How far is Alexandria, VA from Gainesville, VA?
The driving distance from Alexandria, VA to Gainesville, VA is about 39.6 miles (63.7 km), with a travel time of about 00h 53m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 30.5 miles (49.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 47m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 00h 53m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Unincorporated community in Virginia
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Alexandria and Gainesville.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Alexandria and Gainesville.
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1
Start on South Washington Street
23 m · 7 sec · South Washington Street
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2
Turn right onto King Street
96 m · 15 sec · King Street
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3
Turn right onto South Saint Asaph Street
842 ft · 41 sec · South Saint Asaph Street
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4
Turn right onto Duke Street
102 m · 19 sec · Duke Street
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5
Turn left onto South Washington Street
1260 ft · 51 sec · South Washington Street
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6
Turn right onto Gibbon Street
923 ft · 38 sec · Gibbon Street
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7
Turn left onto South Patrick Street
1157 ft · 34 sec · South Patrick Street
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 95 South, I 495 West, I 95 North, I 495 East: Richmond, Baltimore
133 m · 11 sec
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9
Keep slight right to continue on I 95 South, I 495 West
3238 ft · 1 min
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10
Merge slight left onto Capital Beltway (Local)
5 mi · 6 min · Capital Beltway (Local)
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11
Keep slight right to continue on Capital Beltway
1.1 km · 48 sec · Capital Beltway
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12
Continue on Capital Beltway
2.4 mi · 3 min · Capital Beltway
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13
Keep slight right to continue on Capital Beltway
5.7 mi · 7 min · Capital Beltway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward I 66 West: Vienna, Front Royal
1.4 km · 2 min
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15
Merge slight left
21.3 mi · 26 min
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16
Take the exit slight right toward US 29 South: Gainesville, Warrenton
1.2 km · 1 min
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17
Keep slight left to continue on US 29 South: Gainesville, Warrenton
953 ft · 23 sec
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18
Merge slight left onto Lee Highway
3143 ft · 53 sec · Lee Highway
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19
Turn right onto McGraws Corner Drive
118 m · 19 sec · McGraws Corner Drive
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20
Continue on McGraws Corner Drive
139 m · 23 sec · McGraws Corner Drive
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21
Turn left onto Lee Highway
1693 ft · 40 sec · Lee Highway
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Lee Highway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Alexandria and Gainesville.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 66 West
Merge slight left
21.3 mi · 00h 26m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Sunny leaving Alexandria and Sunny near Gainesville.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Alexandria to Gainesville?
The road trip is about 39.6 miles (63.7 km) and usually takes 00h 53m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Oakton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 19.8 miles from Alexandria and 19.8 miles from Gainesville.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 30.5 miles (49.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.1 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:42 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.55 one way or $11.09 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 12.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Alexandria and Sunny near Gainesville.
Stop Ideas Near Oakton
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Herndon Old Town Hall
Tele-Town Hall
Alexandria City Hall
Town Hall Pool
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Oakton.
Burke Centre
Lorton station
Manassas station
Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Alexandria and Gainesville. Straight-line distance: 30.53 mi (49.14 km).
#1 Alexandria
A city in Virginia.
| Population | 158,726 |
| Coordinates | 38.8048400, -77.0469200 |
| Altitude | 12 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Gainesville
Gainesville is a place in Virginia, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 38.7956700, -77.6138800 |
| Altitude | 108 |
| Country | United States |
End: Gainesville (-77.61388, 38.79567)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 64 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 19m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 59m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 47m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 39m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 33m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 29m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $5.55 | $11.09 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $6.20 | $12.40 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $6.69 | $13.38 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $7.87 | $15.75 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Virginia · May 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.