How far is South Riding, VA from Alexandria, VA?
The driving distance from South Riding, VA to Alexandria, VA is about 32.6 miles (52.4 km), with a travel time of about 00h 45m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 25.8 miles (41.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 30m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EST.
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.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 45m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Census designated place
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between South Riding and Alexandria.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between South Riding and Alexandria.
-
1
Start on the route
10 m · 8 sec
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2
Turn left onto Defender Drive
600 ft · 28 sec · Defender Drive
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3
Turn right onto South Riding Boulevard
121 m · 11 sec · South Riding Boulevard
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4
Turn right onto Little River Turnpike
1.9 mi · 3 min · Little River Turnpike
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5
Continue on Route 50
7.7 mi · 13 min · Route 50
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6
Take the exit straight toward I 66 East: Washington
2995 ft · 1 min
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7
Merge slight left
6.1 mi · 8 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 495 South: Richmond, Alexandria
2186 ft · 42 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto Capital Beltway
12.1 mi · 15 min · Capital Beltway
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10
Keep slight right to continue on Capital Beltway (Local)
2 mi · 3 min · Capital Beltway (Local)
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11
Take the exit slight right toward US 1: Alexandria, Fort Belvoir
969 ft · 24 sec
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12
Keep slight left to continue on US 1 North: Alexandria
2328 ft · 57 sec
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13
Merge slight left onto Richmond Highway
134 m · 8 sec · Richmond Highway
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14
Continue on South Patrick Street
1551 ft · 46 sec · South Patrick Street
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15
Turn right onto Franklin Street
953 ft · 28 sec · Franklin Street
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16
Turn left onto South Washington Street
2462 ft · 2 min · South Washington Street
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Washington Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between South Riding and Alexandria.
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.
Capital Beltway
Merge slight left onto Capital Beltway
12.1 mi · 00h 15m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Sunny leaving South Riding and Sunny near Alexandria.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from South Riding to Alexandria?
The road trip is about 32.6 miles (52.4 km) and usually takes 00h 45m 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?
Merrifield is a useful midpoint, sitting about 16.3 miles from South Riding and 16.3 miles from Alexandria.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 25.8 miles (41.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.8 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:00 PM EST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.44 one way or $8.88 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 10.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around South Riding and Sunny near Alexandria.
Stop Ideas Near Merrifield
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
United States Capitol
D C Government
THEARC: Town Hall Education Arts Recreation Campus
District of Columbia Court
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Merrifield.
Burke Centre
Union Station
Lorton station
Washington Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between South Riding and Alexandria. Straight-line distance: 25.86 mi (41.62 km).
#1 South Riding
South Riding is a place in Virginia, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 38.9209400, -77.5038800 |
| Altitude | 98 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Alexandria
A city in Virginia.
| Population | 158,726 |
| Coordinates | 38.8048400, -77.0469200 |
| Altitude | 12 |
| Country | United States |
End: South Washington Street (-77.04696, 38.804845)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 52 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 05m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 48m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 39m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 32m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 27m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 24m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.86 | $4.44 | $8.88 |
| Mid-grade | $4.35 | $5.00 | $10.01 |
| Premium | $4.77 | $5.48 | $10.97 |
| Diesel | $6.16 | $7.08 | $14.16 |
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 09, 2026