How far is McLean, VA from Fredericksburg, VA?

The driving distance from McLean, VA to Fredericksburg, VA is about 53.8 miles (86.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 14m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 46.2 miles (74.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 28m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
53.79 mi
01h 14m
Flight
46.21 mi
74.36 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from McLean.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
46.21 mi
Kilometers
74.36 km
Flight Time
00h 05m

Driving Distance

Road route
53.79 mi
Kilometers
86.57 km
Drive Time
01h 14m

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 01h 14m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Fredericksburg
Mon, Jun 1, 6:07 PM EDT
Return by in McLean
Mon, Jun 1, 7:21 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave McLean
2026-06-01T16:53
Arrive Fredericksburg
Mon, Jun 1, 6:07 PM EDT
Route Timing
01h 14m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:14 AM to 11:14 AM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
4:02 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in McLean
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Dale City
VA

Census designated place

From McLean
26.9 mi
00h 37m
To Fredericksburg
26.9 mi
00h 37m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
77°F
This Afternoon

Partly Sunny

Starts
Mon, Jun 1 4:00 PM EDT
Wind
8 mph NE
Destination
79°F
This Afternoon

Mostly Cloudy

Starts
Mon, Jun 1 4:00 PM EDT
Wind
8 mph NE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between McLean and Fredericksburg.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between McLean and Fredericksburg.

  1. 1

    Start on Elm Street

    672 ft · 24 sec · Elm Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Beverly Road

    111 m · 15 sec · Beverly Road

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Old Dominion Drive

    1671 ft · 49 sec · Old Dominion Drive

  4. 4

    Turn left onto Dolley Madison Boulevard

    2 mi · 5 min · Dolley Madison Boulevard

  5. 5

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 495 South

    1690 ft · 41 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto Capital Beltway

    9.7 mi · 12 min · Capital Beltway

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward I 95 South: Richmond

    2615 ft · 1 min

  8. 8

    Keep slight left to continue on I 95 South, SR 644 East: Richmond, Franconia

    1628 ft · 40 sec

  9. 9

    Keep slight left to continue on I 95 South: Richmond

    2034 ft · 33 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight left onto Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway

    33.4 mi · 39 min · Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward SR 8900: Stafford Airport

    1613 ft · 39 sec

  12. 12

    Keep slight left to continue on SR 8900

    96 m · 16 sec

  13. 13

    Turn left onto Centreport Parkway

    1.2 mi · 2 min · Centreport Parkway

  14. 14

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Richmond Highway

    1.6 km · 2 min · Richmond Highway

  15. 15

    Continue on Cambridge Street

    2.4 mi · 4 min · Cambridge Street

  16. 16

    Continue on Emancipation Highway

    2287 ft · 53 sec · Emancipation Highway

  17. 17

    Turn left onto Fall Hill Avenue

    1 km · 2 min · Fall Hill Avenue

  18. 18

    Turn right onto Prince Edward Street

    2301 ft · 1 min · Prince Edward Street

  19. 19

    Turn left onto William Street

    660 ft · 27 sec · William Street

  20. 20

    Turn right onto Princess Anne Street

    17 m · 2 sec · Princess Anne Street

  21. 21

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Princess Anne Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between McLean and Fredericksburg.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
21 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
39 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
33.4 mi · 62%
Capital Beltway
9.74 mi · 18%
Cambridge Street
2.44 mi · 5%
Dolley Madison Boulevard
2.04 mi · 4%
Centreport Parkway
1.19 mi · 2%
I 95 South
1.19 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway

Merge slight left onto Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway

33.4 mi · 00h 39m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
01h 14m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 28m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+7.6 mi
46.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Dale City
00h 37m from McLean
Leave By
4:02 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny leaving McLean and Mostly Cloudy near Fredericksburg.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from McLean to Fredericksburg?

The road trip is about 53.8 miles (86.6 km) and usually takes 01h 14m 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?

Dale City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 26.9 miles from McLean and 26.9 miles from Fredericksburg.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 46.2 miles (74.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 7.6 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 EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:02 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.53 one way or $15.05 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 16.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around McLean and Mostly Cloudy near Fredericksburg.

Stop Ideas Near Dale City

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Dale City and the surrounding midpoint area.
Old Town Hall
Scenic stop 14.7 mi away

Old Town Hall

Fairfax , VA
3999 University Dr, Fairfax, VA 22030, United States
Rating 4.3/5 15 reviews Tourist attraction,City government office,City or town hall
Manassas Park City Hall
Meeting point 12.3 mi away

Manassas Park City Hall

Manassas Park , VA
1 Park Center Ct, Manassas Park, VA 20111
Rating 1.6/5 20 reviews City government office
Stop photo coming soon
Nearby stop 12.7 mi away

Manassas Commissioner-Revenue

Manassas , VA
9027 Center St, Manassas, VA 20110
Rating 5.0/5 1 reviews City tax office
City Hall Parking Lot
Scenic stop 12.7 mi away

City Hall Parking Lot

Manassas , VA
9027 Center St, Manassas, VA 20110
Rating 4.1/5 7 reviews Parking lot

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Dale City.

RAIL

Woodbridge station

6 mi away
1040 Express Way
RAIL

Lorton station

11 mi away
8006 Lorton Road
RAIL

Quantico

13 mi away
550 Railroad Avenue
RAIL

Burke Centre

18 mi away
10399 Premier Court

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between McLean and Fredericksburg. Straight-line distance: 46.21 mi (74.36 km).

McLean

#1 McLean

A city in Fairfax County, Virginia.

Population48,115
Coordinates38.9342800, -77.1774800
Altitude87
CountryUnited States
Fredericksburg

#2 Fredericksburg

Independent city in Virginia, United States

Population29,492
Coordinates38.3031800, -77.4605400
Altitude17
CountryUnited States
Start: McLean (-77.17748, 38.93428)
End: Fredericksburg (-77.46054, 38.30318)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 87 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 47m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 20m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 04m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 53m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 46m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 40m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.9 gal
7.19 L · about $7.53
Round trip
$15.05
3.8 gal · 14.38 L
Estimated CO2
16.9 kg one way
Round trip: 33.8 kg / 75 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $7.53 $15.05
Mid-grade $4.43 $8.42 $16.83
Premium $4.78 $9.08 $18.16
Diesel $5.62 $10.69 $21.37

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 · Jun 01, 2026

There is no time difference between McLean and Fredericksburg. The current time is 16:53:09.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.