Traveling from Aquia Harbour to Chesapeake covers 160 miles of Virginia terrain, typically taking about 3 hours and 9 minutes behind the wheel. Because this is a highway-focused journey, it is perfectly manageable as a single-day trip without the need for an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via I-95, I-64, and the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway as you head southeast through the state. Expect to spend roughly $26 on fuel for the trip, making this a budget-friendly option for a quick transit. Since both your starting point and destination are located within the Southeast region of Virginia, the drive remains relatively consistent in terms of climate and landscape. Whether you are heading out for business or a visit, this efficient route gets you to your destination with minimal fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
80 miles from Aquia Harbour, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 31m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
66.8 mi
1h 15m
I 95
57.8 mi
1h 3m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
13 mi
14m
Hampton Roads Beltway
6.8 mi
8m
Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
3.5 mi
4m
Chesapeake Boulevard
2.1 mi
3m
Ballentine Boulevard
1.1 mi
1m
East Princess Anne Road
0.9 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 66.8 mi, about 1h 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Aquia Harbour, VA and Chesapeake, VA.
1
Start on Aquia Drive
376 ft·16 sec·Aquia Drive
2
Turn left onto Richmond Drive
0.5 mi·1 min·Richmond Drive
3
Turn right onto Washington Drive
0.5 mi·1 min·Washington Drive
Use the straight lane.
4
Continue on SR 610
0.2 mi·21 sec·Garrisonville Road
Use the straight lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward I 95: I-95 south
6
Merge onto I 95
9.2 mi·10 min·I 95
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
49 mi·53 min·I 95
Use the straight lane.
8
Take the exit
1.9 mi·2 min
Exit 84AToward I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va BeachUse the slight left / straight lanes.
9
Merge onto I 295
13 mi·14 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
1.3 mi·2 min
Exit 28AToward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia BeachUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 64
67 mi·1 hr 15 min·I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64; US 60
342 ft·5 sec·Hampton Roads Beltway
13
Continue on I 64; US 60
3.5 mi·4 min·Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
14
Continue on I 64; US 60
6.7 mi·8 min·Hampton Roads Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Exit 278Toward VA 194 South: Chesapeake BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
16
Turn straight onto VA 194
2.1 mi·3 min·Chesapeake Boulevard
Use the left lane.
17
Turn straight
135 ft·7 sec
18
Turn left onto VA 247
1.1 mi·1 min·Ballentine Boulevard
19
Turn right onto VA 166
0.9 mi·1 min·East Princess Anne Road
20
Turn left onto VA 166
0.6 mi·1 min·Park Avenue
21
Turn left onto US 460; VA 166; VA 168
0.3 mi·57 sec·East Brambleton Avenue
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
22
Continue on US 460; VA 166; VA 168
0.7 mi·1 min·Campostella Road
23
Turn right onto US 460; VA 166
0.7 mi·1 min·Wilson Road
Use the right lane.
24
Continue on US 460; VA 166
0.3 mi·27 sec·22nd Street
25
Continue on US 460; VA 166
0.3 mi·29 sec·Poindexter Street
Use the straight lane.
26
Turn right onto D Street
412 ft·18 sec·D Street
27
Arrive at destination
D Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 3-hour and 9-minute transit, plan your departure to avoid peak commuter traffic on I-95, which can significantly impact your travel time. With only one recommended stop, you have plenty of flexibility to stretch your legs whenever you feel the need. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $26 estimated cost can fluctuate based on idling in traffic or highway speeds. Given the length of the longest 66.8-mile stretch, try to time your break either just before or after that segment to keep your energy levels consistent. Since this is a highway-dominant route, staying alert during the long, repetitive interstate sections is the best way to ensure a smooth and safe arrival in Chesapeake.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 80 miles from Aquia Harbour, VA, or about 1h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 66.8 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 35 miles or 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 80 miles or 1h 31m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Chesapeake, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Aquia Harbour, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Aquia Harbour, VA
This is one driving day of about 160 miles and 3h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from Aquia Harbour, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 64 for about 66.8 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.6 and 152.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.6 mi into trip|~1m in|Washington Drive
Turn right onto Washington Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
10.7 mi into trip|~14m in|I 95
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
59.3 mi into trip|~1h 7m in
Take the exit toward I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va Beach
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 84A
Toward I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va B...
8
74.2 mi into trip|~1h 23m 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
7
152.6 mi into trip|~2h 55m in
Take the exit toward VA 194 South: Chesapeake Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 278
Toward VA 194 South: Chesapeake Boulevard
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.02 one way
$50.04 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg56 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$27.36
$54.71
premium
$4.70
$29.61
$59.23
diesel
$5.61
$35.33
$70.65
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 56 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
48
0
$16.80
$7.68
Efficient EV
40
0
$14.00
$6.40
EV Truck/SUV
64
0
$22.40
$10.24
Gas CO2
56 kg
EV CO2
19 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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 16, 2026
Origin
Aquia Harbour, VA
Morning
in Aquia Harbour on Sunday
Local time
8:52 AM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Chesapeake, VA
Morning
in Chesapeake on Sunday
Local time
8:52 AM
EDT
Current temp
93°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 14 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 16 at 9:43AM EDT until April 16 at 7:00PM EDT by NWS Baltimore MD/Washington DC
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 16 at 5:34AM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
71°F
Williamsburg, VA
80 mi in
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.
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
7 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
3h 9m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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...
2 mi from route
~4 min detour
Free
near mile 143.5
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...
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
~66 min detour
Free
near mile 77.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This 160-mile trek is defined by a high-speed, interstate-heavy experience, with 78% of the journey spent on major highways. You should prepare for a consistent interstate grind, particularly on the longest stretch of the route, which spans 66.8 miles along I-64. The road personality shifts from the busy corridors of Northern Virginia toward the southeastern coastal region, requiring you to remain focused on heavy traffic flow. Because the route relies heavily on major arteries, you will experience a fast-paced drive that prioritizes efficiency over winding backroads. Expect a straightforward, utilitarian road experience that is built for speed rather than leisurely detours.
78% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 66.8 mi on I 64.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and I 95. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in near Washington Drive.
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 19 significant decision points across 160 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 0.6 miles (Washington Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 10.7 miles (I 95): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 59.3 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.
Between Aquia Harbour, VA and Chesapeake, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk, Va Beach and Virginia Beach.
Chesapeake is a town of 245,000 people (2019) in the Hampton Roads region of Eastern Virginia. Chesapeake is a diverse city in which a few urban areas are located; it also has many square miles of protected farmland, forests, and wetlands, including a substantial portion of the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 9m. Total distance: 160 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (78%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 66.8 miles on I 64. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 1 rest area or service plaza 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 Chesapeake, 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 1 meaningful breaks. There are 1 rest area along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles (Washington Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 10.7 miles (I 95): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 59.3 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 Petersburg National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Chesapeake, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
