How far is McLean, VA from Williamsburg, VA?

The driving distance from McLean, VA to Williamsburg, VA is about 154 miles (247.9 km), with a travel time of about 03h 02m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 117.7 miles (189.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 04m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
154.06 mi
03h 02m
Flight
117.75 mi
189.5 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from McLean.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
117.75 mi
Kilometers
189.5 km
Flight Time
00h 14m

Driving Distance

Road route
154.06 mi
Kilometers
247.94 km
Drive Time
03h 02m

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 03h 02m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Williamsburg
Wed, Apr 15, 5:49 AM EDT
Return by in McLean
Wed, Apr 15, 8:51 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave McLean
2026-04-15T02:47
Arrive Williamsburg
Wed, Apr 15, 5:49 AM EDT
Route Timing
03h 02m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:02 AM to 11:02 AM EDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
10:56 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in McLean
9:00 PM EDT
Early departure recommended

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
Bowling Green
VA

City in Virginia

From McLean
77.1 mi
01h 31m
To Williamsburg
77 mi
01h 31m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
92°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 12 mph SW
Destination
92°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
8 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    35.7 mi · 42 min · Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway

  11. 11

    Keep slight left

    48.6 mi · 53 min

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight left toward I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va Beach

    1.9 mi · 2 min

  13. 13

    Merge slight right onto Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway

    13 mi · 14 min · Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach

    1.3 mi · 3 min

  15. 15

    Merge slight left

    36.8 mi · 40 min

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight right toward VA 143: Camp Peary, Colonial, Williamsburg

    902 ft · 27 sec

  17. 17

    Turn right onto Capitol Landing Road

    2649 ft · 43 sec · Capitol Landing Road

  18. 18

    Turn right

    2 mi · 4 min

  19. 19

    Turn right onto Scotland Street

    833 ft · 33 sec · Scotland Street

  20. 20

    Turn left onto Armistead Avenue

    626 ft · 25 sec · Armistead Avenue

  21. 21

    Turn left onto Richmond Road

    646 ft · 23 sec · Richmond Road

  22. 22

    Turn right onto South Boundary Street

    32 m · 5 sec · South Boundary Street

  23. 23

    Turn right onto Jamestown Road

    4 m · 1 sec · Jamestown Road

  24. 24

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Jamestown Road

Car Route Details

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

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
24 steps
10 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
9
4 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
15.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
84.3 mi · 55%
I 64 East
38 mi · 25%
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
13 mi · 8%
Capital Beltway
9.74 mi · 6%
Dolley Madison Boulevard
2.04 mi · 1%
I 295 South
1.87 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway

Keep slight left

48.6 mi · 00h 53m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

A longer out-and-back drive

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

Drive Time
03h 02m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 04m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+36.3 mi
117.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Bowling Green
01h 31m from McLean
Leave By
10:56 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving McLean and Mostly Sunny near Williamsburg.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 154 miles (247.9 km) and usually takes 03h 02m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Bowling Green is a useful midpoint, sitting about 77.1 miles from McLean and 77 miles from Williamsburg.

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

The direct path is about 117.7 miles (189.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 36.3 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 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:56 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.55 one way or $43.10 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 48.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers around McLean and Mostly Sunny near Williamsburg.

Stop Ideas Near Bowling Green

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Bowling Green, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Bowling Green.

RAIL

Fredericksburg

29 mi away
200 Lafayette Blvd.
RAIL

Ashland

34 mi away
112 North Railroad Avenue
RAIL

Richmond Staples Mill Road station

50 mi away
7519 Staples Mill Road
RAIL

Quantico

53 mi away
550 Railroad Avenue

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between McLean and Williamsburg. Straight-line distance: 117.75 mi (189.5 km).

McLean

#1 McLean

A city in Fairfax County, Virginia.

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

#2 Williamsburg

Independent city in Virginia, United States

Population15,259
Coordinates37.2707000, -76.7074600
Altitude25
CountryUnited States
Start: McLean (-77.17748, 38.93428)
End: Williamsburg (-76.70746, 37.2707)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 248 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 08m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 51m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 04m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 34m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 12m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 55m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.44 gal
20.58 L · about $21.55
Round trip
$43.10
10.88 gal · 41.16 L
Estimated CO2
48.3 kg one way
Round trip: 96.7 kg / 213 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $21.55 $43.10
Mid-grade $4.43 $24.09 $48.19
Premium $4.78 $25.99 $51.98
Diesel $5.62 $30.59 $61.19

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 15, 2026

There is no time difference between McLean and Williamsburg. The current time is 02:47:54.

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.