How far is Lynchburg, VA from McLean, VA?
The driving distance from Lynchburg, VA to McLean, VA is about 173.7 miles (279.5 km), with a travel time of about 03h 12m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 149.8 miles (241 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 24m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 12m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Madison County, Florida, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lynchburg and McLean.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lynchburg and McLean.
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1
Start on 10th Street
68 m · 14 sec · 10th Street
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2
Turn right onto Main Street
2618 ft · 1 min · Main Street
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3
Take the ramp slight right
638 ft · 16 sec
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4
Merge slight left onto Lynchburg Expressway
1143 ft · 18 sec · Lynchburg Expressway
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5
Continue on Amherst Highway
4.2 mi · 6 min · Amherst Highway
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6
Turn right onto Amelon Expressway
2.2 mi · 4 min · Amelon Expressway
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7
Take the ramp left toward US 29 North
1228 ft · 30 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Monacan Parkway
7.1 mi · 8 min · Monacan Parkway
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9
Continue on South Amherst Highway
8.8 mi · 11 min · South Amherst Highway
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10
Continue on Thomas Nelson Highway
21.6 mi · 27 min · Thomas Nelson Highway
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11
Continue on Monacan Trail
20.2 mi · 26 min · Monacan Trail
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12
Take the exit slight right
882 ft · 26 sec
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13
Turn slight right onto Emmet Street North
44 m · 11 sec · Emmet Street North
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14
Continue on Emmet Street North
2610 ft · 1 min · Emmet Street North
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15
Continue on Seminole Trail
33.9 mi · 49 min · Seminole Trail
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16
Continue on James Monroe Highway
7.7 mi · 10 min · James Monroe Highway
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17
Continue on James Madison Highway
23.3 mi · 30 min · James Madison Highway
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18
Continue on Eastern Bypass
2.4 mi · 3 min · Eastern Bypass
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19
Keep slight left to continue on US 15 North, US 29 North
11.7 mi · 17 min
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20
Take the exit slight right toward I 66 East: Washington
1.4 km · 2 min
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21
Merge slight left
21 mi · 25 min
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22
Take the exit slight right toward I 495 North: Tysons Corner, Baltimore
3015 ft · 1 min
-
23
Merge slight left onto Capital Beltway
2.2 mi · 2 min · Capital Beltway
-
24
Take the exit slight right toward VA 123 North: McLean
2182 ft · 53 sec
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25
Turn straight onto Dolley Madison Boulevard
1.7 mi · 4 min · Dolley Madison Boulevard
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26
Turn right onto Old Dominion Drive
2534 ft · 1 min · Old Dominion Drive
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27
Turn sharp left onto Elm Street
31 m · 2 sec · Elm Street
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Elm Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lynchburg and McLean.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Seminole Trail
Continue on Seminole Trail
33.9 mi · 00h 49m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Mostly Sunny leaving Lynchburg and Sunny near McLean.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lynchburg to McLean?
The road trip is about 173.7 miles (279.5 km) and usually takes 03h 12m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Madison is a useful midpoint, sitting about 86.1 miles from Lynchburg and 87.6 miles from McLean.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 149.8 miles (241 km), while the road route adds roughly 23.9 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:36 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.28 one way or $48.56 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Lynchburg and Sunny near McLean.
Stop Ideas Near Madison
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Madison.
Culpeper station
Charlottesville Union Station
Fredericksburg
Staunton station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lynchburg and McLean. Straight-line distance: 149.74 mi (240.99 km).
#1 Lynchburg
The most populous city in Lynchburg, Virginia.
| Population | 81,561 |
| Coordinates | 37.4137500, -79.1422500 |
| Altitude | 192 |
| 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: 279 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 47m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 20m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 28m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 53m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 28m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 09m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $24.28 | $48.56 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $27.15 | $54.30 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $29.29 | $58.58 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $34.48 | $68.95 |
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 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.