Traveling from Chesapeake to Amherst covers 191.9 miles and typically takes about 4 hours and 13 minutes behind the wheel. Because this journey is manageable in a single day, you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay unless you prefer a slower pace. Expect to spend roughly $31 on fuel for the trip, making it a budget-friendly way to move from the Southeast corner of Virginia toward the interior. The route primarily relies on Poindexter Street, I-464 North, and I-264 West to get you out of the coastal region. It is a straightforward trek, perfect for those who want to reach their destination without turning the journey into a multi-day expedition.
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
96 miles from Chesapeake, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 8m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Anderson Highway
40.8 mi
53m
World War II Veterans Memorial Highway
19.6 mi
22m
West James Anderson Highway
17.1 mi
22m
Richmond Highway
14.7 mi
20m
James River Drive
14.6 mi
19m
Colonial Trail West
13.3 mi
15m
Benns Church Boulevard
12.1 mi
15m
Colonial Trail East
9.9 mi
11m
Longest stretch:
Anderson Highway
— 40.8 mi, about 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chesapeake, VA and Amherst, VA.
1
Start on D Street
412 ft·20 sec·D Street
2
At end of road, turn right onto US 460; VA 166
0.3 mi·29 sec·Poindexter Street
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·18 sec
Toward I 464 North
4
Merge onto I 464
1.2 mi·1 min·I 464
5
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·14 sec
Exit 6AToward I 264 West Toll: Downtown Tunnel, PortsmouthUse the slight right lane.
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 264 West Toll: TunnelUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 264; US 460 ALT
1.9 mi·3 min·I 264; US 460 ALT
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi·37 sec
Exit 6Toward VA 164 West: Martin Luther King Jr Expressway, NorfolkUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on VA 164
0.5 mi·48 sec·Martin Luther King Jr Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on US 58; VA 164
0.6 mi·55 sec·Martin Luther King Freeway
11
Continue on VA 164
7.4 mi·9 min·Western Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on US 17
6.5 mi·11 min·Bridge Road
Use the straight lane.
13
Continue on US 17
2.4 mi·3 min·Carrollton Boulevard
14
Turn left onto Brewers Neck Boulevard
2.9 mi·4 min·Brewers Neck Boulevard
15
Merge onto US 258; VA 10
12 mi·15 min·Benns Church Boulevard
16
Continue on VA 10
9.9 mi·11 min·Colonial Trail East
17
Turn left onto VA 10; VA 31
1.0 mi·1 min·Rolfe Highway
18
Turn right onto VA 10
13 mi·15 min·Colonial Trail West
19
Continue on VA 10
15 mi·19 min·James River Drive
20
Continue on VA 10; VA 156 BUS
2.9 mi·4 min·East Randolph Road
21
Continue on VA 10
6.6 mi·9 min·East Hundred Road
Use the left lane.
22
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward I 95 North: RichmondUse the right lane.
23
Merge onto I 95
1.1 mi·1 min·Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
24
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 62Toward VA 288 North: ChesterfieldUse the slight right lane.
25
Continue on VA 288
20 mi·22 min·World War II Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward US 60: Midlothian, PowhatanUse the slight right lane.
27
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward US 60: Powhatan
28
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·43 sec
Toward US 60 West: PowhatanUse the right lane.
29
Merge onto US 60
2.8 mi·3 min·Midlothian Turnpike
Use the straight lane.
30
Continue on US 60
37 mi·48 min·Anderson Highway
31
Continue on US 60
8.1 mi·9 min·East James Anderson Highway
32
Continue on US 60
17 mi·22 min·West James Anderson Highway
33
Continue on US 60
4.1 mi·5 min·Anderson Highway
34
Continue on US 60
15 mi·20 min·Richmond Highway
35
Turn sharp left onto SR T1112
432 ft·14 sec·Washington Street
36
Turn right onto 2nd Street
0.2 mi·35 sec·2nd Street
37
Turn right onto Goodwin Street
146 ft·6 sec·Goodwin Street
38
Arrive at destination
Goodwin Street
Trip Plan
Planning for this 4-hour and 13-minute trip is simple, but keeping your schedule flexible is a major advantage. Since the route includes one planned stop, use that break to stretch your legs and refuel, keeping your $31 fuel budget in mind throughout the day. Try to depart early to avoid potential local traffic congestion common on turn-heavy, non-highway routes. Because you are navigating local roads rather than interstates, pay close attention to your navigation system for unexpected turns. Having a clear plan for your single stop will help you maintain a steady pace as you transition from the coastal region to Amherst.
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 96 miles from Chesapeake, VA, or about 2h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 40.8 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 42 miles or 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 96 miles or 2h 8m 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 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Amherst, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Chesapeake, 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 Chesapeake, VA
This is one driving day of about 191.9 miles and 4h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 42 miles from Chesapeake, 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 Anderson Highway for about 40.8 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 1.8 and 107.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
1.8 mi into trip|~2m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 264 West Toll: Downtown Tunnel, Portsmouth
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 6A
Toward I 264 West Toll: Downtown Tunnel, Portsm...
7
1.9 mi into trip|~2m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 264 West Toll: Tunnel
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 264 West Toll: Tunnel
8
4.3 mi into trip|~7m in
Take the exit toward VA 164 West: Martin Luther King Jr Expressway, Norfolk
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 6
Toward VA 164 West: Martin Luther King Jr Expre...
7
86.8 mi into trip|~1h 57m in
Take the exit toward VA 288 North: Chesterfield
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 62
Toward VA 288 North: Chesterfield
7
107.1 mi into trip|~2h 21m in
Take the exit toward US 60: Midlothian, Powhatan
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 60: Midlothian, Powhatan
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.01 one way
$60.02 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg67 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$32.81
$65.62
premium
$4.70
$35.52
$71.03
diesel
$5.61
$42.37
$84.74
Estimated Tolls: $0.28
Midlothian Turnpike
(2.8 mi)$0.20
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
(1.1 mi)$0.08
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 67.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
57.6
0
$20.15
$9.21
Efficient EV
48
0
$16.79
$7.68
EV Truck/SUV
76.8
0
$26.87
$12.28
Gas CO2
67 kg
EV CO2
22 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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 18, 2026
Origin
Chesapeake, VA
Late night
in Chesapeake on Sunday
Local time
1:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
85°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Amherst, VA
Late night
in Amherst on Sunday
Local time
1:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°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
13 degrees cooler 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise, as this route features 0% highway share. You will spend the majority of your time navigating local roads, which requires more active attention than a high-speed freeway trek. The character of the road shifts significantly as you leave the Chesapeake area and head inland toward Amherst. Because there are no long, uninterrupted stretches of highway, you will find that the drive demands consistent engagement at the wheel. It is a practical, functional transit that prioritizes local connections over high-speed transit.
Only 8% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
38 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 40.8 mi on Anderson Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.8 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 191.9 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 1.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 4.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Chesapeake, VA to Amherst, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Powhatan along the way.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 13m. Total distance: 191.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 40.8 miles on Anderson Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.28 in tolls one way, starting with Midlothian Turnpike. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
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 Amherst, 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 1.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 4.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Amherst, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
