How far is Alexandria, VA from Reston, VA?
The driving distance from Alexandria, VA to Reston, VA is about 27.8 miles (44.7 km), with a travel time of about 00h 40m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 19.4 miles (31.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 21m 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 40m.
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.
Census designated place
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Alexandria and Reston.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Alexandria and Reston.
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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
9.5 mi · 12 min · Capital Beltway
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14
Take the exit slight left toward VA 267 Toll West: Reston, Herndon, Dulles Airport
1614 ft · 39 sec
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15
Merge slight right onto Dulles Toll Road
1.1 mi · 1 min · Dulles Toll Road
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16
Keep slight left
1869 ft · 23 sec
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17
Merge slight right onto Dulles Toll Road
80 m · 4 sec · Dulles Toll Road
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18
Take the exit slight right toward VA 7: Tysons Corner, Leesburg, Leesburg Pike
1499 ft · 37 sec
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19
Keep slight right to continue on VA 7 West: Leesburg Pike, Leesburg
702 ft · 17 sec
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20
Merge slight left onto Leesburg Pike
4.6 mi · 7 min · Leesburg Pike
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21
Turn left onto Baron Cameron Avenue
1.6 mi · 3 min · Baron Cameron Avenue
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22
Turn left onto Village Road
112 m · 16 sec · Village Road
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23
At the end of the road, turn right onto North Shore Drive
157 m · 23 sec · North Shore Drive
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24
Turn left onto Washington Plaza North
70 m · 17 sec · Washington Plaza North
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Washington Plaza North
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Alexandria and Reston.
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 Reston.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Alexandria to Reston?
The road trip is about 27.8 miles (44.7 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 13.9 miles from Alexandria and 13.9 miles from Reston.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 19.4 miles (31.3 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 EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:08 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.88 one way or $7.76 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 8.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Alexandria and Sunny near Reston.
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 Reston. Straight-line distance: 19.46 mi (31.31 km).
#1 Alexandria
A city in Virginia.
| Population | 158,726 |
| Coordinates | 38.8048400, -77.0469200 |
| Altitude | 12 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Reston
Census-designated place in Fairfax County, Virginia, United States
| Population | 58,404 |
| Coordinates | 38.9687200, -77.3411000 |
| Altitude | 100 |
| Country | United States |
End: Reston (-77.3411, 38.96872)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 45 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 55m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 41m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 33m |
| 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 | $3.96 | $3.88 | $7.76 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $4.34 | $8.68 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $4.68 | $9.36 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $5.51 | $11.02 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.