How far is Covington, VA from Alexandria, VA?
The driving distance from Covington, VA to Alexandria, VA is about 232.6 miles (374.4 km), with a travel time of about 03h 36m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 174.4 miles (280.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 13m 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 03h 36m.
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.
Town in Shenandoah County, Virginia, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Isolated Rain Showers
Partly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Covington and Alexandria.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Covington and Alexandria.
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1
Start on West Main Street
1653 ft · 55 sec · West Main Street
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2
Turn left onto North Lexington Avenue
107 m · 9 sec · North Lexington Avenue
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3
Turn right onto West Locust Street
675 ft · 14 sec · West Locust Street
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4
Continue on North Craig Avenue
1.3 km · 1 min · North Craig Avenue
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5
Continue on South Durant Road
2336 ft · 49 sec · South Durant Road
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6
Take the ramp slight right
1072 ft · 26 sec
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7
Merge slight left
72.1 mi · 1 hr 18 min
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8
Keep slight left
78.9 mi · 1 hr 26 min
-
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
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11
Keep slight right
21.4 mi · 26 min
-
12
Take the exit slight right toward I 495 South: Richmond, Alexandria
2186 ft · 42 sec
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13
Merge slight left onto Capital Beltway
12.1 mi · 15 min · Capital Beltway
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14
Keep slight right to continue on Capital Beltway (Local)
2 mi · 3 min · Capital Beltway (Local)
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15
Take the exit slight right toward US 1: Alexandria, Fort Belvoir
969 ft · 24 sec
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16
Keep slight left to continue on US 1 North: Alexandria
2328 ft · 57 sec
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17
Merge slight left onto Richmond Highway
134 m · 8 sec · Richmond Highway
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18
Continue on South Patrick Street
1551 ft · 46 sec · South Patrick Street
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19
Turn right onto Franklin Street
953 ft · 28 sec · Franklin Street
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20
Turn left onto South Washington Street
2462 ft · 2 min · South Washington Street
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Washington Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Covington and Alexandria.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
South Durant Road
Keep slight left
78.9 mi · 01h 26m
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.
Isolated Rain Showers leaving Covington and Partly Cloudy near Alexandria.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Covington to Alexandria?
The road trip is about 232.6 miles (374.4 km) and usually takes 03h 36m 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?
New Market is a useful midpoint, sitting about 116.7 miles from Covington and 115.9 miles from Alexandria.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 174.4 miles (280.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 58.2 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:46 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $32.52 one way or $65.04 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 73 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Isolated Rain Showers around Covington and Partly Cloudy near Alexandria.
Stop Ideas Near New Market
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 New Market.
Culpeper station
Staunton station
Charlottesville Union Station
Manassas station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Covington and Alexandria. Straight-line distance: 174.4 mi (280.67 km).
#1 Covington
Independent city in Virginia, United States
| Population | 5,639 |
| Coordinates | 37.7934600, -79.9939500 |
| Altitude | 381 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Alexandria
A city in Virginia.
| Population | 158,726 |
| Coordinates | 38.8048400, -77.0469200 |
| Altitude | 12 |
| Country | United States |
End: South Washington Street (-77.04696, 38.804845)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 374 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 45m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 48m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 39m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 52m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 19m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 54m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $32.52 | $65.04 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $36.36 | $72.72 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $39.23 | $78.45 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $46.17 | $92.35 |
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 29, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.