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Trip from Appalachia, VA to Norfolk, VA

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

9h 2m

Distance

462 mi

744 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

2-day trip

Fuel Cost

$72

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 25 min
4 AM
8h 54m ★
6 AM
9h 2m
8 AM
9h 19m
10 AM
9h 8m
12 PM
9h 7m
3 PM
9h 9m
5 PM
9h 18m
8 PM
8h 58m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Appalachia, VA, VA

Appalachia, VA

Sherry

Downtown Norfolk, VA, VA

Norfolk, VA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

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

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: Roanoke Use 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: Richmond Use the straight lane.
25

Take the exit

1.2 mi · 1 min
Exit 177 Toward I 295 North: Washington, Norfolk Use 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 28A Toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach Use 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 276 Toward I 564, US 460: Naval Base, Granby Street Use the slight right lane.
33

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 18 sec
Toward US 460, VA 165: Granby Street, Little Creek Road Use 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.

city in Rockingham County, North Carolina, United States

Mid-route town

Overnight candidate

Eden, NC

231 mi into the route

Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start

This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.

Find hotels in Eden, NC

Overnight Options

Night 1

Eden, NC

231 mi · about 4.5h in

A practical overnight split lands near Eden, NC after about 231 miles or 4.5 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Pacing Suggestions

Johnson City, TN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 102 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Martinsville, VA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 231 miles from Appalachia, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 81 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 196.9 miles.

Overnight split

Hotel stop

For a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 231 miles or 4.5 hours on the road.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Puerto Nuevo Fresh Mex

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

St Paul, Virginia

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 33

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+12767383041

The Ivy Inn Restaurant

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Charlottesville, Virginia

2.1 mi

Potros Mexican Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Henrico, Virginia

2.8 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Cafe Stella

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Norfolk, Virginia

Near the end, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 462

Hours: 7:30 am–10 pm

+17576250461

Visit website

Dubai Girls Cafe

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Glen Allen, Virginia

2.4 mi

Puerto Nuevo Fresh Mex

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 33

St Paul, Virginia

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+12767383041

The Ivy Inn Restaurant

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $40 to $50 mile 297

Charlottesville, Virginia

Hours: 5–9 pm

+14349771222

Visit website

Potros Mexican Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 363

Henrico, Virginia

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+18045621479

Visit website

Smyrna

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $50 to $10 mile 297

Charlottesville, Virginia

Hours: 5–9:30 pm

+14349564250

Visit website

Oakhart Social

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3 mi from route ~7 min detour $50 to $10 mile 297

Charlottesville, Virginia

Hours: 4:30–8:30 pm

+14349955449

Visit website

Hunan Cafe

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 363

Henrico, Virginia

Hours: 11 am–9:30 pm

+18047553053

Visit website

C & O Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour $50 to $10 mile 297

Charlottesville, Virginia

Hours: 5–9 pm

+14349717044

Visit website

Fleurie Restaurant

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour $100 or ab mile 297

Charlottesville, Virginia

Hours: 5–9 pm

+14349717800

Visit website

Cafe Stella

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 462

Norfolk, Virginia

Hours: 7:30 am–10 pm

+17576250461

Visit website

Dubai Girls Cafe

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 363

Glen Allen, Virginia

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+18044001505

Mobjack Bay Coffee Roasters and Petite Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20 mile 429

Yorktown, Virginia

Hours: 9 am–4 pm

+17578723020

Visit website

Oley's Cafe

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20 mile 363

Glen Allen, Virginia

Hours: 8:30 am–2:30 pm

+18044243399

Royal Bazaar Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 363

Richmond, Virginia

+18043088837

Autumn's Catering & Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour Inexpensiv mile 363

Richmond, Virginia

Hours: 9:30 am–4:30 pm

+18045916191

Visit website

Publix Cafe

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~10 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 363

Glen Allen, Virginia

Hours: 9 am–9 pm

+18047996041

Tesla Supercharger

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 462

Portsmouth, Virginia

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

EVgo Charging Station

2.4 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 462

Norfolk, Virginia

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

3 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 198

Fincastle, Virginia

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 231

Lexington, Virginia

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 462

Norfolk, Virginia

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 462

Norfolk, Virginia

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 462

Chesapeake, Virginia

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargeSmart EV Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 462

Norfolk, Virginia

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887174544

Visit website

The Draftsman, Charlottesville, University, Autograph Collection Hotel

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 297

Charlottesville, Virginia

+14349848000

Visit website

Little Mod Hotel

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 297

Charlottesville, Virginia

+14344433207

Visit website

The Jeff Hotel

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 297

Charlottesville, Virginia

+14349797264

Visit website

Virginia Guesthouse Hotel

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 297

Charlottesville, Virginia

+14344002100

Visit website

Lee Hall Mansion

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 429

Newport News, Virginia

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+17578883371

Visit website

Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 462

Portsmouth, Virginia

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+17573938591

Visit website

Virginia Zoo

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 462

Norfolk, Virginia

Hours: 9:30 am–4 pm

+17574412374

Visit website

Wishing Tree

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 462

Norfolk, Virginia

Hours: Open 24 hours

American Revolution Museum at Yorktown

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 429

Yorktown, Virginia

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+17572534838

Visit website

Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~10 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~10 min detour Moderately mile 363

Henrico, Virginia

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+18042629887

Visit website

Yorktown Victory Monument

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 429

Yorktown, Virginia

Hours: Open 24 hours

+17578982410

Visit website

Yorktown Battlefield

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 429

Yorktown, Virginia

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+17578982410

Visit website

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

$72.25 one way

$144.49 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 162 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $78.99 $157.99
premium $4.70 $85.51 $171.01
diesel $5.61 $102.00 $204.01

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$72

Hotel (1n)

$80–$140

Meals

$50–$100

Total

$202–$312

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, 2026-04-13.

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 Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Appalachia, VA

Night in Appalachia on Saturday

Local time

9:27 PM

EDT

Current temp

71°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Norfolk, VA

Night in Norfolk on Saturday

Local time

9:27 PM

EDT

Current temp

84°F

Unavailable

Live 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

13 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

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
View on nps.gov
Colonial National Historical Park

Colonial National Historical Park

National Historical Park

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
View on nps.gov
Booker T Washington National Monument

Booker T Washington National Monument

National Monument

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
View on nps.gov
Petersburg National Battlefield

Petersburg National Battlefield

National Battlefield

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
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

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 Effort 9/10

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.

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.

Virginia Beach

380.4 mi in | ~7h 21m

Frequently Asked Questions

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.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

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.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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