How far is Buena Vista, VA from Arlington, VA?

The driving distance from Buena Vista, VA to Arlington, VA is about 187.8 miles (302.3 km), with a travel time of about 02h 55m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 145.5 miles (234.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 51m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
187.83 mi
02h 55m
Flight
145.44 mi
234.06 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Buena Vista.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
145.44 mi
Kilometers
234.06 km
Flight Time
00h 17m

Driving Distance

Road route
187.83 mi
Kilometers
302.28 km
Drive Time
02h 55m

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 55m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Arlington
Fri, Apr 17, 4:52 AM EDT
Return by in Buena Vista
Fri, Apr 17, 7:48 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Buena Vista
2026-04-17T01:56
Arrive Arlington
Fri, Apr 17, 4:52 AM EDT
Route Timing
02h 55m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:56 AM to 12:56 PM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
12:38 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Buena Vista
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Edinburg
VA

Town in Virginia, United States

From Buena Vista
93.8 mi
01h 27m
To Arlington
94.1 mi
01h 27m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
86°F
Friday

Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 6 mph W
Destination
84°F
Friday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
7 to 13 mph NW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Buena Vista and Arlington.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Buena Vista and Arlington.

  1. 1

    Start on East 21st Street

    135 m · 24 sec · East 21st Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Sycamore Avenue

    147 m · 6 sec · Sycamore Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn straight onto Beech Avenue

    2457 ft · 42 sec · Beech Avenue

  4. 4

    Turn left onto West 29th Street

    1 km · 43 sec · West 29th Street

  5. 5

    Continue on East Midland Trail

    2.7 mi · 3 min · East Midland Trail

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right

    1800 ft · 44 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    32.4 mi · 35 min

  8. 8

    Keep slight left

    78.9 mi · 1 hr 26 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward I 66 East: Front Royal, Washington

    1920 ft · 47 sec

  10. 10

    Continue straight

    42.8 mi · 46 min

  11. 11

    Keep slight right

    27.8 mi · 34 min

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward VA 120, VA 237

    1641 ft · 31 sec

  13. 13

    Continue on Fairfax Drive

    573 ft · 25 sec · Fairfax Drive

  14. 14

    Turn right onto North Glebe Road

    985 ft · 33 sec · North Glebe Road

  15. 15

    Turn slight left onto Wilson Boulevard

    2854 ft · 2 min · Wilson Boulevard

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Wilson Boulevard

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Buena Vista and Arlington.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
16 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
1 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
8.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
East Midland Trail
114 mi · 61%
I 66 East
70.9 mi · 38%
West 29th Street
0.63 mi
Wilson Boulevard
0.54 mi
Beech Avenue
0.47 mi
VA 120
0.31 mi
Longest Stretch

East Midland Trail

Keep slight left

78.9 mi · 01h 26m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
02h 55m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 52m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+42.3 mi
145.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Edinburg
01h 27m from Buena Vista
Leave By
12:38 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Buena Vista and Chance Rain Showers near Arlington.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Buena Vista to Arlington?

The road trip is about 187.8 miles (302.3 km) and usually takes 02h 55m 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?

Edinburg is a useful midpoint, sitting about 93.8 miles from Buena Vista and 94.1 miles from Arlington.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 145.5 miles (234.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 42.3 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:38 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.26 one way or $52.52 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 58.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers around Buena Vista and Chance Rain Showers near Arlington.

Stop Ideas Near Edinburg

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Edinburg, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Edinburg.

RAIL

Culpeper station

63 mi away
109 South Commerce Street
RAIL

Staunton station

87 mi away
1 Middlebrook Avenue
RAIL

Charlottesville Union Station

88 mi away
810 West Main St
RAIL

Martinsburg station

88 mi away
229 East Martin St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Buena Vista and Arlington. Straight-line distance: 145.44 mi (234.06 km).

Buena Vista

#1 Buena Vista

Independent city in Virginia, United States

Population6,402
Coordinates37.7343000, -79.3539200
Altitude255
CountryUnited States
Arlington

#2 Arlington

A county in Virginia.

Population229,164
Coordinates38.8810100, -77.1042800
Altitude71
CountryUnited States
Start: East 21st Street (-79.353899, 37.734349)
End: Wilson Boulevard (-77.104347, 38.881084)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 302 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 15m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 41m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 45m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 07m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 41m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 20m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.63 gal
25.09 L · about $26.26
Round trip
$52.52
13.26 gal · 50.18 L
Estimated CO2
58.9 kg one way
Round trip: 117.8 kg / 260 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $26.26 $52.52
Mid-grade $4.43 $29.36 $58.73
Premium $4.78 $31.68 $63.36
Diesel $5.62 $37.29 $74.57

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 17, 2026

There is no time difference between Buena Vista and Arlington. The current time is 01:56:56.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.