How far is Arlington, VA from Bristol, VA?
The driving distance from Arlington, VA to Bristol, VA is about 371 miles (597 km), with a travel time of about 06h 53m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 319.4 miles (514.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 13h 46m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 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 06h 53m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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.
Independent city in Virginia, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Arlington and Bristol.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Arlington and Bristol.
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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
-
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
67.1 mi · 1 hr 16 min · Custis Memorial Parkway
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7
Keep slight left to continue on I 81 South: Roanoke
1 km · 1 min
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8
Merge slight right onto I 81 South: Roanoke
108.7 mi · 1 hr 58 min
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9
Keep slight left
117.1 mi · 2 hr 10 min
-
10
Continue straight
1.3 mi · 1 min
-
11
Keep slight left
68.6 mi · 1 hr 14 min
-
12
Take the exit slight right toward I 381: Bristol
1.2 km · 1 min
-
13
Continue straight
1 mi · 2 min
-
14
Continue on Commonwealth Avenue
1.1 mi · 2 min · Commonwealth Avenue
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15
Turn left onto Sullins Street
35 m · 5 sec · Sullins Street
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Sullins Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Arlington and Bristol.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
I 81 South
Keep slight left
117 mi · 02h 10m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Arlington and Sunny near Bristol.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Arlington to Bristol?
The road trip is about 371 miles (597 km) and usually takes 06h 53m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Buena Vista is a useful midpoint, sitting about 185.4 miles from Arlington and 185.7 miles from Bristol.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 319.4 miles (514.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 51.6 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 7:30 AM EDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $51.85 one way or $103.70 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 116.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms around Arlington and Sunny near Bristol.
Stop Ideas Near Buena Vista
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 Buena Vista.
Kemper Street station
Clifton Forge
Staunton station
Roanoke
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Arlington and Bristol. Straight-line distance: 319.43 mi (514.08 km).
#1 Arlington
A county in Virginia.
| Population | 229,164 |
| Coordinates | 38.8810100, -77.1042800 |
| Altitude | 71 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Bristol
Independent city in Virginia, United States
| Population | 17,329 |
| Coordinates | 36.5964900, -82.1884700 |
| Altitude | 512 |
| Country | United States |
End: Bristol (-82.18847, 36.59649)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 597 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 12h 21m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 09h 16m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 07h 25m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 06h 10m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 05h 17m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 37m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $51.85 | $103.70 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $57.98 | $115.95 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $62.54 | $125.09 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $73.62 | $147.24 |
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 25, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.