Origin
Claypool Hill, VA
Night in Claypool Hill on Saturday
Local time
9:32 PM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Claypool Hill, VA to Newport News, VA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
7h 16m
Distance
388.2 mi
625 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$61
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
7h 5m
★
6 AM
7h 16m
8 AM
7h 38m
10 AM
7h 24m
12 PM
7h 22m
3 PM
7h 25m
5 PM
7h 37m
8 PM
7h 10m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Claypool Hill, VA
Olga Shenderova
Newport News, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling from Claypool Hill to Newport News covers 381.2 miles across the state of Virginia, typically taking about 6 hours and 3 minutes of driving time. You will navigate a path that transitions from the mountainous Southeast region toward the coastal areas, utilizing the Trail of the Lonesome Pine, I-81 North, and I-64 East. Given the duration, this trip is manageable as a single-day drive if you are comfortable with a full day on the road. Budget roughly $61 for fuel to complete the journey. Since the route involves a turn-heavy local start, planning for at least one dedicated stop will help keep you refreshed for the transition onto the interstate system.
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
194.1 miles from Claypool Hill, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 40m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 64 | 147 mi | 2h 40m |
| I 81 | 139.7 mi | 2h 33m |
| Governor G C Peery Highway | 27.3 mi | 35m |
| Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway | 22.9 mi | 25m |
| US 52 | 19.7 mi | 22m |
| I 77 | 16 mi | 17m |
| Trail of the Lonesome Pine | 9.8 mi | 11m |
| US 52 Truck | 2.3 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 147 mi, about 2h 40m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Claypool Hill, VA and Newport News, VA.
1
Start on US 19; US 460
27 mi
·
35 min
·
Governor G C Peery Highway
2
Continue on US 19; US 460
9.8 mi
·
11 min
·
Trail of the Lonesome Pine
Use the straight lane.
3
Take the exit onto US 52 Truck
2.3 mi
·
2 min
·
US 52 Truck
4
Take the exit onto US 52
20 mi
·
22 min
·
US 52
5
Continue on I 77
16 mi
·
17 min
·
I 77
Use the straight lane.
6
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.
7
Continue on I 64; I 81
0.3 mi
·
17 sec
·
I 64; I 81
8
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.
9
Take the exit
1.2 mi
·
1 min
Exit 177
Toward I 295 North: Washington, Norfolk
Use the slight right lane.
10
Continue on I 295
23 mi
·
25 min
·
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
1.3 mi
·
2 min
Exit 28A
Toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 64
57 mi
·
1 hr 2 min
·
I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
Exit 258A
Toward US 17 South: J Clyde Morris Boulevard
Use the slight right lane.
14
Turn straight onto US 17
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
·
J Clyde Morris Boulevard
15
Turn right onto Diligence Drive
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Diligence Drive
16
At end of road, turn right onto Thimble Shoals Boulevard
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
Thimble Shoals Boulevard
17
Turn left
413 ft
·
33 sec
18
At end of road, turn right
82 ft
·
6 sec
19
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 6-hour and 3-minute transit, aim for an early morning departure to clear the turn-heavy local sections before traffic peaks. Since you only have one planned stop, use that break strategically to refuel and stretch your legs, especially after tackling the initial local road segments. Keep the $61 fuel estimate in mind when planning your budget, and monitor your pace once you merge onto I-81 and I-64 for the final, longer stretches of the trip. Because this route is a single-day endeavor, your main advantage is flexibility; if you find the technical roads tiring, adjust your stop to occur shortly after you transition to the interstate system.
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 194.1 miles from Claypool Hill, VA, or about 3h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 147 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 85 miles or 1h 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 194.1 miles or 3h 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 6h 6m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Newport News, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Claypool Hill, 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 Claypool Hill, VA
This is one driving day of about 388.2 miles and 7h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 85 miles from Claypool Hill, 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 64 for about 147 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
194 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 85 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 194.1 miles from Claypool Hill, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 64 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 147 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 115 decision points cluster between mile 75 and 387.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
75 mi into trip
|
~1h 28m 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
7
215 mi into trip
|
~4h 3m in
|
I 64
Keep slight right at fork onto I 64 toward I 64 East: Richmond
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 64 East: Richmond
8
305 mi into trip
|
~5h 41m 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
329.1 mi into trip
|
~6h 7m 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
7
387.1 mi into trip
|
~7h 13m in
Take the exit toward US 17 South: J Clyde Morris Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 258A
Toward US 17 South: J Clyde Morris Boulevard
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$60.71 one way
$121.41 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
136 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $66.38 | $132.75 |
| premium | $4.70 | $71.85 | $143.70 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $85.71 | $171.42 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$61
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$86–$111
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 135.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $41 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 116.5 | 1 | $40.76 | $18.63 |
| Efficient EV | 97.1 | 1 | $33.97 | $15.53 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 155.3 | 1 | $54.35 | $24.84 |
Gas CO2
136 kg
EV CO2
45 kg (67% 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
Newport News, VA
Night in Newport News on Saturday
Local time
9:32 PM
EDT
Current temp
62°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
7 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
7h 16m 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.
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
~3 min detour
$15
near mile 374.9
Park Closure: Rehabilitation of Colonial Parkway Continues
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...
10 mi from route
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 388.2
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 133.9
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...
28 mi from route
~69 min detour
Free
near mile 334.7
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This trip offers a distinct shift in road personality, moving from technical, turn-heavy local driving into high-speed interstate travel. While the initial segments require extra focus as you navigate the Trail of the Lonesome Pine, the remainder of your 381.2-mile journey settles into the steady rhythm of I-81 and I-64. Because the highway share is low compared to the local segments, you should expect a more hands-on driving experience during the first leg of your trip. Be prepared for the contrast between winding local roads and the wider, faster lanes of the interstate as you head toward the coast.
84% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 147 mi on I 64.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and I 81. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 75 miles in near I 81; US 11.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 388.2 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 75 miles (I 81; US 11): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 215 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 305 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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.
Between Claypool Hill, VA and Newport News, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk and Virginia Beach.
Norfolk
305 mi in
|
~5h 41m
Virginia Beach
329.1 mi in
|
~6h 7m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 16m. Total distance: 388.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 16m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 147 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 Newport News, 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 75 miles (I 81; US 11): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 215 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 305 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Colonial National Historical Park, Fort Monroe National Monument 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 7.3 hours each way, a round trip means 14.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Newport News, 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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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