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Scenic Drives in Virginia

Routes

60

Avg Distance

435 mi

Avg Drive

8h 21m

Destinations

26

Virginia offers a diverse range of scenic drives, with 60 routes averaging 435 miles and about 8 hours. Expect drives with a score range of 7 to 8, featuring terrain from gently rolling to hilly with moderate elevation changes up to 2,605 feet. While EV charging isn't a highlight across these routes, the focus remains on the varied landscapes you can cover.

Climate through the year: Virginia

Virginia peaks at around 90°F in Jul and cools to 48°F / 29°F in Jan. Wettest month is Aug at ~4.9 in of rain.

Month High °F Low °F Rain in Snow in
Jan 48 29 3.2 3.7
Feb 52 30 2.6 2.2
Mar 60 37 4 1.1
Apr 70 46 3.2 —
May 78 56 4 —
Jun 86 65 4.6 —
Jul 90 69 4.4 —
Aug 88 68 4.9 —
Sep 81 61 4.6 —
Oct 71 49 3.4 —
Nov 60 39 3.1 —
Dec 52 32 3.5 1.8

Source: NOAA NCEI Monthly Climate Normals, 1991–2020 reference period. Sampled at the major-airport station for VA — microclimates along specific routes can vary significantly.

Planning Tips

Frequently Asked Questions

We rate routes on a 1-10 drive score based on elevation changes, road variety, and terrain diversity. The 60 routes listed here all score 7 or higher.
Drive times and distances come from OSRM routing over real OpenStreetMap road networks. Fuel costs use weekly US Energy Information Administration state-level gas prices. Drive scores factor in elevation profile, road variety, and terrain. EV charging data is sourced from NREL. Climate normals come from NOAA NCEI (1991–2020 reference period). Hazard data comes from FEMA and USGS public feeds.
Yes. Click any route to see its full trip page with turn-by-turn directions, fuel cost estimates, elevation profile, stop suggestions, weather conditions, and more.

Top Scenic Routes

Editor's pick

Pennington Gap, VA → Virginia Beach, VA

487.8 mi 9h 19m Score: 7/10 ~$77 fuel

Through: Norfolk

5 tricky spots

This 487-mile route boasts a drive score of 7 and traverses gently rolling terrain, reaching a maximum elevation of 2,332 feet. It includes access to parks, making it a good option for those who enjoy a mix of driving and nature.

Editor's pick

Virginia Beach, VA → Appalachia, VA

476.3 mi 9h 20m Score: 8/10 ~$76 fuel

Through: Rocky Mount → Holston Dam

5 tricky spots High drive quality

With a drive score of 8, this 476-mile trip stands out for its hilly terrain and moderate elevation changes, peaking at 2,605 feet. Its inclusion of park access adds to its appeal for drivers seeking natural beauty.

Editor's pick

Clintwood, VA → Virginia Beach, VA

476.1 mi 9h 17m Score: 7/10 ~$77 fuel

Through: Norfolk

5 tricky spots

Covering 476 miles, this route achieves a drive score of 7. The gently rolling terrain and a maximum elevation of 2,600 feet, combined with available park access, offer a pleasant driving experience.

