How far is Chester, VA from McLean, VA?
The driving distance from Chester, VA to McLean, VA is about 124 miles (199.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 15m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 109.9 miles (176.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 30m 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 02h 15m.
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.
Mostly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Chester and McLean.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chester and McLean.
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1
Start on Winfree Street
82 m · 14 sec · Winfree Street
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2
Continue on Chester Road
2.9 mi · 5 min · Chester Road
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3
Turn right onto Kingsdale Road
1.4 km · 2 min · Kingsdale Road
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4
Turn left onto Route 1
854 ft · 16 sec · Route 1
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5
Continue on Route 1
772 ft · 18 sec · Route 1
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6
Turn right onto Willis Road
2239 ft · 54 sec · Willis Road
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7
Take the ramp left toward I 95 North
823 ft · 20 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
13.8 mi · 18 min · Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
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9
Keep slight left to continue on Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
52.8 mi · 58 min · Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
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10
Keep slight right
1.6 mi · 2 min
-
11
Keep slight left
1 mi · 1 min
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12
Merge slight left
35 mi · 41 min
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13
Keep slight right to continue on Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
1 km · 52 sec · Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward I 495 North: Tysons Corner
1.4 mi · 2 min
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15
Merge slight left onto Capital Beltway
1 mi · 1 min · Capital Beltway
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16
Keep slight right to continue on Capital Beltway
8.5 mi · 11 min · Capital Beltway
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17
Take the exit slight right toward VA 123 North: McLean
2182 ft · 53 sec
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18
Turn straight onto Dolley Madison Boulevard
1.7 mi · 4 min · Dolley Madison Boulevard
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19
Turn right onto Old Dominion Drive
2534 ft · 1 min · Old Dominion Drive
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20
Turn sharp left onto Elm Street
31 m · 2 sec · Elm Street
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Elm Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Chester and McLean.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
Keep slight left to continue on Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
52.8 mi · 00h 58m
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.
Patchy Fog leaving Chester and Mostly Cloudy near McLean.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Chester to McLean?
The road trip is about 124 miles (199.5 km) and usually takes 02h 15m 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?
Spotsylvania Courthouse is a useful midpoint, sitting about 61.6 miles from Chester and 62.4 miles from McLean.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 109.9 miles (176.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 14.1 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 2:00 PM EST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.01 one way or $34.02 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 38.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Patchy Fog around Chester and Mostly Cloudy near McLean.
Stop Ideas Near Spotsylvania Courthouse
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 Spotsylvania Courthouse.
Fredericksburg
Quantico
Culpeper station
Ashland
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Chester and McLean. Straight-line distance: 109.93 mi (176.92 km).
#1 Chester
Chester is a place in Virginia, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 37.3568200, -77.4416500 |
| Altitude | 53 |
| 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: Elm Street (-77.177466, 38.934287)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 200 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 07m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 05m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 28m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 03m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 46m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 32m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.89 | $17.01 | $34.02 |
| Mid-grade | $4.39 | $19.20 | $38.40 |
| Premium | $4.80 | $20.96 | $41.93 |
| Diesel | $6.18 | $27.00 | $54.00 |
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 07, 2026