How far is McLean, VA from Merrifield, VA?
The driving distance from McLean, VA to Merrifield, VA is about 7.7 miles (12.4 km), with a travel time of about 00h 14m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 4.9 miles (7.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 28m 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 14m.
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
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between McLean and Merrifield.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between McLean and Merrifield.
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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
3.4 mi · 4 min · Capital Beltway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward US 50: Fairfax, Arlington
1707 ft · 42 sec
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8
Keep slight right to continue on US 50 West: Fairfax
1681 ft · 41 sec
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9
Keep slight right to continue on SR 650: Gallows Road, Merrifield
784 ft · 25 sec
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10
Keep slight right to continue on SR 650 North: Gallows Road, Merrifield
116 m · 14 sec
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11
Turn straight onto Gallows Road
2835 ft · 1 min · Gallows Road
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12
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Gallows Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between McLean and Merrifield.
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.
Capital Beltway
Merge slight left onto Capital Beltway
3.43 mi · 00h 04m
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 Clear leaving McLean and Mostly Sunny near Merrifield.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from McLean to Merrifield?
The road trip is about 7.7 miles (12.4 km) and usually takes 00h 14m 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?
Idylwood is a useful midpoint, sitting about 3.9 miles from McLean and 3.9 miles from Merrifield.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 4.9 miles (7.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 2.8 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 8:02 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $1.07 one way or $2.14 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 2.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Clear around McLean and Mostly Sunny near Merrifield.
Stop Ideas Near Idylwood
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
United States Capitol
D C Government
THEARC: Town Hall Education Arts Recreation Campus
District of Columbia Court
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Idylwood.
Burke Centre
Union Station
Washington Union Station
Lorton station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between McLean and Merrifield. Straight-line distance: 4.93 mi (7.93 km).
#1 McLean
A city in Fairfax County, Virginia.
| Population | 48,115 |
| Coordinates | 38.9342800, -77.1774800 |
| Altitude | 87 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Merrifield
Census designated place
| Population | 15,212 |
| Coordinates | 38.8742800, -77.2269300 |
| Altitude | 110 |
| Country | United States |
End: Merrifield (-77.22693, 38.87428)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 12 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 15m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 11m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 09m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 07m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 06m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 05m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $1.07 | $2.14 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $1.20 | $2.39 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $1.29 | $2.58 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $1.52 | $3.04 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.