Chesapeake, VA → Pennington Gap, VA

475 mi 9h 8m Score: 7/10 ~$76 fuel

Through: Rocky Mount

5 tricky spots

Virginia Beach, VA → Big Stone Gap, VA

474.2 mi 9h 13m Score: 7/10 ~$75 fuel

Through: Rocky Mount → Holston Dam

5 tricky spots

Norton, VA → Virginia Beach, VA

466.5 mi 9h 2m Score: 7/10 ~$75 fuel

Through: Norfolk

5 tricky spots

Clintwood, VA → Chesapeake, VA

464.9 mi 9h 5m Score: 7/10 ~$74 fuel

Through: Norfolk → Virginia Beach

5 tricky spots

Portsmouth, VA → Big Stone Gap, VA

463.5 mi 8h 56m Score: 7/10 ~$74 fuel

Through: Rocky Mount → Holston Dam

5 tricky spots

Appalachia, VA → Norfolk, VA

462 mi 9h 2m Score: 7/10 ~$73 fuel

Through: Virginia Beach

5 tricky spots

Portsmouth Heights, VA → Clintwood, VA

461.8 mi 9h Score: 7/10 ~$73 fuel

Through: Rocky Mount → Holston Dam

5 tricky spots

Virginia Beach, VA → Coeburn, VA

455.8 mi 8h 48m Score: 7/10 ~$72 fuel

Through: Rocky Mount → Holston Dam

5 tricky spots

Gate City, VA → Virginia Beach, VA

455.2 mi 8h 36m Score: 7/10 ~$72 fuel

Through: Norfolk

5 tricky spots

Weber City, VA → Virginia Beach, VA

454.5 mi 8h 33m Score: 7/10 ~$72 fuel

Through: Norfolk

5 tricky spots

Chesapeake, VA → Wise, VA

451.8 mi 8h 50m Score: 7/10 ~$72 fuel

Through: Rocky Mount → Holston Dam

5 tricky spots

Norfolk, VA → Norton, VA

451.5 mi 8h 46m Score: 7/10 ~$72 fuel

Through: Rocky Mount → Holston Dam

5 tricky spots

Norfolk, VA → Wise, VA

449.8 mi 8h 46m Score: 7/10 ~$71 fuel

Through: Rocky Mount → Holston Dam

5 tricky spots

Clintwood, VA → Hampton, VA

445.8 mi 8h 37m Score: 7/10 ~$71 fuel

Through: Norfolk → Virginia Beach

5 tricky spots

Big Stone Gap, VA → East Hampton, VA

445.3 mi 8h 34m Score: 7/10 ~$71 fuel

Through: Norfolk → Virginia Beach

5 tricky spots

Castlewood, VA → Virginia Beach, VA

445.1 mi 8h 32m Score: 7/10 ~$71 fuel

Through: Norfolk

5 tricky spots

Chesapeake, VA → Coeburn, VA

443.8 mi 8h 35m Score: 7/10 ~$71 fuel

Through: Rocky Mount → Holston Dam

5 tricky spots

Norfolk, VA → Gate City, VA

440.5 mi 8h 21m Score: 7/10 ~$71 fuel

Through: Rocky Mount

5 tricky spots

Alexandria, VA → Pennington Gap, VA

436.4 mi 8h 20m Score: 7/10 ~$69 fuel
5 tricky spots

Honaker, VA → Virginia Beach, VA

436.1 mi 8h 27m Score: 7/10 ~$69 fuel

Through: Norfolk

5 tricky spots

East Hampton, VA → Norton, VA

436 mi 8h 23m Score: 7/10 ~$69 fuel

Through: Rocky Mount → Holston Dam

5 tricky spots

Wise, VA → Hampton, VA

434.7 mi 8h 22m Score: 7/10 ~$69 fuel

Through: Norfolk → Virginia Beach

5 tricky spots

Raven, VA → Virginia Beach, VA

433.7 mi 8h 19m Score: 7/10 ~$69 fuel

Through: Norfolk

5 tricky spots

Bristol, VA → Virginia Beach, VA

430.8 mi 8h 3m Score: 7/10 ~$68 fuel

Through: Norfolk

5 tricky spots

Richlands, VA → Virginia Beach, VA

430.1 mi 8h 12m Score: 7/10 ~$68 fuel

Through: Norfolk

5 tricky spots

Norfolk, VA → Castlewood, VA

430 mi 8h 16m Score: 7/10 ~$68 fuel

Through: Rocky Mount → Holston Dam

5 tricky spots

Virginia Beach, VA → Cedar Bluff, VA

428.4 mi 8h 12m Score: 8/10 ~$68 fuel

Through: Rocky Mount → Charleston W. Va.

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Coeburn, VA → East Hampton, VA

427.2 mi 8h 9m Score: 7/10 ~$68 fuel

Through: Norfolk → Virginia Beach

5 tricky spots

Hampton, VA → Coeburn, VA

425.5 mi 8h 6m Score: 7/10 ~$68 fuel

Through: Rocky Mount → Holston Dam

5 tricky spots

Alexandria, VA → Clintwood, VA

424.3 mi 8h 17m Score: 7/10 ~$67 fuel

Through: Holston Dam

5 tricky spots

Chesapeake, VA → Lebanon, VA

424.2 mi 8h 8m Score: 7/10 ~$68 fuel

Through: Rocky Mount → Holston Dam

5 tricky spots

Hampton, VA → Gate City, VA

424.2 mi 7h 55m Score: 8/10 ~$68 fuel

Through: Rocky Mount

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Weber City, VA → Hampton, VA

