Origin
Brightwood, VA
Morning in Brightwood on Tuesday
Local time
6:37 AM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Brightwood, VA to Newport News, 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
3h 14m
Distance
161.7 mi
260 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$25
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 2m
★
6 AM
3h 14m
8 AM
3h 38m
10 AM
3h 22m
12 PM
3h 20m
3 PM
3h 24m
5 PM
3h 37m
8 PM
3h 7m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Brightwood, VA
Valeriia Miller
Newport News, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Planning a trip from Brightwood, VA, to Newport News, VA? This 161.7-mile journey will take you approximately 3 hours and 14 minutes, making it a comfortable day trip. The route is primarily highway-focused, with about 62% of the drive on interstates. You can expect to spend around $25 on fuel for this drive. Since both your origin and destination are within the Southeast region, you won't be crossing any major regional boundaries. With just one recommended stop, this is a straightforward drive that's easy to manage in a single day.
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
80.8 miles from Brightwood, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 42m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 64 | 56.7 mi | 1h 2m |
| I 95 | 44.2 mi | 48m |
| Germanna Highway | 18 mi | 25m |
| Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway | 13 mi | 14m |
| Plank Road | 12.3 mi | 18m |
| James Monroe Highway | 7.7 mi | 9m |
| North Seminole Trail | 3.4 mi | 4m |
| James Madison Highway | 1 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 56.7 mi, about 1h 2m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Brightwood, VA and Newport News, VA.
1
Start on SR 607
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
Ridgeview Road
2
Continue on SR 730
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
Coop Road
3
Turn left onto US 29
3.4 mi
·
4 min
·
North Seminole Trail
4
Continue on US 29
7.7 mi
·
9 min
·
James Monroe Highway
5
Continue on US 15; US 29
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
James Madison Highway
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward US 522, VA 3: Mineral, Fredericksburg
7
Turn right onto US 522; VA 3
18 mi
·
25 min
·
Germanna Highway
8
Continue on VA 3
12 mi
·
18 min
·
Plank Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
Toward I 95 South: Richmond
10
Merge onto I 95; US 17
44 mi
·
48 min
·
I 95; US 17
Use the straight lane.
11
Take the exit
1.9 mi
·
2 min
Exit 84A
Toward I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va Beach
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
12
Merge onto I 295
13 mi
·
14 min
·
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
1.3 mi
·
2 min
Exit 28A
Toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto I 64
57 mi
·
1 hr 2 min
·
I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
Exit 258A
Toward US 17 South: J Clyde Morris Boulevard
Use the slight right lane.
16
Turn straight onto US 17
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
·
J Clyde Morris Boulevard
17
Turn right onto Diligence Drive
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Diligence Drive
18
At end of road, turn right onto Thimble Shoals Boulevard
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
Thimble Shoals Boulevard
19
Turn left
413 ft
·
33 sec
20
At end of road, turn right
82 ft
·
6 sec
21
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this 161.7-mile drive, leaving in the morning is a good idea to avoid potential afternoon traffic, especially as you approach Newport News. The estimated 3 hours and 14 minutes of driving time with only one recommended stop means you have flexibility in when and where you choose to pause. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is $25 and the longest stretch without a major town might be on I-64. This route is designed for a single-day trip, so you can easily complete it without needing an overnight stay.
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 80.8 miles from Brightwood, VA, or about 1h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 56.7 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 36 miles or 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 80.8 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 40m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Newport News, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Brightwood, 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 Brightwood, VA
This is one driving day of about 161.7 miles and 3h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 miles from Brightwood, 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 56.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
81 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 36 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 80.8 miles from Brightwood, 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 125 decision points cluster between mile 12.6 and 161.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
12.6 mi into trip
|
~16m in
Take the exit toward US 522, VA 3: Mineral, Fredericksburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 522, VA 3: Mineral, Fredericksburg
8
87.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 49m 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
102.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 5m 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
160.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 11m in
Take the exit toward US 17 South: J Clyde Morris Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 258A
Toward US 17 South: J Clyde Morris Boulevard
6
161.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 14m in
At end of road, turn right
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.29 one way
$50.57 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
57 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $27.65 | $55.30 |
| premium | $4.70 | $29.93 | $59.85 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $35.70 | $71.40 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 56.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 48.5 | 0 | $16.98 | $7.76 |
| Efficient EV | 40.4 | 0 | $14.15 | $6.47 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 64.7 | 0 | $22.64 | $10.35 |
Gas CO2
57 kg
EV CO2
19 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
Newport News, VA
Morning in Newport News on Tuesday
Local time
6:37 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
49°F
Bowling Green, VA
81 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
24 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 14m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is largely highway-focused, with a significant 62% of the mileage covered on interstates like I-64 and I-95. You'll experience a 56.7-mile stretch on I-64, offering a consistent, faster pace. While the majority of the route is on major highways, there are segments on Germanna Highway that offer a slight change of pace. Overall, anticipate a driving experience characterized by efficiency and steady progress, ideal for covering distance without too many interruptions.
62% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 56.7 mi on I 64.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and I 95. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 12.6 miles in.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 161.7 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 12.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 87.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 102.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Brightwood, VA and Newport News, VA, road signs point toward Fredericksburg, Norfolk, Va Beach and Virginia Beach.
Fredericksburg
12.6 mi in
|
~16m
Norfolk
87.7 mi in
|
~1h 49m
Va Beach
87.7 mi in
|
~1h 49m
Virginia Beach
102.5 mi in
|
~2h 5m
About the Cities
Arriving in Newport News, VA
Full guide →Newport News is a city in Virginia in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area. It's on the James River, and much of the area has been developed into a city starting in the late 19th century.
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 3h 14m. Total distance: 161.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 56.7 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 Newport News, 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 12.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 87.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 102.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Newport News, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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