Trip from Cloverdale, VA to Norfolk, VA

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 5m

Distance

268.8 mi

433 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$40

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

4h 52m ★

6 AM

5h 5m

8 AM

5h 32m

10 AM

5h 15m

12 PM

5h 12m

3 PM

5h 16m

5 PM

5h 31m

8 PM

4h 57m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time

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Download GPX

Cloverdale, VA

SHVETS production

Norfolk, VA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Cloverdale, VA to Norfolk, VA is 268.8 miles and takes about 5h 5m via I 64, I 81, and Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, with a fuel budget near $41 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Virginia, moving from the Southeast region to the Southeast region. Given that it's a single-day drive with a moderate distance, it's a straightforward option for getting between these two points in the state. Most of the travel will be on major highways, making it a practical choice for those prioritizing efficiency.

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

134.4 miles from Cloverdale, VA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 26m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 64	156.9 mi	2h 53m
I 81	70.8 mi	1h 16m
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
Lee Highway	1.6 mi	2m
Monticello Avenue	1.2 mi	2m

Longest stretch: I 64 — 156.9 mi, about 2h 53m

Traffic on I-64

Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 95 FHWA count stations on your route.

Peak

4 PM

~2,044 veh/hr typical · worst 2,454

Quietest

2 AM

~117 veh/hr

Peak-to-quiet ratio

17.5×

busier at peak than in the quiet hours

12a 6a noon 6p 11p

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 Cloverdale, VA and Norfolk, VA.

Start on SR 654

0.3 mi · 39 sec · Read Mountain Road

At end of road, turn right onto US 11

1.6 mi · 2 min · Lee Highway

Enter roundabout

262 ft · 4 sec

Toward I 81 North: Lexington

Continue

0.3 mi · 36 sec

Toward I 81 North: Lexington

Merge onto I 81

71 mi · 1 hr 16 min · I 81

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.

Take the exit

1.2 mi · 1 min

Exit 177 Toward I 295 North: Washington, Norfolk Use the slight right lane.

Continue on I 295

23 mi · 25 min · Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

1.3 mi · 2 min

Exit 28A Toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 64

67 mi · 1 hr 15 min · I 64

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 64; US 60

342 ft · 5 sec · Hampton Roads Beltway

Continue on I 64; US 60

3.5 mi · 4 min · Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel

Continue on I 64; US 60

4.4 mi · 5 min · Hampton Roads Beltway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 21 sec

Exit 276 Toward I 564, US 460: Naval Base, Granby Street Use the slight right lane.

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.

Turn straight onto US 460

3.1 mi · 7 min · Granby Street

Use the left lane.

Continue on US 460

446 ft · 9 sec · Church Street

Turn right onto US 460

1.2 mi · 2 min · Monticello Avenue

Use the right lane.

Continue on US 460

0.7 mi · 1 min · Saint Pauls Boulevard

Use the left lane.

Turn left onto East City Hall Avenue

158 ft · 9 sec · East City Hall Avenue

Use the left lane.

Arrive at destination

East City Hall Avenue

Trip Plan

For this 5-hour drive, leaving in the morning is recommended to maximize daylight. With only one suggested stop and a fuel cost estimated at $41, you can be quite flexible with your timing. The longest stretch without a major exit is 156.9 miles on I 64, so ensure you have sufficient fuel before embarking on that segment. Since the drive is manageable within a single day, you have the advantage of arriving at your destination without needing an overnight stay, allowing for a spontaneous departure.

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 134.4 miles from Cloverdale, VA, or about 2h 26m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 156.9 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 59 miles or 1h 4m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 134.4 miles or 2h 26m 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 3m

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 Cloverdale, 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 Cloverdale, VA

This is one driving day of about 268.8 miles and 5h 5m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 miles from Cloverdale, 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 156.9 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Charlottesville, VA

134 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

Stuarts Draft, VA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 59 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Charlottesville, VA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 134.4 miles from Cloverdale, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

1.5 mi from route

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 14

5 decision points cluster between mile 73 and 263.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

73 mi into trip | ~1h 19m 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

163 mi into trip | ~2h 57m 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

187.2 mi into trip | ~3h 24m 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

263.3 mi into trip | ~4h 53m 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

263.4 mi into trip | ~4h 53m 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

$39.69 one way

$79.37 round trip

$3.75/gal 25.4 MPG avg 94 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.12	$43.61	$87.22
premium	$4.49	$47.54	$95.07
diesel	$4.80	$50.75	$101.51

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: 94 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.

