This 119-mile drive from Ashland to Virginia Beach is a straightforward, highway-focused trip that can easily be completed in about 2 hours and 24 minutes. It's an ideal candidate for a day trip, with an estimated fuel cost of $19. You'll primarily be on I-64 and the Hampton Roads Beltway, making for a largely uninterrupted journey within Virginia. The route is designed for efficiency, getting you to your destination without much fuss. This drive connects two points within the Southeast region, offering a direct path from one part of the state to another.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
59.6 miles from Ashland, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 9m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
66.8 mi
1h 15m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
13 mi
14m
Hampton Roads Beltway
12 mi
15m
Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway
11.8 mi
16m
I 95
6 mi
6m
Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
3.5 mi
4m
England Street
1 mi
2m
21st Street
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 66.8 mi, about 1h 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ashland, VA and Virginia Beach, VA.
1
Start on this road
68 ft·12 sec·this road
2
Turn sharp left onto VA 54
1.0 mi·2 min·England Street
Use the straight lane.
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·29 sec
Toward I 95 South: RichmondUse the slight right lane.
4
Merge onto I 95
6.0 mi·6 min·I 95
Use the straight lane.
5
Take the exit
1.9 mi·2 min
Exit 84AToward I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va BeachUse the slight left / straight lanes.
6
Merge onto I 295
13 mi·14 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
1.3 mi·2 min
Exit 28AToward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia BeachUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 64
67 mi·1 hr 15 min·I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64; US 60
342 ft·5 sec·Hampton Roads Beltway
10
Continue on I 64; US 60
3.5 mi·4 min·Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
11
Continue on I 64; US 60
12 mi·15 min·Hampton Roads Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·14 sec
Exit 284AToward I 264 East, I 264 West: Va Beach, Downtown Norfolk, PortsmouthUse the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 264 East: Va BeachUse the straight / slight left lanes.
14
Merge onto I 264
12 mi·16 min·Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway
15
Continue on 21st Street
0.4 mi·54 sec·21st Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Turn left onto Arctic Avenue
0.3 mi·46 sec·Arctic Avenue
Use the left lane.
17
Turn right onto 25th Street
454 ft·12 sec·25th Street
18
Arrive at destination
25th Street
Trip Plan
Given the short 2 hour 24 minute duration, this route is perfect for a spontaneous day trip. You can leave Ashland anytime and arrive in Virginia Beach with plenty of daylight to spare. With no mandatory stops indicated, your flexibility is key; stop for fuel or a break whenever you feel the need. Keep an eye on traffic as you approach the Hampton Roads area, especially on the Hampton Roads Beltway, as congestion can occur. The $19 fuel cost is a good estimate, but always check current prices before you go.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 59.6 miles from Ashland, VA, or about 1h 9m 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 26 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 59.6 miles or 1h 9m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 54m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Virginia Beach, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Ashland, 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 Ashland, VA
This is one driving day of about 119.1 miles and 2h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Ashland, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 105.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
0 mi into trip|~0m in|VA 54 / England Street
Turn sharp left onto VA 54 / England Street
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
7.3 mi into trip|~10m 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
22.1 mi into trip|~26m 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
105.7 mi into trip|~2h 4m in
Take the exit toward I 264 East, I 264 West: Va Beach, Downtown Norfolk, Portsmouth
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 284A
Toward I 264 East, I 264 West: Va Beach, Downto...
7
105.9 mi into trip|~2h 4m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 264 East: Va Beach
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward I 264 East: Va Beach
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.62 one way
$37.25 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg42 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$20.36
$40.73
premium
$4.70
$22.04
$44.09
diesel
$5.61
$26.30
$52.59
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
35.7
0
$12.51
$5.72
Efficient EV
29.8
0
$10.42
$4.76
EV Truck/SUV
47.6
0
$16.67
$7.62
Gas CO2
42 kg
EV CO2
14 kg (67% 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 20, 2026
Origin
Ashland, VA
Late night
in Ashland on Tuesday
Local time
5:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Virginia Beach, VA
Late night
in Virginia Beach on Tuesday
Local time
5:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°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.
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
23 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
2h 24m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-dominant experience, with 71% of this drive utilizing major roadways like I-64 and the Hampton Roads Beltway. The personality of the road is geared towards steady progress, with the longest continuous stretch covering 66.8 miles on I-64. While not particularly varied, this focus on high-speed travel means you'll cover ground quickly. The Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway also contributes to the fast-paced nature of this route, ensuring a consistent driving environment throughout.
71% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 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?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near VA 54 / England Street.
Driving Effort10/10
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 13 significant decision points across 119.1 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: near the start (VA 54 / England Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here; at 7.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 22.1 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 Ashland, VA and Virginia Beach, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk, Va Beach and Portsmouth.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 24m. Total distance: 119.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (71%). 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.
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 Virginia Beach, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (VA 54 / England Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here; at 7.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 22.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Virginia Beach, VA before heading back.
