This 232.5-mile journey from Union Hall, VA, to Arlington, VA, is a feasible one-day road trip, taking approximately 5 hours and 10 minutes. You'll primarily navigate via US 29 and Seminole Trail before merging onto I-66. With a projected fuel cost of around $36, it's an economical drive. The route is largely highway-focused, making it efficient for reaching your destination within the Southeast region of Virginia. This drive is well-suited for a single day, allowing you to depart in the morning and arrive by late afternoon.
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
116.2 miles from Union Hall, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 32m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 29
103.1 mi
2h 8m
Seminole Trail
33.9 mi
48m
I 66
27.2 mi
33m
James Madison Highway
23.3 mi
30m
West Gretna Road
13.7 mi
18m
US 15
11.7 mi
17m
James Monroe Highway
7.7 mi
9m
Old Franklin Turnpike
4.6 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
US 29
— 103.1 mi, about 2h 8m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Union Hall, VA and Arlington, VA.
1
Start on SR 945
1.9 mi·7 min·Kemp Ford Road
2
Turn left onto VA 40
4.6 mi·6 min·Old Franklin Turnpike
3
Continue on VA 40
14 mi·18 min·West Gretna Road
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·34 sec
Toward US 29 North
5
Merge onto US 29
32 mi·40 min·US 29
6
Take the exit onto US 29
6.5 mi·8 min·US 29
Toward US 29 North, US 460 EastUse the straight lane.
7
Take the exit onto US 29
64 mi·1 hr 19 min·US 29
Toward US 29 North: Amherst, CharlottesvilleUse the slight right lane.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
9
Turn slight right onto US 29 BUS
144 ft·10 sec·Emmet Street North
10
Continue on US 29 BUS
0.5 mi·1 min·Emmet Street North
11
Continue on US 29
34 mi·48 min·Seminole Trail
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Continue on US 29
7.7 mi·9 min·James Monroe Highway
13
Continue on US 15; US 29
23 mi·30 min·James Madison Highway
14
Continue on US 15; US 17; US 29
2.4 mi·3 min·Eastern Bypass
15
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.
16
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 66 East: WashingtonUse the slight right lane.
17
Merge onto I 66
27 mi·33 min·I 66
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi·31 sec
Exit 71Toward VA 120, VA 237Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on Fairfax Drive
0.1 mi·24 sec·Fairfax Drive
20
Turn right onto VA 120
0.2 mi·32 sec·North Glebe Road
Use the right lane.
21
Turn slight left onto Wilson Boulevard
0.5 mi·1 min·Wilson Boulevard
Use the left lane.
22
Arrive at destination
Wilson Boulevard
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5-hour, 10-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Union Hall to avoid potential traffic as you approach Arlington. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing yourself. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially during the 103.1-mile stretch on US 29, as services might be less frequent. The overall fuel cost is estimated at $36, so budgeting for this is straightforward. Since this is a manageable one-day trip, you can easily adjust your schedule based on how you feel.
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 116.2 miles from Union Hall, VA, or about 2h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 103.1 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 51 miles or 1h 11m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 116.2 miles or 2h 32m 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 14m
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 Union Hall, 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 Union Hall, VA
This is one driving day of about 232.5 miles and 5h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 miles from Union Hall, 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 US 29 for about 103.1 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 52.8 and 231.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
52.8 mi into trip|~1h 13m in|US 29
Take the exit onto US 29 toward US 29 North, US 460 East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward US 29 North, US 460 East
7
59.3 mi into trip|~1h 22m in|US 29
Take the exit onto US 29 toward US 29 North: Amherst, Charlottesville
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 US 29 North: Amherst, Charlottesville
8
191.6 mi into trip|~4h 15m 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
203.2 mi into trip|~4h 32m 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
231.3 mi into trip|~5h 7m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.36 one way
$72.72 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg81 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$39.75
$79.51
premium
$4.70
$43.03
$86.06
diesel
$5.61
$51.33
$102.67
Estimated Tolls: $0.32
Old Franklin Turnpike
(4.6 mi)$0.32
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
$36
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 81.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
69.8
0
$24.41
$11.16
Efficient EV
58.1
0
$20.34
$9.30
EV Truck/SUV
93
1
$32.55
$14.88
Gas CO2
81 kg
EV CO2
27 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Union Hall, VA
Morning
in Union Hall on Sunday
Local time
10:17 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Arlington, VA
Morning
in Arlington on Sunday
Local time
10:17 AM
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
10 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 10m 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.
Booker T Washington National Monument
National Monument
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...
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
~37 min detour
$30
near mile 152.3
On April 9, 1865, the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia in the McLean House in the village of Appomattox Court House, Virginia signaled the effective end of the nation's largest war. Question...
16 mi from route
~40 min detour
Free
near mile 64.1
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 216.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for about 63% of the trip, offering a generally efficient pace. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 103.1 miles on US 29, providing a solid period of consistent travel. As you transition between US 29, Seminole Trail, and I-66, the road character will shift from more local road feel to interstate speeds. This means you'll experience a mix of driving conditions, so be prepared for changes in traffic and speed limits.
63% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 103.1 mi on US 29.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 29 and Seminole Trail. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 52.8 miles in near US 29.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 232.5 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 52.8 miles (US 29): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 59.3 miles (US 29): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 191.6 miles (US 15; US 29): 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.
On the drive from Union Hall, VA to Arlington, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Charlottesville 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 5h 10m. Total distance: 232.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 10m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 103.1 miles on US 29. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.32 in tolls one way, starting with Old Franklin 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.
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 52.8 miles (US 29): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 59.3 miles (US 29): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 191.6 miles (US 15; US 29): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Booker T Washington National Monument, Shenandoah National Park and Appomattox Court House National Historical Park (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.4 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.
