Cape Charles, VA Road Trips
Sitting in the Southeast, Cape Charles, VA is a local road trip base with 5 trip routes mapped and ready to explore. Most drives stay under 85 miles, making this area well-suited for day trips and weekend getaways. Routes from Cape Charles, VA spread mainly south and west, covering a wide geographic range.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Trip Routes
5
Longest Drive
225.6 mi
Alexandria, VA
Quickest Drive
1h 4m
Norfolk, VA
Plan Around Cape Charles, VA
Continue From Cape Charles, VA
Good next legs if this city is only one stop in a longer road trip.
Trips from Cape Charles, VA
Driving from Cape Charles, VA
On average, trips departing from Cape Charles, VA run 85 miles with a drive time of roughly 1h 55m. The majority of routes are short drives — quick enough to finish before lunch and be back for dinner. The longest mapped route runs 226 miles (4h 35m), while the shortest is just 44 miles.
Popular Destinations
Drivers leaving Cape Charles, VA most often head toward Alexandria, VA (225.6 mi, 4h 35m), Newport News, VA (61.6 mi, 1h 29m), Hampton, VA (52.3 mi, 1h 18m), Norfolk, VA (43.8 mi, 1h 4m), and Virginia Beach, VA (43.6 mi, 1h 9m). Most destinations stay within the same state, perfect for exploring the local region thoroughly.
Planning & Costs
Regular gas in VA currently averages around $3.96 per gallon. For the typical 85-mile trip from Cape Charles, VA, budget about $13 in fuel one way, assuming 25 MPG. Longer hauls and premium fuel will cost proportionally more.
The majority of destinations are to the south. Morning starts help you avoid the midday heat on longer drives. With an average drive under three hours, you have plenty of flexibility — leave whenever it suits you.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are 5 mapped routes leaving Cape Charles, VA and 0 routes heading into Cape Charles, VA, covering 5 total connections. Distances range from 44 to 226 miles.
The longest mapped route from Cape Charles, VA covers 226 miles and takes approximately 4h 35m. Shorter options start at just 44 miles.
The average route from Cape Charles, VA runs about 85 miles with a drive time of roughly 1h 55m. This includes both short day trips and longer multi-day drives.
At current gas prices (about $3.96/gallon for regular), the average 85-mile trip from Cape Charles, VA costs roughly $13 in fuel one way, based on 25 MPG. Your actual cost depends on your vehicle's efficiency.
The most popular road trip destinations from Cape Charles, VA include Alexandria, VA, Newport News, VA, Hampton, VA and Norfolk, VA. Each route page has detailed drive times, fuel estimates, stop suggestions, and turn-by-turn directions.
Cape Charles, VA by the Numbers
Recent demographic snapshot from the US Census Bureau's American Community Survey.
Population
1,278
Median Income
$51,250
Median Home Value
$589,000
Median Age
55.6
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-year (public domain). See our methodology for details.
Traveler Guide to Cape Charles, VA
Cape Charles is a town in Eastern Virginia, at the southern tip of the Delmarva peninsula. It used to be the terminus of the eastern shore railway and still has an operating rail-to-barge ferry terminal with freight service to Norfolk. It has the feel of a time gone by.
Railroad operations are visible occasionally, if you get to see them load rail cars on a barge, it is quite a sight. A concrete plant is still in operation making preformed items. This plant created all the concrete structures of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge/Tunnel (nearby).
Mainly you will want absorb the feel of the charming town from yesteryear and meet a few of the local people. 1 Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, ☏ +1 757-331-2960. 24 hours. At nearly 18 miles long, this bridge-tunnel complex is one of the engineering wonders of the world. Connecting Virginia's Eastern Shore with Virginia's mainland in Virginia Beach/Norfolk, this toll facility will save travelers 90 miles or more as they travel from points north of Wilmington, Delaware and head down the East Coast towards Virginia Beach or North Carolina's Outer Banks. Enjoy a stop at the Scenic Overlook, located on the southern tip of Virginia's Eastern Shore, offering breathtaking views of the Chesapeake Bay and the facility. (updated Aug 2025) 2 Kiptopeke State Park, 3540 Kiptopeke Dr, [email protected]. (updated Aug 2025)
Rayfield's Pharmacy, also on the main road, has a nice counter for lunch and breakfast. There is always someone interesting to talk with there. Kelly's Gingernut Pub. Aqua. Bayside Cafe. Coach House Tavern. Cape Charles Coffee House. Veneto's Pizzeria.
Kelly's Gingernut Pub. Rock 'n' Robins.
Fig Street Inn, 711 Tazewell Avenue, ☏ +1 757-331-3133. Check-in: 4PM, check-out: 11AM. Boutique−style bed & breakfast on Virginia’s Eastern Shore in the historic town of Cape Charles. Enjoy elegant and gracious accommodations with a mix of antique furnishings, contemporary design and modern amenities. From $260. (updated Jun 2022)
One way to get in to Cape Charles is to arrive by boat. There approach to the harbor is simple, just head north from the outer marks. Most visitors arrive by car. Cape Charles is one mile west of US Highway 13, the main north-south road on the Delmarva Peninsula, along Virginia State Route 184.
This small town is perfect for a walk-around. You can get anywhere you want in about 10 minutes. Getting lost will not be a problem.
Travel tips adapted from Cape Charles on Wikivoyage, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Content summarized; visit the source for the full article. See our methodology for how we use it.
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