424.1 mi 7h 53m Score: 8/10 ~$67 fuel

Through: Norfolk → Virginia Beach

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Chesapeake, VA → Honaker, VA

423.5 mi 8h 15m Score: 7/10 ~$67 fuel

Through: Rocky Mount

5 tricky spots

Chesapeake, VA → Raven, VA

422 mi 8h 9m Score: 8/10 ~$67 fuel

Through: Rocky Mount → Charleston W. Va.

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Lebanon, VA → Norfolk, VA

421.9 mi 8h 3m Score: 7/10 ~$68 fuel

Through: Virginia Beach

5 tricky spots

Norfolk, VA → Honaker, VA

421.5 mi 8h 11m Score: 7/10 ~$67 fuel

Through: Rocky Mount

5 tricky spots

Bristol, VA → Portsmouth, VA

420.5 mi 7h 49m Score: 8/10 ~$67 fuel

Through: Norfolk → Virginia Beach → Suffolk +1 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Portsmouth, VA → Richlands, VA

419.8 mi 7h 58m Score: 9/10 ~$67 fuel

Through: Richmond → Rocky Mount → Charleston W. Va.

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Newport News, VA → Coeburn, VA

418.7 mi 7h 58m Score: 8/10 ~$67 fuel

Through: Rocky Mount → Holston Dam

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Chesapeake, VA → Richlands, VA

418.5 mi 8h 2m Score: 8/10 ~$66 fuel

Through: Rocky Mount → Charleston W. Va.

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Chesapeake, VA → Bristol, VA

418.5 mi 7h 52m Score: 8/10 ~$66 fuel

Through: Rocky Mount

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Raven, VA → Norfolk, VA

418.3 mi 8h 2m Score: 7/10 ~$66 fuel

Through: Virginia Beach

5 tricky spots

Newport News, VA → Gate City, VA

417.4 mi 7h 47m Score: 8/10 ~$66 fuel

Through: Rocky Mount

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Portsmouth Heights, VA → Bristol, VA

417.3 mi 7h 47m Score: 8/10 ~$66 fuel

Through: Rocky Mount

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Appalachia, VA → Arlington, VA

417.2 mi 8h 7m Score: 7/10 ~$66 fuel

Through: Washington

5 tricky spots

Weber City, VA → Newport News, VA

416.6 mi 7h 43m Score: 8/10 ~$66 fuel

Through: Norfolk → Virginia Beach

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Norfolk, VA → Richlands, VA

416.5 mi 7h 58m Score: 9/10 ~$66 fuel

Through: Rocky Mount → Charleston W. Va.

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Abingdon, VA → Virginia Beach, VA

416.4 mi 7h 48m Score: 8/10 ~$67 fuel

Through: Norfolk

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Suffolk, VA → Big Stone Gap, VA

416.2 mi 8h 49m Score: 8/10 ~$66 fuel

Through: Blackstone → Lynchburg → Holston Dam

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Arlington, VA → Clintwood, VA

415.5 mi 8h 6m Score: 7/10 ~$66 fuel

Through: Holston Dam

5 tricky spots

Bristol, VA → Norfolk, VA

415.4 mi 7h 46m Score: 8/10 ~$66 fuel

Through: Virginia Beach

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Norton, VA → Alexandria, VA

415 mi 8h 1m Score: 7/10 ~$66 fuel

Through: Washington

5 tricky spots

Chesapeake, VA → Claypool Hill, VA

414.2 mi 7h 55m Score: 9/10 ~$66 fuel

Through: Rocky Mount → Charleston W. Va.

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Cedar Bluff, VA → Norfolk, VA

413 mi 7h 52m Score: 8/10 ~$66 fuel

Through: Virginia Beach

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Norfolk, VA → Claypool Hill, VA

412.2 mi 7h 51m Score: 9/10 ~$65 fuel

Through: Rocky Mount → Charleston W. Va.

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Portsmouth Heights, VA → Colonial Heights, VA

411.7 mi 7h 40m Score: 8/10 ~$65 fuel

Through: Rocky Mount

5 tricky spots High drive quality

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