Road Trips from Norfolk, VA
Norfolk, VA offers a range of drives, from short hops to further afield explorations. You've got quick trips like a 30-minute drive to Virginia Beach, or you can head towards the mountains for longer journeys. Several routes offer access to national parks and historical sites, making it easy to plan a day trip with a focus on nature or history, or to simply enjoy a scenic drive. The mix of highway and surface roads means you can tailor your travel style.
Total Routes
50
Shortest
0.4h
With Parks Nearby
41
Under 2 hours
Suffolk, VA
31m19.7 mi one way
This is your quickest option, a 0.5-hour drive to Suffolk. It's a mixed highway and surface road route that gets you there fast. It's also the only nearby pick that includes park access, with Fort Monroe National Monument just a short distance away, making it a convenient nature stop.
Richmond, VA
1h 58m94.4 mi one way
Virginia Beach, VA
25m18 mi one way
If you want the most direct route to another city, this 0.4-hour drive to Virginia Beach is it. It's primarily highway driving and doesn't offer any park access directly. It's the shortest and most straightforward option if your goal is simply to reach Virginia Beach quickly.
Full-day getaway
25 total in this range
Aquia Harbour, VA
3h 5m156.1 mi one way
This 3.1-hour drive takes you north with a high drive score of 9. It's mostly highway, offering a smooth ride. You'll pass by several significant parks, including Colonial National Historical Park and Fort Monroe National Monument, providing ample opportunities for historical exploration along the way.
Blackstone, VA
2h 41m113.9 mi one way
A 2.7-hour trip with a strong drive score of 9, this route offers a mix of highway and surface roads. It's a good option if you want a slightly longer drive without being too far, and it also provides access to Petersburg National Battlefield and Colonial National Historical Park.
Franconia, VA
3h 38m182.7 mi one way
Huntington, VA
3h 44m187.9 mi one way
This is one of the longer options at 3.7 hours, primarily on highways with a drive score of 9. It's a solid choice if you're looking for a substantial drive and want to be near multiple historical parks like Colonial National Historical Park and Fort Monroe National Monument.
Falmouth, VA
2h 54m143.8 mi one way
At 2.9 hours, this mostly highway route offers a high drive score of 9. It’s a good balance between distance and time. You'll have easy access to Fort Monroe National Monument and Colonial National Historical Park, making it ideal for a history-focused drive.
Weekend trip
20 total in this range
Amherst, VA
4h 11m192.5 mi one way
This 4.2-hour drive offers a mixed highway and surface road experience with a drive score of 9. It's one of the longer trips, and it gives you access to Appomattox Court House National Historical Park, in addition to Fort Monroe National Monument and Colonial National Historical Park.
Petersburg, VA
4h 13m203.7 mi one way
Clocking in at 4.2 hours, this route uses a mix of highway and surface roads and boasts a drive score of 9. It’s a longer haul, but it offers access to Fort Monroe National Monument and Colonial National Historical Park, along with Petersburg National Battlefield.
Richlands, VA
7h 58m416.5 mi one way
This is your longest drive at 8 hours, mostly on highways with a drive score of 9. It's a significant journey, but it passes by Fort Monroe National Monument and Colonial National Historical Park, and also offers access to Booker T Washington National Monument.
Rustburg, VA
4h 16m188.1 mi one way
A 4.3-hour drive on mixed highway and surface roads, this route has a drive score of 9. It's a longer trip that gets you closer to Appomattox Court House National Historical Park, alongside Petersburg National Battlefield and Fort Monroe National Monument.
Belmont, VA
4h 19m215.4 mi one way
This 4.3-hour drive is mostly highway with a high drive score of 9. It's a substantial journey that provides access to several parks, including Colonial National Historical Park, Fort Monroe National Monument, and the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail.
Long-haul ideas
Browse by Mood
Aquia Harbour, VA
3h 5m156.1 mi one way
Blackstone, VA
2h 41m113.9 mi one way
Amherst, VA
4h 11m192.5 mi one way
Franconia, VA
3h 38m182.7 mi one way
Aquia Harbour, VA
3h 5m156.1 mi one way
Amherst, VA
4h 11m192.5 mi one way
Petersburg, VA
4h 13m203.7 mi one way
Suffolk, VA
31m19.7 mi one way
When to Go
Spring
Spring drives offer pleasant temperatures for exploring parks like Fort Monroe National Monument and Colonial National Historical Park, accessible on several longer routes.
Summer
Summer is ideal for the shorter drives to Virginia Beach or Suffolk, with opportunities to visit nearby historical parks like Fort Monroe.
Fall
Autumn foliage can enhance the drives towards central Virginia, with routes like the one to Amherst offering access to historical parks.
Winter
Winter travel is straightforward on the mostly highway routes, with parks like Fort Monroe National Monument remaining accessible for shorter visits.
Starting Somewhere Else?
Other nearby cities with their own escape planners.
Ready to plan?
Pick any destination above for full turn-by-turn directions, fuel cost, rest stops, and weather. Or visit the Norfolk, VA city hub for all incoming and outgoing routes.