Chesapeake to Edinburg is 232.1 miles and takes about 4h 53m via I 64 and Spotswood Trail, with a fuel budget near $36 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Virginia, moving from the Southeast region to the Southeast region. With a mixed drive profile, you'll experience a blend of highway cruising and surface roads. It’s a manageable day trip, perfect for getting from the Hampton Roads area to the Shenandoah Valley without an overnight stay. Plan for a straightforward trip with minimal complexity.
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
116.1 miles from Chesapeake, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 20m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
101.3 mi
1h 50m
Spotswood Trail
30.6 mi
41m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
22.6 mi
24m
I 81
12.1 mi
12m
4th Street
11.4 mi
17m
James Madison Highway
10.8 mi
15m
Hampton Roads Beltway
9.6 mi
12m
US 211
4.4 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 101.3 mi, about 1h 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chesapeake, VA and Edinburg, 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
40 mi·43 min·I 64
Toward I 64 West: CharlottesvilleUse the slight right lane.
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
Toward US 15: Gordonsville, PalmyraUse the slight right lane.
23
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward US 15: Gordonsville, Palmyra
24
Turn straight onto US 15
11 mi·15 min·James Madison Highway
25
Continue on US 15; US 33
0.4 mi·34 sec·Martinsburg Avenue
26
Continue on US 15; US 33
0.7 mi·1 min·South Main Street
27
Enter roundabout onto US 33; VA 231
117 ft·1 sec·North Main Street
28
Continue on US 33; VA 231
0.2 mi·13 sec·North Main Street
29
Continue on US 33
5.4 mi·8 min·Spotswood Trail
30
Enter roundabout onto US 33; VA 20
83 ft·1 sec·Spotswood Trail
31
Continue on US 33; VA 20
12 mi·17 min·Spotswood Trail
32
Continue on US 33
2.2 mi·2 min·Stanardsville By-Pass
33
Continue on US 33
13 mi·16 min·Spotswood Trail
34
Take the exit onto US 33 BUS
0.2 mi·22 sec·US 33 BUS
Use the slight right lane.
35
Keep slight right at fork onto US 33 BUS
363 ft·11 sec·US 33 BUS
36
Continue on US 340
0.8 mi·1 min·South Stuart Avenue
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
37
Continue on US 340
4.3 mi·6 min·North East Side Highway
38
Continue on US 340
0.3 mi·23 sec·South Third Street
39
Continue on US 340
0.1 mi·18 sec·3rd Street
40
Continue on US 340
11 mi·17 min·4th Street
41
At end of road, turn left onto US 211
4.4 mi·6 min·US 211
42
Continue on US 211
1.6 mi·2 min·East Lee Highway
43
Turn left onto SR 1002
0.9 mi·2 min·East Old Cross Road
44
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
45
Merge onto I 81
12 mi·12 min·I 81
46
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Toward SR 614: Bowman's Crossing
47
Turn right onto SR 614
0.3 mi·50 sec·South Middle Road
48
At end of road, turn left onto US 11
1.5 mi·2 min·Old Valley Pike
49
Continue on US 11
0.3 mi·38 sec·South Main Street
50
Arrive at destination
US 11; SR 675
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 53m duration, departing Chesapeake in the morning is ideal to maximize daylight and avoid feeling rushed. You'll have one planned stop opportunity, so consider breaking up the drive around the 100-mile mark, perhaps near the end of the 101.3-mile stretch on I 64. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is $36 for the 232.1-mile trip. Since this is a single-day drive, flexibility is key; if you encounter traffic, you have the time to adjust your pace without needing an overnight. Look for services before you leave the main highway sections.
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 116.1 miles from Chesapeake, VA, or about 2h 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 101.3 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 51 miles or 1h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 116.1 miles or 2h 20m 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 54m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Edinburg, 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 232.1 miles and 4h 53m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 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 101.3 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 28
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
$36.30 one way
$72.59 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg81 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$39.69
$79.37
premium
$4.70
$42.96
$85.91
diesel
$5.61
$51.24
$102.49
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 81.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
69.6
0
$24.37
$11.14
Efficient EV
58
0
$20.31
$9.28
EV Truck/SUV
92.8
1
$32.49
$14.85
Gas CO2
81 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (67% 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 Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Chesapeake, VA
Late night
in Chesapeake on Sunday
Local time
3:57 AM
EDT
Current temp
85°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Edinburg, VA
Late night
in Edinburg on Sunday
Local time
3:57 AM
EDT
Current temp
71°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
14 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 53m 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...
0 mi from route
$15
near mile 40
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...
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...
8 mi from route
~21 min detour
$30
near mile 200.1
Cedar Creek & Belle Grove National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley has a long and rich heritage that still inspires today. Native Americans first shaped the land, followed by colonists and settlers. The fertile valley became an important...
19 mi from route
~48 min detour
Free
near mile 232.1
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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is 52% highway, meaning you'll spend a good portion of the 4h 53m trip on faster roads like I 64. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 101.3 miles on I 64 before transitioning to other routes. Expect the highway portion to end around the 116-mile mark, shifting to surface roads like Spotswood Trail. The transition suggests you’ll notice a change from high-speed travel to more local traffic and potentially more frequent intersections as you get closer to your destination.
52% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
50 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 101.3 mi on I 64.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. 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 28 significant decision points across 232.1 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.
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 Edinburg, VA, road signs point toward Rocky Mount and Palmyra.
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 53m. Total distance: 232.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 53m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 101.3 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 Edinburg, 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 Shenandoah National Park (5 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Edinburg, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
