This 204.4-mile drive from Belle Haven, VA to Virginia Beach, VA is a straightforward journey, estimated to take just over 4 hours. It's definitely manageable as a single-day trip, especially with a fuel cost estimated around $32. The route primarily utilizes major highways, making it a convenient option for those looking to reach their destination efficiently. You'll spend most of your time on I-95 and I-64, with a portion on the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway. Given that both your origin and destination are in the Southeast region, expect a consistent travel experience without significant regional shifts.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
102.2 miles from Belle Haven, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 58m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
85.8 mi
1h 37m
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
Capital Beltway (Local)
5 mi
6m
Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
3.5 mi
4m
21st Street
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 85.8 mi, about 1h 37m
Traffic on I-95
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 63 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,172 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,836
Quietest
2 AM
~455 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7×
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 Belle Haven, VA and Virginia Beach, VA.
1
Start on Hunting Cove Place
0.1 mi·31 sec·Hunting Cove Place
2
At end of road, turn left onto SR 629
0.4 mi·55 sec·Fort Hunt Road
3
Turn right onto US 1
0.1 mi·18 sec·Richmond Highway
Use the right lane.
4
Take the exit
0.2 mi·19 sec
Toward I 95, I 495: Baltimore, RichmondUse the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·49 sec
Toward I 95 South, I 495 West: RichmondUse the slight left lane.
6
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 95 South, I 495 WestUse the slight right lane.
7
Merge onto I 95; I 495
5.0 mi·6 min·Capital Beltway (Local)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
37 mi·43 min·I 95
Use the slight left lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
49 mi·53 min·I 95
Use the straight lane.
10
Take the exit
1.9 mi·2 min
Exit 84AToward I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va BeachUse the slight left / straight lanes.
11
Merge onto I 295
13 mi·14 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
1.3 mi·2 min
Exit 28AToward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia BeachUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 64
67 mi·1 hr 15 min·I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64; US 60
342 ft·5 sec·Hampton Roads Beltway
15
Continue on I 64; US 60
3.5 mi·4 min·Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
16
Continue on I 64; US 60
12 mi·15 min·Hampton Roads Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
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.
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 264 East: Va BeachUse the straight / slight left lanes.
19
Merge onto I 264
12 mi·16 min·Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway
20
Continue on 21st Street
0.4 mi·54 sec·21st Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Turn left onto Arctic Avenue
0.3 mi·46 sec·Arctic Avenue
Use the left lane.
22
Turn right onto 25th Street
454 ft·12 sec·25th Street
23
Arrive at destination
25th Street
Trip Plan
This 4-hour drive is ideal for a morning departure, allowing you to arrive in Virginia Beach with plenty of daylight. With only one recommended stop and a relatively short duration, you have flexibility in pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially before embarking on the longest stretch of I-95. While the route is primarily interstate, be aware of potential traffic patterns as you approach the Virginia Beach area. A good tip is to ensure your navigation is set to avoid tolls if you prefer not to use the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, though it is a primary road on this route.
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 102.2 miles from Belle Haven, VA, or about 1h 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 85.8 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 45 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 102.2 miles or 1h 58m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 12m
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 Belle Haven, 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 Belle Haven, VA
This is one driving day of about 204.4 miles and 4h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from Belle Haven, 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 95 for about 85.8 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.7 and 107.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
0.7 mi into trip|~1m in
Take the exit toward I 95, I 495: Baltimore, 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, I 495: Baltimore, Richmond
8
0.8 mi into trip|~2m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 South, I 495 West: Richmond
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 95 South, I 495 West: Richmond
8
1.2 mi into trip|~2m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 95 South, I 495 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 95 South, I 495 West
8
92.5 mi into trip|~1h 47m 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
107.4 mi into trip|~2h 3m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.18 one way
$60.35 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg72 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$33.16
$66.33
premium
$4.49
$36.15
$72.30
diesel
$4.80
$38.59
$77.19
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 71.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
61.3
0
$21.46
$9.81
Efficient EV
51.1
0
$17.89
$8.18
EV Truck/SUV
81.8
1
$28.62
$13.08
Gas CO2
72 kg
EV CO2
24 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 Jul 19, 2026
Origin
Belle Haven, VA
Morning
in Belle Haven on Sunday
Local time
7:10 AM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy
SW 5 mph23% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Virginia Beach, VA
Morning
in Virginia Beach on Sunday
Local time
7:10 AM
EDT
Current temp
79°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 15 mph34% 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.
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
4 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
4h 1m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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...
1 mi from route
~4 min detour
Free
near mile 176.2
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...
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...
27 mi from route
~67 min detour
Free
near mile 105.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for 80% of this trip. The bulk of your journey will be on interstate highways, offering a consistent pace. You'll encounter an uninterrupted stretch of 85.8 miles on I-95, which is the longest segment without a major change in road type. While primarily interstate, the inclusion of the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway adds a specific roadway to your navigation. This route is designed for efficient travel rather than scenic detours, so be prepared for a steady, focused drive.
80% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 85.8 mi on I 95.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and I 64. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.7 miles in.
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 18 significant decision points across 204.4 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 0.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 0.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
221 ft9 ft
Total Climb
144 ft
Total Descent
259 ft
Highest Point
221 ft
~43.8 mi in
Elevation Range
213 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Belle Haven, VA and Virginia Beach, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk, Va Beach and Portsmouth.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 1m. Total distance: 204.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 1m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (80%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 85.8 miles on I 95. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 18 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 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. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 18 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 0.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Virginia Beach, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
