18
Turn right onto US 13 Business; DE 404 Business
1.0 mi·1 min·South Main Street
19
Turn left onto DE 404 Business
0.4 mi·45 sec·Market Street
20
Turn right onto DE 404 Business
7.5 mi·9 min·Seashore Highway
21
Continue on MD 404
17 mi·24 min·Shore Highway
22
Continue on MD 404
6.2 mi·8 min·Queen Anne Highway
23
Take the exit
527 ft·14 sec
24
Merge onto US 50
29 mi·39 min·Ocean Gateway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Continue on US 50; US 301; MD 2
24 mi·28 min·John Hanson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Continue on US 50
3.8 mi·7 min·New York Avenue Northeast
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Continue on US 50; US 1 Alternate
0.6 mi·1 min·New York Avenue Northwest
Use the left / straight lanes.
28
Turn slight right onto L Street Northwest
0.2 mi·40 sec·L Street Northwest
Use the right lane.
29
Turn left onto 7th Street Northwest
0.1 mi·22 sec·7th Street Northwest
30
Turn right onto K Street Northwest
0.1 mi·12 sec·K Street Northwest
31
Continue on New York Avenue Northwest
0.1 mi·14 sec·New York Avenue Northwest
32
Turn slight right onto I Street Northwest
0.7 mi·1 min·I Street Northwest
Use the straight / right lanes.
33
Turn left onto 17th Street Northwest
0.3 mi·35 sec·17th Street Northwest
Use the left lane.
34
Turn right onto New York Avenue Northwest
0.1 mi·20 sec·New York Avenue Northwest
35
Continue on E Street Northwest
0.2 mi·19 sec·E Street Northwest
36
Continue on E Street Expressway
0.3 mi·20 sec·E Street Expressway
37
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward I 66 West: Virginia
38
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 66 WestUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
39
Keep slight right at fork onto US 50
468 ft·5 sec·Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Bridge
Toward US 50 West: Arlington Boulevard, George Washington ParkwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
40
Continue on US 50
1.1 mi·1 min·Arlington Boulevard
Toward US 50 WestUse the straight / slight right lanes.
41
Take the exit
452 ft·11 sec
Toward North Courthouse Road, 10th Street NorthUse the slight right lane.
42
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward North Fairfax Drive, 10th Street NorthUse the slight left lane.
43
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·36 sec
Toward VA 237 West: 10th Street North, ClarendonUse the slight right lane.
44
Turn straight onto VA 237
0.6 mi·1 min·10th Street North
45
Turn slight left
137 ft·8 sec
46
Turn left onto Wilson Boulevard
0.4 mi·1 min·Wilson Boulevard
47
Arrive at destination
Wilson Boulevard
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour 17-minute duration, starting your drive from Onancock in the morning will allow you to reach Arlington with plenty of daylight. Plan for at least one stop to break up the 183.6 miles and manage the frequent turns. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you navigate the local roads, with an estimated cost of $29 for the trip. A key piece of advice for this route is to stay attentive to navigation, as the 'Turn-heavy local drive' profile means you'll be making numerous directional changes.
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 91.8 miles from Onancock, VA, or about 2h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 28.5 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 40 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 91.8 miles or 2h 7m 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 28m
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 Onancock, 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 Onancock, VA
This is one driving day of about 183.6 miles and 4h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 40 miles from Onancock, 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 Ocean Gateway for about 28.5 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 28
5 decision points cluster between mile 180.5 and 182.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
180.5 mi into trip|~4h 10m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 66 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 66 West
8
181 mi into trip|~4h 11m in|US 50 / Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Bridge
Keep slight right at fork onto US 50 / Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Bridge toward US 50 West: Arlington Boulevard, George Washington Parkway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 50 West: Arlington Boulevard, George...
7
182.2 mi into trip|~4h 12m in
Take the exit toward North Courthouse Road, 10th Street North
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 North Courthouse Road, 10th Street North
9
182.3 mi into trip|~4h 13m in
Keep slight left at fork toward North Fairfax Drive, 10th Street North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward North Fairfax Drive, 10th Street North
9
182.5 mi into trip|~4h 13m in
Keep slight right at fork toward VA 237 West: 10th Street North, Clarendon
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward VA 237 West: 10th Street North, Clarendo...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.71 one way
$57.42 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg64 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$31.39
$62.79
premium
$4.70
$33.98
$67.96
diesel
$5.61
$40.54
$81.07
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 64.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
55.1
0
$19.28
$8.81
Efficient EV
45.9
0
$16.06
$7.34
EV Truck/SUV
73.4
0
$25.70
$11.75
Gas CO2
64 kg
EV CO2
21 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 Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Onancock, VA
Morning
in Onancock on Tuesday
Local time
6:48 AM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Arlington, VA
Morning
in Arlington on Tuesday
Local time
6:48 AM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
64°F
Seaford, DE
92 mi in
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
14 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
4h 17m 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.
Assateague Island National Seashore
National Seashore
Want to live on the edge? Visit a place recreated each day by ocean wind and waves. Life on Assateague Island has adapted to an existence on the move. Explore sandy beaches, salt marshes, maritime for...
16 mi from route
~41 min detour
$25
near mile 25.3
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!
29 mi from route
~73 min detour
Free
near mile 183.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a driving experience that involves frequent turns and local road navigation, as indicated by the 'Turn-heavy local drive' profile. With a 0% highway share, this trip emphasizes local routes over high-speed interstates. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 28.5 miles on Ocean Gateway, providing a brief period of more consistent travel before the road winds through various communities. This route will likely feel more like a series of connected local journeys rather than a single, continuous highway passage.
Only 0% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
47 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 28.5 mi on Ocean Gateway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 180.5 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 28 significant decision points across 183.6 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 180.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 181 miles (US 50 / Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Bridge): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 182.2 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 Onancock, VA to Arlington, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Dover 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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 17m. Total distance: 183.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 17m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 28.5 miles on Ocean Gateway. 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 180.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 181 miles (US 50 / Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Bridge): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 182.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Assateague Island National Seashore and Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Arlington, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
