How far is Norfolk, VA from McLean, VA?

The driving distance from Norfolk, VA to McLean, VA is about 201 miles (323.5 km), with a travel time of about 03h 21m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 152.2 miles (245 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 43m 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
200.99 mi
03h 21m
Flight
152.21 mi
244.96 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Norfolk.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
152.21 mi
Kilometers
244.96 km
Flight Time
00h 18m

Driving Distance

Road route
200.99 mi
Kilometers
323.46 km
Drive Time
03h 21m

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 21m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in McLean
Tue, May 5, 10:35 AM EDT
Return by in Norfolk
Tue, May 5, 1:57 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Norfolk
2026-05-05T07:14
Arrive McLean
Tue, May 5, 10:35 AM EDT
Route Timing
03h 21m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:22 AM to 11:22 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
10:16 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Norfolk
9:00 PM EDT
Early departure recommended

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
Glen Allen
VA

Town in Alabama, USA

From Norfolk
97.5 mi
01h 40m
To McLean
103.5 mi
01h 40m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
56°F
Overnight

Mostly Clear

Starts
Tue, May 5 5:00 AM EDT
Wind
10 mph SW
Destination
58°F
Overnight

Partly Cloudy

Starts
Tue, May 5 5:00 AM EDT
Wind
9 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on East City Hall Avenue

    2127 ft · 43 sec · East City Hall Avenue

  2. 2

    Keep slight left to continue on VA 337: Tidewater Drive

    645 ft · 28 sec

  3. 3

    Merge slight left onto Tidewater Drive

    4.6 mi · 10 min · Tidewater Drive

  4. 4

    Turn left

    1157 ft · 28 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left onto Hampton Roads Beltway

    5.6 mi · 8 min · Hampton Roads Beltway

  6. 6

    Continue on Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel

    3.5 mi · 5 min · Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel

  7. 7

    Continue on Hampton Roads Beltway

    5.9 mi · 8 min · Hampton Roads Beltway

  8. 8

    Keep slight left

    61.1 mi · 1 hr 8 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward I 295, US 60: Washington, Rocky Mount NC

    2434 ft · 32 sec

  10. 10

    Keep slight right to continue on I 295 North: Washington

    1.3 mi · 3 min

  11. 11

    Merge slight left onto Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway

    11.9 mi · 13 min · Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight left toward I 95 North: Washington

    2.4 mi · 3 min

  13. 13

    Merge slight right

    45.7 mi · 50 min

  14. 14

    Keep slight right

    1.6 mi · 2 min

  15. 15

    Keep slight left

    1 mi · 1 min

  16. 16

    Merge slight left

    35 mi · 41 min

  17. 17

    Keep slight right to continue on Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway

    1 km · 52 sec · Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway

  18. 18

    Take the exit slight right toward I 495 North: Tysons Corner

    1.4 mi · 2 min

  19. 19

    Merge slight left onto Capital Beltway

    1 mi · 1 min · Capital Beltway

  20. 20

    Keep slight right to continue on Capital Beltway

    8.5 mi · 11 min · Capital Beltway

  21. 21

    Take the exit slight right toward VA 123 North: McLean

    2182 ft · 53 sec

  22. 22

    Turn straight onto Dolley Madison Boulevard

    1.7 mi · 4 min · Dolley Madison Boulevard

  23. 23

    Turn right onto Old Dominion Drive

    2534 ft · 1 min · Old Dominion Drive

  24. 24

    Turn sharp left onto Elm Street

    31 m · 2 sec · Elm Street

  25. 25

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Elm Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
25 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
10
6 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
12.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 95 North
85.7 mi · 43%
Hampton Roads Beltway
72.5 mi · 36%
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
11.9 mi · 6%
Capital Beltway
9.54 mi · 5%
Tidewater Drive
4.56 mi · 2%
Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
3.5 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Hampton Roads Beltway

Keep slight left

61.1 mi · 01h 08m

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 21m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 44m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+48.8 mi
152.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Glen Allen
01h 40m from Norfolk
Leave By
10:16 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Clear leaving Norfolk and Partly Cloudy near McLean.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 201 miles (323.5 km) and usually takes 03h 21m 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?

Glen Allen is a useful midpoint, sitting about 97.5 miles from Norfolk and 103.5 miles from McLean.

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

The direct path is about 152.2 miles (245 km), while the road route adds roughly 48.8 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:16 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $28.08 one way or $56.17 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 63 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Clear around Norfolk and Partly Cloudy near McLean.

Stop Ideas Near Glen Allen

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 Glen Allen and the surrounding midpoint area.
Town Hall
Food stop 8.7 mi away

Town Hall

Richmond , VA
3123 W Cary St, Richmond, VA 23221
Rating 4.9/5 13 reviews Restaurant
Old City Hall
Scenic stop 9.4 mi away

Old City Hall

Richmond , VA
1001 E Broad St, Richmond, VA 23219, United States
Rating 4.4/5 32 reviews Tourist attraction,Land surveyor,Historical landmark
City of Richmond Virginia (City Hall)
Meeting point 9.3 mi away

City of Richmond Virginia (City Hall)

Richmond , VA
900 E Broad St, Richmond, VA 23219
Rating 2.9/5 40 reviews City government office,Police department,Tax assessor
City Hall
Nearby stop 9.3 mi away

City Hall

Richmond , VA
900 E Broad St, Richmond, VA 23219
Rating 3.9/5 85 reviews Bike sharing station

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Glen Allen.

RAIL

Richmond Staples Mill Road station

6 mi away
7519 Staples Mill Road
RAIL

Ashland

11 mi away
112 North Railroad Avenue
RAIL

Richmond Main Street Station

16 mi away
1500 East Main Street
RAIL

Petersburg station

48 mi away
3516 South Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Norfolk and McLean. Straight-line distance: 152.21 mi (244.96 km).

Norfolk

#1 Norfolk

The most populous city in Virginia.

Population242,803
Coordinates36.8468100, -76.2852200
Altitude2
CountryUnited States
McLean

#2 McLean

A city in Fairfax County, Virginia.

Population48,115
Coordinates38.9342800, -77.1774800
Altitude87
CountryUnited States
Start: US 460 Alternate (-76.285227, 36.846793)
End: Elm Street (-77.177466, 38.934287)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 323 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 41m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 01m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 01m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 20m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 52m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 30m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
7.09 gal
26.85 L · about $28.08
Round trip
$56.17
14.18 gal · 53.7 L
Estimated CO2
63 kg one way
Round trip: 126 kg / 278 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $28.08 $56.17
Mid-grade $4.43 $31.40 $62.80
Premium $4.78 $33.88 $67.75
Diesel $5.62 $39.87 $79.75

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 · May 05, 2026

There is no time difference between Norfolk and McLean. The current time is 07:14:04.

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.