Embarking from Appalachia, VA, this 462-mile journey to Norfolk, VA, will take approximately 9 hours and 2 minutes of driving time. Primarily utilizing I-81, I-64, and the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, this route is heavily focused on interstate travel. Given its length and duration, it's best experienced as a 2-day trip, allowing for a more relaxed pace. The estimated fuel cost for this drive is around $72. You'll be traveling within the Southeast region for the entirety of this trip, maintaining a consistent feel.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
231 miles from Appalachia, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 38m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 81
196.9 mi
3h 35m
I 64
157.1 mi
2h 53m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
22.9 mi
25m
US 19
12.7 mi
18m
Bull Run Road
12.5 mi
17m
Trail of the Lonesome Pine
7.9 mi
10m
Kent Junction Road
7.8 mi
11m
I 77
7.1 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 196.9 mi, about 3h 35m
Traffic on I-64
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 95 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,044 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,454
Quietest
2 AM
~117 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
17.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Appalachia, VA and Norfolk, VA.
1
Start on East Main Street
104 ft·4 sec·East Main Street
2
Continue on VA 78
490 ft·17 sec·VA 78
3
At end of road, turn right onto US 23 BUS
1.0 mi·1 min·East Main Street
4
Continue on US 23 BUS
7.8 mi·11 min·Kent Junction Road
5
Turn right onto SR 621
0.2 mi·34 sec·Junction Road
6
Turn left onto Main Avenue Southwest
1.1 mi·2 min·Main Avenue Southwest
7
At end of road, turn right onto US 58 Alternate Business
0.1 mi·26 sec·11th Street Southwest
8
At end of road, turn left onto Kentucky Avenue Southwest
3.0 mi·5 min·Kentucky Avenue Southwest
9
Turn right onto US 58 ALT
6.5 mi·9 min·Norton Coeburn Road
10
Continue on US 58 ALT
13 mi·17 min·Bull Run Road
11
Continue on US 58 ALT
365 ft·6 sec·Trail of the Lonesome Pine
12
Continue on US 58 ALT
6.9 mi·9 min·US Highway 58 Alternate
13
Continue on US 58 ALT; VA 71
7.8 mi·10 min·Trail of the Lonesome Pine
14
Turn right onto US 19
13 mi·18 min·US 19
15
Turn left onto US 11
0.5 mi·1 min·West Main Street
16
Turn right onto Preston Street Southwest
0.2 mi·33 sec·Preston Street Southwest
17
At end of road, turn left onto Bradley Street Southwest
0.5 mi·1 min·Bradley Street Southwest
18
At end of road, turn right onto US 58 ALT; VA 75
0.6 mi·1 min·Cummings Street
Use the straight lane.
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
20
Merge onto I 81; US 58
57 mi·1 hr 1 min·I 81; US 58
Use the straight lane.
21
Continue on I 77; I 81; US 11; US 52
7.1 mi·7 min·I 77; I 81; US 11; US 52
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81; US 11
140 mi·2 hr 33 min·I 81; US 11
Toward I 81 North, US 11 North: RoanokeUse the straight lane.
23
Continue on I 64; I 81
0.3 mi·17 sec·I 64; I 81
24
Keep slight right at fork onto I 64
90 mi·1 hr 38 min·I 64
Toward I 64 East: RichmondUse the straight lane.
25
Take the exit
1.2 mi·1 min
Exit 177Toward I 295 North: Washington, NorfolkUse the slight right lane.
26
Continue on I 295
23 mi·25 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Take the exit
1.3 mi·2 min
Exit 28AToward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia BeachUse the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Merge onto I 64
67 mi·1 hr 15 min·I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64; US 60
342 ft·5 sec·Hampton Roads Beltway
30
Continue on I 64; US 60
3.5 mi·4 min·Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
31
Continue on I 64; US 60
4.4 mi·5 min·Hampton Roads Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
Exit 276Toward I 564, US 460: Naval Base, Granby StreetUse the slight right lane.
33
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·18 sec
Toward US 460, VA 165: Granby Street, Little Creek RoadUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
34
Turn straight onto US 460
3.1 mi·7 min·Granby Street
Use the left lane.
35
Continue on US 460
446 ft·9 sec·Church Street
36
Turn right onto US 460
1.2 mi·2 min·Monticello Avenue
Use the right lane.
37
Continue on US 460
0.7 mi·1 min·Saint Pauls Boulevard
Use the left lane.
38
Turn left onto East City Hall Avenue
158 ft·9 sec·East City Hall Avenue
Use the left lane.
