How far is Arlington, VA from Colonial Heights, VA?

The driving distance from Arlington, VA to Colonial Heights, VA is about 125.3 miles (201.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 34m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 112.7 miles (181.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 09m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
125.28 mi
02h 34m
Flight
112.65 mi
181.3 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Arlington.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
112.65 mi
Kilometers
181.3 km
Flight Time
00h 13m

Driving Distance

Road route
125.28 mi
Kilometers
201.62 km
Drive Time
02h 34m

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 02h 34m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Colonial Heights
Fri, Apr 24, 11:21 PM EDT
Return by in Arlington
Sat, Apr 25, 1:56 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Arlington
2026-04-24T20:46
Arrive Colonial Heights
Fri, Apr 24, 11:21 PM EDT
Route Timing
02h 34m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:35 AM to 12:35 PM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
1:20 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Arlington
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Spotsylvania Courthouse
VA

Census designated place

From Arlington
62.7 mi
01h 17m
To Colonial Heights
62.6 mi
01h 17m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
82°F
This Afternoon

Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Fri, Apr 24 12:00 PM EDT
Wind
6 mph NE
Destination
89°F
Today

Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Fri, Apr 24 11:00 AM EDT
Wind
6 mph NW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Arlington and Colonial Heights.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Arlington and Colonial Heights.

  1. 1

    Start on Wilson Boulevard

    27 m · 8 sec · Wilson Boulevard

  2. 2

    Turn right onto North Oakland Street

    2360 ft · 1 min · North Oakland Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto North Pershing Drive

    766 ft · 28 sec · North Pershing Drive

  4. 4

    Turn left onto North Glebe Road

    2.4 mi · 6 min · North Glebe Road

  5. 5

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 395 South: Richmond

    1666 ft · 42 sec

  6. 6

    Keep slight left to continue on I 395 South: Richmond, Quaker Lane

    96 m · 8 sec

  7. 7

    Keep slight left to continue on I 395 South: Richmond

    842 ft · 20 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway

    5.8 mi · 7 min · Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway

  9. 9

    Continue on Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway

    36.3 mi · 43 min · Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway

  10. 10

    Keep slight left

    58.4 mi · 1 hr 6 min

  11. 11

    Keep slight left to continue on Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike

    17.3 mi · 22 min · Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward SR 620 West: Woods Edge Road

    1913 ft · 48 sec

  13. 13

    Turn straight onto Woods Edge Road

    1.2 km · 1 min · Woods Edge Road

  14. 14

    Turn left onto Route 1

    1.6 mi · 3 min · Route 1

  15. 15

    Continue on Boulevard

    1.3 km · 2 min · Boulevard

  16. 16

    Turn left onto East Ellerslie Avenue

    1743 ft · 37 sec · East Ellerslie Avenue

  17. 17

    Turn right

    78 m · 19 sec

  18. 18

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Arlington and Colonial Heights.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
18 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
14.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
101 mi · 80%
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
17.3 mi · 14%
North Glebe Road
2.38 mi · 2%
Route 1
1.56 mi · 1%
Boulevard
0.81 mi · 1%
Woods Edge Road
0.76 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway

Keep slight left

58.4 mi · 01h 06m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
02h 34m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 10m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+12.6 mi
112.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Spotsylvania Courthouse
01h 17m from Arlington
Leave By
1:20 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Arlington and Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Colonial Heights.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Arlington to Colonial Heights?

The road trip is about 125.3 miles (201.6 km) and usually takes 02h 34m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Spotsylvania Courthouse is a useful midpoint, sitting about 62.7 miles from Arlington and 62.6 miles from Colonial Heights.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 112.7 miles (181.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 12.6 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:20 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.51 one way or $35.02 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 39.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms around Arlington and Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Colonial Heights.

Stop Ideas Near Spotsylvania Courthouse

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Spotsylvania Courthouse, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Spotsylvania Courthouse.

RAIL

Fredericksburg

16 mi away
200 Lafayette Blvd.
RAIL

Quantico

44 mi away
550 Railroad Avenue
RAIL

Culpeper station

47 mi away
109 South Commerce Street
RAIL

Ashland

50 mi away
112 North Railroad Avenue

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Arlington and Colonial Heights. Straight-line distance: 112.65 mi (181.3 km).

Arlington

#1 Arlington

A county in Virginia.

Population229,164
Coordinates38.8810100, -77.1042800
Altitude71
CountryUnited States
Colonial Heights

#2 Colonial Heights

Independent city in Virginia, United States

Population17,820
Coordinates37.2680400, -77.4072600
Altitude29
CountryUnited States
Start: Arlington (-77.10428, 38.88101)
End: Colonial Heights (-77.40726, 37.26804)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 202 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 10m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 07m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 30m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 05m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 47m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 33m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.42 gal
16.73 L · about $17.51
Round trip
$35.02
8.84 gal · 33.46 L
Estimated CO2
39.3 kg one way
Round trip: 78.6 kg / 173 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $17.51 $35.02
Mid-grade $4.43 $19.58 $39.15
Premium $4.78 $21.12 $42.24
Diesel $5.62 $24.86 $49.72

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

There is no time difference between Arlington and Colonial Heights. The current time is 20:46:43.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.