Clifton Forge, VA to Virginia Beach, VA is 272.5 miles and takes about 5h 10m via I 64, with a fuel budget near $42 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Southeast region, entirely within Virginia, making it a straightforward point-to-point drive. With a recommended one-day travel time, you'll spend most of your time on the highway. It's a practical option if you're looking for a direct connection between western and eastern Virginia without needing an overnight stop.
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
136.2 miles from Clifton Forge, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 29m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
216 mi
3h 56m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
22.9 mi
25m
Hampton Roads Beltway
12 mi
15m
Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway
11.8 mi
16m
Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
3.5 mi
4m
Main Street
1.2 mi
2m
Grafton Street
0.8 mi
1m
21st Street
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 216 mi, about 3h 56m
Traffic on I-64
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 106 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,222 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,638
Quietest
2 AM
~127 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
17.5×
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 Clifton Forge, VA and Virginia Beach, VA.
1
Start on this road
67 ft·10 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto US 60 BUS; US 220 BUS
1.2 mi·2 min·Main Street
3
Continue on US 60 BUS
0.8 mi·1 min·Grafton Street
4
Take the exit onto US 60 BUS
0.2 mi·27 sec·US 60 BUS
5
Merge onto I 64; US 60
59 mi·1 hr 3 min·I 64; US 60
Use the straight lane.
6
Continue on I 64; I 81
0.3 mi·17 sec·I 64; I 81
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 64
90 mi·1 hr 38 min·I 64
Toward I 64 East: RichmondUse the straight lane.
8
Take the exit
1.2 mi·1 min
Exit 177Toward I 295 North: Washington, NorfolkUse the slight right lane.
9
Continue on I 295
23 mi·25 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
1.3 mi·2 min
Exit 28AToward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia BeachUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 64
67 mi·1 hr 15 min·I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64; US 60
342 ft·5 sec·Hampton Roads Beltway
13
Continue on I 64; US 60
3.5 mi·4 min·Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
14
Continue on I 64; US 60
12 mi·15 min·Hampton Roads Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·14 sec
Exit 284AToward I 264 East, I 264 West: Va Beach, Downtown Norfolk, PortsmouthUse the slight right lane.
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 264 East: Va BeachUse the straight / slight left lanes.
17
Merge onto I 264
12 mi·16 min·Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway
18
Continue on 21st Street
0.4 mi·54 sec·21st Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Turn left onto Arctic Avenue
0.3 mi·46 sec·Arctic Avenue
Use the left lane.
20
Turn right onto 25th Street
454 ft·12 sec·25th Street
21
Arrive at destination
25th Street
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 10m drive time, leaving in the morning from Clifton Forge is ideal to ensure you arrive in Virginia Beach with plenty of daylight. While the drive is manageable in one day, consider an early start to avoid potential traffic, especially as you get closer to the coast. Plan for one stop, perhaps around the halfway point, to stretch your legs and refuel. The longest continuous stretch is 216 miles on I 64, so be sure to fill up before embarking on that segment. This route's efficiency means you have flexibility for spontaneous breaks if needed.
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 136.2 miles from Clifton Forge, VA, or about 2h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 216 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 60 miles or 1h 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 136.2 miles or 2h 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 4h 8m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Virginia Beach, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Clifton Forge, 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 Clifton Forge, VA
This is one driving day of about 272.5 miles and 5h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 miles from Clifton Forge, 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 216 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 61.4 and 259.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
61.4 mi into trip|~1h 8m 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
151.4 mi into trip|~2h 46m 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
175.5 mi into trip|~3h 13m 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
259.1 mi into trip|~4h 51m in
Take the exit toward I 264 East, I 264 West: Va Beach, Downtown Norfolk, Portsmouth
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 284A
Toward I 264 East, I 264 West: Va Beach, Downto...
7
259.3 mi into trip|~4h 51m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 264 East: Va Beach
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward I 264 East: Va Beach
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.23 one way
$80.46 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg95 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$44.21
$88.42
premium
$4.49
$48.19
$96.38
diesel
$4.80
$51.45
$102.91
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 95.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
81.8
1
$28.61
$13.08
Efficient EV
68.1
0
$23.84
$10.90
EV Truck/SUV
109
1
$38.15
$17.44
Gas CO2
95 kg
EV CO2
32 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.
Forecast as of Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Clifton Forge, VA
Afternoon
in Clifton Forge on Sunday
Local time
3:11 PM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Patchy Smoke
N 1 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Virginia Beach, VA
Afternoon
in Virginia Beach on Sunday
Local time
3:11 PM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Patchy Smoke
S 7 mph1% chanceLive 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
3 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
5h 10m 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.
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
~4 min detour
Free
near mile 244.3
Park Closure: Road Closure and Fishing Pier Impact
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...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
$15
near mile 216.1
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 178.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway, with 84% of the drive taking place on major interstates and expressways. You'll encounter a long stretch of 216 miles on I 64 before transitioning to local roads closer to Virginia Beach. Expect a high density of exits and merging traffic as you approach urban areas. The Hampton Roads Beltway will also be a significant part of your travel.
84% 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: 216 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 61.4 miles in near I 64.
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 13 significant decision points across 272.5 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 61.4 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 151.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 175.5 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
1,977 ft9 ft
Total Climb
1,072 ft
Total Descent
2,144 ft
Highest Point
1,977 ft
~19.5 mi in
Elevation Range
1,968 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 Clifton Forge, VA to Virginia Beach, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Norfolk along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 10m. Total distance: 272.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 10m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (84%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 216 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 Virginia Beach, 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 61.4 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 151.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 175.5 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 Petersburg National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Virginia Beach, VA before the return drive.