39
Arrive at destination
East City Hall Avenue
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 9-hour drive, consider splitting it over two days. Departing early in the morning will help you cover more ground before potential traffic builds up. With two recommended stops, plan to break up the journey strategically, perhaps after the longest stretch on I-81. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the extended 196.9-mile segment on I-81, as services can be more spaced out. This allows for a comfortable and safe drive to Norfolk.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 231 miles from Appalachia, VA, or about 4h 38m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 196.9 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 102 miles or 2h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 231 miles or 4h 38m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 231 miles or 4h 38m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 7h 47m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Norfolk, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Appalachia, VA so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Appalachia, VA
Aim for roughly 231 miles and 4.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Norfolk, VA
Aim for roughly 231 miles and 4.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 102 miles from Appalachia, VA.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 81 for about 196.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 23
5 decision points cluster between mile 126.3 and 456.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
126.3 mi into trip|~2h 42m in|I 81; US 11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81; US 11 toward I 81 North, US 11 North: Roanoke
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 81 North, US 11 North: Roanoke
8
356.3 mi into trip|~6h 54m in
Take the exit toward I 295 North: Washington, Norfolk
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 177
Toward I 295 North: Washington, Norfolk
8
380.4 mi into trip|~7h 21m in
Take the exit toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 28A
Toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach
8
456.5 mi into trip|~8h 50m in
Take the exit toward I 564, US 460: Naval Base, Granby Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 276
Toward I 564, US 460: Naval Base, Granby Street
9
456.7 mi into trip|~8h 50m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 460, VA 165: Granby Street, Little Creek Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward US 460, VA 165: Granby Street, Little Cr...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$73.48 one way
$146.97 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg162 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.41
$80.12
$160.24
premium
$4.78
$86.93
$173.85
diesel
$5.35
$97.31
$194.62
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$73
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$203–$313
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 161.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $49 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
138.6
1
$48.51
$22.18
Efficient EV
115.5
1
$40.43
$18.48
EV Truck/SUV
184.8
2
$64.68
$29.57
Gas CO2
162 kg
EV CO2
54 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Appalachia, VA
Afternoon
in Appalachia on Wednesday
Local time
3:00 PM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Mostly Cloudy
0 mph7% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Norfolk, VA
Afternoon
in Norfolk on Wednesday
Local time
3:00 PM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Partly Cloudy
SW 8 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
3 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
9h 2m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Fort Monroe National Monument
National Monument
Fort Monroe's story spans from prehistory to the 2000s. Kecoughtan Indians occupied Old Point Comfort before the arrival of English colonists. The first enslaved Africans arrived in 1619. Those escapi...
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Free
near mile 446.1
Park Closure: Road Closure and Fishing Pier Impact
On May 13, 1607, Jamestown was established as the first permanent English settlement in North America. Three cultures came together – European, Virginia Indian and African–to create a new society that...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
$15
near mile 430.1
Booker T. Washington was born a slave in April 1856 on the 207-acre farm of James Burroughs. After the Civil War, Washington became the first principal of Tuskegee Normal and Industrial School. Later...
21 mi from route
~53 min detour
Free
near mile 191.2
Two hundred ninety-two days, eight offensives, over 70,000 casualties, U. S. Colored Troops, and the decline of Gen. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia all describe the Siege of Petersburg. U.S. forces c...
26 mi from route
~64 min detour
Free
near mile 382.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly a highway-focused experience, with 82% of the route being on interstates. You'll encounter long stretches of uninterrupted driving, including a significant 196.9-mile segment on I-81. Expect a consistent pace for the majority of your journey, as the main roads prioritize efficient travel. While primarily interstate, the transition between I-81 and I-64 will mark a change in the highway's character, guiding you toward your coastal destination.
82% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
39 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 196.9 mi on I 81.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and I 64. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 126.3 miles in near I 81; US 11.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 462 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 126.3 miles (I 81; US 11): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 356.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 380.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,409 ft7 ft
Total Climb
1,066 ft
Total Descent
2,700 ft
Highest Point
2,409 ft
~99 mi in
Elevation Range
2,402 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Appalachia, VA to Norfolk, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Virginia Beach along the way.
Appalachia is a broad term with many meanings. The Appalachian Mountains extend from Labrador in Canada to Alabama in the southern United States.
In the United States, the Appalachian Region (capitalized) refers to a region of thirteen states from New York to Mississippi designated by the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC). ARC's definition includes parts of Mississippi lowland and excludes parts of the Virginian highlands, for various political and economic reasons. Appalachian culture is most often associated with Southern Appalachia, from Georgia to West Virginia. West Virginia is the only state entirely within the Appalachian Region.
Top landmarks
•Stonega Historic District — historic district in Virginia, United States
Norfolk is in the Hampton Roads region of Virginia. It is a port city with a large Navy and shipping presence. But it is also known as a major cultural center, with world-class museums, opera, symphony, ballet and a vibrant arts community. The downtown area has experienced a major resurgence, with gourmet restaurants, shopping and attractions. Norfolk is one of the top cruise ports in the country.
Top landmarks
•USS Wisconsin — 1943 Iowa-class battleship
•Chrysler Museum of Art — art museum in Norfolk, Virginia
•Basilica of Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Norfolk — church building in Norfolk, United States of America
The longest stretch is about 196.9 miles on I 81. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 231 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 34 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Norfolk, VA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 2 meaningful breaks. There are 34 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 126.3 miles (I 81; US 11): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 356.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 380.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Fort Monroe National Monument, Colonial National Historical Park and Booker T Washington National Monument (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 9.0 hours each way, a round trip means 18.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Norfolk, VA before the return drive.
