Chesapeake, VA to Gordonsville, VA is 160.3 miles and takes about 3h 13m via I 64 and James Madison Highway, with a fuel budget near $24 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Virginia, moving from the Southeast region to the Southeast region, and is a straightforward drive for a single day. Given the relatively short duration and familiar terrain, it’s a practical option if you're looking for an efficient way to get from the coast to central Virginia. Expect a mostly highway experience for a good portion of the trip.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
80.1 miles from Chesapeake, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 40m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
101.3 mi
1h 50m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
22.6 mi
24m
James Madison Highway
10.8 mi
15m
Hampton Roads Beltway
9.6 mi
12m
Granby Street
4 mi
9m
Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
3.5 mi
4m
Monticello Avenue
1.2 mi
2m
I 464
1.2 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 101.3 mi, about 1h 50m
Traffic on I-64
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 116 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,266 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,781
Quietest
2 AM
~135 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
16.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 105 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 Gordonsville, 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
0.3 mi·33 sec·South Main Street
27
Turn left onto West King Street
45 ft·2 sec·West King Street
28
Arrive at destination
West King Street
Trip Plan
For this 160.3-mile trip, departing in the morning will give you ample daylight to reach Gordonsville, VA. With a duration of just over 3 hours, you likely won't need to split the drive, allowing for flexibility. There's one recommended stop, so plan for a brief break or refuel around the halfway point or when you transition off I 64. The fuel cost is estimated at $24, so ensure your tank is sufficiently full before you depart Chesapeake to avoid unexpected stops. Keep an eye on your mileage as you approach the 101.3-mile mark on I 64, as this is where the longest continuous highway segment ends.
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 80.1 miles from Chesapeake, VA, or about 1h 40m 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 35 miles or 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 80.1 miles or 1h 40m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 37m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gordonsville, 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 160.3 miles and 3h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 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 18
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
$25.46 one way
$50.93 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg56 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$27.77
$55.54
premium
$4.78
$30.17
$60.33
diesel
$6.18
$39.00
$77.99
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 56.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
48.1
0
$16.83
$7.69
Efficient EV
40.1
0
$14.03
$6.41
EV Truck/SUV
64.1
0
$22.44
$10.26
Gas CO2
56 kg
EV CO2
19 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 Oct 18, 2026
Origin
Chesapeake, VA
Morning
in Chesapeake on Monday
Local time
10:11 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Mostly Sunny
NE 17 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued October 18 at 10:07AM EDT until October 19 at 10:00PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Coastal Flood Watch
Coastal Flood Watch issued October 18 at 5:36AM EDT until October 21 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Destination
Gordonsville, VA
Morning
in Gordonsville on Monday
Local time
10:11 AM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Sunny
NE 9 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued October 18 at 10:07AM EDT until October 19 at 10:00PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Coastal Flood Watch
Coastal Flood Watch issued October 18 at 5:36AM EDT until October 21 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
46°F
Montrose, VA
80 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
4 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
3h 13m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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...
1 mi from route
~4 min detour
$15
near mile 38.7
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 82.9
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...
29 mi from route
~72 min detour
$30
near mile 160.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is primarily highway, with 64% of the route on major interstates and parkways. You'll experience a long stretch of 101.3 miles on I 64 before transitioning to surface roads like James Madison Highway. Be prepared for a steady cruising pace for over 100 miles before the character of the drive shifts. The concentration of exits might increase as you get closer to your destination.
64% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 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 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 18 significant decision points across 160.3 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
Mostly flat terrain
515 ft-2 ft
Total Climb
566 ft
Total Descent
95 ft
Highest Point
515 ft
~148.8 mi in
Elevation Range
518 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 Gordonsville, 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.
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 3h 13m. Total distance: 160.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.
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 Gordonsville, 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 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Gordonsville, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
