How far is Brightwood, VA from Alexandria, VA?
The driving distance from Brightwood, VA to Alexandria, VA is about 86.8 miles (139.7 km), with a travel time of about 01h 37m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 67.4 miles (108.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 14m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EST.
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 01h 37m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Street in the St.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Brightwood and Alexandria.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Brightwood and Alexandria.
-
1
Start on Ridgeview Road
928 ft · 26 sec · Ridgeview Road
-
2
Continue on Coop Road
1221 ft · 33 sec · Coop Road
-
3
Turn left onto North Seminole Trail
3.4 mi · 4 min · North Seminole Trail
-
4
Continue on James Monroe Highway
7.7 mi · 10 min · James Monroe Highway
-
5
Continue on James Madison Highway
23.3 mi · 30 min · James Madison Highway
-
6
Continue on Eastern Bypass
2.4 mi · 3 min · Eastern Bypass
-
7
Keep slight left to continue on US 15 North, US 29 North
11.7 mi · 17 min
-
8
Take the exit slight right toward I 66 East: Washington
1.4 km · 2 min
-
9
Merge slight left
20.8 mi · 25 min
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward I 495 South: Richmond, Alexandria
2186 ft · 42 sec
-
11
Merge slight left onto Capital Beltway
12.1 mi · 15 min · Capital Beltway
-
12
Keep slight right to continue on Capital Beltway (Local)
2 mi · 3 min · Capital Beltway (Local)
-
13
Take the exit slight right toward US 1: Alexandria, Fort Belvoir
969 ft · 24 sec
-
14
Keep slight left to continue on US 1 North: Alexandria
2328 ft · 57 sec
-
15
Merge slight left onto Richmond Highway
134 m · 8 sec · Richmond Highway
-
16
Continue on South Patrick Street
1551 ft · 46 sec · South Patrick Street
-
17
Turn right onto Franklin Street
953 ft · 28 sec · Franklin Street
-
18
Turn left onto South Washington Street
2462 ft · 2 min · South Washington Street
-
19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Washington Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Brightwood and Alexandria.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
James Madison Highway
Continue on James Madison Highway
23.3 mi · 00h 30m
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.
Sunny leaving Brightwood and Sunny near Alexandria.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Brightwood to Alexandria?
The road trip is about 86.8 miles (139.7 km) and usually takes 01h 37m 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?
Haymarket is a useful midpoint, sitting about 43.4 miles from Brightwood and 43.5 miles from Alexandria.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 67.4 miles (108.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 19.4 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:16 PM EST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $11.81 one way or $23.63 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 27.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Brightwood and Sunny near Alexandria.
Stop Ideas Near Haymarket
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
City Hall Parking Lot
Manassas Park City Hall
Town Hall Pool
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Haymarket.
Manassas station
Burke Centre
Lorton station
Woodbridge station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Brightwood and Alexandria. Straight-line distance: 67.33 mi (108.36 km).
#1 Brightwood
Brightwood is a place in Virginia, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 38.4215200, -78.1936100 |
| Altitude | 179 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Alexandria
A city in Virginia.
| Population | 158,726 |
| Coordinates | 38.8048400, -77.0469200 |
| Altitude | 12 |
| Country | United States |
End: South Washington Street (-77.04696, 38.804845)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 140 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 53m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 10m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 44m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 26m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 14m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 04m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.86 | $11.81 | $23.63 |
| Mid-grade | $4.35 | $13.31 | $26.63 |
| Premium | $4.77 | $14.59 | $29.19 |
| Diesel | $6.16 | $18.84 | $37.68 |
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 · Nov 09, 2026