How far is Reston, VA from Arlington, VA?

The driving distance from Reston, VA to Arlington, VA is about 16.7 miles (26.8 km), with a travel time of about 00h 25m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 14.1 miles (22.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 51m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
16.65 mi
00h 25m
Flight
14.1 mi
22.69 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Reston.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
14.1 mi
Kilometers
22.69 km
Flight Time
00h 01m

Driving Distance

Road route
16.65 mi
Kilometers
26.79 km
Drive Time
00h 25m

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 25m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Arlington
Wed, Apr 22, 9:05 PM EDT
Return by in Reston
Wed, Apr 22, 9:30 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Reston
2026-04-22T20:39
Arrive Arlington
Wed, Apr 22, 9:05 PM EDT
Route Timing
00h 25m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:26 AM to 7:26 PM EDT

This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.

Leave by
7:38 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in Reston
10:00 PM EDT
Flexible departure

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
Tysons Corner
VA

Unincorporated census-designated place (CDP) in Fairfax County, Virginia, United States

From Reston
8.3 mi
00h 12m
To Arlington
8.3 mi
00h 12m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
72°F
Wednesday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
8 mph W
Destination
73°F
Wednesday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
8 mph SW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Reston and Arlington.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Reston and Arlington.

  1. 1

    Start on Washington Plaza North

    70 m · 20 sec · Washington Plaza North

  2. 2

    Turn right onto North Shore Drive

    157 m · 20 sec · North Shore Drive

  3. 3

    Turn left onto Village Road

    60 m · 11 sec · Village Road

  4. 4

    Turn right onto Baron Cameron Avenue

    1.5 mi · 3 min · Baron Cameron Avenue

  5. 5

    Turn right onto Leesburg Pike

    4.9 mi · 7 min · Leesburg Pike

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward VA 267 Toll East: Washington

    1536 ft · 38 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left onto Dulles Toll Road

    945 ft · 14 sec · Dulles Toll Road

  8. 8

    Keep slight right to continue on Dulles Toll Road

    4.8 mi · 7 min · Dulles Toll Road

  9. 9

    Merge slight left onto Custis Memorial Parkway

    3.6 mi · 5 min · Custis Memorial Parkway

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward VA 120, VA 237

    1641 ft · 31 sec

  11. 11

    Continue on Fairfax Drive

    573 ft · 25 sec · Fairfax Drive

  12. 12

    Turn right onto North Glebe Road

    985 ft · 33 sec · North Glebe Road

  13. 13

    Turn slight left onto Wilson Boulevard

    2854 ft · 2 min · Wilson Boulevard

  14. 14

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Wilson Boulevard

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Reston and Arlington.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

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.

Directions
14 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
84.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Dulles Toll Road
4.97 mi · 30%
Leesburg Pike
4.89 mi · 29%
Custis Memorial Parkway
3.62 mi · 22%
Baron Cameron Avenue
1.52 mi · 9%
Wilson Boulevard
0.54 mi · 3%
VA 120
0.31 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Leesburg Pike

Turn right onto Leesburg Pike

4.89 mi · 00h 07m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
00h 25m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
00h 52m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+2.6 mi
14.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Tysons Corner
00h 12m from Reston
Leave By
7:38 PM EDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Reston and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Arlington.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Reston to Arlington?

The road trip is about 16.7 miles (26.8 km) and usually takes 00h 25m 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?

Tysons Corner is a useful midpoint, sitting about 8.3 miles from Reston and 8.3 miles from Arlington.

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

The direct path is about 14.1 miles (22.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 2.6 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:38 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.34 one way or $4.67 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 5.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Reston and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Arlington.

Stop Ideas Near Tysons Corner

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 Tysons Corner and the surrounding midpoint area.
United States Capitol
Scenic stop 11.8 mi away

United States Capitol

Washington , DC
First St SE, Washington, DC 20004, United States
Rating 4.6/5 4,243 reviews Tourist attraction,Historical place,Historical landmark,Landmark,Federal government office
Stop photo coming soon
Practical stop 11.6 mi away

D C Government

Washington , DC
77 P St NE, Washington, DC 20002
Rating 5.0/5 2 reviews City government office,Telephone answering service
THEARC: Town Hall Education Arts Recreation Campus
Meeting point 14.6 mi away

THEARC: Town Hall Education Arts Recreation Campus

Washington , DC
1901 Mississippi Ave SE, Washington, DC 20020
Rating 4.7/5 64 reviews Recreation center,City Hall
District of Columbia Court
Nearby stop 11.2 mi away

District of Columbia Court

Washington , DC
430 E St NW #115, Washington, DC 20001
Rating 4.5/5 10 reviews City courthouse,Federal courthouse

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Tysons Corner.

RAIL

Burke Centre

15 mi away
10399 Premier Court
RAIL

Union Station

19 mi away
110 Callahan Drive
RAIL

Rockville station

20 mi away
251 Hungerford Drive at Park Rd.
RAIL

Washington Union Station

20 mi away
50 Massachusetts Ave NE

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Reston and Arlington. Straight-line distance: 14.1 mi (22.69 km).

Reston

#1 Reston

Census-designated place in Fairfax County, Virginia, United States

Population58,404
Coordinates38.9687200, -77.3411000
Altitude100
CountryUnited States
Arlington

#2 Arlington

A county in Virginia.

Population229,164
Coordinates38.8810100, -77.1042800
Altitude71
CountryUnited States
Start: Washington Plaza North (-77.341608, 38.968772)
End: Wilson Boulevard (-77.104347, 38.881084)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 27 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)00h 33m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 24m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 19m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 16m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 14m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 12m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
0.59 gal
2.22 L · about $2.34
Round trip
$4.67
1.18 gal · 4.44 L
Estimated CO2
5.2 kg one way
Round trip: 10.5 kg / 23 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $2.34 $4.67
Mid-grade $4.43 $2.61 $5.23
Premium $4.78 $2.82 $5.64
Diesel $5.62 $3.32 $6.64

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 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Reston and Arlington. The current time is 20:39:17.

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.