Crossing the width of Virginia from Cedar Bluff to Chesapeake is a significant 284.3-mile journey that typically takes about 5 hours and 25 minutes of driving time. Because this route is manageable in a single day, you can easily complete the trip without an overnight stay if you are prepared for a steady stretch behind the wheel. Budgeting approximately $46 for fuel will keep your tank filled as you traverse the state from the Appalachian region toward the coast. While the trip is straightforward, the distance requires consistent focus, making it a practical choice for travelers looking to move efficiently between these two points. By prioritizing major interstates, you ensure a direct path that minimizes navigation headaches across the Southeast.
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
142.2 miles from Cedar Bluff, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 37m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
156.9 mi
2h 53m
I 81
64.7 mi
1h 9m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
22.9 mi
25m
US 220
13.1 mi
15m
Hampton Roads Beltway
6.8 mi
8m
I 581
6.1 mi
8m
Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
3.5 mi
4m
Chesapeake Boulevard
2.1 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 156.9 mi, about 2h 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cedar Bluff, VA and Chesapeake, VA.
1
Start on 5th Street Southeast
75 ft·4 sec·5th Street Southeast
2
Turn right onto Highland Avenue Southeast
423 ft·18 sec·Highland Avenue Southeast
3
Turn right onto 4th Street Southeast
0.2 mi·29 sec·4th Street Southeast
4
Turn left onto VA 24
241 ft·15 sec·Elm Avenue Southeast
5
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·17 sec
Toward I 581 North, US 220 North: Lexington, Salem
6
Merge onto I 581; US 220
6.1 mi·8 min·I 581; US 220
Use the straight lane.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto US 220
13 mi·15 min·US 220
Exit 1NToward I 81 North, US 220 North: LexingtonUse the straight lane.
8
Continue on I 81
65 mi·1 hr 9 min·I 81
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 64
90 mi·1 hr 38 min·I 64
Toward I 64 East: RichmondUse the straight lane.
10
Take the exit
1.2 mi·1 min
Exit 177Toward I 295 North: Washington, NorfolkUse the slight right lane.
11
Continue on I 295
23 mi·25 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
1.3 mi·2 min
Exit 28AToward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia BeachUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 64
67 mi·1 hr 15 min·I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64; US 60
342 ft·5 sec·Hampton Roads Beltway
15
Continue on I 64; US 60
3.5 mi·4 min·Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
16
Continue on I 64; US 60
6.7 mi·8 min·Hampton Roads Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Exit 278Toward VA 194 South: Chesapeake BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
18
Turn straight onto VA 194
2.1 mi·3 min·Chesapeake Boulevard
Use the left lane.
19
Turn straight
135 ft·7 sec
20
Turn left onto VA 247
1.1 mi·1 min·Ballentine Boulevard
21
Turn right onto VA 166
0.9 mi·1 min·East Princess Anne Road
22
Turn left onto VA 166
0.6 mi·1 min·Park Avenue
23
Turn left onto US 460; VA 166; VA 168
0.3 mi·57 sec·East Brambleton Avenue
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
24
Continue on US 460; VA 166; VA 168
0.7 mi·1 min·Campostella Road
25
Turn right onto US 460; VA 166
0.7 mi·1 min·Wilson Road
Use the right lane.
26
Continue on US 460; VA 166
0.3 mi·27 sec·22nd Street
27
Continue on US 460; VA 166
0.3 mi·29 sec·Poindexter Street
Use the straight lane.
28
Turn right onto D Street
412 ft·18 sec·D Street
29
Arrive at destination
D Street
Trip Plan
To keep your energy high during this 5-hour and 25-minute trek, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh. Since you have a long 156.9-mile stint on I-64, try to time your break near the midpoint to avoid fatigue during the heaviest portion of the drive. Departing early in the morning is your best strategy to avoid potential congestion on the interstate system as you head toward the Chesapeake area. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $46 estimated cost can fluctuate based on your vehicle's efficiency and current regional prices. Flexibility is your greatest asset here; by anticipating the highway-heavy nature of the route, you can better manage your pace and arrive at your destination feeling prepared.
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 142.2 miles from Cedar Bluff, VA, or about 2h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 156.9 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 63 miles or 1h 11m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 142.2 miles or 2h 37m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 19m
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 Cedar Bluff, 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 Cedar Bluff, VA
This is one driving day of about 284.3 miles and 5h 25m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 miles from Cedar Bluff, 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 156.9 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 198.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
0.3 mi into trip|~1m in
Take the ramp toward I 581 North, US 220 North: Lexington, Salem
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 581 North, US 220 North: Lexington, Sa...
9
6.6 mi into trip|~9m in|US 220
Keep slight right at fork onto US 220 toward I 81 North, US 220 North: Lexington
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Exit 1N
Toward I 81 North, US 220 North: Lexington
7
84.4 mi into trip|~1h 34m 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
174.4 mi into trip|~3h 12m 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
198.5 mi into trip|~3h 39m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$44.46 one way
$88.92 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg100 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$48.61
$97.22
premium
$4.70
$52.62
$105.24
diesel
$5.61
$62.77
$125.54
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$44
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 99.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
85.3
1
$29.85
$13.65
Efficient EV
71.1
0
$24.88
$11.37
EV Truck/SUV
113.7
1
$39.80
$18.20
Gas CO2
99 kg
EV CO2
33 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 12, 2026
Origin
Cedar Bluff, VA
Night
in Cedar Bluff on Saturday
Local time
11:14 PM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Partly Cloudy
E 3 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Chesapeake, VA
Night
in Chesapeake on Saturday
Local time
11:14 PM
EDT
Current temp
85°F
Unavailable
Live 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
34 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
5h 25m 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...
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
$15
near mile 245.1
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...
3 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 264.7
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...
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 196.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is heavily highway-focused, with 85% of your time spent on major thoroughfares like I-64, I-81, and the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway. You will settle into a rhythm quickly, as the route features a substantial 156.9-mile uninterrupted stretch along I-64. Expect a consistent, fast-paced experience rather than technical winding roads, as the infrastructure is designed for high-speed transit. As you transition from the western mountains toward the eastern coastal plain, the landscape shifts, but the interstate environment remains the dominant feature of your journey. It is a functional, high-efficiency route that prioritizes speed and reliability over slow-paced local sightseeing.
85% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 156.9 mi on I 64.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 0.3 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
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 20 significant decision points across 284.3 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 0.3 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.6 miles (US 220): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 84.4 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,471 ft19 ft
Total Climb
831 ft
Total Descent
1,780 ft
Highest Point
1,471 ft
~82.9 mi in
Elevation Range
1,452 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Cedar Bluff, VA and Chesapeake, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk and Virginia Beach.
Norfolk
174.4 mi in|~3h 12m
Virginia Beach
198.5 mi in|~3h 39m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 25m. Total distance: 284.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 25m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 156.9 miles on I 64. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.6 miles (US 220): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 84.4 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Colonial National Historical Park, Fort Monroe National Monument and Booker T Washington National Monument (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.4 hours each way, a round trip means 10.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Chesapeake, VA before the return drive.
