How far is Arlington, VA from Amherst, VA?
The driving distance from Arlington, VA to Amherst, VA is about 158.5 miles (255.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 32m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 138.5 miles (222.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 05m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 32m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
City in Madison County, Florida, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Arlington and Amherst.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Arlington and Amherst.
-
1
Start on Wilson Boulevard
2828 ft · 2 min · Wilson Boulevard
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2
Turn slight right onto North Glebe Road
936 ft · 31 sec · North Glebe Road
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3
Turn left onto Fairfax Drive
667 ft · 28 sec · Fairfax Drive
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4
Continue on I 66 Toll West
2423 ft · 1 min
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5
Merge slight left onto Custis Memorial Parkway
3.3 mi · 4 min · Custis Memorial Parkway
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6
Keep slight left to continue on Custis Memorial Parkway
24.2 mi · 30 min · Custis Memorial Parkway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward US 29 South: Gainesville, Warrenton
1.2 km · 1 min
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8
Keep slight left to continue on US 29 South: Gainesville, Warrenton
953 ft · 23 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto Lee Highway
10.6 mi · 16 min · Lee Highway
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10
Keep slight left to continue on US 15 South, US 29 South
2786 ft · 45 sec
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11
Merge slight right onto Eastern Bypass
2.6 mi · 4 min · Eastern Bypass
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12
Continue on James Madison Highway
5.1 mi · 7 min · James Madison Highway
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13
Keep slight left to continue on James Madison Highway
18.2 mi · 23 min · James Madison Highway
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14
Continue on James Monroe Highway
7.8 mi · 10 min · James Monroe Highway
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15
Continue on North Seminole Trail
33.8 mi · 48 min · North Seminole Trail
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16
Continue on Emmet Street North
1783 ft · 42 sec · Emmet Street North
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17
Take the exit slight right toward US 29 South, US 250 West
49 mi · 1 hr 2 min
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18
Take the exit slight right toward US 60: Amherst
1448 ft · 28 sec
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19
Keep slight right
52 m · 4 sec
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20
Turn right onto Richmond Highway
570 ft · 17 sec · Richmond Highway
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21
Turn sharp left onto Washington Street
132 m · 14 sec · Washington Street
-
22
Turn right onto 2nd Street
1250 ft · 36 sec · 2nd Street
-
23
Turn right onto Goodwin Street
44 m · 6 sec · Goodwin Street
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Goodwin Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Arlington and Amherst.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
US 29 South
Take the exit slight right toward US 29 South, US 250 West
49 mi · 01h 02m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Mostly Sunny leaving Arlington and Mostly Sunny near Amherst.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Arlington to Amherst?
The road trip is about 158.5 miles (255.1 km) and usually takes 03h 32m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Madison is a useful midpoint, sitting about 79.2 miles from Arlington and 79.3 miles from Amherst.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 138.5 miles (222.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 20 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:54 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.14 one way or $44.28 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 49.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Arlington and Mostly Sunny near Amherst.
Stop Ideas Near Madison
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Madison.
Culpeper station
Charlottesville Union Station
Fredericksburg
Staunton station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Arlington and Amherst. Straight-line distance: 138.5 mi (222.89 km).
#1 Arlington
A county in Virginia.
| Population | 229,164 |
| Coordinates | 38.8810100, -77.1042800 |
| Altitude | 71 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Amherst
Town in Virginia, USA
| Population | 2,182 |
| Coordinates | 37.5851400, -79.0514100 |
| Altitude | 232 |
| Country | United States |
End: Amherst (-79.05141, 37.58514)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 255 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 16m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 57m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 10m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 38m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 15m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 58m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $22.14 | $44.28 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $24.76 | $49.52 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $26.71 | $53.42 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $31.44 | $62.88 |
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 12, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.