Road Trips from Virginia Beach, VA
Planning a trip from Virginia Beach means you have options for quick escapes or longer hauls. Most routes are under 4 hours and mostly highway, making them easy day trips on mostly flat terrain. You'll also find several options that include access to significant historical parks, offering a mix of driving and exploration. For a longer adventure, consider the western part of the state, which involves more driving time and different terrain.
Total Routes
31
Shortest
2.3h
With Parks Nearby
31
Full-day getaway
13 total in this range
Lake Ridge, VA
3h 46m188.7 mi one way
This 3.8-hour drive takes you 188.7 miles primarily on the highway. It's a solid option if you want to be near Colonial National Historical Park, Fort Monroe National Monument, and Petersburg National Battlefield. The terrain is mostly flat, and it's not recommended for an overnight stay.
Burke, VA
3h 57m196.7 mi one way
At 196.7 miles and 4 hours, this trip is a bit longer than the drive to Lake Ridge, but still mostly highway. Like many other routes, it offers proximity to Colonial National Historical Park, Fort Monroe National Monument, and Petersburg National Battlefield. The drive is on flat terrain and is best suited for a day trip.
Woodlake, VA
2h 42m126.6 mi one way
This is one of the shortest options at 126.6 miles and 2.7 hours. The route is mostly highway, traversing flat terrain. Similar to other nearby destinations, it provides access to Colonial National Historical Park, Fort Monroe National Monument, and Petersburg National Battlefield, making it a good day-trip choice.
Falmouth, VA
3h 11m157.9 mi one way
Covering 157.9 miles and taking 3.2 hours, this drive is predominantly highway. It passes near Colonial National Historical Park, Fort Monroe National Monument, and Petersburg National Battlefield. The terrain is mostly flat, and it's recommended as a day trip.
Central Garage, VA
2h 19m105.4 mi one way
This 105.4-mile drive is the shortest listed, taking only 2.3 hours. It mixes highway and surface roads, leading to mostly flat terrain. You'll have access to Colonial National Historical Park and Fort Monroe National Monument. It's a quick day trip option.
Weekend trip
16 total in this range
Fort Hunt, VA
4h 3m199 mi one way
This 199-mile trip takes 4.1 hours and is mostly highway. It's one of the longer day trip options, with access to Fort Monroe National Monument, Colonial National Historical Park, and Petersburg National Battlefield. The terrain is flat, and no overnight stay is recommended.
Amherst, VA
4h 28m206.6 mi one way
At 206.6 miles and 4.5 hours, this route uses a mix of highway and surface roads. It's longer than many other options and includes access to Fort Monroe National Monument, Colonial National Historical Park, and Appomattox Court House National Historical Park. The terrain is mostly flat, and it's a day trip.
Petersburg, VA
4h 30m217.8 mi one way
This 217.8-mile drive takes 4.5 hours and uses a mix of highway and surface roads. It offers access to Colonial National Historical Park, Fort Monroe National Monument, and Cedar Creek & Belle Grove National Historical Park. The terrain is mostly flat, and it's a day trip.
Weyers Cave, VA
4h 21m224.8 mi one way
This 224.8-mile drive is one of the longest day trips, taking 4.4 hours. It's mostly highway and features gently rolling terrain, unlike the flat terrain of many other destinations. You can visit Colonial National Historical Park, Fort Monroe National Monument, and Petersburg National Battlefield.
Concord, VA
4h 21m206 mi one way
This 206-mile drive takes 4.4 hours and uses a mix of highway and surface roads. It's a longer day trip option, providing access to Fort Monroe National Monument, Colonial National Historical Park, and Appomattox Court House National Historical Park. The terrain is mostly flat.
Long-haul ideas
Appalachia, VA
9h 20m476.3 mi one way
This is the longest trip at 476.3 miles, requiring 9.3 hours of driving, mostly on the highway. It involves hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes and is the only option that recommends an overnight stay. You can visit Colonial National Historical Park, Fort Monroe National Monument, and Booker T Washington National Monument.
Coeburn, VA
8h 48m455.8 mi one way
At 455.8 miles and 8.8 hours, this is another long-distance option, primarily highway driving. It involves hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes and recommends an overnight stay. Nearby parks include Fort Monroe National Monument, Colonial National Historical Park, and Booker T Washington National Monument.
Browse by Mood
Fort Hunt, VA
4h 3m199 mi one way
Amherst, VA
4h 28m206.6 mi one way
Lake Ridge, VA
3h 46m188.7 mi one way
Burke, VA
3h 57m196.7 mi one way
Amherst, VA
4h 28m206.6 mi one way
Burke, VA
3h 57m196.7 mi one way
Petersburg, VA
4h 30m217.8 mi one way
Bull Run, VA
4h 3m200 mi one way
When to Go
Spring
Spring offers mild weather for exploring the historical parks near many of these destinations, with mostly flat terrain making for easy drives.
Summer
Summer travel is well-suited for the mostly highway routes, allowing quick access to parks before the heat sets in.
Fall
The fall season is ideal for driving the predominantly highway routes, especially those leading to historical sites with mostly flat terrain.
Winter
Winter drives are manageable on the mostly highway routes, with flat terrain making travel easier, though park access may be limited.
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 Virginia Beach, VA city hub for all incoming and outgoing routes.