How far is Colonial Heights, VA from McLean, VA?
The driving distance from Colonial Heights, VA to McLean, VA is about 363.3 miles (584.6 km), with a travel time of about 05h 22m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 313.2 miles (504 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 45m 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 22m.
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.
Sunny
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Colonial Heights and McLean.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Colonial Heights and McLean.
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1
Start on Lee Highway
154 m · 16 sec · Lee Highway
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2
Turn left onto Old Airport Road
965 ft · 31 sec · Old Airport Road
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3
Take the ramp sharp left
1362 ft · 33 sec
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4
Merge slight right
66.6 mi · 1 hr 11 min
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5
Continue straight
7.1 mi · 8 min
-
6
Keep slight left to continue on I 81 North, US 11 North: Roanoke
139.7 mi · 2 hr 34 min
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7
Continue straight
1353 ft · 18 sec
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8
Keep slight left
78.9 mi · 1 hr 26 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward I 66 East: Front Royal, Washington
1920 ft · 47 sec
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10
Continue straight
42.8 mi · 46 min
-
11
Keep slight right
21.5 mi · 26 min
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12
Take the exit slight right toward I 495 North: Tysons Corner, Baltimore
3015 ft · 1 min
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13
Merge slight left onto Capital Beltway
2.2 mi · 2 min · Capital Beltway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward VA 123 North: McLean
2182 ft · 53 sec
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15
Turn straight onto Dolley Madison Boulevard
1.7 mi · 4 min · Dolley Madison Boulevard
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16
Turn right onto Old Dominion Drive
2534 ft · 1 min · Old Dominion Drive
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17
Turn sharp left onto Elm Street
31 m · 2 sec · Elm Street
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Elm Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Colonial Heights and McLean.
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 Colonial Heights and Chance Rain Showers near McLean.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Colonial Heights to McLean?
The road trip is about 363.3 miles (584.6 km) and usually takes 05h 22m 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 181.1 miles from Colonial Heights and 182.1 miles from McLean.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 313.2 miles (504 km), while the road route adds roughly 50.1 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 6:14 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $53.05 one way or $106.10 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 113.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Colonial Heights and Chance Rain Showers near McLean.
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 Colonial Heights and McLean. Straight-line distance: 313.18 mi (504.02 km).
#1 Colonial Heights
Independent city in Virginia, United States
| Population | 17,205 |
| Coordinates | 36.6334400, -82.1204100 |
| Altitude | 546 |
| 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: 585 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 12h 06m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 09h 04m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 07h 15m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 06h 03m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 05h 11m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 31m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.14 | $53.05 | $106.10 |
| Mid-grade | $4.63 | $59.38 | $118.76 |
| Premium | $5.01 | $64.27 | $128.53 |
| Diesel | $6.21 | $79.64 | $159.28 |
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 · Oct 15, 2026