The Cost of Driving From Arlington, Virginia to Fairfax, Virginia in 2021

If you're in the mood for a road trip, you might be wondering what the cost is to get from Arlington, Virginia to Fairfax, Virginia. Well, it depends on the route you take and several other factors such as current gas prices and toll costs. Here, we'll take a look at the different routes available to you and the estimated cost, distance, and time to help you pick the best one for your budget and schedule.

Route 1: Via I-66 W

Driving on I-66 W from Arlington to Fairfax is the shortest route, covering a distance of approximately 9.4 miles. You can cover this distance in 15 minutes on average with no traffic. However, traffic in Northern Virginia can be unpredictable, so make sure to check the traffic updates before you start your journey. As of August 2021, the average gas price per gallon in Virginia is $3.11, and given the distance, you can expect to spend around $2.31 on gas. Moreover, there are no tolls or charges associated with this route. Thus, a one-way trip from Arlington to Fairfax on I-66 W will cost an estimated $2.31 in gas money.

Route 2: Via I-495 S and VA-236 W

Another route you can take is via I-495 S and VA-236 W. This route is longer than the first, covering about 14.5 miles. The estimated time for this trip is 25 minutes in no traffic conditions. However, it is important to note that travelling on I-495 S can be quite congested depending on the time of the day. Additionally, taking this route has a toll charge of $1.50 (for cars with E-ZPass) or $3.75 (for cars without E-ZPass). The gas cost for this route will be around $3.5. The estimated cost of taking this route by car, one-way, will be approximately $5.25 (including the $1.50 E-ZPass toll charge).

Route 3: Via VA-50 W

If you want to avoid paying tolls, you could take VA-50 W from Arlington to Fairfax. This route is longer than the first two routes, covering a distance of about 12.2 miles. You can expect your travel time to be approximately 26 minutes in good traffic conditions. The gas cost for this route is around $3.0. However, keep in mind that travelling on VA-50 W can also encounter rush hour traffic. A one-way trip from Arlington to Fairfax on VA-50 W will have a gas cost of approximately $3.0.

Route 4: Via US-50 W

Finally, you could take US-50 W for a longer yet economical route. The length of this route is around 15.7 miles, and travel time is estimated to be 30 minutes in good traffic conditions. The gas cost for this route is around $3.8. This route has no toll charges. Thus, a one-way trip from Arlington to Fairfax on US-50 W will cost an estimated $3.8.

Conclusion

In summary, the cost of driving from Arlington, Virginia to Fairfax, Virginia in 2021 depends on several factors such as your route, gas prices, and toll charges. The shortest and cheapest route is by I-66 W, and it will cost you approximately $2.31. The most expensive route is by I-495 S and VA-236 W with a toll charge of $1.50 (with E-ZPass), which will set you back approximately $5.25. If you want to avoid paying tolls, you could take either VA-50 W costing about $3.0 in gas money or US-50 W costing around $3.8. Now you have all the information necessary to make an informed decision on which route to choose - drive safely!