This 129.7-mile journey from Colonial Beach, VA to Chesapeake, VA is a straightforward 2 hour and 41 minute drive. It's a perfect candidate for a single-day trip, requiring no overnight stops. You'll be navigating primarily local roads, with a 0% highway share, so expect a more connected-to-the-landscape experience. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $21, making it an economical option for exploring within the Southeast region. This route offers a direct and accessible way to travel between these two Virginia locations without the need for extensive planning.
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
65.5 miles from Colonial Beach, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 41m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 17
67.2 mi
1h 33m
Newland Road
13.8 mi
24m
I 64
10 mi
12m
Hampton Roads Beltway
6.8 mi
8m
James Monroe Highway
5.4 mi
7m
Kings Highway
5.2 mi
7m
Richmond Road
4.1 mi
5m
Flat Iron Road
3.9 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
US 17
— 67.2 mi, about 1h 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Colonial Beach, VA and Chesapeake, VA.
1
Start on Washington Avenue
32 ft·7 sec·Washington Avenue
2
Turn left onto VA 205Y
0.6 mi·1 min·Colonial Avenue
3
Turn left onto VA 205
0.3 mi·29 sec·McKinney Boulevard
4
Continue on VA 205
5.4 mi·7 min·James Monroe Highway
5
Turn left onto VA 3
5.2 mi·7 min·Kings Highway
6
Turn right onto SR 624
3.9 mi·6 min·Flat Iron Road
7
Continue on SR 624
14 mi·24 min·Newland Road
8
Turn right onto US 360
4.1 mi·5 min·Richmond Road
9
Turn left onto South Water Lane
0.4 mi·56 sec·South Water Lane
10
Turn right onto Wright Street
0.2 mi·32 sec·Wright Street
11
At end of road, turn left onto US 17; US 360
1.9 mi·3 min·Tappahannock Boulevard
12
Keep slight left at fork onto US 17
67 mi·1 hr 33 min·US 17
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward US 64 East: Hampton, Norfolk
14
Merge onto I 64
10.0 mi·12 min·I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64; US 60
342 ft·5 sec·Hampton Roads Beltway
16
Continue on I 64; US 60
3.5 mi·4 min·Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
17
Continue on I 64; US 60
6.7 mi·8 min·Hampton Roads Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Exit 278Toward VA 194 South: Chesapeake BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
19
Turn straight onto VA 194
2.1 mi·3 min·Chesapeake Boulevard
Use the left lane.
20
Turn straight
135 ft·7 sec
21
Turn left onto VA 247
1.1 mi·1 min·Ballentine Boulevard
22
Turn right onto VA 166
0.9 mi·1 min·East Princess Anne Road
23
Turn left onto VA 166
0.6 mi·1 min·Park Avenue
24
Turn left onto US 460; VA 166; VA 168
0.3 mi·57 sec·East Brambleton Avenue
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
25
Continue on US 460; VA 166; VA 168
0.7 mi·1 min·Campostella Road
26
Turn right onto US 460; VA 166
0.7 mi·1 min·Wilson Road
Use the right lane.
27
Continue on US 460; VA 166
0.3 mi·27 sec·22nd Street
28
Continue on US 460; VA 166
0.3 mi·29 sec·Poindexter Street
Use the straight lane.
29
Turn right onto D Street
412 ft·18 sec·D Street
30
Arrive at destination
D Street
Trip Plan
Given the 2 hour and 41 minute duration, you can easily complete this 129.7-mile drive in one day. Consider departing mid-morning to avoid any potential early rush hour traffic and to allow for a relaxed pace. With only one stop suggested, you have ample flexibility to decide when and where to take a break based on your needs. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is $21, and plan your refueling accordingly, especially since this route is primarily local roads. A good tip for this particular journey is to familiarize yourself with the main roads like Colonial Avenue, McKinney Boulevard, and James Monroe Highway beforehand, as they form the backbone of this turn-heavy route.
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 65.5 miles from Colonial Beach, VA, or about 1h 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 67.2 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 29 miles or 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 65.5 miles or 1h 41m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 38m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Chesapeake, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Colonial Beach, 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 Colonial Beach, VA
This is one driving day of about 130.9 miles and 3h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 miles from Colonial Beach, 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 US 17 for about 67.2 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 11.5 and 129.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
11.5 mi into trip|~17m in|SR 624 / Flat Iron Road
Turn right onto SR 624 / Flat Iron Road
Navigation decision point
5
102.9 mi into trip|~2h 32m in
Take the exit toward US 64 East: Hampton, Norfolk
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 64 East: Hampton, Norfolk
5
103.3 mi into trip|~2h 33m in|I 64
Merge onto I 64
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
123.5 mi into trip|~3h in
Take the exit toward VA 194 South: Chesapeake Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 278
Toward VA 194 South: Chesapeake Boulevard
5
129.6 mi into trip|~3h 11m in|US 460; VA 166 / Wilson Road
Turn right onto US 460; VA 166 / Wilson Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.47 one way
$40.94 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg46 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$22.38
$44.76
premium
$4.70
$24.23
$48.45
diesel
$5.61
$28.90
$57.80
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 45.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
39.3
0
$13.74
$6.28
Efficient EV
32.7
0
$11.45
$5.24
EV Truck/SUV
52.4
0
$18.33
$8.38
Gas CO2
46 kg
EV CO2
15 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 Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Colonial Beach, VA
Afternoon
in Colonial Beach on Tuesday
Local time
12:58 PM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Chesapeake, VA
Afternoon
in Chesapeake on Tuesday
Local time
12:58 PM
EDT
Current temp
73°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
6 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 14m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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 111.8
Park Closure: Road Closure and Fishing Pier Impact
George Washington Birthplace National Monument is located in the Northern Neck of Virginia. It encompasses 551 acres of land where seven generations of the Washington family lived and where George Was...
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive for the entirety of this 129.7-mile route. With no highway segments, you'll be on roads that are more integrated with the communities you pass through. The longest uninterrupted stretch isn't noted, suggesting frequent intersections and changes in direction. This profile means you'll be consistently engaged with the driving, making frequent adjustments rather than settling into a long, steady cruise. It's a drive where you'll truly experience the local road network.
59% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 67.2 mi on US 17.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 11.5 miles in near SR 624 / Flat Iron Road.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 130.9 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 11.5 miles (SR 624 / Flat Iron Road): Navigation decision point; at 102.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 103.3 miles (I 64): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Colonial Beach, VA to Chesapeake, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Norfolk 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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 14m. Total distance: 130.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 67.2 miles on US 17. 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 Chesapeake, 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 11.5 miles (SR 624 / Flat Iron Road): Navigation decision point; at 102.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 103.3 miles (I 64): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Fort Monroe National Monument, George Washington Birthplace National Monument and Colonial National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Chesapeake, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
