Spanning 220.1 miles across Virginia, this trip from Chesapeake to Bridgewater is a straightforward journey that typically takes 4 hours and 17 minutes. Because the route is highly efficient, you can easily complete the entire trek in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $35 on fuel for the trip, making it a budget-friendly option for regional travel. You will transition from the coastal Southeast region toward the interior as you head west. Whether you are visiting family or heading out for a weekend getaway, the drive is designed for those who value reaching their destination quickly and reliably.
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
110 miles from Chesapeake, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 14m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
150.8 mi
2h 45m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
22.6 mi
24m
I 81
17.8 mi
19m
Hampton Roads Beltway
9.6 mi
12m
Granby Street
4 mi
9m
Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
3.5 mi
4m
Dinkel Avenue
2.5 mi
4m
Monticello Avenue
1.2 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 150.8 mi, about 2h 45m
Traffic on I-64
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 94 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,070 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,484
Quietest
2 AM
~118 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
17.5×
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 Chesapeake, VA and Bridgewater, 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 left at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 6BToward I 264 East: Waterside Drive, Saint Paul Boulevard, Downtown, NorfolkUse the slight left lane.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto US 460 ALT
0.2 mi·26 sec·US 460 ALT
Exit 9Toward Waterside Drive, St Paul's BoulevardUse the slight left lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto US 460 ALT
0.3 mi·53 sec·US 460 ALT
Toward Saint Paul's BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Turn right onto US 460 ALT
0.6 mi·1 min·Saint Pauls Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Continue on US 460
1.2 mi·2 min·Monticello Avenue
10
Turn left onto US 460
486 ft·13 sec·Church Street
11
Continue on US 460
4.0 mi·9 min·Granby Street
Use the left lane.
12
Turn left
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward I 64
13
Merge onto I 64
3.8 mi·5 min·Hampton Roads Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on I 64; US 60
3.5 mi·4 min·Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
15
Continue on I 64; US 60
5.9 mi·7 min·Hampton Roads Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64
61 mi·1 hr 7 min·I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.5 mi·32 sec
Exit 200Toward I 295, US 60: Washington, Rocky Mount NCUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork
1.3 mi·2 min
Toward I 295 North: WashingtonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Merge onto I 295
23 mi·24 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
20
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·55 sec
Exit 53AToward I 64 West: Charlottesville
21
Merge onto I 64
90 mi·1 hr 37 min·I 64
Toward I 64 West: CharlottesvilleUse the slight right lane.
22
Take the exit
0.5 mi·47 sec
Toward I 81 North: Staunton, Winchester
23
Merge onto I 81
18 mi·19 min·I 81
24
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward VA 257, SR 682: Mount Crawford, Bridgewater, TO Walton Way, Buc-ees Boulevard
25
Keep slight left at fork
226 ft·7 sec
Toward VA 257, SR 682: Mount Crawford, Bridgewater, TO Walton Way
26
Turn left onto VA 257
0.9 mi·1 min·Friedens Church Road
27
Continue on VA 257
2.5 mi·4 min·Dinkel Avenue
28
Turn left onto North Liberty Street
0.2 mi·38 sec·North Liberty Street
29
Turn right onto East College Street
188 ft·8 sec·East College Street
30
Arrive at destination
East College Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 4-hour and 17-minute drive, plan for at least one dedicated stop to break up the long stretches of highway. Since you have a 150.8-mile segment on I-64, try to time your rest break right after clearing that section to refresh yourself before merging onto I-81. Leaving early in the morning can help you avoid potential congestion on the more heavily traveled interstate portions. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge during the long interstate stretches, even though $35 should cover your needs comfortably. Having this flexibility allows you to manage the 220.1-mile distance at a pace that keeps you alert and comfortable behind the wheel.
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 110 miles from Chesapeake, VA, or about 2h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 150.8 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 48 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 110 miles or 2h 14m 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 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bridgewater, 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 220.1 miles and 4h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 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 I 64 for about 150.8 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.8 and 83.8 — 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 left at fork toward I 264 East: Waterside Drive, Saint Paul Boulevard, Downtown, Norfolk
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 6B
Toward I 264 East: Waterside Drive, Saint Paul...
9
2.5 mi into trip|~3m in|US 460 ALT
Keep slight left at fork onto US 460 ALT toward Waterside Drive, St Paul's Boulevard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 9
Toward Waterside Drive, St Paul's Boulevard
8
2.7 mi into trip|~4m in|US 460 ALT
Keep slight left at fork onto US 460 ALT toward Saint Paul's Boulevard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Saint Paul's Boulevard
8
83.3 mi into trip|~1h 43m in
Take the exit toward I 295, US 60: Washington, Rocky Mount NC
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 200
Toward I 295, US 60: Washington, Rocky Mount NC
7
83.8 mi into trip|~1h 44m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 295 North: Washington
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 295 North: Washington
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.01 one way
$70.02 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg77 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.41
$38.17
$76.34
premium
$4.78
$41.41
$82.82
diesel
$5.35
$46.36
$92.72
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 77 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
66
0
$23.11
$10.56
Efficient EV
55
0
$19.26
$8.80
EV Truck/SUV
88
1
$30.81
$14.09
Gas CO2
77 kg
EV CO2
26 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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Chesapeake, VA
Afternoon
in Chesapeake on Wednesday
Local time
3:00 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Mostly Cloudy
SW 7 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Bridgewater, VA
Afternoon
in Bridgewater on Wednesday
Local time
3:00 PM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Chance Rain Showers
N 2 mph1% chanceLive 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
10 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 17m 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 37.9
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...
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...
26 mi from route
~64 min detour
Free
near mile 83.5
Just 75 miles from the bustle of Washington, D.C., Shenandoah National Park is a land bursting with cascading waterfalls, spectacular vistas, fields of wildflowers, and quiet wooded hollows. With over...
28 mi from route
~71 min detour
$30
near mile 212.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 77% of your time spent on major interstates. You will primarily navigate via I-64, the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, and I-81, which keeps your momentum steady throughout the trip. Prepare for a significant, uninterrupted stretch of 150.8 miles while traveling on I-64. The route feels like a classic interstate transit, prioritizing speed and connectivity over winding local roads. As you move from the coastal plains toward the Shenandoah Valley, the character of the road remains consistent, offering a predictable experience for drivers who prefer high-speed corridors.
77% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 150.8 mi on I 64.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway. 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 21 significant decision points across 220.1 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 2.5 miles (US 460 ALT): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.7 miles (US 460 ALT): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,460 ft5 ft
Total Climb
1,515 ft
Total Descent
345 ft
Highest Point
1,460 ft
~188.6 mi in
Elevation Range
1,454 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Chesapeake, VA and Bridgewater, VA, road signs point toward Rocky Mount and Winchester.
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.
Top landmarks
•Dismal Swamp Canal — canal in Virginia, United States of America
•Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal — canal in Chesapeake, Virginia
•South Norfolk Historic District — historic district in Virginia, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 17m. Total distance: 220.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 17m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (77%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 150.8 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 Bridgewater, 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 2.5 miles (US 460 ALT): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.7 miles (US 460 ALT): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Bridgewater, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
