How far is Arlington, VA from Lorton, VA?

The driving distance from Arlington, VA to Lorton, VA is about 16.5 miles (26.6 km), with a travel time of about 00h 26m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 13.9 miles (22.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 52m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
16.51 mi
00h 26m
Flight
13.91 mi
22.38 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Arlington.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
13.91 mi
Kilometers
22.38 km
Flight Time
00h 01m

Driving Distance

Road route
16.51 mi
Kilometers
26.57 km
Drive Time
00h 26m

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 00h 26m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Lorton
Wed, Apr 22, 11:21 PM EDT
Return by in Arlington
Wed, Apr 22, 11:47 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Arlington
2026-04-22T22:55
Arrive Lorton
Wed, Apr 22, 11:21 PM EDT
Route Timing
00h 26m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:26 AM to 7:26 PM EDT

This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.

Leave by
7:38 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in Arlington
10:00 PM EDT
Flexible departure

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
Lincolnia
VA

Census designated place in Fairfax County, Virginia, United States

From Arlington
8.3 mi
00h 13m
To Lorton
8.3 mi
00h 13m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
73°F
Wednesday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
8 mph SW
Destination
74°F
Wednesday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
8 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Wilson Boulevard

    27 m · 8 sec · Wilson Boulevard

  2. 2

    Turn right onto North Oakland Street

    2360 ft · 1 min · North Oakland Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto North Pershing Drive

    766 ft · 28 sec · North Pershing Drive

  4. 4

    Turn left onto North Glebe Road

    2.4 mi · 6 min · North Glebe Road

  5. 5

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 395 South: Richmond

    1666 ft · 42 sec

  6. 6

    Keep slight left to continue on I 395 South: Richmond, Quaker Lane

    96 m · 8 sec

  7. 7

    Keep slight left to continue on I 395 South: Richmond

    842 ft · 20 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway

    5.8 mi · 7 min · Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway

  9. 9

    Continue on Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway

    6.7 mi · 8 min · Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward SR 642: Lorton, Gunston Hall, Pohick Bay Park

    1458 ft · 39 sec

  11. 11

    Turn right onto Lorton Road

    535 ft · 15 sec · Lorton Road

  12. 12

    Turn left onto Sanger Street

    61 m · 17 sec · Sanger Street

  13. 13

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Sanger Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Turn-heavy local drive

The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.

Directions
13 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
78.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
12.6 mi · 76%
North Glebe Road
2.38 mi · 14%
I 395 South
0.54 mi · 3%
North Oakland Street
0.45 mi · 3%
SR 642
0.28 mi · 2%
North Pershing Drive
0.14 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway

Continue on Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway

6.74 mi · 00h 08m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A short regional drive

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

Drive Time
00h 26m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
00h 52m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+2.6 mi
13.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Lincolnia
00h 13m from Arlington
Leave By
7:38 PM EDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Arlington and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Lorton.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 16.5 miles (26.6 km) and usually takes 00h 26m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Lincolnia is a useful midpoint, sitting about 8.3 miles from Arlington and 8.3 miles from Lorton.

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

The direct path is about 13.9 miles (22.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 2.6 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:38 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.30 one way or $4.59 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 5.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Arlington and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Lorton.

Stop Ideas Near Lincolnia

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

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Lincolnia and the surrounding midpoint area.
United States Capitol
Scenic stop 10 mi away

United States Capitol

Washington , DC
First St SE, Washington, DC 20004, United States
Rating 4.6/5 4,243 reviews Tourist attraction,Historical place,Historical landmark,Landmark,Federal government office
Stop photo coming soon
Practical stop 10.9 mi away

D C Government

Washington , DC
77 P St NE, Washington, DC 20002
Rating 5.0/5 2 reviews City government office,Telephone answering service
THEARC: Town Hall Education Arts Recreation Campus
Meeting point 10.3 mi away

THEARC: Town Hall Education Arts Recreation Campus

Washington , DC
1901 Mississippi Ave SE, Washington, DC 20020
Rating 4.7/5 64 reviews Recreation center,City Hall
District of Columbia Court
Nearby stop 9.8 mi away

District of Columbia Court

Washington , DC
430 E St NW #115, Washington, DC 20001
Rating 4.5/5 10 reviews City courthouse,Federal courthouse

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Lincolnia.

RAIL

Union Station

7 mi away
110 Callahan Drive
RAIL

Lorton station

14 mi away
8006 Lorton Road
RAIL

Burke Centre

14 mi away
10399 Premier Court
RAIL

Washington Union Station

15 mi away
50 Massachusetts Ave NE

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Arlington and Lorton. Straight-line distance: 13.91 mi (22.38 km).

Arlington

#1 Arlington

A county in Virginia.

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

#2 Lorton

Census designated place

Population18,610
Coordinates38.7042800, -77.2277600
Altitude43
CountryUnited States
Start: Arlington (-77.10428, 38.88101)
End: Lorton (-77.22776, 38.70428)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 27 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)00h 33m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 24m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 19m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 16m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 14m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 12m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
0.58 gal
2.21 L · about $2.30
Round trip
$4.59
1.16 gal · 4.42 L
Estimated CO2
5.2 kg one way
Round trip: 10.3 kg / 23 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $2.30 $4.59
Mid-grade $4.43 $2.57 $5.14
Premium $4.78 $2.77 $5.54
Diesel $5.62 $3.26 $6.52

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

There is no time difference between Arlington and Lorton. The current time is 22:55:14.

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.