How far is Arlington, VA from Dahlgren, VA?
The driving distance from Arlington, VA to Dahlgren, VA is about 55 miles (88.5 km), with a travel time of about 01h 28m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 38.1 miles (61.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 57m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 01h 28m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Census designated place
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Cloudy
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Arlington and Dahlgren.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Arlington and Dahlgren.
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1
Start on Wilson Boulevard
1932 ft · 1 min · Wilson Boulevard
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2
Turn straight
63 m · 9 sec
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3
Turn straight onto 10th Street North
1490 ft · 60 sec · 10th Street North
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4
Turn right onto Washington Boulevard
1.9 mi · 4 min · Washington Boulevard
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5
Keep slight right to continue on I 395 North: Washington
1400 ft · 29 sec
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6
Keep slight left to continue on I 395 North: Washington
1870 ft · 53 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
1.1 mi · 2 min · Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
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8
Continue on Arland D. Williams Junior Memorial Bridge
2430 ft · 39 sec · Arland D. Williams Junior Memorial Bridge
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9
Keep slight right to continue on I 395 North: Capitol Hill, Nationals Park, Capital One Arena
2326 ft · 48 sec
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10
Keep slight left to continue on Francis Case Memorial Bridge
880 ft · 19 sec · Francis Case Memorial Bridge
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11
Continue on Southwest Freeway
2566 ft · 55 sec · Southwest Freeway
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12
Keep slight left to continue on Southeast Freeway
1.2 mi · 2 min · Southeast Freeway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward 11th Street Southeast, Southeast Boulevard
1872 ft · 43 sec
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14
Turn right onto 11th Street Southeast
1607 ft · 46 sec · 11th Street Southeast
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15
Continue on Martin Luther King Junior Avenue Southeast
2387 ft · 60 sec · Martin Luther King Junior Avenue Southeast
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16
Turn left onto Marion Barry Avenue Southeast
1.2 mi · 3 min · Marion Barry Avenue Southeast
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17
Turn right onto Naylor Road Southeast
1.1 km · 2 min · Naylor Road Southeast
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18
At the end of the road, turn left onto Southern Avenue Southeast
62 m · 7 sec · Southern Avenue Southeast
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19
Continue on Naylor Road
1522 ft · 53 sec · Naylor Road
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20
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Naylor Road
32 m · 2 sec · Naylor Road
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21
Exit the roundabout onto Naylor Road
118 m · 11 sec · Naylor Road
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22
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Naylor Road
34 m · 3 sec · Naylor Road
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23
Exit the roundabout onto Naylor Road
1001 ft · 30 sec · Naylor Road
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24
Merge slight left onto Branch Avenue
1654 ft · 48 sec · Branch Avenue
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25
Keep slight right to continue on Branch Avenue
12.2 mi · 17 min · Branch Avenue
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26
Merge slight right onto Crain Highway
28.3 mi · 42 min · Crain Highway
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27
Continue on James Madison Parkway
1.8 mi · 3 min · James Madison Parkway
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28
Turn left onto Potomac Drive
80 m · 9 sec · Potomac Drive
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29
Continue on Potomac Drive
1.5 mi · 3 min · Potomac Drive
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30
Turn left onto Twelfth Street
30 m · 3 sec · Twelfth Street
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31
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Twelfth Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Arlington and Dahlgren.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Crain Highway
Merge slight right onto Crain Highway
28.3 mi · 00h 42m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Partly Cloudy leaving Arlington and Sunny near Dahlgren.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Arlington to Dahlgren?
The road trip is about 55 miles (88.5 km) and usually takes 01h 28m 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?
Fort Hunt is a useful midpoint, sitting about 27.5 miles from Arlington and 27.5 miles from Dahlgren.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 38.1 miles (61.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.9 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 3:32 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.68 one way or $15.37 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 17.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Cloudy around Arlington and Sunny near Dahlgren.
Stop Ideas Near Fort Hunt
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 Fort Hunt.
Union Station
Lorton station
Woodbridge station
Washington Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Arlington and Dahlgren. Straight-line distance: 38.1 mi (61.31 km).
#1 Arlington
A county in Virginia.
| Population | 229,164 |
| Coordinates | 38.8810100, -77.1042800 |
| Altitude | 71 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Dahlgren
Census-designated place in King George County, Virginia, United States
| Population | 2,653 |
| Coordinates | 38.3312400, -77.0510900 |
| Altitude | 5 |
| Country | United States |
End: Dahlgren (-77.05109, 38.33124)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 89 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 49m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 22m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 05m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 54m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 47m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 41m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $7.68 | $15.37 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $8.59 | $17.18 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $9.27 | $18.54 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $10.91 | $21.82 |
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 · May 05, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.