How far is Arlington, VA from Emporia, VA?
The driving distance from Arlington, VA to Emporia, VA is about 174.8 miles (281.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 22m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 153.5 miles (247.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 44m 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 22m.
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.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Arlington and Emporia.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Arlington and Emporia.
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1
Start on Wilson Boulevard
27 m · 8 sec · Wilson Boulevard
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2
Turn right onto North Oakland Street
2360 ft · 1 min · North Oakland Street
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3
Turn right onto North Pershing Drive
766 ft · 28 sec · North Pershing Drive
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4
Turn left onto North Glebe Road
2.4 mi · 6 min · North Glebe Road
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5
Take the ramp slight right toward I 395 South: Richmond
1666 ft · 42 sec
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6
Keep slight left to continue on I 395 South: Richmond, Quaker Lane
96 m · 8 sec
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7
Keep slight left to continue on I 395 South: Richmond
842 ft · 20 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
5.8 mi · 7 min · Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
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9
Continue on Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
36.3 mi · 43 min · Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
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10
Keep slight left
48.6 mi · 53 min
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11
Take the exit slight left toward I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va Beach
1.9 mi · 2 min
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12
Merge slight right onto Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
42.2 mi · 46 min · Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
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13
Merge slight right onto I 95 South: Emporia, Rocky Mount NC
32.4 mi · 35 min
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14
Take the exit slight right toward VA 614
1126 ft · 29 sec
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15
Turn left onto Otterdam Road
1443 ft · 36 sec · Otterdam Road
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16
Turn right onto Sussex Drive
1.5 mi · 2 min · Sussex Drive
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17
Continue on North Main Street
1.9 mi · 3 min · North Main Street
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18
Turn left onto Hicksford Avenue
27 m · 3 sec · Hicksford Avenue
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Hicksford Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Arlington and Emporia.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
Keep slight left
48.6 mi · 00h 53m
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 Clear leaving Arlington and Sunny near Emporia.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Arlington to Emporia?
The road trip is about 174.8 miles (281.3 km) and usually takes 03h 22m 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?
Ashland is a useful midpoint, sitting about 87.5 miles from Arlington and 87.3 miles from Emporia.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 153.5 miles (247.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 21.3 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 10:16 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.44 one way or $48.88 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Clear around Arlington and Sunny near Emporia.
Stop Ideas Near Ashland
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 Ashland.
Ashland
Richmond Staples Mill Road station
Richmond Main Street Station
Petersburg station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Arlington and Emporia. Straight-line distance: 153.53 mi (247.09 km).
#1 Arlington
A county in Virginia.
| Population | 229,164 |
| Coordinates | 38.8810100, -77.1042800 |
| Altitude | 71 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Emporia
Independent city in Virginia, United States
| Population | 5,257 |
| Coordinates | 36.6859800, -77.5424800 |
| Altitude | 34 |
| Country | United States |
End: Emporia (-77.54248, 36.68598)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 281 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 49m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 22m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 29m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 54m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 29m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 10m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $24.44 | $48.88 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $27.33 | $54.65 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $29.48 | $58.96 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $34.70 | $69.40 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.