Origin
West Lynchburg, VA
Late night in West Lynchburg on Tuesday
Local time
5:02 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from West Lynchburg, VA to Arlington, VA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 58m
Distance
176.6 mi
284 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$28
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 45m
★
6 AM
3h 58m
8 AM
4h 24m
10 AM
4h 7m
12 PM
4h 5m
3 PM
4h 9m
5 PM
4h 23m
8 PM
3h 51m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
West Lynchburg, VA
Kelly
Arlington, VA
Dominik Gryzbon
Trip Overview
This 176.6-mile journey from West Lynchburg, VA to Arlington, VA is a manageable one-day drive, estimated to take just under 4 hours. You'll navigate a mix of roads, including Seminole Trail and James Madison Highway, before merging onto I-66. With a fuel cost estimated at $28, this route is an economical option for a quick trip. The drive is characterized by its numerous turns, suggesting a local, less highway-intensive experience. Given its duration and character, it's well-suited for a single day of travel, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
88.3 miles from West Lynchburg, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 59m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Seminole Trail | 33.9 mi | 48m |
| I 66 | 27.2 mi | 33m |
| James Madison Highway | 23.3 mi | 30m |
| Thomas Nelson Highway | 21.6 mi | 27m |
| Monacan Trail | 20.2 mi | 25m |
| US 15 | 11.7 mi | 17m |
| South Amherst Highway | 8.8 mi | 10m |
| James Monroe Highway | 7.7 mi | 9m |
Longest stretch:
Seminole Trail
— 33.9 mi, about 48m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between West Lynchburg, VA and Arlington, VA.
1
Start on Lakeside Drive
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Lakeside Drive
2
Continue on Park Avenue
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
·
Park Avenue
3
Enter roundabout onto Park Avenue
122 ft
·
6 sec
·
Park Avenue
4
Continue on Park Avenue
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
·
Park Avenue
5
Continue on Kemper Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Kemper Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Turn left
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
Toward US 29 Business North: Charlottesville
Use the left lane.
7
Merge onto US 29 BUS
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Lynchburg Expressway
8
Continue on US 29 BUS
4.2 mi
·
6 min
·
Amherst Highway
9
Turn right onto VA 130
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Amelon Expressway
Use the right lane.
10
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Toward US 29 North
11
Merge onto US 29
7.1 mi
·
7 min
·
Monacan Parkway
Toward US 29 North: Amherst
12
Continue on US 29
8.8 mi
·
10 min
·
South Amherst Highway
13
Continue on US 29
22 mi
·
27 min
·
Thomas Nelson Highway
14
Continue on US 29
20 mi
·
25 min
·
Monacan Trail
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
16
Turn slight right onto US 29 BUS
144 ft
·
10 sec
·
Emmet Street North
17
Continue on US 29 BUS
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Emmet Street North
18
Continue on US 29
34 mi
·
48 min
·
Seminole Trail
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Continue on US 29
7.7 mi
·
9 min
·
James Monroe Highway
20
Continue on US 15; US 29
23 mi
·
30 min
·
James Madison Highway
21
Continue on US 15; US 17; US 29
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Eastern Bypass
22
Keep slight left at fork onto US 15; US 29
12 mi
·
17 min
·
US 15; US 29
Toward US 15 North, US 29 North
Use the left / straight lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 66 East: Washington
Use the slight right lane.
24
Merge onto I 66
27 mi
·
33 min
·
I 66
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
Exit 71
Toward VA 120, VA 237
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Continue on Fairfax Drive
0.1 mi
·
24 sec
·
Fairfax Drive
27
Turn right onto VA 120
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
·
North Glebe Road
Use the right lane.
28
Turn slight left onto Wilson Boulevard
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Wilson Boulevard
Use the left lane.
29
Arrive at destination
Wilson Boulevard
Trip Plan
For this drive, consider an early morning departure from West Lynchburg, VA to make the most of your day and potentially avoid some of the traffic as you approach Arlington, VA. With a total duration of 3 hours and 58 minutes and only one recommended stop, you have flexibility. The estimated fuel cost of $28 is helpful for budgeting. Keep an eye on your navigation, especially through the 'turn-heavy local drive' sections, and be mindful of the 33.9-mile longest stretch on Seminole Trail; plan your fuel and rest stops around this segment to ensure comfort.
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 88.3 miles from West Lynchburg, VA, or about 1h 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 33.9 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 39 miles or 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 88.3 miles or 1h 59m 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 16m
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 West Lynchburg, 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 West Lynchburg, VA
This is one driving day of about 176.6 miles and 3h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from West Lynchburg, 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 Seminole Trail for about 33.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
88 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 39 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 88.3 miles from West Lynchburg, 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 135 decision points cluster between mile 1.9 and 175.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
1.9 mi into trip
|
~4m in
Turn left toward US 29 Business North: Charlottesville
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward US 29 Business North: Charlottesville
6
7.5 mi into trip
|
~13m in
|
VA 130 / Amelon Expressway
Turn right onto VA 130 / Amelon Expressway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
8
135.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 2m 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
147.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 19m 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
175.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 55m 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
$27.62 one way
$55.23 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
62 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $30.20 | $60.39 |
| premium | $4.70 | $32.68 | $65.37 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $38.99 | $77.98 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 61.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 53 | 0 | $18.54 | $8.48 |
| Efficient EV | 44.2 | 0 | $15.45 | $7.06 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 70.6 | 0 | $24.72 | $11.30 |
Gas CO2
62 kg
EV CO2
21 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.
Destination
Arlington, VA
Late night in Arlington on Tuesday
Local time
5:02 AM
EDT
Current temp
67°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
5 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
3h 58m 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.
Shenandoah National Park
National Park
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...
14 mi from route
~35 min detour
$30
near mile 91.3
Caution: 4/13/26 Fire ban in effect
Caution: Parking at Boundary Access Areas
Appomattox Court House National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
17 mi from route
~42 min detour
Free
near mile 12.2
View on nps.gov
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 158.3
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' for much of this 176.6-mile trip. While 28% of the route is on highways, the majority involves navigating local roads like Seminole Trail and James Madison Highway. The longest continuous stretch without a turn is 33.9 miles along Seminole Trail, offering a brief period of more consistent speed before you re-enter more complex road patterns. This profile means you'll be actively engaged with steering and navigation, rather than simply cruising on an interstate.
Only 28% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 33.9 mi on Seminole Trail.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
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 1.9 miles in.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 176.6 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 1.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 7.5 miles (VA 130 / Amelon Expressway): Lane positioning matters here; at 135.7 miles (US 15; US 29): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
815 ft
265 ft
Total Climb
702 ft
Total Descent
1,174 ft
Highest Point
815 ft
~12.6 mi in
Elevation Range
550 ft
About the Cities
Arriving in Arlington, VA
Full guide →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.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 58m. Total distance: 176.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 33.9 miles on Seminole Trail. 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 1.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 7.5 miles (VA 130 / Amelon Expressway): Lane positioning matters here; at 135.7 miles (US 15; US 29): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Shenandoah National Park, Appomattox Court House National Historical Park and Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Arlington, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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