Orange, VA to Arlington, VA is 83.9 miles and takes about 1h 54m via US 15 and I-66, with a fuel budget near $13 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route primarily stays within the Southeast region, taking you from one part of Virginia to another. You'll experience a highway-focused drive, making it a straightforward trip for a single day. Given its relatively short duration, this journey is ideal for those looking for an efficient transfer between locations rather than an extended exploration. Plan for a quick and uncomplicated transit.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
41.9 miles from Orange, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 57m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 15
35.2 mi
48m
I 66
27.2 mi
33m
James Madison Highway
15.8 mi
22m
Eastern Bypass
2.4 mi
3m
North Madison Road
1.1 mi
1m
Wilson Boulevard
0.5 mi
1m
North Glebe Road
0.2 mi
<1m
Fairfax Drive
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
US 15
— 35.2 mi, about 48m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Orange, VA and Arlington, VA.
1
Start on VA 20 BUS
110 ft·6 sec·East Main Street
2
Turn right onto US 15
1.1 mi·1 min·North Madison Road
3
Continue on US 15
16 mi·22 min·James Madison Highway
4
Take the ramp onto US 15
24 mi·30 min·US 15
Toward US 15 North, US 29 North
5
Continue on US 15; US 17; US 29
2.4 mi·3 min·Eastern Bypass
6
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.
7
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 66 East: WashingtonUse the slight right lane.
8
Merge onto I 66
27 mi·33 min·I 66
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·31 sec
Exit 71Toward VA 120, VA 237Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on Fairfax Drive
0.1 mi·24 sec·Fairfax Drive
11
Turn right onto VA 120
0.2 mi·32 sec·North Glebe Road
Use the right lane.
12
Turn slight left onto Wilson Boulevard
0.5 mi·1 min·Wilson Boulevard
Use the left lane.
13
Arrive at destination
Wilson Boulevard
Trip Plan
With a total drive time of under two hours, this trip is easily manageable in a single day, offering flexibility in your departure time. Aim to leave Orange, VA with a full tank of gas, as the $13 fuel estimate suggests a fairly economical journey. While the drive is short, consider a brief stop if needed, but the longest stretch without a major road change is only 35.2 miles, so extensive breaks aren't necessary. Keep an eye out for the transition from US 15 to I-66; this is where the driving character shifts significantly, so be prepared for the change in speed and traffic.
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 41.9 miles from Orange, VA, or about 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 35.2 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 18 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 41.9 miles or 57m 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 37m
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 Orange, VA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Orange, VA
This is one driving day of about 83.9 miles and 1h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Orange, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 15 for about 35.2 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 8
5 decision points cluster between mile 17 and 83.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
17 mi into trip|~24m in|US 15
Take the ramp onto US 15 toward US 15 North, US 29 North
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 15 North, US 29 North
8
43 mi into trip|~58m 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
54.6 mi into trip|~1h 15m 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
82.7 mi into trip|~1h 51m 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
83.2 mi into trip|~1h 52m 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
$13.12 one way
$26.24 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg29 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$14.35
$28.69
premium
$4.70
$15.53
$31.06
diesel
$5.61
$18.52
$37.05
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 29.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
25.2
0
$8.81
$4.03
Efficient EV
21
0
$7.34
$3.36
EV Truck/SUV
33.6
0
$11.75
$5.37
Gas CO2
29 kg
EV CO2
10 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 17, 2026
Origin
Orange, VA
Afternoon
in Orange on Sunday
Local time
12:10 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Mostly Clear
N 3 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Arlington, VA
Afternoon
in Arlington on Sunday
Local time
12:10 PM
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
27 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
1h 54m 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.
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!
22 mi from route
~54 min detour
Free
near mile 66.5
Caution: Great Allegheny Passage Erosion Near Confluence, Pennsylvania (Mile Marker 56)
Park Closure: Trail Closure at Veterans Park at Balls Bluff (Leesburg, Virginia)
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway-focused, with 74% of the journey utilizing major roadways. You'll encounter stretches along US 15, including a significant uninterrupted segment of 35.2 miles, before transitioning to I-66. Expect a relatively fast pace for much of the trip, characterized by the efficiency of interstate travel. While the primary roads are highways, the initial portion on US 15, also known as James Madison Highway, might offer a slightly different feel before merging into the faster-paced interstate system. The character is one of directness and speed.
74% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
13 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 35.2 mi on US 15.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 15 and I 66. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 17 miles in near US 15.
Driving Effort5/10
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 83.9 miles you will encounter 8 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 17 miles (US 15): Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 43 miles (US 15; US 29): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 54.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
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 1h 54m. Total distance: 83.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 54m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (74%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 35.2 miles on US 15. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 17 miles (US 15): Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 43 miles (US 15; US 29): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 54.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail and Shenandoah National Park. 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.
