How far is Alexandria, VA from Great Falls, VA?
The driving distance from Alexandria, VA to Great Falls, VA is about 27 miles (43.5 km), with a travel time of about 00h 40m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 18.6 miles (30 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 20m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EST.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 40m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Census designated place
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 Great Falls.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Alexandria and Great Falls.
-
1
Start on South Washington Street
23 m · 7 sec · South Washington Street
-
2
Turn right onto King Street
96 m · 15 sec · King Street
-
3
Turn right onto South Saint Asaph Street
842 ft · 41 sec · South Saint Asaph Street
-
4
Turn right onto Duke Street
102 m · 19 sec · Duke Street
-
5
Turn left onto South Washington Street
1260 ft · 51 sec · South Washington Street
-
6
Turn right onto Gibbon Street
923 ft · 38 sec · Gibbon Street
-
7
Turn left onto South Patrick Street
1157 ft · 34 sec · South Patrick Street
-
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
-
9
Keep slight right to continue on I 95 South, I 495 West
3238 ft · 1 min
-
10
Merge slight left onto Capital Beltway (Local)
5 mi · 6 min · Capital Beltway (Local)
-
11
Keep slight right to continue on Capital Beltway
1.1 km · 48 sec · Capital Beltway
-
12
Continue on Capital Beltway
2.4 mi · 3 min · Capital Beltway
-
13
Keep slight right to continue on Capital Beltway
9.5 mi · 12 min · Capital Beltway
-
14
Take the exit slight left toward VA 267 Toll West: Reston, Herndon, Dulles Airport
1614 ft · 39 sec
-
15
Merge slight right onto Dulles Toll Road
1.1 mi · 1 min · Dulles Toll Road
-
16
Keep slight left
1869 ft · 23 sec
-
17
Merge slight right onto Dulles Toll Road
80 m · 4 sec · Dulles Toll Road
-
18
Take the exit slight right toward VA 7: Tysons Corner, Leesburg, Leesburg Pike
1499 ft · 37 sec
-
19
Keep slight right to continue on VA 7 West: Leesburg Pike, Leesburg
702 ft · 17 sec
-
20
Merge slight left onto Leesburg Pike
3.2 mi · 5 min · Leesburg Pike
-
21
Turn right onto Colvin Run Road
2817 ft · 1 min · Colvin Run Road
-
22
Turn right onto Walker Road
2 mi · 4 min · Walker Road
-
23
Turn right onto Georgetown Pike
8 m · 1 sec · Georgetown Pike
-
24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Georgetown Pike
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Alexandria and Great Falls.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Capital Beltway
Keep slight right to continue on Capital Beltway
9.49 mi · 00h 12m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Sunny leaving Alexandria and Sunny near Great Falls.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Alexandria to Great Falls?
The road trip is about 27 miles (43.5 km) and usually takes 00h 40m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Merrifield is a useful midpoint, sitting about 13.5 miles from Alexandria and 13.5 miles from Great Falls.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 18.6 miles (30 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.4 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:10 PM EST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.70 one way or $7.39 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 8.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Alexandria and Sunny near Great Falls.
Stop Ideas Near Merrifield
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
United States Capitol
D C Government
THEARC: Town Hall Education Arts Recreation Campus
District of Columbia Court
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Merrifield.
Burke Centre
Union Station
Lorton station
Washington Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Alexandria and Great Falls. Straight-line distance: 18.63 mi (29.98 km).
#1 Alexandria
A city in Virginia.
| Population | 158,726 |
| Coordinates | 38.8048400, -77.0469200 |
| Altitude | 12 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Great Falls
Great Falls is a place in Virginia, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 38.9981700, -77.2883200 |
| Altitude | 104 |
| Country | United States |
End: Great Falls (-77.28832, 38.99817)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 44 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 54m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 40m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 32m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 27m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 23m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 20m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.89 | $3.70 | $7.39 |
| Mid-grade | $4.39 | $4.17 | $8.35 |
| Premium | $4.80 | $4.56 | $9.11 |
| Diesel | $6.18 | $5.87 | $11.74 |
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 · Nov 07, 2026