What Counts as the 703 Area Code — and Why It Matters for Local Business
703, 571, 540, 804, 202, 301 — what each area code covers in Northern Virginia, and how to pick the right local directory for your business.
Northern Virginia has more area codes than most states. 703, 571, 540, 804, 202, and 301 all touch different parts of the region — and choosing the right one matters when you're picking a local business directory, hiring a contractor, or verifying a vendor's service area.
The 703 area code: the original Northern Virginia
703 covers the core of Northern Virginia — Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Manassas, Manassas Park, plus most of Fairfax County, Prince William County, and Loudoun County. Created in 1947, it was the original Northern Virginia area code and remains the cultural shorthand for the region even where 571 has overlaid it.
571: the 703 overlay
571 was added in 2000 as an overlay to 703. Same geographic area — just new numbers assigned to new phone lines. If a business says they serve "the 703 area," they mean anywhere reachable on either 703 or 571. There is no practical difference between them today.
540: Shenandoah Valley and western Virginia
540 covers the Shenandoah Valley, Fredericksburg, Winchester, Front Royal, Culpeper, and the western Piedmont. Geographically and culturally distinct from 703 — different commute patterns, different real estate market, different county governments. A 703-area directory should not include 540-area businesses unless explicitly noted.
804: Richmond and central Virginia
804 covers Richmond, Henrico, Chesterfield, and the I-95 corridor south to Petersburg. Two hours south of the 703 region. Different state politics, different commute patterns. Same rule: a 703-area directory should not include 804.
202: Washington DC
202 is the original DC area code. 771 overlays it. DC is a separate jurisdiction from Virginia — different licensing, different taxes, different business culture. Many businesses advertise "DC metro" but only operate in one side of the river.
301: Maryland suburbs
301 (with 240 and 227) covers Montgomery County, Prince George's County, and Frederick County, Maryland. West of DC, north of the 703 region. Different market, different commute patterns.
Why this matters when picking a local directory
If you're a contractor in Fairfax and you advertise in a "DC metro" directory that also lists Bethesda and Silver Spring businesses, you're competing with crews two counties away. If you're a homeowner in Herndon looking for a plumber, you want someone who actually serves 703, not a Frederick MD plumber who shows up in a Maryland-flavored search.
Local fit matters: a directory that's strict about geographic scope gives you cleaner results. The 703 Business Directory is deliberately scoped to Northern Virginia's 703 area code — we don't include Bethesda, Rockville, Richmond, Winchester, or Washington DC. If you're searching from inside the 703, every result you see is a real local option.
Frequently asked questions
Is 571 the same as 703?
Yes. 571 is an overlay added in 2000 — same geography, same counties. If a directory says "703 and 571," they're not two regions; they're one area with two area codes.
What counties are in the 703?
Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William, plus the independent cities of Alexandria, Falls Church, Manassas, and Manassas Park. The 32 cities covered by this directory span all five jurisdictions.
Is Tysons in the 703?
Yes. Tysons (Tysons Corner) is in Fairfax County, fully within the 703 area code.