Chesapeake, VA to Waynesboro, VA is 190 miles and takes about 3h 45m via I 64, with a fuel budget near $29 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Virginia, moving from the Southeast region to another part of the Southeast. You'll spend most of your time on major highways, making for a straightforward drive. With just one recommended stop and a relatively short travel time, this route is ideal for a single-day excursion.
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
95 miles from Chesapeake, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 57m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
138.6 mi
2h 32m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
22.6 mi
24m
Hampton Roads Beltway
9.6 mi
12m
Granby Street
4 mi
9m
Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
3.5 mi
4m
East Main Street
2.1 mi
4m
Three Notched Mountain Highway
1.7 mi
2m
Monticello Avenue
1.2 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 138.6 mi, about 2h 32m
Traffic on I-64
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 86 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,139 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,563
Quietest
2 AM
~121 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
17.7×
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 Waynesboro, 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
78 mi·1 hr 24 min·I 64
Toward I 64 West: CharlottesvilleUse the slight right lane.
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi·43 sec
Toward US 250: Afton, Waynesboro
23
Keep slight left at fork
181 ft·6 sec
24
Turn left onto US 250
1.7 mi·2 min·Three Notched Mountain Highway
Use the straight lane.
25
Continue on US 250
2.1 mi·4 min·East Main Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
26
Turn left onto South Wayne Avenue
42 ft·1 sec·South Wayne Avenue
27
Arrive at destination
South Wayne Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 3 hour 45 minute drive time, leaving Chesapeake, VA in the morning will allow you to reach Waynesboro, VA well before evening. While only one stop is suggested for this 190-mile trip, the flexibility of a shorter drive means you can easily add more breaks if needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longest stretch of 138.6 miles on I 64, as services can be more spread out on interstates. The estimated fuel cost is around $29, so plan accordingly.
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 95 miles from Chesapeake, VA, or about 1h 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 138.6 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 42 miles or 57m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 95 miles or 1h 57m 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 4m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Waynesboro, 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 190 miles and 3h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 42 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 138.6 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 19
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
$30.22 one way
$60.44 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg67 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.41
$32.95
$65.90
premium
$4.78
$35.75
$71.50
diesel
$5.35
$40.02
$80.04
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 66.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
57
0
$19.95
$9.12
Efficient EV
47.5
0
$16.63
$7.60
EV Truck/SUV
76
0
$26.60
$12.16
Gas CO2
66 kg
EV CO2
22 kg (67% 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 May 31, 2026
Origin
Chesapeake, VA
Evening
in Chesapeake on Wednesday
Local time
5:48 PM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Sunny
S 7 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued May 31 at 1:34PM EDT until May 31 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Destination
Waynesboro, VA
Evening
in Waynesboro on Wednesday
Local time
5:48 PM
EDT
Current temp
78°F
Sunny
S 6 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued May 31 at 1:34PM EDT until May 31 at 8:00PM 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
1 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
3h 45m 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
~2 min detour
$15
near mile 39.3
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...
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
~66 min detour
Free
near mile 85.2
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 74% of the 190 miles on major roads like I 64. You'll experience a substantial stretch of 138.6 miles on I 64 before encountering surface roads. Expect a consistent highway feel for the majority of your travel, characterized by frequent exits and merging traffic as you navigate the Hampton Roads Beltway and I 64.
74% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 138.6 mi on I 64.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 Effort9/10
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 19 significant decision points across 190 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
1,294 ft-2 ft
Total Climb
1,394 ft
Total Descent
111 ft
Highest Point
1,294 ft
~190 mi in
Elevation Range
1,296 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Chesapeake, VA to Waynesboro, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Rocky Mount along the way.
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 45m. Total distance: 190 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (74%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 138.6 miles on I 64. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 10 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 Waynesboro, 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 10 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 Petersburg National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Waynesboro, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
