How far is Gainesville, VA from Alexandria, VA?
The driving distance from Gainesville, VA to Alexandria, VA is about 38.5 miles (62 km), with a travel time of about 00h 44m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 30.5 miles (49.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 28m 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 44m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Unincorporated community in Virginia
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Gainesville and Alexandria.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gainesville and Alexandria.
-
1
Start on Lee Highway
1 km · 53 sec · Lee Highway
-
2
Take the exit slight right toward I 66 East: Washington
1.4 km · 2 min
-
3
Merge slight left
20.8 mi · 25 min
-
4
Take the exit slight right toward I 495 South: Richmond, Alexandria
2186 ft · 42 sec
-
5
Merge slight left onto Capital Beltway
12.1 mi · 15 min · Capital Beltway
-
6
Keep slight right to continue on Capital Beltway (Local)
2 mi · 3 min · Capital Beltway (Local)
-
7
Take the exit slight right toward US 1: Alexandria, Fort Belvoir
969 ft · 24 sec
-
8
Keep slight left to continue on US 1 North: Alexandria
2328 ft · 57 sec
-
9
Merge slight left onto Richmond Highway
134 m · 8 sec · Richmond Highway
-
10
Continue on South Patrick Street
1551 ft · 46 sec · South Patrick Street
-
11
Turn right onto Franklin Street
953 ft · 28 sec · Franklin Street
-
12
Turn left onto South Washington Street
2462 ft · 2 min · South Washington Street
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13
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Washington Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Gainesville and Alexandria.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 66 East
Merge slight left
20.8 mi · 00h 25m
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.
Sunny leaving Gainesville and Sunny near Alexandria.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Gainesville to Alexandria?
The road trip is about 38.5 miles (62 km) and usually takes 00h 44m 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?
Oakton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 19.2 miles from Gainesville and 19.3 miles from Alexandria.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 30.5 miles (49.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 8 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 7:02 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.39 one way or $10.77 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 12.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Gainesville and Sunny near Alexandria.
Stop Ideas Near Oakton
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
United States Capitol
Tele-Town Hall
Alexandria City Hall
Town Hall Pool
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Oakton.
Burke Centre
Lorton station
Manassas station
Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Gainesville and Alexandria. Straight-line distance: 30.53 mi (49.14 km).
#1 Gainesville
Gainesville is a place in Virginia, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 38.7956700, -77.6138800 |
| Altitude | 108 |
| 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: 62 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 16m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 57m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 46m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 38m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 33m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 28m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $5.39 | $10.77 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $6.02 | $12.05 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $6.50 | $13.00 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $7.65 | $15.30 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.