How far is McLean, VA from Herndon, VA?
The driving distance from McLean, VA to Herndon, VA is about 13.5 miles (21.7 km), with a travel time of about 00h 22m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 11.5 miles (18.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 45m 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 22m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
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.
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between McLean and Herndon.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between McLean and Herndon.
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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
1.5 km · 2 min · Dolley Madison Boulevard
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5
Take the ramp slight right toward Dulles Airport
1593 ft · 39 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Dulles Toll Road
1.6 mi · 2 min · Dulles Toll Road
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7
Keep slight left
1869 ft · 23 sec
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8
Merge slight right onto Dulles Toll Road
7.3 mi · 10 min · Dulles Toll Road
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9
Take the exit slight right toward VA 286: Fairfax County Parkway
1772 ft · 1 min
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10
Turn right onto Fairfax County Parkway
1.1 km · 1 min · Fairfax County Parkway
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11
Take the exit slight right
1384 ft · 38 sec
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12
Keep slight left to continue on SR 606 West: Elden Street
107 m · 12 sec
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13
Turn straight onto Elden Street
1.1 mi · 3 min · Elden Street
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14
Turn left onto Spring Street
13 m · 1 sec · Spring Street
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Spring Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between McLean and Herndon.
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.
Dulles Toll Road
Merge slight right onto Dulles Toll Road
7.28 mi · 00h 10m
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.
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving McLean and Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Herndon.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from McLean to Herndon?
The road trip is about 13.5 miles (21.7 km) and usually takes 00h 22m 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?
Wolf Trap is a useful midpoint, sitting about 6.7 miles from McLean and 6.8 miles from Herndon.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 11.5 miles (18.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 2 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 7:44 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $1.90 one way or $3.80 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 4.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around McLean and Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Herndon.
Stop Ideas Near Wolf Trap
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Griffith Park at City Hall
Tele-Town Hall
The John Wilson Building
Town Hall Pool
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Wolf Trap.
Burke Centre
Rockville station
Union Station
Washington Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between McLean and Herndon. Straight-line distance: 11.47 mi (18.46 km).
#1 McLean
A city in Fairfax County, Virginia.
| Population | 48,115 |
| Coordinates | 38.9342800, -77.1774800 |
| Altitude | 87 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Herndon
Town in Virginia, United States
| Population | 24,573 |
| Coordinates | 38.9695500, -77.3861000 |
| Altitude | 110 |
| Country | United States |
End: Herndon (-77.3861, 38.96955)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 22 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 26m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 20m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 16m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 13m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 11m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 10m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $1.90 | $3.80 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $2.13 | $4.25 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $2.29 | $4.59 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $2.70 | $5.40 |
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 · Jul 27, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.