How far is Herndon, VA from McLean, VA?
The driving distance from Herndon, VA to McLean, VA is about 13.4 miles (21.5 km), with a travel time of about 00h 17m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 11.5 miles (18.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 35m 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 17m.
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.
Census designated place
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Herndon and McLean.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Herndon and McLean.
-
1
Start on Spring Street
2204 ft · 1 min · Spring Street
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2
At the end of the road, turn left onto Van Buren Street
85 m · 13 sec · Van Buren Street
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3
Turn right onto Spring Street
1.2 km · 2 min · Spring Street
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4
Take the ramp straight toward VA 286 South: Fairfax County Parkway
1169 ft · 32 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto Fairfax County Parkway
1227 ft · 32 sec · Fairfax County Parkway
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6
Turn sharp left onto VA 267 Toll East: Washington
1535 ft · 37 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Dulles Toll Road
7.3 mi · 10 min · Dulles Toll Road
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8
Keep slight right to continue on Dulles Toll Road
2.3 mi · 3 min · Dulles Toll Road
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9
Take the exit slight right toward VA 123 North: McLean
1211 ft · 30 sec
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10
Turn straight onto Dolley Madison Boulevard
1.2 mi · 3 min · Dolley Madison Boulevard
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11
Turn right onto Old Dominion Drive
2534 ft · 1 min · Old Dominion Drive
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12
Turn sharp left onto Elm Street
31 m · 2 sec · Elm Street
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13
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Elm Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Herndon and McLean.
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.
Dulles Toll Road
Merge slight left onto Dulles Toll Road
7.26 mi · 00h 10m
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.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Herndon and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near McLean.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Herndon to McLean?
The road trip is about 13.4 miles (21.5 km) and usually takes 00h 17m 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?
Wolf Trap is a useful midpoint, sitting about 6.6 miles from Herndon and 6.7 miles from McLean.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 11.5 miles (18.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 1.9 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 7:54 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $1.86 one way or $3.72 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 4.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Herndon and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near McLean.
Stop Ideas Near Wolf Trap
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Griffith Park at City Hall
Tele-Town Hall
The John Wilson Building
Town Hall Pool
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Wolf Trap.
Burke Centre
Rockville station
Union Station
Washington Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Herndon and McLean. Straight-line distance: 11.47 mi (18.46 km).
#1 Herndon
Town in Virginia, United States
| Population | 24,573 |
| Coordinates | 38.9695500, -77.3861000 |
| Altitude | 110 |
| 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: 21 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 26m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 20m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 16m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 13m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 11m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 09m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $1.86 | $3.72 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $2.08 | $4.16 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $2.25 | $4.49 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $2.64 | $5.29 |
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 · Jul 22, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.