If you are planning a trip from Colonial Heights to Norfolk, expect a 84-mile journey that takes approximately 1 hour and 55 minutes to complete. This route is best suited as a comfortable day trip, as it is short enough to handle in a single session without the need for an overnight stay. You should budget roughly $13 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Southeast Virginia locations. By opting for local roads over major interstates, you get a much more intimate look at the regional landscape. It is a straightforward, manageable drive that offers 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
42 miles from Colonial Heights, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 55m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
James River Drive
14.6 mi
19m
Colonial Trail West
13.3 mi
15m
Old Stage Highway
12 mi
15m
Colonial Trail East
9.8 mi
11m
Western Freeway
6.8 mi
8m
Bridge Road
6.2 mi
10m
Temple Avenue
3.7 mi
6m
Brewers Neck Boulevard
2.8 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
James River Drive
— 14.6 mi, about 19m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Colonial Heights, VA and Norfolk, VA.
1
Start on this road
257 ft·20 sec·this road
2
At end of road, turn right onto East Ellerslie Avenue
0.8 mi·1 min·East Ellerslie Avenue
3
Turn right onto Conduit Road
0.5 mi·1 min·Conduit Road
Use the right lane.
4
Turn left onto VA 144
3.7 mi·6 min·Temple Avenue
5
Merge onto VA 36
0.3 mi·28 sec·East Washington Street
Use the left lane.
6
Continue on VA 36
2.0 mi·2 min·Oaklawn Boulevard
7
Continue on VA 36
2.2 mi·2 min·Winston Churchill Drive
8
Turn right onto VA 10; VA 156 BUS
1.3 mi·2 min·East Randolph Road
9
Continue on VA 10; VA 156 BUS
15 mi·19 min·James River Drive
10
Continue on VA 10
13 mi·15 min·Colonial Trail West
11
At end of road, turn left onto VA 10; VA 31
1.0 mi·1 min·Rolfe Highway
12
Take the exit
149 ft·6 sec
13
Merge onto VA 10
9.8 mi·11 min·Colonial Trail East
14
Continue on VA 10
12 mi·15 min·Old Stage Highway
Use the left lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto US 258
2.8 mi·3 min·Brewers Neck Boulevard
16
Take the exit
0.1 mi·19 sec
17
Merge onto US 17
2.3 mi·3 min·Carrollton Boulevard
18
Continue on US 17
6.2 mi·10 min·Bridge Road
Use the left lane.
19
Keep slight right at fork onto VA 164
6.8 mi·8 min·Western Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
20
Take the exit
0.4 mi·35 sec
Toward US 58 East: Tunnel Norfolk
21
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·37 sec
Toward US 58 East: Tunnel Norfolk
22
Merge onto US 58
1.2 mi·2 min·US 58
23
Take the exit onto US 58
1.6 mi·3 min·US 58
Toward US 58 East: Brambleton Avenue, Downtown NorfolkUse the left lane.
24
Turn right onto US 460 ALT
0.5 mi·1 min·Saint Pauls Boulevard
Use the left lane.
25
Turn left onto East City Hall Avenue
158 ft·9 sec·East City Hall Avenue
Use the left lane.
26
Arrive at destination
East City Hall Avenue
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short drive of under two hours, you have the advantage of being able to depart whenever it best suits your plans. Because there are no scheduled stops on this itinerary, ensure your vehicle is fueled up before you head out to avoid mid-trip errands. With the route being primarily made up of local roads, stay mindful of speed limit changes as you transition between the smaller segments of the trail. The lack of mandatory stops gives you complete control over your pace, so feel free to pull over safely if you need a quick break. Prioritize keeping your focus sharp through the turn-heavy sections to ensure a smooth arrival in Norfolk.
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 42 miles from Colonial Heights, VA, or about 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 14.6 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 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 42 miles or 55m 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 35m
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 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 84 miles and 1h 55m.
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 James River Drive for about 14.6 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.9 and 81.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.9 mi into trip|~1m in|Conduit Road
Turn right onto Conduit Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
5.1 mi into trip|~9m in|VA 36 / East Washington Street
Merge onto VA 36 / East Washington Street
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
73.1 mi into trip|~1h 38m in|VA 164 / Western Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto VA 164 / Western Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
5
80.3 mi into trip|~1h 47m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 58 East: Tunnel Norfolk
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward US 58 East: Tunnel Norfolk
7
81.9 mi into trip|~1h 50m in|US 58
Take the exit onto US 58 toward US 58 East: Brambleton Avenue, Downtown Norfolk
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward US 58 East: Brambleton Avenue, Downtown...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.14 one way
$26.27 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg29 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$14.36
$28.73
premium
$4.70
$15.55
$31.09
diesel
$5.61
$18.55
$37.09
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 29.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
25.2
0
$8.82
$4.03
Efficient EV
21
0
$7.35
$3.36
EV Truck/SUV
33.6
0
$11.76
$5.38
Gas CO2
29 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (66% 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 Heights, VA
Late night
in Colonial Heights on Tuesday
Local time
5:14 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Norfolk, VA
Late night
in Norfolk on Tuesday
Local time
5:14 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
73°F
Williamsburg, VA
42 mi in
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
1 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
1h 55m 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.
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...
7 mi from route
~16 min detour
Free
Park Closure: Eastern Front Tour Road south of Route 36 - Closed
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...
10 mi from route
~26 min detour
$15
near mile 46.3
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...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 78.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate grind, as only 11 percent of this route consists of highway travel. Your journey relies on James River Drive, Colonial Trail West, and Old Stage Highway to navigate the region. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 14.6-mile segment on James River Drive, which provides a brief reprieve from the more frequent turns. Because the route prioritizes secondary roads, you will spend most of your time navigating local infrastructure. Keep your eyes on the road, as the winding nature of the path requires more active attention than a typical highway cruise.
Only 11% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 14.6 mi on James River Drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.9 miles in near Conduit 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 84 miles you will encounter 17 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 0.9 miles (Conduit Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.1 miles (VA 36 / East Washington Street): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 73.1 miles (VA 164 / Western Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 55m. Total distance: 84 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 14.6 miles on James River Drive. 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 Norfolk, 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 0.9 miles (Conduit Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.1 miles (VA 36 / East Washington Street): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 73.1 miles (VA 164 / Western Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Petersburg National Battlefield, Colonial National Historical Park 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 Norfolk, VA before heading back.
