Senior Transportation in Arlington, VA

Local figures

Senior Transportation in Arlington, VA: the local picture

15%

of households have no vehicle

2.1 mi

to the nearest hospital with an emergency department (Arlington)

28,123

residents 65 or older (12% of Arlington)

26%

of residents 65+ report a disability

About 17,046 Arlington households, 15%, have no vehicle. The Census figure covers all ages, but older adults who stop driving are a large part of it.

Hospitals with an emergency department near Arlington: Virginia Hospital Center in Arlington (2.1 mi); Medstar Georgetown University Hospital in Washington (2.9 mi); George Washington Univ Hospital in Washington (3.1 mi). Distances are straight-line, so allow more on the road.

26% of residents 65 and older report a disability. If walking is hard, look for a caregiver who is comfortable with walkers and car transfers, not only a driver.

Arlington compared with Virginia

Census figure	Arlington	Virginia
Households with no vehicle	15%	6.1%
Residents 65+ with a disability	26%	31%
Residents 65 or older	12%	17%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	36%	27%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	11%	8.8%
Residents 85 or older	1.3%	1.7%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$100,942	—

Older residents in towns around Arlington

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Households with no car
Seven Corners, VA	2.5 mi	1,768	14%
Bailey's Crossroads, VA	2.7 mi	3,631	13%
Lake Barcroft, VA	3.6 mi	2,170	8.4%
Falls Church, VA	4.1 mi	2,265	6.2%
Alexandria, VA	4.2 mi	20,348	11%
West Falls Church, VA	4.8 mi	4,454	5.0%

Hospitals near Arlington

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
Virginia Hospital Center	Arlington, VA	2.1 mi	4 of 5	(703) 558-5000
Medstar Georgetown University Hospital	Washington, DC	2.9 mi	3 of 5	(202) 784-3000
George Washington Univ Hospital	Washington, DC	3.1 mi	2 of 5	(202) 716-4605
Sibley Memorial Hospital	Washington, DC	4.2 mi	5 of 5	(202) 537-4680

Straight-line miles from the center of Arlington. Medicare (CMS) data, October 2026; call ahead to confirm. We are not affiliated with these providers.

What it covers

What a caregiver who drives can help with

Rides to doctor, dental and therapy appointments
Waiting during the appointment and taking notes
Grocery shopping, pharmacy and errands
Trips to church, the senior center and family

Cost

What senior transportation costs in Arlington

At the Virginia median aide wage of $14.57 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,263 a month in wages, which is 15% of the $8,412 monthly median income of Arlington households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Virginia's minimum wage is $12.77 an hour (U.S. Department of Labor table, updated July 1, 2026).

Hiring directly, you agree the rate with the caregiver and usually become the household employer (U.S. Department of Labor rules). Some families qualify for programs that pay for care at home; see Consumer directed care in Virginia: how relatives are paid to give care through CCC Plus.

Before you hire

What to know before hiring a caregiver who drives

Giving up driving is a common reason older adults start to miss appointments and see fewer people. Before a caregiver drives, agree whose car is used, check that the auto insurance covers it, and agree a mileage rate in writing. The National Aging and Disability Transportation Center and the Eldercare Locator (1-800-677-1116) can point you to free and low-cost ride programs.

Questions worth asking: May I see your license and proof of auto insurance? Will you drive your car or ours? How do you help someone with a walker in and out of the car? More in our senior transportation guide.

CaregiverConnect does not run background checks. Check identity, references and any certification yourself before anyone starts. The Safety Center explains how.

Questions

Senior Transportation in Arlington: common questions

Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Arlington?

Virginia Hospital Center in Arlington, about 2.1 mi in a straight line from the center of Arlington (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (703) 558-5000. In an emergency, call 911.

How much does senior transportation cost in Arlington?

At the Virginia median aide wage of $14.57 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,263 a month in wages, which is 15% of the $8,412 monthly median income of Arlington households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Virginia's minimum wage is $12.77 an hour (U.S. Department of Labor table, updated July 1, 2026).

Does Medicare pay for rides to appointments?

Original Medicare covers emergency ambulance trips, not routine rides. Medicaid covers non-emergency medical transportation for eligible members, and some Medicare Advantage plans include rides (Medicare.gov).

More near Arlington

More senior care near Arlington

Senior Transportation in nearby cities

Other care in Arlington

More for Arlington families

Sources

Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year; CMS provider data (October 25, 2026); U.S. DOL state minimum wages (July 1, 2026); BLS OEWS May 2025 aide wages, which cover employed aides rather than private rates.

Senior Transportation and Escorted Rides in Arlington, VA