How far is Merrimac, VA from Arlington, VA?
The driving distance from Merrimac, VA to Arlington, VA is about 262.8 miles (422.9 km), with a travel time of about 04h 12m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 215.2 miles (346.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 24m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EST.
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.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 04h 12m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Town of the United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Merrimac and Arlington.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Merrimac and Arlington.
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1
Start on Merrimac Road
1.2 mi · 3 min · Merrimac Road
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2
Turn right onto South Main Street
1871 ft · 36 sec · South Main Street
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3
Continue on North Franklin Street
1.2 mi · 2 min · North Franklin Street
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4
Take the ramp straight toward US 460 East: Roanoke
2921 ft · 1 min
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5
Merge slight left onto US 460 East
2.1 mi · 2 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward US 11, US 460 Business: Christiansburg
1234 ft · 32 sec
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7
Turn left onto Roanoke Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · Roanoke Street
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8
Take the ramp slight right toward I 81 North, US 460 East: Salem, Roanoke
1.5 km · 2 min
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9
Merge slight left
102.4 mi · 1 hr 54 min
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10
Keep slight left
78.9 mi · 1 hr 26 min
-
11
Take the exit slight right toward I 66 East: Front Royal, Washington
1920 ft · 47 sec
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12
Continue straight
42.8 mi · 46 min
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13
Keep slight right
27.8 mi · 34 min
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14
Take the exit slight right toward VA 120, VA 237
1641 ft · 31 sec
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15
Continue on Fairfax Drive
573 ft · 25 sec · Fairfax Drive
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16
Turn right onto North Glebe Road
985 ft · 33 sec · North Glebe Road
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17
Turn slight left onto Wilson Boulevard
2854 ft · 2 min · Wilson Boulevard
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Wilson Boulevard
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Merrimac and Arlington.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 81 North
Merge slight left
102 mi · 01h 54m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Sunny leaving Merrimac and Sunny near Arlington.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Merrimac to Arlington?
The road trip is about 262.8 miles (422.9 km) and usually takes 04h 12m 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?
Mount Crawford is a useful midpoint, sitting about 130.3 miles from Merrimac and 132.5 miles from Arlington.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 215.2 miles (346.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 47.6 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 EST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:36 AM EST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $36.08 one way or $72.16 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 82.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Merrimac and Sunny near Arlington.
Stop Ideas Near Mount Crawford
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Mount Crawford.
Staunton station
Charlottesville Union Station
Culpeper station
Clifton Forge
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Merrimac and Arlington. Straight-line distance: 215.21 mi (346.35 km).
#1 Merrimac
Merrimac is a place in Virginia, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 37.1895700, -80.4256100 |
| Altitude | 605 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Arlington
A county in Virginia.
| Population | 229,164 |
| Coordinates | 38.8810100, -77.1042800 |
| Altitude | 71 |
| Country | United States |
End: Wilson Boulevard (-77.104347, 38.881084)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 423 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 45m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 34m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 15m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 22m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 45m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 16m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.89 | $36.08 | $72.16 |
| Mid-grade | $4.39 | $40.73 | $81.46 |
| Premium | $4.80 | $44.47 | $88.94 |
| Diesel | $6.18 | $57.28 | $114.56 |
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