Likely travel time: about 25–50 minutes, but it could easily be longer on July 4 at 4:30 pm. The biggest reason is that July 4 afternoon is a peak travel window in the DC area, and holiday traffic is often heaviest from about 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.

What to expect

Old Town Alexandria to McLean is a relatively short drive in normal conditions, but holiday congestion can slow it down a lot. July 4 travel guidance for the region says to avoid the afternoon rush, and one recent roundup lists Saturday, July 4 as a worst-time window from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with traffic still improving after 3 p.m.

Practical estimate

At 4:30 pm, a normal trip might still be around 20–30 minutes depending on your exact start and end points. On July 4, a more realistic expectation is 30–60 minutes, and longer delays are possible if you hit highway traffic or detours near the Beltway.

Best way to think about it

  • If you stay on local roads, expect moderate holiday slowdown.
  • If your route uses I-495 or other major highways, expect more variability.
  • If there are fireworks-related closures or event traffic, add extra buffer time.

Planning cushion

A safe plan is to leave with at least 30 extra minutes beyond your usual drive time. If the trip is for something time-sensitive, leaving before 3 pm or after the evening rush would be much safer than 4:30 pm.

TL;DR: plan for about 30–60 minutes at 4:30 pm on July 4, with the chance of it taking longer if traffic is heavy.