How far is Grottoes, VA from Arlington, VA?

The driving distance from Grottoes, VA to Arlington, VA is about 138.4 miles (222.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 19m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 102.2 miles (164.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 38m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
138.4 mi
02h 19m
Flight
102.2 mi
164.48 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Grottoes.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
102.2 mi
Kilometers
164.48 km
Flight Time
00h 12m

Driving Distance

Road route
138.4 mi
Kilometers
222.73 km
Drive Time
02h 19m

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 19m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Arlington
Tue, May 26, 12:36 PM EDT
Return by in Grottoes
Tue, May 26, 2:55 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Grottoes
2026-05-26T10:16
Arrive Arlington
Tue, May 26, 12:36 PM EDT
Route Timing
02h 19m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:19 AM to 12:19 PM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
1:52 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Grottoes
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Middletown
VA

Town in Virginia, United States

From Grottoes
69.1 mi
01h 09m
To Arlington
69.3 mi
01h 09m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
77°F
Tuesday

Rain Showers

Starts
Tue, May 26 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 mph SE
Destination
78°F
Tuesday

Rain Showers

Starts
Tue, May 26 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
3 mph NE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Grottoes and Arlington.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Grottoes and Arlington.

  1. 1

    Start on 8th Street

    24 m · 6 sec · 8th Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Dogwood Avenue

    1.3 km · 1 min · Dogwood Avenue

  3. 3

    Continue on South River Road

    1.2 mi · 2 min · South River Road

  4. 4

    Turn left onto Port Republic Road

    5.5 mi · 8 min · Port Republic Road

  5. 5

    Turn right onto Cross Keys Road

    2.2 mi · 3 min · Cross Keys Road

  6. 6

    Turn left onto Spotswood Trail

    2.3 mi · 3 min · Spotswood Trail

  7. 7

    Continue on East Market Street

    1.4 mi · 3 min · East Market Street

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right

    1416 ft · 35 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left

    52.6 mi · 57 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward I 66 East: Front Royal, Washington

    1920 ft · 47 sec

  11. 11

    Continue straight

    42.8 mi · 46 min

  12. 12

    Keep slight right

    27.8 mi · 34 min

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward VA 120, VA 237

    1641 ft · 31 sec

  14. 14

    Continue on Fairfax Drive

    573 ft · 25 sec · Fairfax Drive

  15. 15

    Turn right onto North Glebe Road

    985 ft · 33 sec · North Glebe Road

  16. 16

    Turn slight left onto Wilson Boulevard

    2854 ft · 2 min · Wilson Boulevard

  17. 17

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Wilson Boulevard

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Grottoes and Arlington.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
17 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
1 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
12.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 66 East
70.9 mi · 51%
East Market Street
54.3 mi · 39%
Port Republic Road
5.48 mi · 4%
Spotswood Trail
2.27 mi · 2%
Cross Keys Road
2.2 mi · 2%
South River Road
1.23 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

East Market Street

Merge slight left

52.6 mi · 00h 57m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
02h 19m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 38m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+36.2 mi
102.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Middletown
01h 09m from Grottoes
Leave By
1:52 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Rain Showers leaving Grottoes and Rain Showers near Arlington.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Grottoes to Arlington?

The road trip is about 138.4 miles (222.7 km) and usually takes 02h 19m 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?

Middletown is a useful midpoint, sitting about 69.1 miles from Grottoes and 69.3 miles from Arlington.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 102.2 miles (164.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 36.2 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:52 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.33 one way or $38.66 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 43.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Rain Showers around Grottoes and Rain Showers near Arlington.

Stop Ideas Near Middletown

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Middletown, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Middletown.

RAIL

Martinsburg station

55 mi away
229 East Martin St.
RAIL

Harpers Ferry

58 mi away
Potomac St. & Shenandoah St.
RAIL

Culpeper station

67 mi away
109 South Commerce Street
BUS

Hancock, MD

75 mi away
434 East Main Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Grottoes and Arlington. Straight-line distance: 102.2 mi (164.48 km).

Grottoes

#1 Grottoes

City in Virginia, United States of America

Population2,864
Coordinates38.2673500, -78.8258600
Altitude339
CountryUnited States
Arlington

#2 Arlington

A county in Virginia.

Population229,164
Coordinates38.8810100, -77.1042800
Altitude71
CountryUnited States
Start: 8th Street (-78.825912, 38.26726)
End: Wilson Boulevard (-77.104347, 38.881084)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 223 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 36m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 27m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 46m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 18m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 58m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 43m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.88 gal
18.49 L · about $19.33
Round trip
$38.66
9.76 gal · 36.98 L
Estimated CO2
43.4 kg one way
Round trip: 86.7 kg / 191 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $19.33 $38.66
Mid-grade $4.43 $21.61 $43.23
Premium $4.78 $23.32 $46.63
Diesel $5.62 $27.45 $54.89

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 26, 2026

There is no time difference between Grottoes and Arlington. The current time is 10:16:53.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.