Radford, VA to Arlington, VA is 268.8 miles and takes about 5h 6m via I 81 and I 66, with a fuel budget near $41 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Virginia, moving from the Southeast region towards the Washington D.C. metro area. Given its profile, this drive is mostly highway, making it a straightforward option for a single-day trip. You'll cover a significant distance with minimal deviation, so it's a good choice if you want to reach your destination efficiently.
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
134.4 miles from Radford, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 34m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 81
190.8 mi
3h 30m
I 66
70.5 mi
1h 20m
Tyler Road
2.2 mi
3m
Tyler Avenue
2 mi
3m
Grove Avenue
0.8 mi
1m
West Main Street
0.6 mi
1m
Wilson Boulevard
0.5 mi
1m
North Glebe Road
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 190.8 mi, about 3h 30m
Traffic on I-81
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 89 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,718 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,244
Quietest
2 AM
~248 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Radford, VA and Arlington, VA.
1
Start on Berkley Street
93 ft·4 sec·Berkley Street
2
Turn right onto Arlington Avenue
0.2 mi·35 sec·Arlington Avenue
3
Turn slight right onto VA 232
0.6 mi·1 min·West Main Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
4
Turn slight right onto Grove Avenue
0.8 mi·1 min·Grove Avenue
5
Turn right onto VA 177
2.0 mi·3 min·Tyler Avenue
6
Continue on VA 177
2.2 mi·3 min·Tyler Road
7
Turn left
0.2 mi·32 sec
Use the left lane.
8
Merge onto I 81
112 mi·2 hr 4 min·I 81
Use the straight lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
79 mi·1 hr 26 min·I 81
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi·47 sec
Toward I 66 East: Front Royal, Washington
11
Continue on I 66
43 mi·46 min·I 66
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 66
28 mi·34 min·I 66
Use the straight lane.
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
With a drive time of just over five hours, this route is easily completed in a single day. Leaving Radford early in the morning, around 8 AM, should get you to Arlington by mid-afternoon, avoiding the worst of rush hour traffic. You'll have one recommended stop, which can be a good opportunity to refuel or stretch your legs, especially considering the longest stretch is nearly 200 miles on I 81. The estimated fuel cost is $41, so ensure your tank is full before departing or plan your stop accordingly. Since it's a manageable drive, you have flexibility to adjust your timing as needed.
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 134.4 miles from Radford, VA, or about 2h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 190.8 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 59 miles or 1h 11m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 134.4 miles or 2h 34m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 8m
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 Radford, 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 Radford, VA
This is one driving day of about 268.8 miles and 5h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 miles from Radford, 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 81 for about 190.8 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 5.7 and 268.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
5.7 mi into trip|~11m in
Turn left
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
6 mi into trip|~12m in|I 81
Merge onto I 81
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
239.9 mi into trip|~4h 29m in|I 66
Keep slight right at fork onto I 66
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
267.7 mi into trip|~5h 3m 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
268.1 mi into trip|~5h 4m 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
$39.69 one way
$79.37 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg94 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$43.61
$87.22
premium
$4.49
$47.54
$95.07
diesel
$4.80
$50.75
$101.51
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 94 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
80.6
0
$28.22
$12.90
Efficient EV
67.2
0
$23.52
$10.75
EV Truck/SUV
107.5
1
$37.63
$17.20
Gas CO2
94 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Radford, VA
Morning
in Radford on Sunday
Local time
6:05 AM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Patchy Fog
0 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 1:18AM EDT by NWS Morristown TN
Destination
Arlington, VA
Morning
in Arlington on Sunday
Local time
6:05 AM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Smoke
S 5 mph17% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 1:18AM EDT by NWS Morristown TN
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
5 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
5h 6m 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.
Cedar Creek & Belle Grove National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley has a long and rich heritage that still inspires today. Native Americans first shaped the land, followed by colonists and settlers. The fertile valley became an important...
2 mi from route
~4 min detour
Free
near mile 194.7
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...
15 mi from route
~39 min detour
$30
near mile 157.6
Booker T. Washington was born a slave in April 1856 on the 207-acre farm of James Burroughs. After the Civil War, Washington became the first principal of Tuskegee Normal and Industrial School. Later...
21 mi from route
~52 min detour
Free
near mile 46.3
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!
22 mi from route
~54 min detour
Free
near mile 250.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is 97% highway, meaning you'll spend most of your time on interstates. The longest continuous stretch on I 81 is 190.8 miles, so expect long periods of cruising before encountering surface roads. The transition to Tyler Road occurs near the end of your drive, marking the shift from high-speed travel to local streets. Be prepared for frequent exits as you approach the Washington D.C. metropolitan area.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 190.8 mi on I 81.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and I 66. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 5.7 miles in.
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 268.8 miles you will encounter 11 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 5.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 6 miles (I 81): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 239.9 miles (I 66): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,860 ft268 ft
Total Climb
872 ft
Total Descent
2,464 ft
Highest Point
1,860 ft
Elevation Range
1,592 ft
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 Radford, VA to Arlington, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Washington 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.
Top landmarks
•The Pentagon — headquarters of the United States Department of Defense; named after the shape o...
•Arlington National Cemetery — national cemetery in Virginia, United States
•Marine Corps War Memorial — monument consisting of a large sculptural group on a circular base in Arlington,...
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 6m. Total distance: 268.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 190.8 miles on I 81. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 26 rest areas or service plazas 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 26 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 5.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 6 miles (I 81): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 239.9 miles (I 66): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Cedar Creek & Belle Grove National Historical Park, Shenandoah National Park and Booker T Washington National Monument (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.1 hours each way, a round trip means 10.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Arlington, VA before the return drive.
