Spanning 234.7 miles across Virginia, this journey from Blue Ridge to Norfolk takes approximately 5 hours and 8 minutes of drive time. It functions perfectly as a single-day trip, allowing you to traverse the state from the Southeast region to the coast without needing an overnight stay. You should budget roughly $38 for fuel to complete the trek. By utilizing a combination of US 460, the Patrick Henry Highway, and the West Lynchburg Salem Turnpike, you get a direct path that cuts through the heart of the state. Whether you are heading toward the coast for business or leisure, this route provides a straightforward transit option that keeps your travel logistics simple and efficient.
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
117.4 miles from Blue Ridge, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 28m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 460
79.8 mi
1h 39m
Patrick Henry Highway
17.2 mi
21m
West Lynchburg Salem Turnpike
14.6 mi
18m
James River Drive
14.6 mi
19m
Hull Street Road
13.7 mi
19m
Colonial Trail West
13.3 mi
15m
World War II Veterans Memorial Highway
12.1 mi
14m
Old Stage Highway
12 mi
15m
Longest stretch:
US 460
— 79.8 mi, about 1h 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Blue Ridge, VA and Norfolk, VA.
1
Start on US 221; US 460
0.2 mi·20 sec·Blue Ridge Boulevard
2
Continue on US 221; US 460
0.9 mi·1 min·Blue Ridge Boulevard
3
Continue on US 221; US 460
15 mi·18 min·West Lynchburg Salem Turnpike
4
Continue on US 221; US 460
0.6 mi·42 sec·Blue Ridge Avenue
5
Keep slight right at fork onto US 460
80 mi·1 hr 39 min·US 460
Toward US 460 EastUse the straight lane.
6
Turn left onto VA 307
9.3 mi·12 min·Holly Farms Road
7
Turn left onto US 360
17 mi·21 min·Patrick Henry Highway
8
Continue on US 360
14 mi·19 min·Hull Street Road
Use the straight lane.
9
Turn right onto SR 754
0.9 mi·1 min·Commonwealth Centre Parkway
Use the right lane.
10
Take the ramp
62 ft·1 sec
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward VA 288 SouthUse the slight right lane.
12
Merge onto VA 288
12 mi·14 min·World War II Veterans Memorial Highway
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward I 95 South: PetersburgUse the slight right lane.
14
Merge onto I 95
1.5 mi·1 min·Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 61AToward VA 10 East: HopewellUse the right lane.
16
Continue on VA 10
6.8 mi·10 min·West Hundred Road
Use the left / uturn lanes.
17
Continue on VA 10
2.9 mi·4 min·West Randolph Road
18
Continue on VA 10; VA 156 BUS
15 mi·19 min·James River Drive
19
Continue on VA 10
13 mi·15 min·Colonial Trail West
20
At end of road, turn left onto VA 10; VA 31
1.0 mi·1 min·Rolfe Highway
21
Take the exit
149 ft·6 sec
22
Merge onto VA 10
9.8 mi·11 min·Colonial Trail East
23
Continue on VA 10
12 mi·15 min·Old Stage Highway
Use the left lane.
24
Keep slight left at fork onto US 258
2.8 mi·3 min·Brewers Neck Boulevard
25
Take the exit
0.1 mi·19 sec
26
Merge onto US 17
2.3 mi·3 min·Carrollton Boulevard
27
Continue on US 17
6.2 mi·10 min·Bridge Road
Use the left lane.
28
Keep slight right at fork onto VA 164
6.8 mi·8 min·Western Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
29
Take the exit
0.4 mi·35 sec
Toward US 58 East: Tunnel Norfolk
30
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·37 sec
Toward US 58 East: Tunnel Norfolk
31
Merge onto US 58
1.2 mi·2 min·US 58
32
Take the exit onto US 58
1.6 mi·3 min·US 58
Toward US 58 East: Brambleton Avenue, Downtown NorfolkUse the left lane.
33
Turn right onto US 460 ALT
0.5 mi·1 min·Saint Pauls Boulevard
Use the left lane.
34
Turn left onto East City Hall Avenue
158 ft·9 sec·East City Hall Avenue
Use the left lane.
