How far is Arlington, VA from Covington, VA?
The driving distance from Arlington, VA to Covington, VA is about 225 miles (362.1 km), with a travel time of about 04h 13m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 173.7 miles (279.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 27m 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 04h 13m.
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.
Road in Manhattan, New York City
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy
Isolated Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Arlington and Covington.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Arlington and Covington.
-
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 right to continue on I 64 West: Lexington, Charleston
42.1 mi · 46 min
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward VA 154: Covington, Hot Springs
754 ft · 18 sec
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11
Keep slight left
34 m · 3 sec
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12
Turn left onto South Durant Road
1949 ft · 49 sec · South Durant Road
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13
Continue on South Craig Avenue
1.3 km · 1 min · South Craig Avenue
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14
Continue on West Locust Street
675 ft · 19 sec · West Locust Street
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15
Turn left onto North Lexington Avenue
107 m · 9 sec · North Lexington Avenue
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16
Turn right onto West Main Street
1653 ft · 49 sec · West Main Street
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Arlington and Covington.
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.
Mostly Cloudy leaving Arlington and Isolated Rain Showers near Covington.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Arlington to Covington?
The road trip is about 225 miles (362.1 km) and usually takes 04h 13m 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?
Broadway is a useful midpoint, sitting about 112.4 miles from Arlington and 112.6 miles from Covington.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 173.7 miles (279.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 51.3 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 8:32 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $31.45 one way or $62.90 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 70.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy around Arlington and Isolated Rain Showers near Covington.
Stop Ideas Near Broadway
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 Broadway.
Staunton station
Charlottesville Union Station
Culpeper station
Cumberland station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Arlington and Covington. Straight-line distance: 173.69 mi (279.52 km).
#1 Arlington
A county in Virginia.
| Population | 229,164 |
| Coordinates | 38.8810100, -77.1042800 |
| Altitude | 71 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Covington
Independent city in Virginia, United States
| Population | 5,639 |
| Coordinates | 37.7934600, -79.9939500 |
| Altitude | 381 |
| Country | United States |
End: Covington (-79.99395, 37.79346)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 362 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 29m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 37m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 29m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 45m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 12m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 48m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $31.45 | $62.90 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $35.17 | $70.33 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $37.94 | $75.87 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $44.65 | $89.31 |
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 29, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.