How far is McLean, VA from South Riding, VA?
The driving distance from McLean, VA to South Riding, VA is about 22.9 miles (36.8 km), with a travel time of about 00h 36m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 17.6 miles (28.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 13m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EST.
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 36m.
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.
Town in Virginia, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between McLean and South Riding.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between McLean and South Riding.
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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
8.9 mi · 12 min · Dulles Toll Road
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9
Take the exit slight right toward VA 657: Herndon, Chantilly
1749 ft · 43 sec
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10
Keep slight left to continue on Chantilly
38 m · 5 sec
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11
Turn left onto Centreville Road
1.4 km · 2 min · Centreville Road
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12
Turn right onto Coppermine Road
987 ft · 33 sec · Coppermine Road
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13
Turn left onto River Birch Road
3130 ft · 2 min · River Birch Road
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14
Turn straight onto Frying Pan Road
139 m · 9 sec · Frying Pan Road
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15
Keep slight left to continue on VA 28 South: Centreville
2292 ft · 49 sec
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16
Merge slight left onto Sully Road
3.2 mi · 4 min · Sully Road
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17
Take the exit slight right toward US 50: Winchester, Fairfax
995 ft · 24 sec
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18
Keep slight right to continue on US 50 West: Winchester
855 ft · 21 sec
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19
Keep slight right to continue on US 50 West: Winchester
853 ft · 21 sec
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20
Merge slight left onto Route 50
1.8 mi · 3 min · Route 50
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21
Continue on Little River Turnpike
1.9 mi · 3 min · Little River Turnpike
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22
Turn left onto South Riding Boulevard
30 m · 5 sec · South Riding Boulevard
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23
Continue on South Riding Boulevard
692 ft · 24 sec · South Riding Boulevard
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24
Turn left onto Defender Drive
669 ft · 31 sec · Defender Drive
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25
Turn right
10 m · 3 sec
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between McLean and South Riding.
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
8.94 mi · 00h 12m
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.
Sunny leaving McLean and Sunny near South Riding.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from McLean to South Riding?
The road trip is about 22.9 miles (36.8 km) and usually takes 00h 36m 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?
Herndon is a useful midpoint, sitting about 11.4 miles from McLean and 11.5 miles from South Riding.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 17.6 miles (28.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.3 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:16 PM EST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.13 one way or $6.25 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 7.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around McLean and Sunny near South Riding.
Stop Ideas Near Herndon
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Herndon Old Town Hall
Manassas Park City Hall
Town Hall Pool
Old Town Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Herndon.
Burke Centre
Rockville station
Manassas station
Lorton station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between McLean and South Riding. Straight-line distance: 17.57 mi (28.27 km).
#1 McLean
A city in Fairfax County, Virginia.
| Population | 48,115 |
| Coordinates | 38.9342800, -77.1774800 |
| Altitude | 87 |
| Country | United States |
#2 South Riding
South Riding is a place in Virginia, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 38.9209400, -77.5038800 |
| Altitude | 98 |
| Country | United States |
End: South Riding (-77.50388, 38.92094)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 37 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 45m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 34m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 27m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 22m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 19m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 17m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.86 | $3.13 | $6.25 |
| Mid-grade | $4.35 | $3.52 | $7.05 |
| Premium | $4.77 | $3.86 | $7.73 |
| Diesel | $6.16 | $4.99 | $9.97 |
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 09, 2026