Origin
Brandermill, VA
Late night in Brandermill on Tuesday
Local time
4:06 AM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Brandermill, VA to Chesapeake, VA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 20m
Distance
102.7 mi
165 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$16
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 11m
★
6 AM
2h 21m
8 AM
2h 40m
10 AM
2h 28m
12 PM
2h 26m
3 PM
2h 29m
5 PM
2h 39m
8 PM
2h 15m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Brandermill, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Chesapeake, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 102.7-mile drive from Brandermill to Chesapeake, Virginia, is estimated to take around 2 hours and 20 minutes, making it a perfect day trip. You'll primarily navigate using James River Drive, Colonial Trail West, and World War II Veterans Memorial Highway, with only about 12% of the journey on highways. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is $16, and with no recommended overnight stops, you have the flexibility to explore at your own pace. This route stays within the Southeast region, offering a consistent feel throughout your journey. Prepare for a journey characterized by frequent turns rather than long stretches of open road.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
51.3 miles from Brandermill, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 9m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| James River Drive | 14.6 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 |
| Colonial Trail East | 9.8 mi | 11m |
| Western Freeway | 7.4 mi | 9m |
| West Hundred Road | 6.8 mi | 10m |
| Bridge Road | 6.2 mi | 10m |
Longest stretch:
James River Drive
— 14.6 mi, about 19m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Brandermill, VA and Chesapeake, VA.
1
Start on this road
112 ft
·
9 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto SR 1883
370 ft
·
19 sec
·
Timber Ridge Road
3
Continue on East Timber Ridge Road
263 ft
·
13 sec
·
East Timber Ridge Road
4
Turn right onto Millridge Parkway
1.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Millridge Parkway
5
Turn right onto SR 754
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
South Old Hundred Road
6
Continue on SR 754
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Commonwealth Centre Parkway
Use the left / straight lanes.
7
Take the ramp
62 ft
·
1 sec
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Toward VA 288 South
Use the slight right lane.
9
Merge onto VA 288
12 mi
·
14 min
·
World War II Veterans Memorial Highway
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward I 95 South: Petersburg
Use the slight right lane.
11
Merge onto I 95
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 61A
Toward VA 10 East: Hopewell
Use the right lane.
13
Continue on VA 10
6.8 mi
·
10 min
·
West Hundred Road
Use the left / uturn lanes.
14
Continue on VA 10
2.9 mi
·
4 min
·
West Randolph Road
15
Continue on VA 10; VA 156 BUS
15 mi
·
19 min
·
James River Drive
16
Continue on VA 10
13 mi
·
15 min
·
Colonial Trail West
17
At end of road, turn left onto VA 10; VA 31
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Rolfe Highway
18
Take the exit
149 ft
·
6 sec
19
Merge onto VA 10
9.8 mi
·
11 min
·
Colonial Trail East
20
Continue on VA 10
12 mi
·
15 min
·
Old Stage Highway
Use the left lane.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto US 258
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Brewers Neck Boulevard
22
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
23
Merge onto US 17
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Carrollton Boulevard
24
Continue on US 17
6.2 mi
·
10 min
·
Bridge Road
Use the left lane.
25
Keep slight right at fork onto VA 164
7.4 mi
·
9 min
·
Western Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
26
Merge onto US 58; VA 164
0.7 mi
·
46 sec
·
Martin Luther King Freeway
27
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Toward VA 141 South: Downtown Portsmouth
Use the right lane.
28
Turn straight onto US 58
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
London Boulevard
29
Turn right onto Elm Avenue
2.4 mi
·
4 min
·
Elm Avenue
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
30
Continue on VA 337
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
South Norfolk Jordan Bridge
31
Turn straight onto VA 337
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Poindexter Street
Use the straight lane.
32
Turn left onto D Street
412 ft
·
18 sec
·
D Street
33
Arrive at destination
D Street
Trip Plan
Given the 2-hour 20-minute duration and the 'turn-heavy' nature of this 102.7-mile route, starting your journey in the morning is advisable to maximize daylight and minimize potential traffic. With a fuel cost estimated at $16 and no mandatory stops, you have considerable flexibility. Keep an eye on your GPS, especially through the local road segments, as the frequent turns can be disorienting. The longest stretch without a turn is 14.6 miles on James River Drive, so be prepared for more frequent adjustments to your steering and speed on other parts of the trip.
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 51.3 miles from Brandermill, VA, or about 1h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 14.6 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 23 miles or 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 51.3 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 51m
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 Brandermill, 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 Brandermill, VA
This is one driving day of about 102.7 miles and 2h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Brandermill, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on James River Drive for about 14.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
51 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 23 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 51.3 miles from Brandermill, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 215 decision points cluster between mile 2.6 and 97.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
2.6 mi into trip
|
~6m 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
15 mi into trip
|
~20m 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
16.8 mi into trip
|
~23m 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
6
89.1 mi into trip
|
~2h in
|
VA 164 / Western Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto VA 164 / Western Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
6
97.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 10m in
Take the exit toward VA 141 South: Downtown Portsmouth
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward VA 141 South: Downtown Portsmouth
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.06 one way
$32.12 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
36 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $17.56 | $35.12 |
| premium | $4.70 | $19.01 | $38.02 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $22.67 | $45.35 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.10
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
$16
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 35.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 30.8 | 0 | $10.78 | $4.93 |
| Efficient EV | 25.7 | 0 | $8.99 | $4.11 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 41.1 | 0 | $14.38 | $6.57 |
Gas CO2
36 kg
EV CO2
12 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.
Destination
Chesapeake, VA
Late night in Chesapeake on Tuesday
Local time
4:06 AM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Mostly Clear
SW 7 to 10 mph
4% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 14 at 9:10AM EDT by NWS Blacksburg VA
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 14 at 8:55AM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
52°F
Waverly, VA
51 mi in
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
20 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
2h 20m 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.
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...
11 mi from route
~28 min detour
$15
near mile 63.7
Park Closure: Rehabilitation of Colonial Parkway Continues
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...
11 mi from route
~28 min detour
Free
near mile 92.1
View on nps.gov
Petersburg National Battlefield
National Battlefield
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
~30 min detour
Free
near mile 17.7
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' for this 102.7-mile trip. While only 12% of the route involves highways, the majority of your time will be spent on local roads like James River Drive and Colonial Trail West. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 14.6 miles on James River Drive, indicating a need for attention as the road frequently changes direction and character. This isn't a monotonous interstate cruise; rather, it's a more engaging drive that requires active navigation and awareness of your surroundings as you transition between different local thoroughfares.
Only 12% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 14.6 mi on James River Drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.6 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 102.7 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 2.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 15 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 16.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
Arriving in Chesapeake, VA
Full guide →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.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 20m. Total distance: 102.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 20m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 14.6 miles on James River Drive. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.10 in tolls one way, starting with Richmond-Petersburg 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.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 15 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 16.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Colonial National Historical Park, Fort Monroe National Monument and Petersburg National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Chesapeake, VA before heading back.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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