How far is Dale City, VA from Arlington, VA?
The driving distance from Dale City, VA to Arlington, VA is about 26.6 miles (42.8 km), with a travel time of about 00h 39m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 20.2 miles (32.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 18m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 39m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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.
City in Hampden County, Massachusetts
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Dale City and Arlington.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dale City and Arlington.
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1
Start on Bayfield Drive
13 m · 7 sec · Bayfield Drive
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2
Turn left onto Birchdale Avenue
3155 ft · 2 min · Birchdale Avenue
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3
Turn left onto Dale Boulevard
2117 ft · 53 sec · Dale Boulevard
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4
Turn left onto Gideon Drive
1.3 km · 2 min · Gideon Drive
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5
Turn right onto Opitz Boulevard
3149 ft · 1 min · Opitz Boulevard
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6
Continue on Opitz Boulevard
59 m · 10 sec · Opitz Boulevard
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7
Take the ramp slight right toward I 95 North
2082 ft · 51 sec
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8
Keep slight left to continue on I 95 North: Washington
898 ft · 22 sec
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9
Merge slight left
11.5 mi · 14 min
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10
Keep slight right to continue on Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
1 km · 52 sec · Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
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11
Continue on Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
8.1 mi · 10 min · Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward VA 27: Washington Boulevard, Columbia Pike
1866 ft · 50 sec
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13
Keep slight left to continue on VA 27 West: Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Washington Boulevard, Columbia Pike
1614 ft · 46 sec
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14
Merge slight right onto Washington Boulevard
1.8 mi · 4 min · Washington Boulevard
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15
Turn left onto 10th Street North
1545 ft · 1 min · 10th Street North
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16
Turn slight left
42 m · 8 sec
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17
Turn left onto Wilson Boulevard
2043 ft · 1 min · Wilson Boulevard
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Wilson Boulevard
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Dale City and Arlington.
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.
I 95 North
Merge slight left
11.5 mi · 00h 14m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Dale City and Mostly Sunny then Slight 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 Dale City to Arlington?
The road trip is about 26.6 miles (42.8 km) and usually takes 00h 39m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
West Springfield is a useful midpoint, sitting about 13.2 miles from Dale City and 13.4 miles from Arlington.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 20.2 miles (32.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.4 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:12 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.72 one way or $7.45 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 8.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers around Dale City and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Arlington.
Stop Ideas Near West Springfield
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
United States Capitol
D C Government
THEARC: Town Hall Education Arts Recreation Campus
District of Columbia Court
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to West Springfield.
Lorton station
Burke Centre
Woodbridge station
Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Dale City and Arlington. Straight-line distance: 20.21 mi (32.52 km).
#1 Dale City
Census designated place
| Population | 65,969 |
| Coordinates | 38.6370600, -77.3110900 |
| Altitude | 70 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Arlington
A county in Virginia.
| Population | 229,164 |
| Coordinates | 38.8810100, -77.1042800 |
| Altitude | 71 |
| Country | United States |
End: Wilson Boulevard (-77.104347, 38.881084)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 43 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 53m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 39m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 31m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 26m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 22m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 19m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $3.72 | $7.45 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $4.16 | $8.33 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $4.49 | $8.98 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $5.29 | $10.57 |
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 · May 01, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.