Getting Here & Around Loudoun County

Getting Here

By Plane

Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) sits in the southeast corner of the county, welcoming nonstop flights from more than 100 domestic and international destinations. Land, pick up your rental car or hop on Metro, and you can be sipping a glass of Virginia wine within the hour.

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) is about 40 miles east of Loudoun and connects to the county via the Metrorail system or major highways.

Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) is roughly 65 miles northeast and is a convenient option when carriers or fares line up.

Flying private? Leesburg Executive Airport (JYO) serves general aviation just minutes from downtown Leesburg.

By Car

Loudoun sits at the crossroads of several major routes, making it an easy drive from destinations across the mid-Atlantic:

• Route 7 runs east-west through the heart of the county, connecting Tysons and the DC metro area to Leesburg and western Loudoun.
• Route 28 runs north-south through eastern Loudoun, linking Interstate 66 and Manassas to Dulles International Airport, Sterling and the Route 7 corridor.
• Route 15 carries you north-south along the Journey Through Hallowed Ground, one of the most historic corridors in America.
• The Dulles Greenway and Dulles Toll Road (Route 267) offer a direct link between the Capital Beltway, Dulles International Airport and Leesburg.
• Route 50 winds west from Fairfax County into Middleburg and Loudoun's horse and wine country.

Drive distances to Loudoun:

• Washington, DC: 25 miles
• Baltimore: 70 Miles
• Richmond: 120 Miles
• Philadelphia: 165 Miles
• Pittsburgh: 193 Miles

By Metro

Three Metrorail Silver Line stations serve Loudoun County: Dulles International Airport, Loudoun Gateway and Ashburn. The Silver Line connects the county directly to Tysons, Arlington and downtown Washington, DC – no car required. Typical travel time from Ashburn, the westernmost stop, to the center of D.C. is about 60 minutes.

By Train

Arriving by rail? Amtrak connects Washington, DC's Union Station to major cities along the East Coast and beyond, while MARC commuter trains link Baltimore and points in Maryland to Union Station on weekdays. From Union Station, hop on Metrorail's Red Line to Metro Center, then transfer to the Silver Line – the only line that runs into Loudoun County – for a direct ride to Dulles International Airport, Loudoun Gateway or Ashburn.

Travel tip: If you'd like a car for exploring western Loudoun's wineries and countryside, ride the Silver Line to the Dulles International Airport station and pick up a rental from any major provider – no shuttle required.

MARC's Brunswick Line also stops at Point of Rocks and Brunswick, Md., just across the Potomac River from northern Loudoun, though service is limited to weekdays and you'll need a ride from the station. Virginia Railway Express (VRE) serves Union Station on weekdays from communities south of DC.

Getting Around

Driving & Scenic Byways

A car is the easiest way to explore Loudoun, especially the rural west. Designated Virginia Scenic Byways like Route 15 and Snickersville Turnpike turn the drive itself into part of the experience – stone walls, horse farms and mountain views included. Parking is free and plentiful at most wineries, breweries and attractions, and the towns of western Loudoun offer public lots and street parking.

Rental cars are available at Dulles International Airport from all major providers, and hourly carshare options operate in eastern Loudoun.

Guided Tours

Prefer to let someone else handle the driving? Loudoun's guided tours come with a set itinerary and a local behind the wheel, so all you have to do is settle in and enjoy the ride. Spend an afternoon winery-hopping through DC's Wine Country, follow the LoCo Ale Trail from one taproom to the next, or take in the county's historic towns and villages on a guided walking tour.

When you're visiting wineries and breweries, call ahead or check social media to confirm hours and policies on picnics, pets, children, large groups and events.

Charters & Limos

Traveling with a bigger group or celebrating something special? Loudoun's charter and limousine providers pair a professional driver with the right vehicle for whatever you have planned – a private wine or beer tour, a wedding or special event, a night out or a ride to and from Dulles International Airport. Book a full day out or a single transfer, and leave the logistics to someone else.

Biking the W&OD Trail

The Washington & Old Dominion Railroad Regional Park – better known as the W&OD Trail – is a 45-mile paved rail trail running from Arlington through Ashburn, Leesburg and the rolling countryside to its western end in Purcellville. It's one of the best ways to experience Loudoun at your own pace, with breweries, cafes and picturesque towns along the route.

Local Transit

Loudoun County Transit operates local and commuter bus service connecting communities across the county, including connections to Metrorail stations.