Driving from Arlington to Washington? Here's How Long You'll Be On the Road.
Looking to hit the road from Arlington, Virginia to Washington, North Carolina? Well, the good news is that your journey to the heart of North Carolina won't take you more than a day. Let's dive in and explore the fastest and slowest routes, complete with detailed distance calculations and estimates on driving time.
The Fastest and Slowest Routes
For speedsters, we recommend taking the US-64 E route. While it covers a distance of around 289 miles, it'll get you to your destination in about 4.5 hours. However, with heavy traffic on the highways or during peak hours, expect to add up to 45 more minutes to your drive time.
Alternatively, if you're looking to take in the scenery and make some stops along the way, you might choose the slower option of taking the US-158 E route. At 336 miles long, this route covers a lot more ground and could take you around 5.5-6 hours to complete. However, the great thing about this route is that it will take you through some lovely sights worth stopping to check out.
Traffic Patterns
As with all road trips, traffic patterns play a significant role in determining the driving time from Arlington to Washington. Getting stuck in heavy traffic can slow you down significantly, especially if you're planning your trip during peak hours.
Driving during low traffic periods (say, early morning or late at night) might save you up to an hour of drive time. But if you have no choice but to drive during peak hours, prepare yourself for some stop-and-go traffic, and adjust your expected arrival time accordingly.
Time Calculations
Here are the driving time estimates for each route, based on traffic patterns:
US-64 E Route (289 miles):
- Low traffic: 4.5 hours
- Heavy traffic/peak hours: 5.5 hours
US-158 E Route (336 miles):
- Low traffic: 5.5 - 6 hours
- Heavy traffic/peak hours: 7 hours
Conclusion
At the end of the day, your travel style and urgency will play a role in choosing your route, but now you have the information you need to make an informed choice. Take the scenic route if you're looking to soak in the North Carolina scenery. Choose the most direct route if you're looking to cut down on travel time. And whether it's peak hours or low traffic, remember to take some breaks, stay hydrated, and enjoy the journey.