How far is Arlington, VA from Forest, VA?
The driving distance from Arlington, VA to Forest, VA is about 185.2 miles (298 km), with a travel time of about 04h 07m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 158.4 miles (255 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 15m 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 07m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Town in Virginia
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 Forest.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Arlington and Forest.
-
1
Start on Wilson Boulevard
2828 ft · 2 min · Wilson Boulevard
-
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
24.2 mi · 30 min · Custis Memorial Parkway
-
7
Take the exit slight right toward US 29 South: Gainesville, Warrenton
1.2 km · 1 min
-
8
Keep slight left to continue on US 29 South: Gainesville, Warrenton
953 ft · 23 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto Lee Highway
10.6 mi · 16 min · Lee Highway
-
10
Keep slight left to continue on US 15 South, US 29 South
2786 ft · 45 sec
-
11
Merge slight right onto Eastern Bypass
2.6 mi · 4 min · Eastern Bypass
-
12
Continue on James Madison Highway
5.1 mi · 7 min · James Madison Highway
-
13
Keep slight left to continue on James Madison Highway
18.2 mi · 23 min · James Madison Highway
-
14
Continue on James Monroe Highway
7.8 mi · 10 min · James Monroe Highway
-
15
Continue on North Seminole Trail
33.8 mi · 48 min · North Seminole Trail
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16
Continue on Emmet Street North
1783 ft · 42 sec · Emmet Street North
-
17
Take the exit slight right toward US 29 South, US 250 West
63.3 mi · 1 hr 18 min
-
18
Keep slight right to continue on US 29 South, US 460 West: Lynchburg, Danville
1 km · 1 min
-
19
Merge slight left onto Richmond Highway
4 mi · 5 min · Richmond Highway
-
20
Take the exit slight right toward US 501 North: Buena Vista
1.6 km · 2 min
-
21
Take the exit slight right toward US 501 North, US 29 Bus South: Danville, Buena Vista
918 ft · 22 sec
-
22
Merge slight left onto Lynchburg Expressway
2.6 mi · 4 min · Lynchburg Expressway
-
23
Take the exit slight right toward Graves Mill Road
1201 ft · 31 sec
-
24
Turn left onto Graves Mill Road
1.7 mi · 4 min · Graves Mill Road
-
25
Turn left onto Forest Road
2.8 mi · 5 min · Forest Road
-
26
Turn left
32 m · 12 sec
-
27
Turn right
29 m · 7 sec
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Arlington and Forest.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
US 29 South
Take the exit slight right toward US 29 South, US 250 West
63.3 mi · 01h 18m
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.
Sunny leaving Arlington and Sunny near Forest.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Arlington to Forest?
The road trip is about 185.2 miles (298 km) and usually takes 04h 07m 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?
Stanardsville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 92.5 miles from Arlington and 92.6 miles from Forest.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 158.4 miles (255 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:44 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $25.87 one way or $51.73 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 58 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Arlington and Sunny near Forest.
Stop Ideas Near Stanardsville
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 Stanardsville.
Charlottesville Union Station
Culpeper station
Staunton station
Fredericksburg
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Arlington and Forest. Straight-line distance: 158.42 mi (254.96 km).
#1 Arlington
A county in Virginia.
| Population | 229,164 |
| Coordinates | 38.8810100, -77.1042800 |
| Altitude | 71 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Forest
Census-designated place in Bedford County, Virginia, United States
| Population | 9,106 |
| Coordinates | 37.3637500, -79.2897500 |
| Altitude | 269 |
| Country | United States |
End: Forest (-79.28975, 37.36375)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 298 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 10m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 37m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 42m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 05m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 38m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 18m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $25.87 | $51.73 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $28.92 | $57.84 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $31.20 | $62.40 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $36.72 | $73.45 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.