This 176.9-mile drive from Bealeton, VA to Chesapeake, VA is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 57 minutes. You'll primarily navigate via Marsh Road and Warrenton Road before merging onto I-95 South. With a projected fuel cost of around $28, this route offers an economical way to travel within the Southeast region. The overall feel is a turn-heavy local drive, suggesting frequent changes in direction rather than long, open stretches. Given the relatively short duration, you can comfortably complete this journey without needing an overnight stop.
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
85.6 miles from Bealeton, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 42m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
66.8 mi
1h 15m
US 17
47.9 mi
53m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
13 mi
14m
Marsh Road
12.7 mi
17m
Warrenton Road
9.7 mi
14m
Hampton Roads Beltway
6.8 mi
8m
Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
3.5 mi
4m
Chesapeake Boulevard
2.1 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 66.8 mi, about 1h 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bealeton, VA and Chesapeake, VA.
1
Start on SR 661
0.3 mi·38 sec·Schoolhouse Road
2
Turn right onto US 17
13 mi·17 min·Marsh Road
3
Continue on US 17
9.7 mi·14 min·Warrenton Road
4
Take the exit onto US 17
48 mi·53 min·US 17
Toward I 95 South, US 17 South: RichmondUse the straight / slight right lanes.
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
6.7 mi·8 min·Hampton Roads Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Exit 278Toward VA 194 South: Chesapeake BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
13
Turn straight onto VA 194
2.1 mi·3 min·Chesapeake Boulevard
Use the left lane.
14
Turn straight
135 ft·7 sec
15
Turn left onto VA 247
1.1 mi·1 min·Ballentine Boulevard
16
Turn right onto VA 166
0.9 mi·1 min·East Princess Anne Road
17
Turn left onto VA 166
0.6 mi·1 min·Park Avenue
18
Turn left onto US 460; VA 166; VA 168
0.3 mi·57 sec·East Brambleton Avenue
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
19
Continue on US 460; VA 166; VA 168
0.7 mi·1 min·Campostella Road
20
Turn right onto US 460; VA 166
0.7 mi·1 min·Wilson Road
Use the right lane.
21
Continue on US 460; VA 166
0.3 mi·27 sec·22nd Street
22
Continue on US 460; VA 166
0.3 mi·29 sec·Poindexter Street
Use the straight lane.
23
Turn right onto D Street
412 ft·18 sec·D Street
24
Arrive at destination
D Street
Trip Plan
Considering this route takes under three hours, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience. Leaving in the morning should allow you to arrive with plenty of daylight. With only one recommended stop, you can easily break up the 176.9 miles as needed, perhaps for a quick stretch or to refuel. Keep an eye on your navigation as you transition between Marsh Road, Warrenton Road, and I-95 South, as the 'turn-heavy' nature of the drive means you'll be making several directional changes. The estimated fuel cost of $28 makes this an affordable trip, so factor in a little extra for any impromptu stops.
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 85.6 miles from Bealeton, VA, or about 1h 42m 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 38 miles or 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 85.6 miles or 1h 42m 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 45m
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 Bealeton, 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 Bealeton, VA
This is one driving day of about 171.3 miles and 3h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 miles from Bealeton, 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 22.7 and 163.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
22.7 mi into trip|~32m in|US 17
Take the exit onto US 17 toward I 95 South, US 17 South: Richmond
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.
Toward I 95 South, US 17 South: Richmond
8
70.6 mi into trip|~1h 25m 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...
5
72.5 mi into trip|~1h 28m in|I 295 / Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Merge onto I 295 / Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
85.5 mi into trip|~1h 42m 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
163.9 mi into trip|~3h 13m 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
$26.79 one way
$53.58 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg60 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$29.29
$58.58
premium
$4.70
$31.70
$63.41
diesel
$5.61
$37.82
$75.64
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 59.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
51.4
0
$17.99
$8.22
Efficient EV
42.8
0
$14.99
$6.85
EV Truck/SUV
68.5
0
$23.98
$10.96
Gas CO2
60 kg
EV CO2
20 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 14, 2026
Origin
Bealeton, VA
Late night
in Bealeton on Sunday
Local time
3:29 AM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Chesapeake, VA
Late night
in Chesapeake on Sunday
Local time
3:29 AM
EDT
Current temp
89°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 12 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 14 at 9:27AM EDT by NWS Baltimore MD/Washington DC
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 14 at 9:10AM EDT by NWS Blacksburg VA
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
35 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 28m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' on this particular route, with a 0% highway share indicating a reliance on surface streets and local roads. This means you'll likely experience a dynamic driving experience with frequent turns and changes in scenery as you move through various communities. While there isn't a defined 'longest stretch' provided, the profile suggests a consistent engagement with the road rather than extended periods of monotonous driving. The progression of the drive will involve navigating through local areas, making it important to stay attentive to road signs and speed limits.
67% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 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?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and US 17. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 22.7 miles in near US 17.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 171.3 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 22.7 miles (US 17): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 70.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 72.5 miles (I 295 / Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Bealeton, 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 28m. Total distance: 171.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 28m drive, comfortable solo distance.
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 22.7 miles (US 17): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 70.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 72.5 miles (I 295 / Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Chesapeake, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
