How far is McLean, VA from Blacksburg, VA?
The driving distance from McLean, VA to Blacksburg, VA is about 261.9 miles (421.5 km), with a travel time of about 05h 02m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 211.8 miles (340.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 05m 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 05h 02m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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 of the United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between McLean and Blacksburg.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between McLean and Blacksburg.
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1
Start on Elm Street
672 ft · 24 sec · Elm Street
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2
Turn left onto Beverly Road
111 m · 15 sec · Beverly Road
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3
Turn right onto Old Dominion Drive
1671 ft · 49 sec · Old Dominion Drive
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4
Turn left onto Dolley Madison Boulevard
2 mi · 5 min · Dolley Madison Boulevard
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5
Take the ramp slight right toward I 495 South
1690 ft · 41 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Capital Beltway
2.1 mi · 2 min · Capital Beltway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward I 66 West: Manassas, Front Royal
1998 ft · 49 sec
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8
Keep slight right to continue on I 66 West: Manassas, Front Royal
1517 ft · 37 sec
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9
Merge slight left
64.3 mi · 1 hr 12 min
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10
Keep slight left to continue on I 81 South: Roanoke
1 km · 1 min
-
11
Merge slight right onto I 81 South: Roanoke
108.7 mi · 1 hr 58 min
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12
Keep slight left
72.5 mi · 1 hr 22 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward US 11, US 460: Christiansburg, Blacksburg
2268 ft · 55 sec
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14
Keep slight right to continue on US 11, US 460 East, US 460 Business: Christiansburg, Shawsville
1698 ft · 41 sec
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15
Turn slight right
73 m · 7 sec
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16
Turn straight onto Roanoke Street
1.4 km · 2 min · Roanoke Street
-
17
Take the ramp slight right toward US 460 West
1456 ft · 36 sec
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18
Merge slight left
4.9 mi · 6 min
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19
Take the exit slight right toward US 460 Business: Blacksburg, Christiansburg, Smart Road
781 ft · 19 sec
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20
Keep slight left to continue on US 460 Business West: Blacksburg, South Main Street
3029 ft · 1 min
-
21
Turn straight onto South Main Street
2.6 mi · 7 min · South Main Street
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between McLean and Blacksburg.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 81 South
Merge slight right onto I 81 South: Roanoke
109 mi · 01h 58m
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.
Partly Cloudy leaving McLean and Mostly Sunny near Blacksburg.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from McLean to Blacksburg?
The road trip is about 261.9 miles (421.5 km) and usually takes 05h 02m 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?
Mount Crawford is a useful midpoint, sitting about 130.9 miles from McLean and 131 miles from Blacksburg.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 211.8 miles (340.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 50.1 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 6:54 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $36.60 one way or $73.20 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 82.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Cloudy around McLean and Mostly Sunny near Blacksburg.
Stop Ideas Near Mount Crawford
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 Mount Crawford.
Staunton station
Charlottesville Union Station
Culpeper station
Clifton Forge
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between McLean and Blacksburg. Straight-line distance: 211.77 mi (340.81 km).
#1 McLean
A city in Fairfax County, Virginia.
| Population | 48,115 |
| Coordinates | 38.9342800, -77.1774800 |
| Altitude | 87 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Blacksburg
Town in Virginia, United States
| Population | 44,215 |
| Coordinates | 37.2295700, -80.4139400 |
| Altitude | 633 |
| Country | United States |
End: Blacksburg (-80.41394, 37.22957)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 422 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 43m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 32m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 14m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 21m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 44m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 16m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $36.60 | $73.20 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $40.92 | $81.85 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $44.15 | $88.30 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $51.97 | $103.93 |
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 15, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.