How far is Arlington, VA from Dayton, VA?

The driving distance from Arlington, VA to Dayton, VA is about 130.9 miles (210.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 33m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 104.1 miles (167.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 07m 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
130.94 mi
02h 33m
Flight
104.09 mi
167.52 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
104.09 mi
Kilometers
167.52 km
Flight Time
00h 12m

Driving Distance

Road route
130.94 mi
Kilometers
210.73 km
Drive Time
02h 33m

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 33m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Dayton
Tue, May 26, 1:34 PM EDT
Return by in Arlington
Tue, May 26, 4:07 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Arlington
2026-05-26T11:00
Arrive Dayton
Tue, May 26, 1:34 PM EDT
Route Timing
02h 33m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:34 AM to 12:34 PM EDT

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

Leave by
1:22 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
Front Royal
VA

Town in Warren County, Virginia, United States

From Arlington
65.4 mi
01h 16m
To Dayton
65.6 mi
01h 16m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
78°F
Tuesday

Rain Showers

Starts
Tue, May 26 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
3 mph NE
Destination
77°F
Tuesday

Rain Showers

Starts
Tue, May 26 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
1 mph SE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Arlington and Dayton.

  1. 1

    Start on Wilson Boulevard

    2828 ft · 2 min · Wilson Boulevard

  2. 2

    Turn slight right onto North Glebe Road

    936 ft · 31 sec · North Glebe Road

  3. 3

    Turn left onto Fairfax Drive

    667 ft · 28 sec · Fairfax Drive

  4. 4

    Continue on I 66 Toll West

    2423 ft · 1 min

  5. 5

    Merge slight left onto Custis Memorial Parkway

    3.3 mi · 4 min · Custis Memorial Parkway

  6. 6

    Keep slight left to continue on Custis Memorial Parkway

    67.1 mi · 1 hr 16 min · Custis Memorial Parkway

  7. 7

    Keep slight left to continue on I 81 South: Roanoke

    1 km · 1 min

  8. 8

    Merge slight right onto I 81 South: Roanoke

    54 mi · 59 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward VA 253: Harrisonburg

    1004 ft · 32 sec

  10. 10

    Turn right onto Port Republic Road

    2558 ft · 1 min · Port Republic Road

  11. 11

    Turn left onto South Main Street

    1106 ft · 23 sec · South Main Street

  12. 12

    Turn right onto South Avenue

    2777 ft · 1 min · South Avenue

  13. 13

    Turn left onto South High Street

    1.4 km · 2 min · South High Street

  14. 14

    Continue on John Wayland Highway

    1.9 mi · 3 min · John Wayland Highway

  15. 15

    Turn right onto Eberly Road

    108 m · 12 sec · Eberly Road

  16. 16

    Turn left onto Main Street

    1885 ft · 52 sec · Main Street

  17. 17

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Main Street

Car Route Details

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

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
17 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
2 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
13 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Custis Memorial Parkway
70.4 mi · 54%
I 81 South
54.7 mi · 42%
John Wayland Highway
1.88 mi · 1%
South High Street
0.86 mi · 1%
Wilson Boulevard
0.54 mi
South Avenue
0.53 mi
Longest Stretch

Custis Memorial Parkway

Keep slight left to continue on Custis Memorial Parkway

67.1 mi · 01h 16m

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 33m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 08m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+26.8 mi
104.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Front Royal
01h 16m from Arlington
Leave By
1:22 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Rain Showers leaving Arlington and Rain Showers near Dayton.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Arlington to Dayton?

The road trip is about 130.9 miles (210.7 km) and usually takes 02h 33m 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?

Front Royal is a useful midpoint, sitting about 65.4 miles from Arlington and 65.6 miles from Dayton.

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

The direct path is about 104.1 miles (167.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 26.8 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 1:22 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $18.30 one way or $36.60 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 41.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Rain Showers around Arlington and Rain Showers near Dayton.

Stop Ideas Near Front Royal

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Front Royal, 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 Front Royal.

RAIL

Culpeper station

53 mi away
109 South Commerce Street
RAIL

Harpers Ferry

60 mi away
Potomac St. & Shenandoah St.
RAIL

Martinsburg station

63 mi away
229 East Martin St.
RAIL

Manassas station

65 mi away
9431 West Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Arlington and Dayton. Straight-line distance: 104.09 mi (167.52 km).

Arlington

#1 Arlington

A county in Virginia.

Population229,164
Coordinates38.8810100, -77.1042800
Altitude71
CountryUnited States
Dayton

#2 Dayton

Town in Rockingham County, Virginia, United States

Population1,642
Coordinates38.4148500, -78.9386400
Altitude367
CountryUnited States
Start: Arlington (-77.10428, 38.88101)
End: Dayton (-78.93864, 38.41485)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 211 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 21m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 16m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 37m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 10m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 52m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 38m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.62 gal
17.49 L · about $18.30
Round trip
$36.60
9.24 gal · 34.98 L
Estimated CO2
41.1 kg one way
Round trip: 82.1 kg / 181 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $18.30 $36.60
Mid-grade $4.43 $20.46 $40.92
Premium $4.78 $22.07 $44.15
Diesel $5.62 $25.98 $51.97

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 26, 2026

There is no time difference between Arlington and Dayton. The current time is 11:00:09.

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.