How far is Leesburg, VA from McLean, VA?
The driving distance from Leesburg, VA to McLean, VA is about 26 miles (41.8 km), with a travel time of about 00h 33m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 24.2 miles (39 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 07m 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 33m.
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.
Town in Virginia, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Leesburg and McLean.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Leesburg and McLean.
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1
Start on East Market Street
73 m · 8 sec · East Market Street
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2
Continue on East Market Street
3 mi · 6 min · East Market Street
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3
Continue on Leesburg Pike
5.5 mi · 7 min · Leesburg Pike
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4
Keep slight left to continue on Leesburg Pike
12.9 mi · 20 min · Leesburg Pike
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5
Take the exit slight right toward VA 267 Toll East: Washington
1536 ft · 38 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Dulles Toll Road
945 ft · 14 sec · Dulles Toll Road
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7
Keep slight right to continue on Dulles Toll Road
2.3 mi · 3 min · Dulles Toll Road
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8
Take the exit slight right toward VA 123 North: McLean
1211 ft · 30 sec
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9
Turn straight onto Dolley Madison Boulevard
1.2 mi · 3 min · Dolley Madison Boulevard
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10
Turn right onto Old Dominion Drive
2534 ft · 1 min · Old Dominion Drive
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11
Turn sharp left onto Elm Street
31 m · 2 sec · Elm Street
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12
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Elm Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Leesburg 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.
Leesburg Pike
Keep slight left to continue on Leesburg Pike
12.9 mi · 00h 20m
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 Leesburg and Sunny near McLean.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Leesburg to McLean?
The road trip is about 26 miles (41.8 km) and usually takes 00h 33m 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?
Herndon is a useful midpoint, sitting about 13 miles from Leesburg and 13 miles from McLean.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 24.2 miles (39 km), while the road route adds roughly 1.8 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 7:22 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.64 one way or $7.29 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 8.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Leesburg and Sunny near McLean.
Stop Ideas Near Herndon
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Griffith Park at City Hall
Fairfax City Hall
Town Hall Pool
Herndon Old Town Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Herndon.
Burke Centre
Rockville station
Manassas station
Lorton station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Leesburg and McLean. Straight-line distance: 24.22 mi (38.98 km).
#1 Leesburg
Historic town within and the county seat of Loudoun County, Virginia, United States
| Population | 54,488 |
| Coordinates | 39.1156600, -77.5636000 |
| Altitude | 104 |
| 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: 42 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 51m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 38m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 31m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 25m |
| 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 | $3.64 | $7.29 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $4.07 | $8.15 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $4.40 | $8.79 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $5.17 | $10.35 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.