How far is Arlington, VA from South Boston, VA?
The driving distance from Arlington, VA to South Boston, VA is about 213.9 miles (344.2 km), with a travel time of about 04h 27m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 179.9 miles (289.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 55m 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 27m.
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.
The capital of Virginia.
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 South Boston.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Arlington and South Boston.
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1
Start on Wilson Boulevard
27 m · 8 sec · Wilson Boulevard
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2
Turn right onto North Oakland Street
2360 ft · 1 min · North Oakland Street
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3
Turn right onto North Pershing Drive
766 ft · 28 sec · North Pershing Drive
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4
Turn left onto North Glebe Road
2.4 mi · 6 min · North Glebe Road
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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
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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
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10
Keep slight left
54.8 mi · 1 hr 1 min
-
11
Take the exit slight right toward I 195 South, I 64 West: Charlottesville
867 ft · 19 sec
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12
Keep slight left to continue on I 195 South
2102 ft · 33 sec
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13
Continue on Beltline Expressway
2.1 mi · 3 min · Beltline Expressway
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14
Keep slight left to continue on Powhite Parkway
2.2 mi · 3 min · Powhite Parkway
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15
Keep slight left to continue on E-ZPass Only (Powhite Parkway)
1.6 km · 2 min · E-ZPass Only (Powhite Parkway)
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16
Merge slight right onto Powhite Parkway
8.6 mi · 11 min · Powhite Parkway
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17
Take the exit slight right toward VA 288 South: Amelia, Chesterfield
2090 ft · 52 sec
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18
Keep slight left
2773 ft · 1 min
-
19
Merge slight left onto World War II Veterans Memorial Highway
1.9 mi · 2 min · World War II Veterans Memorial Highway
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20
Take the exit slight right toward US 360 West: Hull Street Road, Amelia
1786 ft · 44 sec
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21
Merge slight left onto Hull Street Road
13.9 mi · 20 min · Hull Street Road
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22
Continue on Patrick Henry Highway
24.6 mi · 31 min · Patrick Henry Highway
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23
Continue on West Colonial Trail Highway
1.5 mi · 2 min · West Colonial Trail Highway
-
24
Keep slight left to continue on Patrick Henry Highway
17.3 mi · 22 min · Patrick Henry Highway
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25
Keep slight left to continue on Kings Highway
22.4 mi · 27 min · Kings Highway
-
26
Continue on James D Hagood Highway
14.6 mi · 18 min · James D Hagood Highway
-
27
Continue on John Randolph Boulevard
2785 ft · 58 sec · John Randolph Boulevard
-
28
Turn right onto Hodges Street
2877 ft · 1 min · Hodges Street
-
29
At the end of the road, turn left onto North Main Street
2465 ft · 51 sec · North Main Street
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30
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Arlington and South Boston.
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
54.8 mi · 01h 01m
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 South Boston.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Arlington to South Boston?
The road trip is about 213.9 miles (344.2 km) and usually takes 04h 27m 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?
Richmond is a useful midpoint, sitting about 106.9 miles from Arlington and 106.9 miles from South Boston.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 179.9 miles (289.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 34 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 8:04 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.91 one way or $59.81 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 67.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers around Arlington and Chance Rain Showers near South Boston.
Stop Ideas Near Richmond
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Town Hall
Old City Hall
City of Richmond Virginia (City Hall)
City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Richmond.
Richmond Main Street Station
Richmond Staples Mill Road station
Ashland
Petersburg station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Arlington and South Boston. Straight-line distance: 179.89 mi (289.5 km).
#1 Arlington
A county in Virginia.
| Population | 229,164 |
| Coordinates | 38.8810100, -77.1042800 |
| Altitude | 71 |
| Country | United States |
#2 South Boston
Town in Halifax County, Virginia, United States
| Population | 7,519 |
| Coordinates | 36.6987500, -78.9014000 |
| Altitude | 131 |
| Country | United States |
End: South Boston (-78.9014, 36.69875)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 344 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 07m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 20m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 16m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 33m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 03m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 40m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $29.91 | $59.81 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $33.44 | $66.88 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $36.07 | $72.15 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $42.46 | $84.92 |
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.