How far is Arlington, VA from Gretna, VA?
The driving distance from Arlington, VA to Gretna, VA is about 212.2 miles (341.5 km), with a travel time of about 04h 39m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 181.2 miles (291.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 19m 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 39m.
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.
Independent city in Virginia, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Rain Showers
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Arlington and Gretna.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Arlington and Gretna.
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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
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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
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7
Take the exit slight right toward US 29 South: Gainesville, Warrenton
1.2 km · 1 min
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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
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10
Keep slight left to continue on US 15 South, US 29 South
2786 ft · 45 sec
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11
Merge slight right onto Eastern Bypass
2.6 mi · 4 min · Eastern Bypass
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12
Continue on James Madison Highway
5.1 mi · 7 min · James Madison Highway
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13
Keep slight left to continue on James Madison Highway
18.2 mi · 23 min · James Madison Highway
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14
Continue on James Monroe Highway
7.8 mi · 10 min · James Monroe Highway
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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
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17
Take the exit slight right toward US 29 South, US 250 West
63.3 mi · 1 hr 18 min
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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
6.4 mi · 8 min · Richmond Highway
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20
Take the exit slight right toward US 29 South
1911 ft · 47 sec
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21
Merge slight left onto Wards Road
30.7 mi · 39 min · Wards Road
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22
Keep slight left to continue on US 29 Business South: Gretna
1.9 mi · 4 min
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23
Turn left onto Northside Drive
772 ft · 19 sec · Northside Drive
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Northside Drive
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Arlington and Gretna.
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.
Rain Showers leaving Arlington and Chance Rain Showers near Gretna.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Arlington to Gretna?
The road trip is about 212.2 miles (341.5 km) and usually takes 04h 39m 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?
Franklin is a useful midpoint, sitting about 106.1 miles from Arlington and 106.1 miles from Gretna.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 181.2 miles (291.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 31 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 7:40 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.67 one way or $59.34 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 66.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers around Arlington and Chance Rain Showers near Gretna.
Stop Ideas Near Franklin
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 Franklin.
Charlottesville Union Station
Staunton station
Culpeper station
Ashland
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Arlington and Gretna. Straight-line distance: 181.19 mi (291.6 km).
#1 Arlington
A county in Virginia.
| Population | 229,164 |
| Coordinates | 38.8810100, -77.1042800 |
| Altitude | 71 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Gretna
Town of the United States
| Population | 1,179 |
| Coordinates | 36.9537500, -79.3589100 |
| Altitude | 256 |
| Country | United States |
End: Gretna (-79.35891, 36.95375)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 341 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 04m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 18m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 14m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 32m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 01m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 38m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $29.67 | $59.34 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $33.17 | $66.35 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $35.79 | $71.57 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $42.12 | $84.25 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.