How far is McLean, VA from Alexandria, VA?
The driving distance from McLean, VA to Alexandria, VA is about 15.3 miles (24.7 km), with a travel time of about 00h 24m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 11.4 miles (18.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 48m 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 24m.
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.
A county in Virginia.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Rain Showers Likely
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between McLean and Alexandria.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between McLean and Alexandria.
-
1
Start on Elm Street
672 ft · 20 sec · Elm Street
-
2
Turn right onto Beverly Road
1904 ft · 1 min · Beverly Road
-
3
Turn right onto Dolley Madison Boulevard
2.4 mi · 4 min · Dolley Madison Boulevard
-
4
Take the ramp slight right toward George Washington Memorial Parkway East
1412 ft · 35 sec
-
5
Merge slight left onto George Washington Memorial Parkway
11.3 mi · 20 min · George Washington Memorial Parkway
-
6
Continue on North Washington Street
1.2 km · 3 min · North Washington Street
-
7
Turn right onto King Street
96 m · 18 sec · King Street
-
8
Turn left onto South Columbus Street
126 m · 26 sec · South Columbus Street
-
9
Turn left onto Prince Street
95 m · 13 sec · Prince Street
-
10
Turn left onto South Washington Street
113 m · 20 sec · South Washington Street
-
11
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Washington Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between McLean and Alexandria.
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.
George Washington Memorial Parkway
Merge slight left onto George Washington Memorial Parkway
11.3 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.
Rain Showers Likely leaving McLean and Chance Rain Showers near Alexandria.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from McLean to Alexandria?
The road trip is about 15.3 miles (24.7 km) and usually takes 00h 24m 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?
Arlington is a useful midpoint, sitting about 7.7 miles from McLean and 7.6 miles from Alexandria.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 11.4 miles (18.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 3.9 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 7:42 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.14 one way or $4.28 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 4.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers Likely around McLean and Chance Rain Showers near Alexandria.
Stop Ideas Near Arlington
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
United States Capitol
D C Government
THEARC: Town Hall Education Arts Recreation Campus
Town Hall Liquor And Bar
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Arlington.
Union Station
Washington Union Station
Burke Centre
Lorton station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between McLean and Alexandria. Straight-line distance: 11.37 mi (18.3 km).
#1 McLean
A city in Fairfax County, Virginia.
| Population | 48,115 |
| Coordinates | 38.9342800, -77.1774800 |
| Altitude | 87 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Alexandria
A city in Virginia.
| Population | 158,726 |
| Coordinates | 38.8048400, -77.0469200 |
| Altitude | 12 |
| Country | United States |
End: South Washington Street (-77.04696, 38.804845)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 25 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 30m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 23m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 18m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 15m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 13m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 11m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $2.14 | $4.28 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $2.39 | $4.78 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $2.58 | $5.16 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $3.04 | $6.07 |
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.