How far is Arlington, VA from McLean, VA?
The driving distance from Arlington, VA to McLean, VA is about 8.8 miles (14.2 km), with a travel time of about 00h 14m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 5.4 miles (8.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 28m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT.
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.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 14m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
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.
Chance Rain Showers
Isolated Rain Showers then Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Arlington and McLean.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Arlington and McLean.
-
1
Start on Wilson Boulevard
2828 ft · 2 min · Wilson Boulevard
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2
Turn slight right onto North Glebe Road
1.9 mi · 5 min · North Glebe Road
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3
Turn slight left onto Old Dominion Drive
3.5 mi · 8 min · Old Dominion Drive
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4
Turn slight right onto Elm Street
31 m · 2 sec · Elm Street
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5
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Elm Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Arlington and McLean.
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.
Old Dominion Drive
Turn slight left onto Old Dominion Drive
3.53 mi · 00h 08m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Chance Rain Showers leaving Arlington and Isolated Rain Showers then Partly Sunny near McLean.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Arlington to McLean?
The road trip is about 8.8 miles (14.2 km) and usually takes 00h 14m 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?
Falls Church is a useful midpoint, sitting about 3 miles from Arlington and 5.8 miles from McLean.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 5.4 miles (8.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 3.4 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 8:02 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $1.23 one way or $2.46 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 2.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Arlington and Isolated Rain Showers then Partly Sunny near McLean.
Stop Ideas Near Falls Church
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
United States Capitol
D C Government
THEARC: Town Hall Education Arts Recreation Campus
Town Hall Liquor And Bar
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Falls Church.
Union Station
Washington Union Station
Burke Centre
Lorton station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Arlington and McLean. Straight-line distance: 5.39 mi (8.67 km).
#1 Arlington
A county in Virginia.
| Population | 229,164 |
| Coordinates | 38.8810100, -77.1042800 |
| Altitude | 71 |
| Country | United States |
#2 McLean
A city in Fairfax County, Virginia.
| Population | 48,115 |
| Coordinates | 38.9342800, -77.1774800 |
| Altitude | 87 |
| Country | United States |
End: Elm Street (-77.177466, 38.934287)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 14 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 17m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 13m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 10m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 08m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 07m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 06m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $1.23 | $2.46 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $1.37 | $2.75 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $1.48 | $2.96 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $1.74 | $3.49 |
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 17, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.