Trip from Chesapeake, VA to Bellwood, VA

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 3m

Distance

90.9 mi

146 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$14

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 26 min

4 AM

1h 55m ★

6 AM

2h 4m

8 AM

2h 21m

10 AM

2h 10m

12 PM

2h 8m

3 PM

2h 11m

5 PM

2h 21m

8 PM

1h 58m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Chesapeake, VA

Wikimedia Commons

Bellwood, VA

Francesco Ungaro

Trip Overview

This 90.9-mile drive from Chesapeake to Bellwood, Virginia, is estimated to take about 2 hours and 3 minutes, making it a perfect single-day road trip. You'll primarily navigate via James River Drive, Colonial Trail West, and Benns Church Boulevard. With an estimated fuel cost of $14, this journey offers an affordable way to travel within the Southeast region. The route is characterized by a turn-heavy local feel, suggesting a more engaging drive than a simple interstate cruise. Given its manageable length and duration, no overnight stay is necessary, allowing for flexibility in your schedule.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

45.5 miles from Chesapeake, VA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 3m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
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
Western Freeway	7.4 mi	9m
East Hundred Road	6.6 mi	9m
Bridge Road	6.5 mi	11m
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike	3.2 mi	3m

Longest stretch: James River Drive — 14.6 mi, about 19m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Chesapeake, VA and Bellwood, VA.

Start on D Street

412 ft · 20 sec · D Street

At end of road, turn right onto US 460; VA 166

0.3 mi · 29 sec · Poindexter Street

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 18 sec

Toward I 464 North

Merge onto I 464

1.2 mi · 1 min · I 464

Keep slight right at fork

0.1 mi · 14 sec

Exit 6A Toward I 264 West Toll: Downtown Tunnel, Portsmouth Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min

Toward I 264 West Toll: Tunnel Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 264; US 460 ALT

1.9 mi · 3 min · I 264; US 460 ALT

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 37 sec

Exit 6 Toward VA 164 West: Martin Luther King Jr Expressway, Norfolk Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on VA 164

0.5 mi · 48 sec · Martin Luther King Jr Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on US 58; VA 164

0.6 mi · 55 sec · Martin Luther King Freeway

Continue on VA 164

7.4 mi · 9 min · Western Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on US 17

6.5 mi · 11 min · Bridge Road

Use the straight lane.

Continue on US 17

2.4 mi · 3 min · Carrollton Boulevard

Turn left onto Brewers Neck Boulevard

2.9 mi · 4 min · Brewers Neck Boulevard

Merge onto US 258; VA 10

12 mi · 15 min · Benns Church Boulevard

Continue on VA 10

9.9 mi · 11 min · Colonial Trail East

Turn left onto VA 10; VA 31

1.0 mi · 1 min · Rolfe Highway

Turn right onto VA 10

13 mi · 15 min · Colonial Trail West

Continue on VA 10

15 mi · 19 min · James River Drive

Continue on VA 10; VA 156 BUS

2.9 mi · 4 min · East Randolph Road

Continue on VA 10

6.6 mi · 9 min · East Hundred Road

Use the left lane.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 42 sec

Toward I 95 North: Richmond Use the right lane.

Merge onto I 95

3.2 mi · 3 min · Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 25 sec

Exit 64 Toward SR 613: Willis Road Use the slight right lane.

Turn left onto SR 613

0.4 mi · 51 sec · Willis Road

Turn right onto US 1; US 301

1.5 mi · 2 min · Route 1

Use the right lane.

Arrive at destination

US 1; US 301

Trip Plan

For this 2-hour, 3-minute drive covering 90.9 miles, starting your trip earlier in the day is advisable to avoid potential local traffic. Since this is a single-day trip with a low fuel cost of $14, you have the flexibility to depart when it's most convenient. Keep an eye on your navigation as the route involves many turns, especially on segments like James River Drive. While there are no specific stops recommended, being mindful of the 14.6-mile longest stretch without significant turns can help you plan any brief pauses for stretching or checking directions.

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.

The halfway point lands around 45.5 miles from Chesapeake, VA, or about 1h 3m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 14.6 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 20 miles or 30m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 45.5 miles or 1h 3m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 39m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bellwood, 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 90.9 miles and 2h 3m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from Chesapeake, VA.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

The longest stretch is on James River Drive for about 14.6 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Williamsburg, VA

45 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.

