This 79.8-mile drive from Colonial Heights, VA, to Newport News, VA, is a manageable 1 hour and 22 minutes, making it an ideal day trip. The journey primarily utilizes local roads like East Ellerslie Avenue and Boulevard, with a small portion on Route 1. With no highway driving, expect a more community-focused experience. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $13. Since both locations are within the Southeast region and the drive is short, you won't need to worry about overnight stays, offering plenty of flexibility for your schedule.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
39.9 miles from Colonial Heights, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 53m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
56.7 mi
1h 2m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
10.5 mi
11m
Woods Edge Road
3.3 mi
5m
Route 1
1.6 mi
2m
Rivers Bend Boulevard
1.2 mi
2m
Boulevard
0.8 mi
1m
Old Bermuda Hundred Road
0.6 mi
1m
Diligence Drive
0.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 56.7 mi, about 1h 2m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Colonial Heights, VA and Newport News, VA.
1
Start on this road
257 ft·24 sec·this road
2
At end of road, turn left onto East Ellerslie Avenue
0.3 mi·37 sec·East Ellerslie Avenue
3
Turn right onto US 1; US 301; VA 144
0.8 mi·1 min·Boulevard
Use the right lane.
4
Continue on US 1; US 301; VA 144
1.6 mi·2 min·Route 1
Use the left lane.
5
Turn right onto SR 620
2.7 mi·4 min·Woods Edge Road
Use the right lane.
6
Continue on SR 620
0.5 mi·56 sec·Woods Edge Road
7
At end of road, turn right onto SR 617
0.2 mi·22 sec·Ramblewood Drive
8
Turn left onto SR 620
0.4 mi·46 sec·Golf Course Road
9
At end of road, turn right onto SR 618
0.6 mi·1 min·Old Bermuda Hundred Road
10
Merge onto VA 10
0.3 mi·27 sec·West Hundred Road
11
Turn left onto SR 618
0.2 mi·36 sec·Rivers Bend Boulevard
12
Continue on SR 618
1.0 mi·1 min·Rivers Bend Boulevard
13
Continue on SR 618
0.3 mi·42 sec·Meadowville Technology Parkway
14
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·52 sec
Toward I 295 North
15
Merge onto I 295
11 mi·11 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·43 sec
Exit 28Toward I 64, US 60: Norfolk, Richmond, Richmond International AirportUse the slight right lane.
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·47 sec
Toward I 64, US 60 West: Norfolk, Richmond, Seven Pines
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·50 sec
Toward I 64: Richmond, Norfolk
19
Keep slight right at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 64 East: NorfolkUse the slight right lane.
20
Merge onto I 64
57 mi·1 hr 2 min·I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.4 mi·51 sec
Exit 258AToward US 17 South: J Clyde Morris BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
22
Turn straight onto US 17
0.1 mi·10 sec·J Clyde Morris Boulevard
23
Turn right onto Diligence Drive
0.5 mi·1 min·Diligence Drive
24
At end of road, turn right onto Thimble Shoals Boulevard
0.1 mi·19 sec·Thimble Shoals Boulevard
25
Turn left
413 ft·33 sec
26
At end of road, turn right
82 ft·6 sec
27
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this short, 79.8-mile journey, departing mid-morning can help you avoid the worst of rush hour traffic in both Colonial Heights and Newport News. Since the drive is just over an hour and involves many turns, plan for it to take a bit longer than the estimated time, especially if you're unfamiliar with the area. With no designated stops and a low fuel cost of $13, you have the flexibility to make spontaneous detours or stop for necessities as needed. A good tip for this route is to keep your navigation system active and pay close attention to turn-by-turn directions, as the frequent changes in road names and directions are the defining feature of this drive.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 39.9 miles from Colonial Heights, VA, or about 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 56.7 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 18 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 39.9 miles or 53m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 23m
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 Colonial Heights, VA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Colonial Heights, VA
This is one driving day of about 79.7 miles and 1h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Colonial Heights, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 64 for about 56.7 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.7 and 78.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
2.7 mi into trip|~5m in|SR 620 / Woods Edge Road
Turn right onto SR 620 / Woods Edge Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
8
19.9 mi into trip|~29m in
Take the exit toward I 64, US 60: Norfolk, Richmond, Richmond International Airport
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 28
Toward I 64, US 60: Norfolk, Richmond, Richmond...
6
20.2 mi into trip|~29m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 64, US 60 West: Norfolk, Richmond, Seven Pines
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 64, US 60 West: Norfolk, Richmond, Sev...
7
21 mi into trip|~31m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 64 East: Norfolk
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 64 East: Norfolk
7
78.5 mi into trip|~1h 35m 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
$12.46 one way
$24.93 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg28 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$13.63
$27.25
premium
$4.70
$14.75
$29.50
diesel
$5.61
$17.60
$35.19
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 27.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
23.9
0
$8.37
$3.83
Efficient EV
19.9
0
$6.97
$3.19
EV Truck/SUV
31.9
0
$11.16
$5.10
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (68% 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 18, 2026
Origin
Colonial Heights, VA
Morning
in Colonial Heights on Sunday
Local time
6:34 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Newport News, VA
Morning
in Newport News on Sunday
Local time
6:34 AM
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
2 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
1h 38m 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.
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
~2 min detour
$15
near mile 66
Park Closure: Rehabilitation of Colonial Parkway Continues
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...
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 79.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is characterized by its 'turn-heavy local drive' profile, meaning you'll be navigating city streets and connecting roads rather than high-speed highways. With 0% highway share, be prepared for frequent turns and traffic lights as you make your way through Virginia. The longest uninterrupted stretch isn't specified, but the nature of the drive suggests it will be relatively short, requiring constant attention to navigation. Expect a more engaging, stop-and-go experience as you traverse various neighborhoods and local thoroughfares.
74% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 56.7 mi on I 64.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 2.7 miles in near SR 620 / Woods Edge Road.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 79.7 miles you will encounter 19 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 2.7 miles (SR 620 / Woods Edge Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 19.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 20.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
Between Colonial Heights, VA and Newport News, VA, road signs point toward Richmond, Richmond International Airport, Seven Pines and Norfolk.
Richmond
19.9 mi in|~29m
Richmond International Airport
19.9 mi in|~29m
Seven Pines
20.2 mi in|~29m
Norfolk
20.6 mi in|~30m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 38m. Total distance: 79.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (74%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 56.7 miles on I 64. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.7 miles (SR 620 / Woods Edge Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 19.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 20.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Colonial National Historical Park, Petersburg National Battlefield and Fort Monroe National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Newport News, VA before heading back.
