Spanning 228.5 miles across Virginia, this drive connects Buchanan to Newport News in roughly 4 hours and 13 minutes. Because the route is straightforward and efficiency-focused, it is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about overnight accommodations. You should budget approximately $37 for fuel to complete the journey comfortably. Since both the origin and destination are located within the Southeast, you will experience a consistent regional feel as you transition from the interior toward the coast. If you prefer a direct travel style, this itinerary offers a practical way to traverse the state without unnecessary complications.
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
114.3 miles from Buchanan, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 4m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
147 mi
2h 40m
US 11
53.5 mi
57m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
22.9 mi
25m
Main Street
1.1 mi
1m
Diligence Drive
0.5 mi
1m
Lee Highway
0.3 mi
<1m
Thimble Shoals Boulevard
0.1 mi
<1m
J Clyde Morris Boulevard
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 147 mi, about 2h 40m
Traffic on I-64
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 90 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,062 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,481
Quietest
2 AM
~117 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
17.6×
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 Newport News, 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
57 mi·1 hr 2 min·I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi·51 sec
Exit 258AToward US 17 South: J Clyde Morris BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
12
Turn straight onto US 17
0.1 mi·10 sec·J Clyde Morris Boulevard
13
Turn right onto Diligence Drive
0.5 mi·1 min·Diligence Drive
14
At end of road, turn right onto Thimble Shoals Boulevard
0.1 mi·19 sec·Thimble Shoals Boulevard
15
Turn left
413 ft·33 sec
16
At end of road, turn right
82 ft·6 sec
17
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 228.5-mile trek, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh during the four-hour duration. Because the majority of your time is spent on I-64, keep a close eye on traffic patterns, especially as you approach more populated areas near Newport News. Departing early in the morning can help you bypass potential congestion and maintain a steady pace throughout the longest 147-mile interstate segment. Since your fuel budget is set at $37, consider filling up before hitting the highway to ensure you have plenty of range for the entire trip. This straightforward route gives you the flexibility to adjust your departure time based on your own schedule without needing to account for complex multi-day logistics.
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 114.3 miles from Buchanan, VA, or about 2h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 147 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 50 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 114.3 miles or 2h 4m 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 26m
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 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 228.5 miles and 4h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 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 147 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 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 55.2 and 228.5 — 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
7
227.4 mi into trip|~4h 10m 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
228.5 mi into trip|~4h 13m in
At end of road, turn right
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.74 one way
$67.47 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg80 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$37.07
$74.15
premium
$4.49
$40.41
$80.82
diesel
$4.80
$43.15
$86.29
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 79.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
68.6
0
$23.99
$10.97
Efficient EV
57.1
0
$19.99
$9.14
EV Truck/SUV
91.4
1
$31.99
$14.62
Gas CO2
80 kg
EV CO2
27 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
6:41 AM
EDT
Current temp
90°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
W 8 mph59% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 1:59PM EDT until July 18 at 2:15PM EDT by NWS Blacksburg VA
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 1:57PM EDT until July 18 at 2:45PM EDT by NWS Baltimore MD/Washington DC
Destination
Newport News, VA
Morning
in Newport News on Sunday
Local time
6:41 AM
EDT
Current temp
97°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
SW 14 mph18% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 1:59PM EDT until July 18 at 2:15PM EDT by NWS Blacksburg VA
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 1:57PM EDT until July 18 at 2:45PM 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
7 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 13m 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...
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
$15
near mile 212.8
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 228.5
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
~67 min detour
Free
near mile 173.4
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?
Expect a highway-heavy experience, as 88% of your journey takes place on major thoroughfares. You will navigate via US 11, the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, and the primary artery of I-64. The route features a significant 147-mile stretch on I-64, which defines the core personality of this drive as a fast-paced, interstate-focused transit. While the initial portions may incorporate local roads, the transition to high-speed highway driving happens relatively quickly. Be prepared for a consistent, steady rhythm behind the wheel rather than a winding or technical backroads expedition.
88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 147 mi on I 64.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and US 11. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 55.2 miles in near I 64.
Driving Effort6/10
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 228.5 miles you will encounter 9 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 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
1,761 ft33 ft
Total Climb
910 ft
Total Descent
1,729 ft
Highest Point
1,761 ft
~32.6 mi in
Elevation Range
1,729 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 Newport News, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk and Virginia Beach.
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.
Top landmarks
•USS Monitor — 1862 unique ironclad; first in United States Navy service
•Endview Plantation Historic Site — human settlement in United States of America
•Newport News Middle Ground Light — lighthouse in Virginia, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 13m. Total distance: 228.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 147 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 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 15 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 — 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 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Newport News, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
