How far is McLean, VA from Colonial Heights, VA?
The driving distance from McLean, VA to Colonial Heights, VA is about 363.5 miles (585 km), with a travel time of about 06h 44m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 313.2 miles (504 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 13h 29m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 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 06h 44m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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.
Independent city in Virginia, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between McLean and Colonial Heights.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between McLean and Colonial Heights.
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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
117.1 mi · 2 hr 10 min
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13
Continue straight
1.3 mi · 1 min
-
14
Keep slight left
65.3 mi · 1 hr 10 min
-
15
Take the exit slight right toward Old Airport Road, Bonham Road
1857 ft · 52 sec
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16
Turn right onto Old Airport Road
659 ft · 16 sec · Old Airport Road
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17
Turn right onto Lee Highway
154 m · 12 sec · Lee Highway
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Lee Highway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between McLean and Colonial Heights.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
I 81 South
Keep slight left
117 mi · 02h 10m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Chance Rain Showers leaving McLean and Mostly Sunny near Colonial Heights.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from McLean to Colonial Heights?
The road trip is about 363.5 miles (585 km) and usually takes 06h 44m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Buena Vista is a useful midpoint, sitting about 181.4 miles from McLean and 182.2 miles from Colonial Heights.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 313.2 miles (504 km), while the road route adds roughly 50.3 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 7:30 AM EDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $53.09 one way or $106.18 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 114 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around McLean and Mostly Sunny near Colonial Heights.
Stop Ideas Near Buena Vista
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 Buena Vista.
Kemper Street station
Clifton Forge
Staunton station
Roanoke
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between McLean and Colonial Heights. Straight-line distance: 313.18 mi (504.02 km).
#1 McLean
A city in Fairfax County, Virginia.
| Population | 48,115 |
| Coordinates | 38.9342800, -77.1774800 |
| Altitude | 87 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Colonial Heights
Independent city in Virginia, United States
| Population | 17,205 |
| Coordinates | 36.6334400, -82.1204100 |
| Altitude | 546 |
| Country | United States |
End: Colonial Heights (-82.12041, 36.63344)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 585 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 12h 06m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 09h 05m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 07h 16m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 06h 03m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 05h 11m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 32m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.14 | $53.09 | $106.18 |
| Mid-grade | $4.63 | $59.43 | $118.86 |
| Premium | $5.01 | $64.32 | $128.63 |
| Diesel | $6.21 | $79.70 | $159.40 |
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 · Oct 15, 2026