Traveling from the mountains of Buchanan to the coastal landscape of Chesapeake covers 255.2 miles across Virginia. You should plan for a driving time of approximately 4 hours and 51 minutes, making this a very manageable single-day trip. With an estimated fuel cost of $41, the route is economically straightforward for most travelers. You will spend the vast majority of your journey on major thoroughfares like I-64 and the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway. Because the entire trip stays within the Southeast region, you can expect a consistent climate and road culture throughout your transit. It is a productive connection between the state's interior and its eastern coast.
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
127.6 miles from Buchanan, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 19m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
157.1 mi
2h 53m
US 11
53.5 mi
57m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
22.9 mi
25m
Hampton Roads Beltway
6.8 mi
8m
Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
3.5 mi
4m
Chesapeake Boulevard
2.1 mi
3m
Main Street
1.1 mi
1m
Ballentine Boulevard
1.1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 157.1 mi, about 2h 53m
Traffic on I-64
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 99 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,119 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,533
Quietest
2 AM
~122 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 Buchanan, VA and Chesapeake, VA.
1
Start on this road
110 ft·10 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto US 11
1.1 mi·1 min·Main Street
3
Continue on US 11
0.3 mi·27 sec·Lee Highway
4
Take the ramp onto US 11
54 mi·57 min·US 11
5
Continue on I 64; I 81
0.3 mi·17 sec·I 64; I 81
6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 64
90 mi·1 hr 38 min·I 64
Toward I 64 East: RichmondUse the straight lane.
7
Take the exit
1.2 mi·1 min
Exit 177Toward I 295 North: Washington, NorfolkUse the slight right lane.
8
Continue on I 295
23 mi·25 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
1.3 mi·2 min
Exit 28AToward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia BeachUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 64
67 mi·1 hr 15 min·I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64; US 60
342 ft·5 sec·Hampton Roads Beltway
12
Continue on I 64; US 60
3.5 mi·4 min·Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
13
Continue on I 64; US 60
6.7 mi·8 min·Hampton Roads Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Exit 278Toward VA 194 South: Chesapeake BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
15
Turn straight onto VA 194
2.1 mi·3 min·Chesapeake Boulevard
Use the left lane.
16
Turn straight
135 ft·7 sec
17
Turn left onto VA 247
1.1 mi·1 min·Ballentine Boulevard
18
Turn right onto VA 166
0.9 mi·1 min·East Princess Anne Road
19
Turn left onto VA 166
0.6 mi·1 min·Park Avenue
20
Turn left onto US 460; VA 166; VA 168
0.3 mi·57 sec·East Brambleton Avenue
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
21
Continue on US 460; VA 166; VA 168
0.7 mi·1 min·Campostella Road
22
Turn right onto US 460; VA 166
0.7 mi·1 min·Wilson Road
Use the right lane.
23
Continue on US 460; VA 166
0.3 mi·27 sec·22nd Street
24
Continue on US 460; VA 166
0.3 mi·29 sec·Poindexter Street
Use the straight lane.
25
Turn right onto D Street
412 ft·18 sec·D Street
26
Arrive at destination
D Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a sub-five-hour journey, you have the flexibility to complete the drive in one go without needing an overnight stop. However, you should account for at least one planned break to manage the long stretches of highway fatigue. To optimize your travel, try to avoid peak commuter hours when navigating near larger hubs along the I-64 corridor. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before entering the longest 157.1-mile segment, as consistent highway speeds will increase your consumption. Prioritizing a morning departure will give you the best chance of arriving in Chesapeake with plenty of daylight remaining for your final destination.
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 127.6 miles from Buchanan, VA, or about 2h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 157.1 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 56 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 127.6 miles or 2h 19m 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 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 Buchanan, 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 Buchanan, VA
This is one driving day of about 255.2 miles and 4h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 miles from Buchanan, 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 157.1 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 55.2 and 247.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
55.2 mi into trip|~1h in|I 64
Keep slight right at fork onto I 64 toward I 64 East: Richmond
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 64 East: Richmond
8
145.3 mi into trip|~2h 38m 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
169.4 mi into trip|~3h 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
5
170.7 mi into trip|~3h 7m in|I 64
Merge onto I 64
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
247.8 mi into trip|~4h 36m 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
$37.68 one way
$75.35 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg89 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$41.40
$82.81
premium
$4.49
$45.13
$90.26
diesel
$4.80
$48.19
$96.37
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 89.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
76.6
0
$26.80
$12.25
Efficient EV
63.8
0
$22.33
$10.21
EV Truck/SUV
102.1
1
$35.73
$16.33
Gas CO2
89 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (66% 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
Buchanan, VA
Morning
in Buchanan on Sunday
Local time
6:17 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Mostly Cloudy
0 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 2:31AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 2:16AM EDT until July 18 at 7:00PM EDT by NWS Baltimore MD/Washington DC
Destination
Chesapeake, VA
Morning
in Chesapeake on Sunday
Local time
6:17 AM
EDT
Current temp
97°F
Patchy Smoke then Mostly Sunny
SW 5 to 13 mph13% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 2:31AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 2:16AM EDT until July 18 at 7:00PM EDT by NWS Baltimore MD/Washington DC
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
23 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 51m 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.
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...
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Free
near mile 237.6
Park Closure: Road Closure and Fishing Pier Impact
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...
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...
27 mi from route
~68 min detour
Free
near mile 167.2
Booker T. Washington was born a slave in April 1856 on the 207-acre farm of James Burroughs. After the Civil War, Washington became the first principal of Tuskegee Normal and Industrial School. Later...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This journey is defined by a heavy reliance on high-speed infrastructure, with 83% of the total mileage consisting of highway driving. You will spend the bulk of your time focused on I-64, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch of 157.1 miles. The experience is primarily an interstate-focused grind, designed for efficiency rather than winding local exploration. While the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway and US-11 provide initial transitions, the road quickly settles into a predictable, fast-paced rhythm. Expect a steady, highway-dominated environment that allows you to cover significant ground quickly as you transition from the western part of the state toward the Chesapeake area.
83% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 157.1 mi on I 64.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and US 11. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 55.2 miles in near I 64.
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 15 significant decision points across 255.2 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 55.2 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 145.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 169.4 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
1,725 ft9 ft
Total Climb
1,071 ft
Total Descent
1,916 ft
Highest Point
1,725 ft
~42.5 mi in
Elevation Range
1,716 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Buchanan, 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 51m. Total distance: 255.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (83%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 157.1 miles on I 64. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 16 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 16 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 55.2 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 145.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 169.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Fort Monroe National Monument, Colonial National Historical Park 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 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Chesapeake, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
