Broadway, VA to Chesapeake, VA is 240.8 miles and takes about 4h 38m via I 81 and I 64, with a fuel budget near $37 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Virginia, moving from the Shenandoah Valley region to the southeastern part of the state. You'll be spending most of your time on major highways, making it a straightforward drive. With a recommended one-day duration, it’s a solid option if you need to get from point A to point B efficiently without a lot of fuss.
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
120.4 miles from Broadway, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 14m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
156.4 mi
2h 52m
I 81
35.6 mi
39m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
22.9 mi
25m
Hampton Roads Beltway
6.8 mi
8m
Mayland Road
4 mi
6m
Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
3.5 mi
4m
Chesapeake Boulevard
2.1 mi
3m
Ballentine Boulevard
1.1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 156.4 mi, about 2h 52m
Traffic on I-64
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 98 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,145 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,563
Quietest
2 AM
~123 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
17.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Broadway, VA and Chesapeake, VA.
1
Start on this road
5 ft·5 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto VA 259 ALT
0.7 mi·1 min·Broadway Avenue
3
At end of road, turn right onto VA 259
207 ft·3 sec·Timber Way
4
Continue on VA 259
4.0 mi·6 min·Mayland Road
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·31 sec
6
Merge onto I 81
36 mi·39 min·I 81
7
Take the exit
0.6 mi·53 sec
Toward I 64 East: Richmond
8
Merge onto I 64
90 mi·1 hr 37 min·I 64
Use the straight lane.
9
Take the exit
1.2 mi·1 min
Exit 177Toward I 295 North: Washington, NorfolkUse the slight right lane.
10
Continue on I 295
23 mi·25 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
1.3 mi·2 min
Exit 28AToward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia BeachUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 64
67 mi·1 hr 15 min·I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64; US 60
342 ft·5 sec·Hampton Roads Beltway
14
Continue on I 64; US 60
3.5 mi·4 min·Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
15
Continue on I 64; US 60
6.7 mi·8 min·Hampton Roads Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Exit 278Toward VA 194 South: Chesapeake BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
17
Turn straight onto VA 194
2.1 mi·3 min·Chesapeake Boulevard
Use the left lane.
18
Turn straight
135 ft·7 sec
19
Turn left onto VA 247
1.1 mi·1 min·Ballentine Boulevard
20
Turn right onto VA 166
0.9 mi·1 min·East Princess Anne Road
21
Turn left onto VA 166
0.6 mi·1 min·Park Avenue
22
Turn left onto US 460; VA 166; VA 168
0.3 mi·57 sec·East Brambleton Avenue
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
23
Continue on US 460; VA 166; VA 168
0.7 mi·1 min·Campostella Road
24
Turn right onto US 460; VA 166
0.7 mi·1 min·Wilson Road
Use the right lane.
25
Continue on US 460; VA 166
0.3 mi·27 sec·22nd Street
26
Continue on US 460; VA 166
0.3 mi·29 sec·Poindexter Street
Use the straight lane.
27
Turn right onto D Street
412 ft·18 sec·D Street
28
Arrive at destination
D Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 38m estimated drive time, starting your trip in the morning from Broadway, VA, will allow you to reach Chesapeake, VA, well before evening. The route is designed for a single day, so you won't need to plan for an overnight stay. There's one recommended stop, so consider breaking up the drive around the halfway point or when you feel the need to stretch your legs. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $37, and plan your refueling stops accordingly, especially during the 156.4-mile stretch on I 64 where services might be less frequent than anticipated.
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 120.4 miles from Broadway, VA, or about 2h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 156.4 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 53 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 120.4 miles or 2h 14m 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 41m
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 Broadway, 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 Broadway, VA
This is one driving day of about 240.8 miles and 4h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 miles from Broadway, 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 156.4 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.7 and 233.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.7 mi into trip|~1m in|VA 259 / Timber Way
At end of road, turn right onto VA 259 / Timber Way
Navigation decision point
5
41.2 mi into trip|~48m in|I 64
Merge onto I 64
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
130.8 mi into trip|~2h 26m in
Take the exit toward I 295 North: Washington, Norfolk
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 177
Toward I 295 North: Washington, Norfolk
8
154.9 mi into trip|~2h 52m 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
233.4 mi into trip|~4h 24m in
Take the exit toward VA 194 South: Chesapeake Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 278
Toward VA 194 South: Chesapeake Boulevard
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.55 one way
$71.10 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg84 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$39.07
$78.14
premium
$4.49
$42.59
$85.17
diesel
$4.80
$45.47
$90.94
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 84.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
72.2
0
$25.28
$11.56
Efficient EV
60.2
0
$21.07
$9.63
EV Truck/SUV
96.3
1
$33.71
$15.41
Gas CO2
84 kg
EV CO2
28 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Broadway, VA
Morning
in Broadway on Sunday
Local time
6:29 AM
EDT
Current temp
89°F
Patchy Smoke then Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 6 to 9 mph50% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 9:28AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 9:28AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Destination
Chesapeake, VA
Morning
in Chesapeake on Sunday
Local time
6:29 AM
EDT
Current temp
97°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 9 to 13 mph13% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 9:28AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 9:28AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
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
8 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
4h 38m 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.
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...
0 mi from route
$15
near mile 199.2
Park Closure: Jamestown Island Loop Drive to Temporarily Close to Vehicles
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...
2 mi from route
~4 min detour
Free
near mile 224.1
Just 75 miles from the bustle of Washington, D.C., Shenandoah National Park is a land bursting with cascading waterfalls, spectacular vistas, fields of wildflowers, and quiet wooded hollows. With over...
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 157.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
About 80% of this route is highway driving, primarily on I 81 and I 64. The longest continuous stretch on a major highway is 156.4 miles, all on I 64. You'll notice a significant number of exits and merging traffic as you approach and navigate through more populated areas. Once you leave the main interstate sections, expect to transition to more local roads.
80% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 156.4 mi on I 64.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and I 81. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.7 miles in near VA 259 / Timber Way.
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 18 significant decision points across 240.8 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 0.7 miles (VA 259 / Timber Way): Navigation decision point; at 41.2 miles (I 64): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 130.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,587 ft-4 ft
Total Climb
758 ft
Total Descent
1,790 ft
Highest Point
1,587 ft
~51.6 mi in
Elevation Range
1,591 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Broadway, VA and Chesapeake, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk and Virginia Beach.
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.
Top landmarks
•Dismal Swamp Canal — canal in Virginia, United States of America
•Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal — canal in Chesapeake, Virginia
•South Norfolk Historic District — historic district in Virginia, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 38m. Total distance: 240.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (80%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 156.4 miles on I 64. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 15 rest areas or service plazas 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 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. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 15 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.7 miles (VA 259 / Timber Way): Navigation decision point; at 41.2 miles (I 64): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 130.8 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 Shenandoah National Park (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Chesapeake, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
