Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 37m
Distance
295.5 mi
476 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$46
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cedar Bluff, VA
Jon Eliya
Virginia Beach, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Crossing the state of Virginia from Cedar Bluff to Virginia Beach is a significant undertaking that spans 295.5 miles. While the trip typically takes about 5 hours and 37 minutes, you should be prepared for a long day behind the wheel if you choose to complete it in a single session. This highway-focused route relies heavily on the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, I-81, and I-64 to bridge the gap between the Appalachian region and the coast. Budgeting roughly $47 for fuel will cover your transit across the state. Because this is a high-mileage trek, it works best as a one-day drive for those comfortable with steady highway travel, though it requires focused attention to manage the distance efficiently.
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
147.7 miles from Cedar Bluff, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 43m into the drive .
| 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 | 12 mi | 15m |
| Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway | 11.8 mi | 16m |
| I 581 | 6.1 mi | 8m |
| Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel | 3.5 mi | 4m |
Step-by-step road directions between Cedar Bluff, VA and Virginia Beach, VA.
Start on 5th Street Southeast
Turn right onto Highland Avenue Southeast
Turn right onto 4th Street Southeast
Turn left onto VA 24
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 581; US 220
Keep slight right at fork onto US 220
Continue on I 81
Keep slight right at fork onto I 64
Take the exit
Continue on I 295
Take the exit
Merge onto I 64
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64; US 60
Continue on I 64; US 60
Continue on I 64; US 60
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 264
Continue on 21st Street
Turn left onto Arctic Avenue
Turn right onto 25th Street
Arrive at destination
To tackle this 295.5-mile journey effectively, plan your departure early in the morning to avoid potential congestion on the main interstate arteries. Even though the drive is manageable in one day, incorporating at least one planned stop will help you stay refreshed for the final stretch toward Virginia Beach. Since you are spending $47 in fuel, keep an eye on your gauge while traversing the longer, more remote sections of I-64 where service stations may be spaced out. Pay close attention to traffic reports for I-81 and I-64, as these high-traffic corridors are susceptible to delays. Because the route is highway-focused, your greatest advantage is the flexibility to adjust your pace if you hit unexpected slowdowns.
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.
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 65 miles or 1h 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 147.7 miles or 2h 43m 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 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Virginia Beach, VA than in the middle of the route.
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 295.5 miles and 5h 37m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
148 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
A short stop after about 65 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 147.7 miles from Cedar Bluff, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 64 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 156.9 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 282.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Take the ramp toward I 581 North, US 220 North: Lexington, Salem
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
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
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
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
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
Regular Gas
$46.21 one way
$92.42 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $50.53 | $101.05 |
| premium | $4.70 | $54.69 | $109.38 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $65.24 | $130.49 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$46
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 103.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 88.6 | 1 | $31.03 | $14.18 |
| Efficient EV | 73.9 | 0 | $25.86 | $11.82 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 118.2 | 1 | $41.37 | $18.91 |
Gas CO2
103 kg
EV CO2
35 kg (66% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Cedar Bluff on Sunday
Local time
12:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Partly Cloudy
Destination
Late night in Virginia Beach on Sunday
Local time
12:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
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...
National Monument
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...
National Battlefield
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Expect a trip dominated by high-speed transit, as 85% of your journey takes place on major highways. The character of the road is defined by its efficiency, shifting from regional corridors to the primary interstate arteries that connect Virginia’s western interior to the Atlantic shore. You will settle into a rhythm quickly, especially during the longest uninterrupted stretch of 156.9 miles along I-64. While the route is practical rather than scenic, the consistency of the interstate system allows for a predictable pace. Navigating these major roads keeps your momentum steady, making it a straightforward drive for those who prefer interstate travel over navigating complex local backroads.
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.
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 16 significant decision points across 295.5 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 174.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Gently rolling terrain
Total Climb
902 ft
Total Descent
1,812 ft
Highest Point
1,744 ft
~61.6 mi in
Elevation Range
1,686 ft
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Cedar Bluff, VA to Virginia Beach, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Norfolk along the way.
Norfolk
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 37m. Total distance: 295.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 37m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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