Heading from Bristow to Virginia Beach covers 194.9 miles across the southeastern region of Virginia. Expect a travel time of approximately 3 hours and 22 minutes, making this a very manageable trip to complete in a single day. You will navigate via Dumfries Road, I-295 South, and the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway. Budgeting around $31 for fuel should cover your transit costs comfortably. Since the drive is relatively straightforward, you can easily head out in the morning and reach the coast by early afternoon without needing an overnight stay.
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
97.6 miles from Bristow, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 57m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
66.8 mi
1h 15m
I 95
66.8 mi
1h 14m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
13 mi
14m
Hampton Roads Beltway
12 mi
15m
Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway
11.8 mi
16m
Bristow Road
9.1 mi
15m
Dumfries Road
7 mi
10m
Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
3.5 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 66.8 mi, about 1h 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bristow, VA and Virginia Beach, 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
67 mi·1 hr 15 min·I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64; US 60
342 ft·5 sec·Hampton Roads Beltway
11
Continue on I 64; US 60
3.5 mi·4 min·Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
12
Continue on I 64; US 60
12 mi·15 min·Hampton Roads Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
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.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 264 East: Va BeachUse the straight / slight left lanes.
15
Merge onto I 264
12 mi·16 min·Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway
16
Continue on 21st Street
0.4 mi·54 sec·21st Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Turn left onto Arctic Avenue
0.3 mi·46 sec·Arctic Avenue
Use the left lane.
18
Turn right onto 25th Street
454 ft·12 sec·25th Street
19
Arrive at destination
25th Street
Trip Plan
Planning for this trip is simple given the 1-day recommendation, but timing your departure is key to avoiding local traffic congestion. Since the route includes only one major stop, use that break to refuel and stretch before finishing the final leg of the drive. Keep your $31 fuel budget in mind when planning your fill-ups along the route. Because this is a turn-heavy drive, prioritize a departure time that allows you to navigate the local sections during daylight hours. Taking advantage of the route's flexibility means you can tailor your start time to suit your personal schedule, ensuring a relaxed arrival at Virginia Beach.
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 97.6 miles from Bristow, VA, or about 1h 57m 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 43 miles or 57m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 97.6 miles or 1h 57m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 8m
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 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 195.2 miles and 3h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 43 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 64 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 34.7 and 182 — 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
8
181.8 mi into trip|~3h 36m 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
182 mi into trip|~3h 36m 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
$30.52 one way
$61.05 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg68 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$33.38
$66.75
premium
$4.70
$36.13
$72.25
diesel
$5.61
$43.10
$86.20
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 68.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
58.6
0
$20.50
$9.37
Efficient EV
48.8
0
$17.08
$7.81
EV Truck/SUV
78.1
0
$27.33
$12.49
Gas CO2
68 kg
EV CO2
23 kg (66% 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 14, 2026
Origin
Bristow, VA
Afternoon
in Bristow on Sunday
Local time
1:28 PM
EDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Virginia Beach, VA
Afternoon
in Virginia Beach on Sunday
Local time
1:28 PM
EDT
Current temp
85°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 13 mph2% 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
6 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 55m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This 194.9-mile journey is defined as a turn-heavy local drive rather than a straight interstate cruise. You will find yourself navigating a mix of local roads and highway stretches as you transition through the state. With a 0% designated highway share for the primary navigation, you should prepare for a more hands-on experience behind the wheel compared to a standard freeway trek. The road's personality is consistent with regional transit, requiring your full attention as you navigate the turns between Bristow and the coast. Expect the driving conditions to remain steady throughout the 3-hour and 22-minute duration.
74% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 66.8 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 95. 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 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 14 significant decision points across 195.2 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 Virginia Beach, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk, Va Beach and Portsmouth.
Norfolk
83.3 mi in|~1h 41m
Va Beach
83.3 mi in|~1h 41m
Portsmouth
181.8 mi in|~3h 36m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 55m. Total distance: 195.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (74%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 66.8 miles on I 64. 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 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. 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.
Possible but tiring. At 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Virginia Beach, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
