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
- Scenic routes often have fewer gas stations and services. Top off your tank before heading into mountainous or rural stretches.
- Budget extra time for scenic drives — pulling over for views, photos, and short hikes is half the point.
- Check weather conditions for mountain passes and high-elevation stretches, especially in shoulder seasons.
Frequently Asked Questions
Top Scenic Routes
Editor's pick
Pennington Gap, VA → Virginia Beach, VA
Through: Norfolk
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
Through: Rocky Mount → Holston Dam
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
Through: Norfolk
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
Through: Rocky Mount
Virginia Beach, VA → Big Stone Gap, VA
Through: Rocky Mount → Holston Dam
Norton, VA → Virginia Beach, VA
Through: Norfolk
Clintwood, VA → Chesapeake, VA
Through: Norfolk → Virginia Beach
Portsmouth, VA → Big Stone Gap, VA
Through: Rocky Mount → Holston Dam
Appalachia, VA → Norfolk, VA
Through: Virginia Beach
Portsmouth Heights, VA → Clintwood, VA
Through: Rocky Mount → Holston Dam
Virginia Beach, VA → Coeburn, VA
Through: Rocky Mount → Holston Dam
Gate City, VA → Virginia Beach, VA
Through: Norfolk
Weber City, VA → Virginia Beach, VA
Through: Norfolk
Chesapeake, VA → Wise, VA
Through: Rocky Mount → Holston Dam
Norfolk, VA → Norton, VA
Through: Rocky Mount → Holston Dam
Norfolk, VA → Wise, VA
Through: Rocky Mount → Holston Dam
Clintwood, VA → Hampton, VA
Through: Norfolk → Virginia Beach
Big Stone Gap, VA → East Hampton, VA
Through: Norfolk → Virginia Beach
Castlewood, VA → Virginia Beach, VA
Through: Norfolk
Chesapeake, VA → Coeburn, VA
Through: Rocky Mount → Holston Dam
Norfolk, VA → Gate City, VA
Through: Rocky Mount
Alexandria, VA → Pennington Gap, VA
Honaker, VA → Virginia Beach, VA
Through: Norfolk
East Hampton, VA → Norton, VA
Through: Rocky Mount → Holston Dam
Wise, VA → Hampton, VA
Through: Norfolk → Virginia Beach
Raven, VA → Virginia Beach, VA
Through: Norfolk
Bristol, VA → Virginia Beach, VA
Through: Norfolk
Richlands, VA → Virginia Beach, VA
Through: Norfolk
Norfolk, VA → Castlewood, VA
Through: Rocky Mount → Holston Dam
Virginia Beach, VA → Cedar Bluff, VA
Through: Rocky Mount → Charleston W. Va.
Coeburn, VA → East Hampton, VA
Through: Norfolk → Virginia Beach
Hampton, VA → Coeburn, VA
Through: Rocky Mount → Holston Dam
Alexandria, VA → Clintwood, VA
Through: Holston Dam
Chesapeake, VA → Lebanon, VA
Through: Rocky Mount → Holston Dam
Hampton, VA → Gate City, VA
Through: Rocky Mount
Weber City, VA → Hampton, VA
Through: Norfolk → Virginia Beach
Chesapeake, VA → Honaker, VA
Through: Rocky Mount
Chesapeake, VA → Raven, VA
Through: Rocky Mount → Charleston W. Va.
Lebanon, VA → Norfolk, VA
Through: Virginia Beach
Norfolk, VA → Honaker, VA
Through: Rocky Mount
Bristol, VA → Portsmouth, VA
Through: Norfolk → Virginia Beach → Suffolk +1 more
Portsmouth, VA → Richlands, VA
Through: Richmond → Rocky Mount → Charleston W. Va.
Newport News, VA → Coeburn, VA
Through: Rocky Mount → Holston Dam
Chesapeake, VA → Richlands, VA
Through: Rocky Mount → Charleston W. Va.
Chesapeake, VA → Bristol, VA
Through: Rocky Mount
Raven, VA → Norfolk, VA
Through: Virginia Beach
Newport News, VA → Gate City, VA
Through: Rocky Mount
Portsmouth Heights, VA → Bristol, VA
Through: Rocky Mount
Appalachia, VA → Arlington, VA
Through: Washington
Weber City, VA → Newport News, VA
Through: Norfolk → Virginia Beach
Norfolk, VA → Richlands, VA
Through: Rocky Mount → Charleston W. Va.
Abingdon, VA → Virginia Beach, VA
Through: Norfolk
Suffolk, VA → Big Stone Gap, VA
Through: Blackstone → Lynchburg → Holston Dam
Arlington, VA → Clintwood, VA
Through: Holston Dam
Bristol, VA → Norfolk, VA
Through: Virginia Beach
Norton, VA → Alexandria, VA
Through: Washington
Chesapeake, VA → Claypool Hill, VA
Through: Rocky Mount → Charleston W. Va.
Cedar Bluff, VA → Norfolk, VA
Through: Virginia Beach
Norfolk, VA → Claypool Hill, VA
Through: Rocky Mount → Charleston W. Va.
Portsmouth Heights, VA → Colonial Heights, VA
Through: Rocky Mount