How far is California, MD from McLean, VA?
The driving distance from California, MD to McLean, VA is about 67 miles (107.9 km), with a travel time of about 01h 43m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 56.8 miles (91.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 27m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
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 43m.
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.
Census designated place
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between California and McLean.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between California and McLean.
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1
Start on Shady Mile Drive
995 ft · 48 sec · Shady Mile Drive
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2
Turn right onto Three Notch Road
21.7 mi · 31 min · Three Notch Road
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3
Continue on Leonardtown Road
10.6 mi · 15 min · Leonardtown Road
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4
Turn right onto Mattawoman Beantown Road
3.3 mi · 5 min · Mattawoman Beantown Road
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5
Merge slight left onto Crain Highway
2.5 mi · 4 min · Crain Highway
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6
Keep slight left to continue on Branch Avenue
11.8 mi · 16 min · Branch Avenue
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7
Keep slight right to continue on Branch Avenue
2162 ft · 39 sec · Branch Avenue
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8
Take the exit left
982 ft · 28 sec
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9
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Naylor Road
39 m · 3 sec · Naylor Road
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10
Exit the roundabout onto Naylor Road
116 m · 13 sec · Naylor Road
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11
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Naylor Road
15 m · 1 sec · Naylor Road
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12
Exit the roundabout onto Naylor Road
1543 ft · 51 sec · Naylor Road
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13
Turn straight
90 m · 10 sec
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14
Turn slight right onto Naylor Road Southeast
1.1 km · 2 min · Naylor Road Southeast
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15
Turn left onto Marion Barry Avenue Southeast
1.2 mi · 3 min · Marion Barry Avenue Southeast
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16
Turn right onto Martin Luther King Junior Avenue Southeast
2387 ft · 54 sec · Martin Luther King Junior Avenue Southeast
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17
Continue on 11th Street Southeast
1754 ft · 52 sec · 11th Street Southeast
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18
Take the ramp left toward I 695 West
1555 ft · 30 sec
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19
Merge slight left onto Southeast Freeway
1.1 mi · 2 min · Southeast Freeway
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20
Continue on Southwest Freeway
1.1 km · 1 min · Southwest Freeway
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21
Continue on Francis Case Memorial Bridge
1.1 mi · 2 min · Francis Case Memorial Bridge
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22
Take the exit slight right toward Memorial Bridge
1041 ft · 25 sec
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23
Merge slight left onto George Washington Memorial Parkway
2.8 mi · 5 min · George Washington Memorial Parkway
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24
Keep slight right to continue on George Washington Memorial Parkway
4.1 mi · 6 min · George Washington Memorial Parkway
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25
Take the exit slight right toward VA 123: Chain Bridge, McLean
756 ft · 18 sec
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26
Turn right onto Dolley Madison Boulevard
2.4 mi · 4 min · Dolley Madison Boulevard
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27
Turn left onto Chain Bridge Road
1171 ft · 42 sec · Chain Bridge Road
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28
Continue on Chain Bridge Road
32 m · 11 sec · Chain Bridge Road
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29
Continue on Chain Bridge Road
1428 ft · 59 sec · Chain Bridge Road
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30
Turn sharp right onto Elm Street
31 m · 2 sec · Elm Street
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31
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Elm Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between California and McLean.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Three Notch Road
Turn right onto Three Notch Road
21.7 mi · 00h 31m
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 California and Sunny near McLean.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from California to McLean?
The road trip is about 67 miles (107.9 km) and usually takes 01h 43m 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?
Waldorf is a useful midpoint, sitting about 33.5 miles from California and 33.6 miles from McLean.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 56.8 miles (91.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.2 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 3:02 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $9.64 one way or $19.29 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 21 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around California and Sunny near McLean.
Stop Ideas Near Waldorf
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 Waldorf.
Union Station
Lorton station
Woodbridge station
Washington Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between California and McLean. Straight-line distance: 56.8 mi (91.41 km).
#1 California
California is a place in Maryland, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 38.3004000, -76.5074500 |
| Altitude | 30 |
| Country | United States |
#2 McLean
A city in Fairfax County, Virginia.
| Population | 48,115 |
| Coordinates | 38.9342800, -77.1774800 |
| Altitude | 87 |
| Country | United States |
End: McLean (-77.17748, 38.93428)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 108 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 14m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 40m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 20m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 07m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 57m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 50m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $9.64 | $19.29 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $10.85 | $21.71 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $11.69 | $23.38 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $14.11 | $28.23 |
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 Maryland · Jun 08, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.