How far is Bristol, VA from Arlington, VA?
The driving distance from Bristol, VA to Arlington, VA is about 370.7 miles (596.6 km), with a travel time of about 05h 37m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 319.4 miles (514.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 14m 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 37m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Independent city in Virginia, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Bristol and Arlington.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bristol and Arlington.
-
1
Start on Sullins Street
23 m · 5 sec · Sullins Street
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2
Turn right onto Commonwealth Avenue
1.1 mi · 1 min · Commonwealth Avenue
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3
Continue straight
1.1 mi · 2 min
-
4
Keep slight right to continue on I 81 North: Roanoke
1959 ft · 30 sec
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5
Merge slight left
70 mi · 1 hr 15 min
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6
Continue straight
7.1 mi · 8 min
-
7
Keep slight left to continue on I 81 North, US 11 North: Roanoke
139.7 mi · 2 hr 34 min
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8
Continue straight
1353 ft · 18 sec
-
9
Keep slight left
78.9 mi · 1 hr 26 min
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward I 66 East: Front Royal, Washington
1920 ft · 47 sec
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11
Continue straight
42.8 mi · 46 min
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12
Keep slight right
27.8 mi · 34 min
-
13
Take the exit slight right toward VA 120, VA 237
1641 ft · 31 sec
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14
Continue on Fairfax Drive
573 ft · 25 sec · Fairfax Drive
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15
Turn right onto North Glebe Road
985 ft · 33 sec · North Glebe Road
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16
Turn slight left onto Wilson Boulevard
2854 ft · 2 min · Wilson Boulevard
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Wilson Boulevard
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Bristol and Arlington.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
I 81 North
Keep slight left to continue on I 81 North, US 11 North: Roanoke
140 mi · 02h 34m
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.
Sunny leaving Bristol and Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms near Arlington.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Bristol to Arlington?
The road trip is about 370.7 miles (596.6 km) and usually takes 05h 37m 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?
Buena Vista is a useful midpoint, sitting about 185.2 miles from Bristol and 185.5 miles from Arlington.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 319.4 miles (514.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 51.3 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 5:46 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $51.81 one way or $103.62 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 116.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Bristol and Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms near Arlington.
Stop Ideas Near Buena Vista
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 Buena Vista.
Kemper Street station
Clifton Forge
Staunton station
Roanoke
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Bristol and Arlington. Straight-line distance: 319.43 mi (514.08 km).
#1 Bristol
Independent city in Virginia, United States
| Population | 17,329 |
| Coordinates | 36.5964900, -82.1884700 |
| Altitude | 512 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Arlington
A county in Virginia.
| Population | 229,164 |
| Coordinates | 38.8810100, -77.1042800 |
| Altitude | 71 |
| Country | United States |
End: Wilson Boulevard (-77.104347, 38.881084)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 597 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 12h 21m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 09h 16m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 07h 24m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 06h 10m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 05h 17m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 37m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $51.81 | $103.62 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $57.93 | $115.86 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $62.50 | $124.99 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $73.56 | $147.12 |
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 25, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.