How far is Idylwood, VA from Arlington, VA?

Fastest route

The route from Idylwood, Virginia to Arlington, Virginia takes approximately 12 minutes and covers a distance of 6.6 miles via I-66 E. The route has tolls.

Directions

  1. Get on I-66 E: Head east on Idylwood Rd toward Senseney Ln, then turn right onto Leesburg Pike. Use the right lane to take the ramp onto I-66 E (Toll road).
  2. Follow I-66 E to Arlington: Continue on I-66 E until you reach Arlington. Take exit 71 from I-66 E (Toll road).
  3. Use the right 2 lanes to take exit 71 for VA-120/VA-237 toward Glebe Rd/Fairfax Dr.
  4. Continue on Fairfax Dr: Once on VA-120/VA-237, continue on Fairfax Dr.
  5. Drive to Wilson Blvd: Turn right onto N Quincy St, then left at the 2nd cross street onto Wilson Blvd.

Tips & Suggestions

  • 🚗 Plan your trip ahead to account for potential toll charges.
  • ⚠️ Be aware of the traffic conditions, as they may affect the estimated travel time.
  • 📱 Use a navigation app or map to stay on track and find the best route.
  • ⛽️ Consider filling up your gas tank before the journey.
  • 🚧 Observe traffic signs and follow any instructions from road authorities.
  • 🕐 Allow some extra time in case of unexpected delays or detours.
  • 🗺 Familiarize yourself with the route to ensure a smooth and stress-free drive.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
6.67 mi
00h 11m
Flight
5.85 mi
9.42 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Idylwood.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
5.85 mi
Kilometers
9.42 km
Flight Time

Driving Distance

Road route
6.67 mi
Kilometers
10.74 km
Drive Time
00h 11m

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 11m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Arlington
Sat, Apr 18, 3:35 AM EDT
Return by in Idylwood
Sat, Apr 18, 3:46 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Idylwood
2026-04-18T03:24
Arrive Arlington
Sat, Apr 18, 3:35 AM EDT
Route Timing
00h 11m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:11 AM to 7:11 PM EDT

This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.

Leave by
8:08 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in Idylwood
10:00 PM EDT
Flexible departure

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
Falls Church
VA

Independent city in Virginia, United States

From Idylwood
3.4 mi
00h 05m
To Arlington
3.4 mi
00h 05m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
87°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 10 mph SE
Destination
87°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 9 mph SE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Idylwood Road

    1.2 km · 2 min · Idylwood Road

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Leesburg Pike

    34 m · 3 sec · Leesburg Pike

  3. 3

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 66: Metro, Washington, Front Royal

    130 m · 10 sec

  4. 4

    Keep slight left to continue on I 66 East: Metro, Washington

    2436 ft · 59 sec

  5. 5

    Keep slight left

    1537 ft · 40 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto Custis Memorial Parkway

    3.9 mi · 5 min · Custis Memorial Parkway

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward VA 120, VA 237

    1641 ft · 31 sec

  8. 8

    Continue on Fairfax Drive

    573 ft · 25 sec · Fairfax Drive

  9. 9

    Turn right onto North Glebe Road

    985 ft · 33 sec · North Glebe Road

  10. 10

    Turn slight left onto Wilson Boulevard

    2854 ft · 2 min · Wilson Boulevard

  11. 11

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Wilson Boulevard

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

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.

Directions
11 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
164.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Custis Memorial Parkway
3.9 mi · 58%
Idylwood Road
0.77 mi · 12%
I 66 East
0.75 mi · 11%
Wilson Boulevard
0.54 mi · 8%
VA 120
0.31 mi · 5%
North Glebe Road
0.19 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

Custis Memorial Parkway

Merge slight left onto Custis Memorial Parkway

3.9 mi · 00h 05m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
00h 11m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
00h 22m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+0.8 mi
5.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Falls Church
00h 05m from Idylwood
Leave By
8:08 PM EDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Idylwood and Mostly Sunny near Arlington.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 6.6 miles (10.7 km) and usually takes 00h 11m 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?

Falls Church is a useful midpoint, sitting about 3.4 miles from Idylwood and 3.4 miles from Arlington.

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

The direct path is about 5.8 miles (9.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 0.8 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 8:08 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $0.95 one way or $1.90 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 2.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Idylwood and Mostly Sunny near Arlington.

Stop Ideas Near Falls Church

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

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Falls Church and the surrounding midpoint area.
United States Capitol
Scenic stop 8.2 mi away

United States Capitol

Washington , DC
First St SE, Washington, DC 20004, United States
Rating 4.6/5 4,243 reviews Tourist attraction,Historical place,Historical landmark,Landmark,Federal government office
Stop photo coming soon
Practical stop 8.4 mi away

D C Government

Washington , DC
77 P St NE, Washington, DC 20002
Rating 5.0/5 2 reviews City government office,Telephone answering service
THEARC: Town Hall Education Arts Recreation Campus
Meeting point 10.5 mi away

THEARC: Town Hall Education Arts Recreation Campus

Washington , DC
1901 Mississippi Ave SE, Washington, DC 20020
Rating 4.7/5 64 reviews Recreation center,City Hall
Town Hall Liquor And Bar
Nearby stop 14.2 mi away

Town Hall Liquor And Bar

College Park , MD
8135 Baltimore Ave, College Park, MD 20740
Rating 4.3/5 319 reviews Liquor store,Bar

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Falls Church.

RAIL

Union Station

13 mi away
110 Callahan Drive
RAIL

Washington Union Station

14 mi away
50 Massachusetts Ave NE
RAIL

Burke Centre

15 mi away
10399 Premier Court
RAIL

Lorton station

20 mi away
8006 Lorton Road

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Idylwood and Arlington. Straight-line distance: 5.85 mi (9.42 km).

Idylwood

#1 Idylwood

Census designated place

Population17,288
Coordinates38.8951100, -77.2116500
Altitude140
CountryUnited States
Arlington

#2 Arlington

A county in Virginia.

Population229,164
Coordinates38.8810100, -77.1042800
Altitude71
CountryUnited States
Start: Idylwood Road (-77.211675, 38.895092)
End: Wilson Boulevard (-77.104347, 38.881084)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 11 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)00h 13m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 10m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 08m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 06m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 05m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 04m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
0.24 gal
0.89 L · about $0.95
Round trip
$1.90
0.48 gal · 1.78 L
Estimated CO2
2.1 kg one way
Round trip: 4.3 kg / 9 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $0.95 $1.90
Mid-grade $4.43 $1.06 $2.13
Premium $4.78 $1.15 $2.29
Diesel $5.62 $1.35 $2.70

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 18, 2026

There is no time difference between Idylwood and Arlington. The current time is 03:24:07.

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.