Origin
Chilhowie, VA
Night in Chilhowie on Saturday
Local time
9:27 PM
EDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Chilhowie, VA to Norfolk, VA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
7h 10m
Distance
382.1 mi
615 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$60
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 59m
★
6 AM
7h 10m
8 AM
7h 32m
10 AM
7h 18m
12 PM
7h 16m
3 PM
7h 19m
5 PM
7h 31m
8 PM
7h 4m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Chilhowie, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Norfolk, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Crossing the state of Virginia from Chilhowie to Norfolk covers 382.1 miles and typically takes about 7 hours and 10 minutes behind the wheel. Because this is a highway-focused drive, it is feasible to complete in a single long day, though you should budget approximately $61 for fuel to cover the distance. You will primarily utilize I-81, the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, and I-64 to navigate from the mountainous Southeast region to the coast. While the trip is manageable for a solo driver, the duration makes it a significant commitment. Planning for at least two stops will help keep you alert as you transition from the western interior toward the coast.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
191 miles from Chilhowie, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 29m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 81 | 185.6 mi | 3h 23m |
| I 64 | 157.1 mi | 2h 53m |
| Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway | 22.9 mi | 25m |
| Hampton Roads Beltway | 4.5 mi | 6m |
| Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel | 3.5 mi | 4m |
| Granby Street | 3.1 mi | 7m |
| Monticello Avenue | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Saint Pauls Boulevard | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 185.6 mi, about 3h 23m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chilhowie, VA and Norfolk, VA.
1
Start on VA 107
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
Whitetop Road
2
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
3
Merge onto I 81
46 mi
·
49 min
·
I 81
Use the straight lane.
4
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81; US 11
140 mi
·
2 hr 33 min
·
I 81; US 11
Toward I 81 North, US 11 North: Roanoke
Use the straight lane.
5
Continue on I 64; I 81
0.3 mi
·
17 sec
·
I 64; I 81
6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 64
90 mi
·
1 hr 38 min
·
I 64
Toward I 64 East: Richmond
Use the straight lane.
7
Take the exit
1.2 mi
·
1 min
Exit 177
Toward I 295 North: Washington, Norfolk
Use the slight right lane.
8
Continue on I 295
23 mi
·
25 min
·
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
1.3 mi
·
2 min
Exit 28A
Toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 64
67 mi
·
1 hr 15 min
·
I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64; US 60
342 ft
·
5 sec
·
Hampton Roads Beltway
12
Continue on I 64; US 60
3.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
13
Continue on I 64; US 60
4.4 mi
·
5 min
·
Hampton Roads Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Exit 276
Toward I 564, US 460: Naval Base, Granby Street
Use the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
Toward US 460, VA 165: Granby Street, Little Creek Road
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
16
Turn straight onto US 460
3.1 mi
·
7 min
·
Granby Street
Use the left lane.
17
Continue on US 460
446 ft
·
9 sec
·
Church Street
18
Turn right onto US 460
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Monticello Avenue
Use the right lane.
19
Continue on US 460
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Saint Pauls Boulevard
Use the left lane.
20
Turn left onto East City Hall Avenue
158 ft
·
9 sec
·
East City Hall Avenue
Use the left lane.
21
Arrive at destination
East City Hall Avenue
Trip Plan
To tackle this 7-hour and 10-minute haul effectively, consider departing early in the morning to avoid midday congestion. Since you are looking at a 382.1-mile journey, pacing yourself with two planned stops is the best way to maintain focus and manage your $61 fuel budget efficiently. Keep a close watch on traffic patterns as you transition between the primary interstates, especially when moving through major junctions. Since this is a one-day trip, your primary advantage is flexibility; if you feel fatigued, utilize the high density of highway exits to find a safe place to rest. Always check your fuel levels before leaving the more rural stretches of I-81, as that initial 185.6-mile leg will consume a significant portion of your tank.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 191 miles from Chilhowie, VA, or about 3h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 185.6 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 84 miles or 1h 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 191 miles or 3h 29m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 54m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Norfolk, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Chilhowie, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Chilhowie, VA
This is one driving day of about 382.1 miles and 7h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 84 miles from Chilhowie, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 81 for about 185.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
191 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 84 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 191 miles from Chilhowie, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 81 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 185.6 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 135 decision points cluster between mile 46.4 and 376.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
46.4 mi into trip
|
~50m in
|
I 81; US 11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81; US 11 toward I 81 North, US 11 North: Roanoke
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 81 North, US 11 North: Roanoke
8
276.3 mi into trip
|
~5h 2m in
Take the exit toward I 295 North: Washington, Norfolk
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 177
Toward I 295 North: Washington, Norfolk
8
300.5 mi into trip
|
~5h 29m in
Take the exit toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach
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 28A
Toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach
8
376.6 mi into trip
|
~6h 58m in
Take the exit toward I 564, US 460: Naval Base, Granby Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 276
Toward I 564, US 460: Naval Base, Granby Street
9
376.7 mi into trip
|
~6h 58m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 460, VA 165: Granby Street, Little Creek Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward US 460, VA 165: Granby Street, Little Cr...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$59.75 one way
$119.50 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
134 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $65.33 | $130.67 |
| premium | $4.70 | $70.72 | $141.44 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $84.36 | $168.73 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$60
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$85–$110
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 133.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $40 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 114.6 | 1 | $40.12 | $18.34 |
| Efficient EV | 95.5 | 1 | $33.43 | $15.28 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 152.8 | 1 | $53.49 | $24.45 |
Gas CO2
134 kg
EV CO2
45 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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.
Destination
Norfolk, VA
Night in Norfolk on Saturday
Local time
9:27 PM
EDT
Current temp
84°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
13 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
7h 10m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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.
Fort Monroe National Monument
National Monument
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...
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Free
near mile 368.9
Park Closure: Road Closure and Fishing Pier Impact
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
~6 min detour
$15
near mile 342.6
View on nps.gov
Booker T Washington National Monument
National Monument
Booker T. Washington was born a slave in April 1856 on the 207-acre farm of James Burroughs. After the Civil War, Washington became the first principal of Tuskegee Normal and Industrial School. Later...
22 mi from route
~56 min detour
Free
near mile 105.4
View on nps.gov
Petersburg National Battlefield
National Battlefield
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
~65 min detour
Free
near mile 303
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a consistent interstate experience, as 90% of this journey is spent on major highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 185.6 miles along I-81, which sets a steady, predictable pace for the first half of your travel. Because the route is heavily focused on highway travel, you can anticipate a straightforward, high-speed drive rather than technical maneuvers on local roads. The character of the road remains efficient and functional throughout the 382.1-mile transit. You will find that the rhythm of the drive stays remarkably stable, allowing you to settle into a comfortable cruising speed for the vast majority of the duration.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 185.6 mi on I 81.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and I 64. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 46.4 miles in near I 81; US 11.
Driving Effort
9/10
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 13 significant decision points across 382.1 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 46.4 miles (I 81; US 11): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 276.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 300.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,319 ft
7 ft
Total Climb
1,325 ft
Total Descent
3,267 ft
Highest Point
2,319 ft
~14.7 mi in
Elevation Range
2,312 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Chilhowie, VA to Norfolk, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Virginia Beach along the way.
Virginia Beach
300.5 mi in
|
~5h 29m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 10m. Total distance: 382.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 10m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 185.6 miles on I 81. 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 Norfolk, 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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 46.4 miles (I 81; US 11): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 276.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 300.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Fort Monroe National Monument, Colonial National Historical Park and Booker T Washington National Monument (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.2 hours each way, a round trip means 14.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Norfolk, VA before the return drive.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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