Blacksburg, VA to Virginia Beach, VA is 324 miles and takes about 6h 15m via I 81 and I 64, with a fuel budget near $49 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Virginia, transitioning from the Southeast region's inland areas to its coastal plains. With 85% of the drive on highways, expect a fairly direct path, making it a manageable one-day excursion. You'll find the most continuous highway cruising on I 64, covering 156.9 miles.
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
162 miles from Blacksburg, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 6m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
156.9 mi
2h 53m
I 81
102.4 mi
1h 54m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
22.9 mi
25m
Hampton Roads Beltway
12 mi
15m
Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway
11.8 mi
16m
US 460
4.8 mi
5m
Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
3.5 mi
4m
North Main Street
2.6 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 156.9 mi, about 2h 53m
Traffic on I-64
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 209 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,248 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,733
Quietest
2 AM
~130 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
17.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 105 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 Blacksburg, VA and Virginia Beach, VA.
1
Start on US 460 BUS
2.6 mi·7 min·North Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
2
Take the ramp
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward US 460 East: RoanokeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
3
Merge onto US 460
4.8 mi·5 min·US 460
Use the straight lane.
4
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Exit 2Toward US 11, US 460 Business: Christiansburg
5
Turn left onto US 11; US 460 BUS
1.1 mi·2 min·Roanoke Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
6
Take the ramp
1.0 mi·2 min
Toward I 81 North, US 460 East: Salem, RoanokeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 81
102 mi·1 hr 54 min·I 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 64
90 mi·1 hr 38 min·I 64
Toward I 64 East: RichmondUse the straight lane.
9
Take the exit
1.2 mi·1 min
Exit 177Toward I 295 North: Washington, NorfolkUse the slight right lane.
10
Continue on I 295
23 mi·25 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
1.3 mi·2 min
Exit 28AToward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia BeachUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 64
67 mi·1 hr 15 min·I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64; US 60
342 ft·5 sec·Hampton Roads Beltway
14
Continue on I 64; US 60
3.5 mi·4 min·Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
15
Continue on I 64; US 60
12 mi·15 min·Hampton Roads Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
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.
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 264 East: Va BeachUse the straight / slight left lanes.
18
Merge onto I 264
12 mi·16 min·Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway
19
Continue on 21st Street
0.4 mi·54 sec·21st Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Turn left onto Arctic Avenue
0.3 mi·46 sec·Arctic Avenue
Use the left lane.
21
Turn right onto 25th Street
454 ft·12 sec·25th Street
22
Arrive at destination
25th Street
Trip Plan
For this 6h 15m drive, leaving Blacksburg in the morning allows you to reach Virginia Beach with plenty of daylight to spare. Since it's a single-day trip, you have flexibility in planning your stops. The longest stretch without a major highway change is 156.9 miles on I 64, so consider a fuel and rest break before or after this segment. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $49, and plan your final fill-up accordingly before arriving in Virginia Beach.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 162 miles from Blacksburg, VA, or about 3h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 156.9 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 71 miles or 1h 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 162 miles or 3h 6m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 3m
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 Blacksburg, 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 Blacksburg, VA
This is one driving day of about 324 miles and 6h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 71 miles from Blacksburg, 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 156.9 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 112.9 and 310.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
112.9 mi into trip|~2h 13m in|I 64
Keep slight right at fork onto I 64 toward I 64 East: Richmond
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 64 East: Richmond
8
202.9 mi into trip|~3h 51m 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
227 mi into trip|~4h 18m 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
310.6 mi into trip|~5h 56m 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
310.8 mi into trip|~5h 56m 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
$50.64 one way
$101.28 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg113 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.35
$55.46
$110.93
premium
$4.72
$60.21
$120.42
diesel
$6.28
$80.06
$160.11
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$51
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$76–$101
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 113.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
97.2
1
$34.02
$15.55
Efficient EV
81
0
$28.35
$12.96
EV Truck/SUV
129.6
1
$45.36
$20.74
Gas CO2
113 kg
EV CO2
38 kg (66% 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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Blacksburg, VA
Late night
in Blacksburg on Friday
Local time
5:59 AM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Sunny
N 0 to 3 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 19 at 5:03AM EDT until October 19 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Baltimore MD/Washington DC
Coastal Flood Watch
Coastal Flood Watch issued October 19 at 4:09AM EDT until October 22 at 1:00AM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Destination
Virginia Beach, VA
Late night
in Virginia Beach on Friday
Local time
5:59 AM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Mostly Cloudy
N 25 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 19 at 5:03AM EDT until October 19 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Baltimore MD/Washington DC
Coastal Flood Watch
Coastal Flood Watch issued October 19 at 4:09AM EDT until October 22 at 1:00AM EDT by NWS Wakefield 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
6h 15m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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.
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...
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
$15
near mile 268.1
Park Closure: Rehabilitation of Colonial Parkway Continues
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...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 290.5
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...
22 mi from route
~55 min detour
Free
near mile 33.5
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...
28 mi from route
~69 min detour
Free
near mile 223.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is primarily highway driving, with 85% of the 324 miles spent on major interstates. You'll encounter the longest uninterrupted stretch of highway on I 64, which spans 156.9 miles. The transition from I 81 to I 64 will bring you onto a major east-west corridor. Expect a good number of exits and potential for merging traffic as you approach more populated areas.
85% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 156.9 mi on I 64.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and I 81. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 112.9 miles in near I 64.
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 17 significant decision points across 324 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 112.9 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 202.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 227 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,073 ft9 ft
Total Climb
495 ft
Total Descent
2,559 ft
Highest Point
2,073 ft
Elevation Range
2,064 ft
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 Blacksburg, VA to Virginia Beach, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Norfolk along the way.
Blacksburg is a moderate-sized town in Southwest Virginia and is home of Virginia Tech (full name: Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University).
Top landmarks
•Blacksburg Historic District — historic district in Virginia, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 15m. Total distance: 324 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 15m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 156.9 miles on I 64. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 112.9 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 202.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 227 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Colonial National Historical Park, Fort Monroe National Monument 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 6.3 hours each way, a round trip means 12.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Virginia Beach, VA before the return drive.
