The Ideal Route: Getting from Arlington to Short Pump Made Easy

Heading out to Western Virginia for a quick weekend trip? Driving from Arlington to Short Pump might not seem like a long distance, but traffic can turn a short drive into an endless one.

Here's a breakdown of the two best routes to take from Arlington to Short Pump.

Route #1: The Fastest Route

Going through Richmond, this is the fastest route to Short Pump from Arlington. With a total distance of 114 miles, it takes approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes to complete the journey if there's no traffic. However, during peak traffic hours during weekdays, make sure to add an extra hour to the drive time in making it a total of 2.5 hours.

Route #2: The Scenic Route

Take the back roads and get a scenic drive view of Virginia. With a total distance of 123 miles, it takes approximately 2 hours and 10 minutes to complete the journey if there's no traffic. With this route, it’s easy to get caught behind slow-moving vehicles, so plan for an extra 15 to 20 minutes during busy hours.

Setting out early during the weekend or traveling on a weekday can help you beat the traffic and arrive in Short Pump faster. If you're traveling during peak traffic hours, consider taking the Richmond route in cases where you're in a hurry.

However, if you've got a bit more time and want to save yourself the trouble of sitting in traffic, take the scenic route through the backroads. It's not only peaceful and scenic, but it certainly feels like a mini road trip.

In the end, it all depends on what experience you want to have, and how much time you have at hand.