Pacing Suggestions

Newport News, VA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 20 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Williamsburg, VA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 45.5 miles from Chesapeake, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best coffee break · home stretch

A Place Of Miracles Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Richmond, Virginia

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch · 0min to go 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour

Hours: 4–6 pm

+18042366887

Visit website

Cafe Stella

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Norfolk, Virginia

2.4 mi

The Lilly Pad

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour $20 to $30

Richmond, Virginia

Hours: 4–9 pm

+18045071997

Visit website

Wild Rose Cafe Inc

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~9 min detour

Home stretch 3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20

Chester, Virginia

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+18043181189

Visit website

Sandlot Cafe & Catering

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 3.4 mi from route ~8 min detour

Hopewell, Virginia

Hours: Closed

+18043343338

A Place Of Miracles Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour

Richmond, Virginia

Hours: 4–6 pm

+18042366887

Visit website

Cafe Stella

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

Norfolk, Virginia

Hours: 7:30 am–10 pm

+17576250461

Visit website

Gather Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour

Chesapeake, Virginia

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

2.0 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Chesapeake, Virginia

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour

Norfolk, Virginia

Hours: Open 24 hours

Isle of Wight County Museum

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour

Smithfield, Virginia

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+17573561223

Visit website

Virginia Zoo

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

First break 3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour

Norfolk, Virginia

Hours: 9:30 am–4 pm

+17574412374

Visit website

Chippokes Farm and Forestry Museum

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

Halfway reset 3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour

Surry, Virginia

Hours: 9 am–4 pm

+17572943439

Visit website

The Beauty Cafe Luxury Salons

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

Home stretch 4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour

Chesterfield, Virginia

Visit website

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 0.1 and 88.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | US 460; VA 166 / Poindexter Street

At end of road, turn right onto US 460; VA 166 / Poindexter Street

Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch

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...

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

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...

88.8 mi into trip | ~1h 59m in

Take the exit toward SR 613: Willis Road

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 64 Toward SR 613: Willis Road

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$14.21 one way

$28.43 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 32 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.34	$15.54	$31.08
premium	$4.70	$16.82	$33.65
diesel	$5.61	$20.07	$40.14

Estimated Tolls: $0.22

Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike (3.2 mi) $0.22

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

$14

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$39–$64

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 31.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	27.3	$9.54	$4.36
Efficient EV	22.7	$7.95	$3.64
EV Truck/SUV	36.4	$12.73	$5.82

Gas CO2

32 kg

EV CO2

11 kg (66% 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 20, 2026

Origin

Chesapeake, VA

Morning in Chesapeake on Tuesday

Local time

6:56 AM

EDT

Current temp

73°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Bellwood, VA

Morning in Bellwood on Tuesday

Local time

6:56 AM

EDT

Current temp

87°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

73°F

Williamsburg, VA

45 mi in

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

14 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

2h 3m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

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...

10 mi from route ~26 min detour $15 near mile 40.8

Park Closure: Rehabilitation of Colonial Parkway Continues

View on nps.gov

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...

11 mi from route ~27 min detour Free near mile 9.4

View on nps.gov

Petersburg National Battlefield

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...

12 mi from route ~30 min detour Free near mile 84.7

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a turn-heavy local drive for this 90.9-mile trip, with only 18% of the journey on highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 14.6 miles along James River Drive. This profile suggests a route that weaves through local communities, potentially offering a more varied driving experience than a high-speed interstate. As you progress, be prepared for frequent changes in direction and speed as you transition between different local roads like Colonial Trail West and Benns Church Boulevard.

Only 18% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.

27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 14.6 mi on James River Drive.

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 0.1 miles in near US 460; VA 166 / Poindexter Street.

Driving Effort 10/10

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 15 significant decision points across 90.9 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 0.1 miles (US 460; VA 166 / Poindexter Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; 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.

About the Cities

Starting in Chesapeake, VA

Full guide →

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.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 3m. Total distance: 90.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 3m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 14.6 miles on James River Drive. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $0.22 in tolls one way, starting with Richmond-Petersburg 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.

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 Bellwood, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

Yes — Colonial National Historical Park, Fort Monroe National Monument and Petersburg National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Bellwood, VA before heading back.

How this page is built

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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Trip from Chesapeake, VA to Bellwood, VA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Stops Along Your Drive

A Place Of Miracles Cafe

The Lilly Pad

Wild Rose Cafe Inc

Sandlot Cafe & Catering

A Place Of Miracles Cafe

Cafe Stella

Gather Cafe

Ordnance Cafe

Tesla Supercharger

Nissan Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Ford Charge Charging Station

EVgo Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

Blink Charging Station

Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum

Wishing Tree

Isle of Wight County Museum

Virginia Zoo

Chippokes Farm and Forestry Museum

The Beauty Cafe Luxury Salons

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Chesapeake, VA

Bellwood, VA

Same local time

14 degrees warmer at arrival

2h 3m on the road

National Parks Near This Route

Colonial National Historical Park

Fort Monroe National Monument

Petersburg National Battlefield

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

About the Cities

Starting in Chesapeake, VA

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

How do I pay the tolls on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Are there national parks near this route?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

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