How far is Arlington, VA from Buena Vista, VA?
The driving distance from Arlington, VA to Buena Vista, VA is about 188.5 miles (303.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 33m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 145.5 miles (234.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 06m 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 33m.
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.
Town in Virginia, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers
Slight Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Arlington and Buena Vista.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Arlington and Buena Vista.
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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
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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
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
2.9 mi · 3 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward US 60 East: Buena Vista
1617 ft · 40 sec
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11
Continue on East Midland Trail
3 mi · 3 min · East Midland Trail
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12
Continue on 29th Street
3092 ft · 40 sec · 29th Street
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13
Take the exit right
92 m · 8 sec
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14
Merge slight left onto Beech Avenue
2224 ft · 31 sec · Beech Avenue
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15
Continue on Sycamore Avenue
147 m · 14 sec · Sycamore Avenue
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16
Turn left onto West 21st Street
135 m · 20 sec · West 21st Street
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East 21st Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Arlington and Buena Vista.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 81 South
Merge slight right onto I 81 South: Roanoke
109 mi · 01h 58m
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.
Chance Rain Showers leaving Arlington and Slight Chance Rain Showers near Buena Vista.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Arlington to Buena Vista?
The road trip is about 188.5 miles (303.3 km) and usually takes 03h 33m 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?
Edinburg is a useful midpoint, sitting about 94.2 miles from Arlington and 94.3 miles from Buena Vista.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 145.5 miles (234.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 43 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 $26.34 one way or $52.68 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 59.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Arlington and Slight Chance Rain Showers near Buena Vista.
Stop Ideas Near Edinburg
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 Edinburg.
Culpeper station
Staunton station
Charlottesville Union Station
Martinsburg station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Arlington and Buena Vista. Straight-line distance: 145.44 mi (234.06 km).
#1 Arlington
A county in Virginia.
| Population | 229,164 |
| Coordinates | 38.8810100, -77.1042800 |
| Altitude | 71 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Buena Vista
Independent city in Virginia, United States
| Population | 6,402 |
| Coordinates | 37.7343000, -79.3539200 |
| Altitude | 255 |
| Country | United States |
End: Buena Vista (-79.35392, 37.7343)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 303 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 16m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 42m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 46m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 08m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 41m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 21m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $26.34 | $52.68 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $29.45 | $58.91 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $31.77 | $63.55 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $37.40 | $74.80 |
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.