Spanning 157.1 miles, the drive from Bristow to Newport News is a straightforward journey across Virginia that typically takes about 2 hours and 38 minutes. You will traverse the state using a combination of Dumfries Road, I-295 South, and the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway. Because the total duration is under three hours, this trip is perfectly manageable as a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. Budgeting approximately $25 for fuel should cover your needs for the one-way transit. Both the starting point and destination are nestled within the Southeast region, ensuring a consistent climate and environment throughout your travel.
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
78.7 miles from Bristow, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 36m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
66.8 mi
1h 14m
I 64
56.7 mi
1h 2m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
13 mi
14m
Bristow Road
9.1 mi
15m
Dumfries Road
7 mi
10m
Diligence Drive
0.5 mi
1m
Thimble Shoals Boulevard
0.1 mi
<1m
J Clyde Morris Boulevard
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 66.8 mi, about 1h 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bristow, VA and Newport News, VA.
1
Start on SR 619
9.1 mi·15 min·Bristow Road
2
Turn right onto VA 234
7.0 mi·10 min·Dumfries Road
3
Take the exit
0.4 mi·58 sec
4
Merge onto I 95
18 mi·20 min·I 95
Use the straight lane.
5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
49 mi·53 min·I 95
Use the straight lane.
6
Take the exit
1.9 mi·2 min
Exit 84AToward I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va BeachUse the slight left / straight lanes.
7
Merge onto I 295
13 mi·14 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
1.3 mi·2 min
Exit 28AToward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia BeachUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 64
57 mi·1 hr 2 min·I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi·51 sec
Exit 258AToward US 17 South: J Clyde Morris BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
11
Turn straight onto US 17
0.1 mi·10 sec·J Clyde Morris Boulevard
12
Turn right onto Diligence Drive
0.5 mi·1 min·Diligence Drive
13
At end of road, turn right onto Thimble Shoals Boulevard
0.1 mi·19 sec·Thimble Shoals Boulevard
14
Turn left
413 ft·33 sec
15
At end of road, turn right
82 ft·6 sec
16
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Planning your departure is key to keeping this 157.1-mile trip stress-free, so try to avoid peak traffic hours to maintain your 2 hour and 38 minute pace. Since the itinerary includes at least one planned stop, use that break to stretch your legs and refuel before finishing the final leg of your journey. Keep your $25 fuel budget in mind, especially if you encounter heavier traffic that might impact your vehicle's efficiency. Because the route is relatively short, you have the flexibility to adjust your schedule to suit your personal preferences. A great tip for this specific path is to map out your transition points between Dumfries Road and the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway in advance to ensure you stay on track through the more technical sections.
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 78.7 miles from Bristow, VA, or about 1h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 66.8 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 35 miles or 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 78.7 miles or 1h 36m 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 33m
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 Bristow, 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 Bristow, VA
This is one driving day of about 157.4 miles and 3h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from Bristow, 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 66.8 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 34.7 and 157.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
34.7 mi into trip|~48m in|I 95
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
83.3 mi into trip|~1h 41m 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
98.2 mi into trip|~1h 57m 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
156.2 mi into trip|~3h 3m 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
157.3 mi into trip|~3h 6m in
At end of road, turn right
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.61 one way
$49.23 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg55 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$26.91
$53.83
premium
$4.70
$29.13
$58.26
diesel
$5.61
$34.75
$69.50
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: 55.1 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
47.2
0
$16.53
$7.56
Efficient EV
39.4
0
$13.77
$6.30
EV Truck/SUV
63
0
$22.04
$10.07
Gas CO2
55 kg
EV CO2
18 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 Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Bristow, VA
Afternoon
in Bristow on Sunday
Local time
3:04 PM
EDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Newport News, VA
Afternoon
in Newport News on Sunday
Local time
3:04 PM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
53°F
Ashland, VA
79 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
17 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
3h 6m 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.
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...
2 mi from route
~4 min detour
$15
near mile 141.1
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...
10 mi from route
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 157.4
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...
26 mi from route
~65 min detour
Free
near mile 97.7
The Potomac River corridor is rich in both history and recreation, offering a chance to both explore your heritage and choose your adventure along the way. Start your journey here!
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. The route relies on a blend of local roads and major highways, with no single stretch dominating the journey. Because this path avoids long, uninterrupted highway runs, you will find yourself navigating frequent transitions between different road types. The personality of this drive is practical and functional, requiring you to stay alert as you maneuver through various intersections and local connections. It is a departure from the typical highway-heavy experience, offering a more varied feel behind the wheel as you navigate toward the coast.
78% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 66.8 mi on I 95.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
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 34.7 miles in near I 95.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 157.4 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 34.7 miles (I 95): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 83.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 98.2 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.
Between Bristow, VA and Newport News, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk, Va Beach and Virginia Beach.
Norfolk
83.3 mi in|~1h 41m
Va Beach
83.3 mi in|~1h 41m
Virginia Beach
98.2 mi in|~1h 57m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 6m. Total distance: 157.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (78%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 66.8 miles on I 95. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 1 rest area or service plaza 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 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. There are 1 rest area along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 34.7 miles (I 95): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 83.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 98.2 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 Petersburg National Battlefield (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Newport News, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
