How far is Alexandria, VA from McLean, VA?
The driving distance from Alexandria, VA to McLean, VA is about 15.2 miles (24.4 km), with a travel time of about 00h 24m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 11.4 miles (18.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 48m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT.
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 24m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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.
A county in Virginia.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Mostly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Alexandria and McLean.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Alexandria and McLean.
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1
Start on South Washington Street
1.2 km · 3 min · South Washington Street
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2
Continue on George Washington Memorial Parkway
7.3 mi · 14 min · George Washington Memorial Parkway
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3
Keep slight right to continue on George Washington Memorial Parkway
4.1 mi · 6 min · George Washington Memorial Parkway
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4
Take the exit slight right toward VA 123: Chain Bridge, McLean
756 ft · 18 sec
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5
Turn right onto Dolley Madison Boulevard
2.4 mi · 4 min · Dolley Madison Boulevard
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6
Turn left onto Chain Bridge Road
1171 ft · 42 sec · Chain Bridge Road
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7
Continue on Chain Bridge Road
32 m · 11 sec · Chain Bridge Road
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8
Continue on Chain Bridge Road
1428 ft · 59 sec · Chain Bridge Road
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9
Turn sharp right onto Elm Street
31 m · 2 sec · Elm Street
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10
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Elm Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Alexandria and McLean.
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.
George Washington Memorial Parkway
Continue on George Washington Memorial Parkway
7.28 mi · 00h 14m
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.
Partly Sunny leaving Alexandria and Mostly Cloudy near McLean.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Alexandria to McLean?
The road trip is about 15.2 miles (24.4 km) and usually takes 00h 24m 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?
Arlington is a useful midpoint, sitting about 7.6 miles from Alexandria and 7.6 miles from McLean.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 11.4 miles (18.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 3.8 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 EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:42 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.14 one way or $4.28 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 4.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Alexandria and Mostly Cloudy near McLean.
Stop Ideas Near Arlington
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
Town Hall Liquor And Bar
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Arlington.
Union Station
Washington Union Station
Burke Centre
Lorton station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Alexandria and McLean. Straight-line distance: 11.37 mi (18.3 km).
#1 Alexandria
A city in Virginia.
| Population | 158,726 |
| Coordinates | 38.8048400, -77.0469200 |
| Altitude | 12 |
| Country | United States |
#2 McLean
A city in Fairfax County, Virginia.
| Population | 48,115 |
| Coordinates | 38.9342800, -77.1774800 |
| Altitude | 87 |
| Country | United States |
End: Elm Street (-77.177466, 38.934287)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 24 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 30m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 22m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 18m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 15m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 13m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 11m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $2.14 | $4.28 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $2.39 | $4.78 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $2.58 | $5.16 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $3.04 | $6.07 |
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 · Apr 17, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.