How far is Arlington, VA from Rural Retreat, VA?
The driving distance from Arlington, VA to Rural Retreat, VA is about 313.6 miles (504.7 km), with a travel time of about 05h 51m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 265.6 miles (427.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 43m 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 05h 51m.
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.
Census designated place
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Patchy Fog then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Arlington and Rural Retreat.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Arlington and Rural Retreat.
-
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
67.1 mi · 1 hr 16 min · Custis Memorial Parkway
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7
Keep slight left to continue on I 81 South: Roanoke
1 km · 1 min
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8
Merge slight right onto I 81 South: Roanoke
108.7 mi · 1 hr 58 min
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9
Keep slight left
117.1 mi · 2 hr 10 min
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10
Continue straight
1.3 mi · 1 min
-
11
Keep slight left
12.3 mi · 13 min
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12
Take the exit slight right toward VA 90: Rural Retreat
889 ft · 28 sec
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13
Turn left onto Black Lick Road
2477 ft · 52 sec · Black Lick Road
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14
Continue on Main Street
1.2 mi · 2 min · Main Street
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Arlington and Rural Retreat.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
I 81 South
Keep slight left
117 mi · 02h 10m
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.
Patchy Fog then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Arlington and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Rural Retreat.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Arlington to Rural Retreat?
The road trip is about 313.6 miles (504.7 km) and usually takes 05h 51m 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?
Jolivue is a useful midpoint, sitting about 156.7 miles from Arlington and 156.9 miles from Rural Retreat.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 265.6 miles (427.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 48 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 5:16 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $43.85 one way or $87.70 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 98.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Patchy Fog then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Arlington and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Rural Retreat.
Stop Ideas Near Jolivue
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 Jolivue.
Staunton station
Charlottesville Union Station
Clifton Forge
Kemper Street station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Arlington and Rural Retreat. Straight-line distance: 265.66 mi (427.54 km).
#1 Arlington
A county in Virginia.
| Population | 229,164 |
| Coordinates | 38.8810100, -77.1042800 |
| Altitude | 71 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Rural Retreat
Town of the United States
| Population | 1,448 |
| Coordinates | 36.8937300, -81.2759300 |
| Altitude | 766 |
| Country | United States |
End: Rural Retreat (-81.27593, 36.89373)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 505 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 26m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 50m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 16m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 13m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 28m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 54m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $43.85 | $87.70 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $49.03 | $98.06 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $52.89 | $105.78 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $62.26 | $124.52 |
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 · Jun 11, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.