How far is McLean, VA from Chester, VA?
The driving distance from McLean, VA to Chester, VA is about 123.3 miles (198.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 32m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 109.9 miles (176.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 04m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EST.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 32m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Census designated place
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 McLean and Chester.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between McLean and Chester.
-
1
Start on Elm Street
672 ft · 24 sec · Elm Street
-
2
Turn left onto Beverly Road
111 m · 15 sec · Beverly Road
-
3
Turn right onto Old Dominion Drive
1671 ft · 49 sec · Old Dominion Drive
-
4
Turn left onto Dolley Madison Boulevard
2 mi · 5 min · Dolley Madison Boulevard
-
5
Take the ramp slight right toward I 495 South
1690 ft · 41 sec
-
6
Merge slight left onto Capital Beltway
9.7 mi · 12 min · Capital Beltway
-
7
Take the exit slight right toward I 95 South: Richmond
2615 ft · 1 min
-
8
Keep slight left to continue on I 95 South, SR 644 East: Richmond, Franconia
1628 ft · 40 sec
-
9
Keep slight left to continue on I 95 South: Richmond
2034 ft · 33 sec
-
10
Merge slight left onto Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
35.7 mi · 42 min · Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
-
11
Keep slight left
58.4 mi · 1 hr 6 min
-
12
Keep slight left to continue on Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
10.8 mi · 14 min · Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
-
13
Take the exit slight right toward SR 613: Willis Road
746 ft · 22 sec
-
14
Turn right onto Willis Road
1991 ft · 47 sec · Willis Road
-
15
Turn left onto Route 1
1626 ft · 36 sec · Route 1
-
16
Turn right onto Kingsdale Road
1.4 km · 2 min · Kingsdale Road
-
17
At the end of the road, turn left onto Chester Road
2.9 mi · 5 min · Chester Road
-
18
Continue on Winfree Street
82 m · 12 sec · Winfree Street
-
19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Winfree Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between McLean and Chester.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
Keep slight left
58.4 mi · 01h 06m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Mostly Cloudy leaving McLean and Patchy Fog near Chester.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from McLean to Chester?
The road trip is about 123.3 miles (198.5 km) and usually takes 02h 32m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Spotsylvania Courthouse is a useful midpoint, sitting about 61.7 miles from McLean and 61.6 miles from Chester.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 109.9 miles (176.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.4 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:26 PM EST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.93 one way or $33.86 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 38.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy around McLean and Patchy Fog near Chester.
Stop Ideas Near Spotsylvania Courthouse
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 Spotsylvania Courthouse.
Fredericksburg
Quantico
Culpeper station
Ashland
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between McLean and Chester. Straight-line distance: 109.93 mi (176.92 km).
#1 McLean
A city in Fairfax County, Virginia.
| Population | 48,115 |
| Coordinates | 38.9342800, -77.1774800 |
| Altitude | 87 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Chester
Chester is a place in Virginia, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 37.3568200, -77.4416500 |
| Altitude | 53 |
| Country | United States |
End: Chester (-77.44165, 37.35682)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 199 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 06m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 05m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 28m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 03m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 45m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 32m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.89 | $16.93 | $33.86 |
| Mid-grade | $4.39 | $19.11 | $38.23 |
| Premium | $4.80 | $20.87 | $41.73 |
| Diesel | $6.18 | $26.88 | $53.76 |
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 · Nov 07, 2026