35
Arrive at destination
East City Hall Avenue
Trip Plan
Since this is a roughly five-hour excursion, try to depart early in the morning to avoid peak traffic congestion as you approach the coastal region. You only need to plan for one major stop to keep your pace steady and comfortable throughout the day. Be mindful that US 460 serves as the backbone of your journey, so check for any local road closures on that specific corridor before you pull out of your driveway. Having that single planned break will help you manage the 79.8-mile longest stretch effectively. Flexibility is a major advantage here, as the manageable duration allows you to adjust your departure time based on your personal schedule rather than strict overnight requirements.
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 117.4 miles from Blue Ridge, VA, or about 2h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 79.8 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 52 miles or 1h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 117.4 miles or 2h 28m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 8m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Norfolk, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Blue Ridge, 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 Blue Ridge, VA
This is one driving day of about 234.7 miles and 5h 8m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 miles from Blue Ridge, 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 US 460 for about 79.8 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 16.3 and 232.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
16.3 mi into trip|~21m in|US 460
Keep slight right at fork onto US 460 toward US 460 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward US 460 East
8
137.3 mi into trip|~2h 57m in
Keep slight right at fork toward VA 288 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward VA 288 South
7
149.8 mi into trip|~3h 11m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 95 South: Petersburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 95 South: Petersburg
7
151.5 mi into trip|~3h 14m in
Take the exit toward VA 10 East: Hopewell
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 61A
Toward VA 10 East: Hopewell
7
232.6 mi into trip|~5h 3m in|US 58
Take the exit onto US 58 toward US 58 East: Brambleton Avenue, Downtown Norfolk
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward US 58 East: Brambleton Avenue, Downtown...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.70 one way
$73.40 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg82 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$40.13
$80.26
premium
$4.70
$43.44
$86.88
diesel
$5.61
$51.82
$103.64
Estimated Tolls: $1.12
West Lynchburg Salem Turnpike
(14.6 mi)$1.02
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
(1.5 mi)$0.10
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 82.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
70.4
0
$24.64
$11.27
Efficient EV
58.7
0
$20.54
$9.39
EV Truck/SUV
93.9
1
$32.86
$15.02
Gas CO2
82 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 19, 2026
Origin
Blue Ridge, VA
Late night
in Blue Ridge on Sunday
Local time
3:57 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Norfolk, VA
Late night
in Norfolk on Sunday
Local time
3:57 AM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Partly Cloudy
S 12 mph6% 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
5 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 8m 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.
Appomattox Court House National Historical Park
National Historical Park
On April 9, 1865, the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia in the McLean House in the village of Appomattox Court House, Virginia signaled the effective end of the nation's largest war. Question...
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...
11 mi from route
~29 min detour
Free
near mile 226.6
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...
12 mi from route
~30 min detour
$15
near mile 194.3
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...
12 mi from route
~31 min detour
Free
near mile 153.8
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...
17 mi from route
~43 min detour
Free
near mile 8.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a mixed driving experience that shifts between varied road types as you transition from the Blue Ridge area toward Norfolk. With a highway share of 45 percent, you will encounter a blend of faster transit stretches and slower-paced local sections. The longest uninterrupted portion of the trip covers 79.8 miles on US 460, which will likely be the most consistent segment of your drive. Because this route balances highway speed with local road navigation, you will need to remain attentive to changing speed limits and traffic patterns. It is a practical drive that avoids the monotony of a purely interstate route, offering a more varied feel behind the wheel.
45% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
35 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 79.8 mi on US 460.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 16.3 miles in near US 460.
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 21 significant decision points across 234.7 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 16.3 miles (US 460): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 137.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 149.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 8m. Total distance: 234.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 8m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 79.8 miles on US 460. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.12 in tolls one way, starting with West Lynchburg Salem Turnpike. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
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 Norfolk, 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 16.3 miles (US 460): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 137.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 149.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Appomattox Court House National Historical Park, Fort Monroe National Monument and Colonial National Historical Park (5 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.1 hours each way, a round trip means 10.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Norfolk, VA before the return drive.
