How far is Merrimac, VA from Alexandria, VA?

The driving distance from Merrimac, VA to Alexandria, VA is about 79.6 miles (128.1 km), with a travel time of about 01h 29m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 60.8 miles (97.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 58m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EST.
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
79.57 mi
01h 29m
Flight
60.77 mi
97.8 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Merrimac.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
60.77 mi
Kilometers
97.8 km
Flight Time
00h 07m

Driving Distance

Road route
79.57 mi
Kilometers
128.06 km
Drive Time
01h 29m

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 29m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Alexandria
Sun, Nov 8, 10:29 AM EST
Return by in Merrimac
Sun, Nov 8, 11:58 AM EST
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Merrimac
2026-11-08T08:59
Arrive Alexandria
Sun, Nov 8, 10:29 AM EST
Route Timing
01h 29m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EST
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:29 AM to 11:29 AM EST

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

Leave by
3:32 PM EST
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Merrimac
9:30 PM EST
Morning start is best

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Haymarket
VA

Street in the St.

From Merrimac
39.7 mi
00h 44m
To Alexandria
39.8 mi
00h 44m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
65°F
Sunday

Patchy Frost then Sunny

Starts
Sun, Nov 8 6:00 AM EST
Wind
6 to 9 mph SW
Destination
64°F
Sunday

Sunny

Starts
Sun, Nov 8 6:00 AM EST
Wind
8 to 12 mph W

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Merrimac and Alexandria.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Merrimac and Alexandria.

  1. 1

    Start on James Monroe Highway

    4.3 mi · 5 min · James Monroe Highway

  2. 2

    Continue on James Madison Highway

    23.3 mi · 30 min · James Madison Highway

  3. 3

    Continue on Eastern Bypass

    2.4 mi · 3 min · Eastern Bypass

  4. 4

    Keep slight left to continue on US 15 North, US 29 North

    11.7 mi · 17 min

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward I 66 East: Washington

    1.4 km · 2 min

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    20.8 mi · 25 min

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward I 495 South: Richmond, Alexandria

    2186 ft · 42 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto Capital Beltway

    12.1 mi · 15 min · Capital Beltway

  9. 9

    Keep slight right to continue on Capital Beltway (Local)

    2 mi · 3 min · Capital Beltway (Local)

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward US 1: Alexandria, Fort Belvoir

    969 ft · 24 sec

  11. 11

    Keep slight left to continue on US 1 North: Alexandria

    2328 ft · 57 sec

  12. 12

    Merge slight left onto Richmond Highway

    134 m · 8 sec · Richmond Highway

  13. 13

    Continue on South Patrick Street

    1551 ft · 46 sec · South Patrick Street

  14. 14

    Turn right onto Franklin Street

    953 ft · 28 sec · Franklin Street

  15. 15

    Turn left onto South Washington Street

    2462 ft · 2 min · South Washington Street

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South Washington Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Merrimac and Alexandria.

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
16 steps
2 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
3 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
20.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
James Madison Highway
23.3 mi · 29%
I 66 East
21.7 mi · 27%
Capital Beltway
12.1 mi · 15%
US 15 North
11.7 mi · 15%
James Monroe Highway
4.28 mi · 5%
Eastern Bypass
2.44 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

James Madison Highway

Continue on James Madison Highway

23.3 mi · 00h 30m

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 29m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 58m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+18.8 mi
60.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Haymarket
00h 44m from Merrimac
Leave By
3:32 PM EST
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Patchy Frost then Sunny leaving Merrimac and Sunny near Alexandria.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Merrimac to Alexandria?

The road trip is about 79.6 miles (128.1 km) and usually takes 01h 29m 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?

Haymarket is a useful midpoint, sitting about 39.7 miles from Merrimac and 39.8 miles from Alexandria.

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

The direct path is about 60.8 miles (97.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 18.8 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:32 PM EST.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.94 one way or $21.87 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 25 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Patchy Frost then Sunny around Merrimac and Sunny near Alexandria.

Stop Ideas Near Haymarket

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 Haymarket and the surrounding midpoint area.
City Hall Parking Lot
Scenic stop 9.3 mi away

City Hall Parking Lot

Manassas , VA
9027 Center St, Manassas, VA 20110
Rating 4.1/5 7 reviews Parking lot
Manassas Park City Hall
Meeting point 10.6 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
Town Hall Pool
Nearby stop 10.8 mi away

Town Hall Pool

Chantilly , VA
43055 Center St, Chantilly, VA 20152
Rating 4.4/5 20 reviews Public swimming pool

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Haymarket.

RAIL

Manassas station

16 mi away
9431 West Street
RAIL

Burke Centre

29 mi away
10399 Premier Court
RAIL

Lorton station

38 mi away
8006 Lorton Road
RAIL

Woodbridge station

38 mi away
1040 Express Way

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Merrimac and Alexandria. Straight-line distance: 60.77 mi (97.8 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Merrimac

Merrimac is a place in Virginia, United States.

Population0
Coordinates38.4526300, -78.0786100
Altitude181
CountryUnited States
Alexandria

#2 Alexandria

A city in Virginia.

Population158,726
Coordinates38.8048400, -77.0469200
Altitude12
CountryUnited States
Start: US 29 (-78.078568, 38.452567)
End: South Washington Street (-77.04696, 38.804845)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 128 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 39m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 59m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 35m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 19m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 08m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 59m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.81 gal
10.63 L · about $10.94
Round trip
$21.87
5.62 gal · 21.26 L
Estimated CO2
25 kg one way
Round trip: 49.9 kg / 110 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.89 $10.94 $21.87
Mid-grade $4.39 $12.35 $24.69
Premium $4.80 $13.48 $26.96
Diesel $6.18 $17.36 $34.73

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 07, 2026

There is no time difference between Merrimac and Alexandria. The current time is 08:59:41.

Distance to Other Cities

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