Chesapeake, VA to Purcellville, VA is 220.6 miles and takes about 4h 39m via I 95 and I 64, with a fuel budget near $34 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Virginia, beginning in the Southeast region and ending in the same region. With a majority of the drive on the interstate, you'll cover ground efficiently. This is a straightforward, single-day trip suitable for those looking to reach their destination without extensive detours or overnight stays.
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
110.3 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 95
66 mi
1h 13m
I 64
61.1 mi
1h 7m
Dumfries Road
14.2 mi
20m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
11.9 mi
12m
James Monroe Highway
10.4 mi
14m
Hampton Roads Beltway
9.6 mi
12m
James Madison Highway
8 mi
11m
Prince William Parkway
7.8 mi
10m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 66 mi, about 1h 13m
Traffic on I-95
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 45 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,112 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,853
Quietest
2 AM
~490 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.4×
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 Purcellville, 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
12 mi·12 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
20
Take the exit
2.4 mi·2 min
Exit 43AToward I 95 North: WashingtonUse the slight left lane.
21
Merge onto I 95
46 mi·49 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight right at fork onto I 95; US 17
1.6 mi·1 min·I 95; US 17
23
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
24
Merge onto I 95
19 mi·21 min·I 95
Use the slight left lane.
25
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 152BToward VA 234 North: ManassasUse the right lane.
26
Continue on VA 234
14 mi·20 min·Dumfries Road
27
Continue on VA 234
7.8 mi·10 min·Prince William Parkway
Use the left lane.
28
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward I 66 West: Front RoyalUse the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Continue on this road
0.9 mi·2 min·this road
Toward I 66 West: Front Royal
30
Merge onto I 66
3.3 mi·3 min·I 66
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
Exit 40Toward US 15: Haymarket, LeesburgUse the slight right lane.
32
Keep slight right at fork
255 ft·6 sec
Toward US 15 North, SR 2502: Leesburg, Heathcote BoulevardUse the right lane.
33
Turn right onto US 15
8.0 mi·11 min·James Madison Highway
Use the straight lane.
34
Continue on US 15
2.3 mi·3 min·James Monroe Highway
35
Enter roundabout onto US 15
115 ft·1 sec·James Monroe Highway
36
Continue on US 15
0.3 mi·38 sec·James Monroe Highway
37
Enter roundabout onto US 15
181 ft·2 sec·James Monroe Highway
38
Continue on US 15
7.8 mi·10 min·James Monroe Highway
39
Turn left onto SR 704
5.5 mi·9 min·Harmony Church Road
40
At end of road, turn left onto VA 7 BUS
2.1 mi·4 min·East Colonial Highway
41
Enter roundabout onto VA 7 BUS
67 ft·1 sec·East Main Street
42
Continue on VA 7 BUS
1.2 mi·3 min·East Main Street
43
Arrive at destination
VA 7 BUS
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 39m duration, leaving Chesapeake in the morning will allow you to reach Purcellville with plenty of daylight remaining. You only have one recommended stop, so consider when you'll need to refuel, especially since the longest stretch is 66 miles on I 95. The total fuel cost is estimated at $34. Because this is a manageable single-day drive, you have the flexibility to depart later if needed, but be mindful of potential traffic as you approach the Washington D.C. metropolitan area. The transition from highway to Dumfries Road indicates where you'll slow down.
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 110.3 miles from Chesapeake, VA, or about 2h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 66 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 49 miles or 1h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 110.3 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 38m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Purcellville, 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 220.6 miles and 4h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 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 95 for about 66 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 29
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.8 and 193.3 — 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
9
193.3 mi into trip|~3h 56m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 15 North, SR 2502: Leesburg, Heathcote Boulevard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward US 15 North, SR 2502: Leesburg, Heathcot...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.57 one way
$65.14 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg77 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$35.79
$71.58
premium
$4.49
$39.01
$78.03
diesel
$4.80
$41.65
$83.31
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 77.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
66.2
0
$23.16
$10.59
Efficient EV
55.2
0
$19.30
$8.82
EV Truck/SUV
88.2
1
$30.88
$14.12
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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Chesapeake, VA
Afternoon
in Chesapeake on Sunday
Local time
3:11 PM
EDT
Current temp
97°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 13 mph21% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 5:03PM EDT until July 18 at 5:30PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 5:03PM EDT until July 18 at 5:45PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Destination
Purcellville, VA
Afternoon
in Purcellville on Sunday
Local time
3:11 PM
EDT
Current temp
92°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 12 mph61% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 5:03PM EDT until July 18 at 5:30PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 5:03PM EDT until July 18 at 5:45PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
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
5 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 39m 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 38
Park Closure: Jamestown Island Loop Drive to Temporarily Close to Vehicles
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...
The Potomac River corridor is rich in both history and recreation, offering a chance to both explore your heritage and choose your adventure along the way. Start your journey here!
At the confluence of the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers, on the ancestral home of the Tuscarora and Shawnee people, lies Harpers Ferry. Here you can explore John Brown's Raid against slavery. Find your...
13 mi from route
~32 min detour
$20
near mile 220.6
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 83.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is mostly highway, with 63% of the drive on interstates. You'll encounter the longest continuous stretch on I 95 for 66 miles. The profile suggests a driving experience dominated by higher speeds and fewer intersections until you transition to surface roads. Expect dense exits as you navigate sections of I 95.
63% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
43 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 66 mi on I 95.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and I 64. 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 29 significant decision points across 220.6 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
559 ft11 ft
Total Climb
842 ft
Total Descent
294 ft
Highest Point
559 ft
~220.6 mi in
Elevation Range
548 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 Purcellville, VA, road signs point toward Rocky Mount and Leesburg.
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 39m. Total distance: 220.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 66 miles on I 95. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 17 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Purcellville, 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. There are 17 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail (5 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Purcellville, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
