How far is Arlington, VA from Petersburg, VA?
The driving distance from Arlington, VA to Petersburg, VA is about 128.1 miles (206.1 km), with a travel time of about 02h 36m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 115.4 miles (185.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 13m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 36m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Census designated place
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Scattered Rain Showers then Partly Sunny
Rain
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Arlington and Petersburg.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Arlington and Petersburg.
-
1
Start on Wilson Boulevard
27 m · 8 sec · Wilson Boulevard
-
2
Turn right onto North Oakland Street
2360 ft · 1 min · North Oakland Street
-
3
Turn right onto North Pershing Drive
766 ft · 28 sec · North Pershing Drive
-
4
Turn left onto North Glebe Road
2.4 mi · 6 min · North Glebe Road
-
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
-
8
Merge slight left onto Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
5.8 mi · 7 min · Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
-
9
Continue on Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
36.3 mi · 43 min · Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
-
10
Keep slight left
58.4 mi · 1 hr 6 min
-
11
Keep slight left to continue on Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
23.3 mi · 30 min · Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
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12
Take the exit slight right toward Washington Street, Wythe Street, Petersburg National Battlefield
783 ft · 19 sec
-
13
Keep slight right to continue on US 301 North: Washington Street
912 ft · 22 sec
-
14
Turn straight onto East Washington Street
1583 ft · 38 sec · East Washington Street
-
15
Turn left
11 m · 3 sec
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Arlington and Petersburg.
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
58.4 mi · 01h 06m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Scattered Rain Showers then Partly Sunny leaving Arlington and Rain near Petersburg.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Arlington to Petersburg?
The road trip is about 128.1 miles (206.1 km) and usually takes 02h 36m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Spotsylvania Courthouse is a useful midpoint, sitting about 64.1 miles from Arlington and 64 miles from Petersburg.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 115.4 miles (185.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 12.7 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:16 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $18.63 one way or $37.25 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 40.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Scattered Rain Showers then Partly Sunny around Arlington and Rain near Petersburg.
Stop Ideas Near Spotsylvania Courthouse
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 Spotsylvania Courthouse.
Fredericksburg
Quantico
Culpeper station
Ashland
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Arlington and Petersburg. Straight-line distance: 115.36 mi (185.65 km).
#1 Arlington
A county in Virginia.
| Population | 229,164 |
| Coordinates | 38.8810100, -77.1042800 |
| Altitude | 71 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Petersburg
Petersburg is a place in Virginia, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 37.2279300, -77.4019300 |
| Altitude | 22 |
| Country | United States |
End: Petersburg (-77.40193, 37.22793)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 206 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 15m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 12m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 33m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 08m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 49m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 35m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.12 | $18.63 | $37.25 |
| Mid-grade | $4.61 | $20.86 | $41.71 |
| Premium | $5.00 | $22.59 | $45.17 |
| Diesel | $6.21 | $28.06 | $56.13 |
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 · Oct 16, 2026