Driving Electric?

About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	80.6	0	$28.22	$12.90
Efficient EV	67.2	0	$23.52	$10.75
EV Truck/SUV	107.5	1	$37.63	$17.20

Gas CO2

94 kg

EV CO2

31 kg (67% 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

Cloverdale, VA

Morning in Cloverdale on Sunday

Local time

6:05 AM

EDT

Current temp

73°F

Mostly Cloudy

0 mph 4% chance Live forecast

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 1:18AM EDT by NWS Morristown TN

Destination

Norfolk, VA

Morning in Norfolk on Sunday

Local time

6:05 AM

EDT

Current temp

77°F

Areas Of Smoke

SE 3 to 7 mph 1% chance Live forecast

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 1:18AM EDT by NWS Morristown TN

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

4 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 5m 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...

0 mi from route $15 near mile 231.7

Park Closure: Rehabilitation of Colonial Parkway Continues

View on nps.gov

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...

4 mi from route ~9 min detour Free near mile 259.5

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...

20 mi from route ~49 min detour Free

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...

27 mi from route ~67 min detour Free near mile 185.4

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

This route is predominantly highway, with 85% of the drive on major roads. You'll experience a long stretch of 156.9 miles on I 64 without needing to exit. The transition to surface roads will likely occur towards the end of your trip, offering a different driving experience after extended highway cruising. Expect a significant amount of merging and exiting as you navigate these interstates.

85% 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: 156.9 mi on I 64.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

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 73 miles in near I 64.

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 14 significant decision points across 268.8 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 73 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 163 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 187.2 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

1,816 ft 7 ft

Total Climb

943 ft

Total Descent

2,075 ft

Highest Point

1,816 ft

~57.6 mi in

Elevation Range

1,809 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 Cloverdale, VA to Norfolk, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Virginia Beach along the way.

Virginia Beach

187.2 mi in | ~3h 24m

About the Cities

Starting in Cloverdale, VA

Full guide →

Arriving in Norfolk, VA

Full guide →

Founded 1682

Norfolk is in the Hampton Roads region of Virginia. It is a port city with a large Navy and shipping presence. But it is also known as a major cultural center, with world-class museums, opera, symphony, ballet and a vibrant arts community. The downtown area has experienced a major resurgence, with gourmet restaurants, shopping and attractions. Norfolk is one of the top cruise ports in the country.

Top landmarks

• USS Wisconsin — 1943 Iowa-class battleship
• Chrysler Museum of Art — art museum in Norfolk, Virginia
• Basilica of Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Norfolk — church building in Norfolk, United States of America

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 5m. Total distance: 268.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 5m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 156.9 miles on I 64. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — we found about 18 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 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 1 meaningful breaks. There are 18 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

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 5.1 hours each way, a round trip means 10.2 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, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Explore more options from Cloverdale, VA or browse trips ending in Norfolk, VA.

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Trip from Cloverdale, VA to Norfolk, VA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Traffic on I-64

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Stops Along Your Drive

ONE9 Travel Center

Troutville Safety Rest Area

Petro Stopping Centers

Service Plaza

Rest Area

Rest Area

Fairfield Safety Rest Area

Charlottesville Safety Rest Area West

Love's Travel Stop

Pilot Travel Center

Pilot Travel Center

Rest Area

Rest Area

TA

Service Plaza

Love's Travel Stop

Pilot Travel Center

Service Plaza

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Cloverdale, VA

Norfolk, VA

Same local time

4 degrees warmer at arrival

5h 5m on the road

National Parks Near This Route

Colonial National Historical Park

Fort Monroe National Monument

Booker T Washington National Monument

Petersburg National Battlefield

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Elevation Profile

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

About the Cities

Starting in Cloverdale, VA

Arriving in Norfolk, VA

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Are there national parks near this route?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

Continue From Norfolk, VA

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