Skip to main content
US Trip Planner Logo
US Trip Planner

Trip from Colonial Heights, VA to Virginia Beach, VA

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

Drive Time

2h 21m

Distance

103.2 mi

166 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$16

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 30 min
4 AM
2h 11m ★
6 AM
2h 21m
8 AM
2h 41m
10 AM
2h 28m
12 PM
2h 26m
3 PM
2h 29m
5 PM
2h 40m
8 PM
2h 15m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
independent city in Virginia, United States

Colonial Heights, VA

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Virginia Beach, VA, VA

Virginia Beach, VA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 103.2-mile drive from Colonial Heights, VA, to Virginia Beach, VA, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 21 minutes. You'll primarily navigate I 264, James River Drive, and Colonial Trail West, with about 28% of the journey on highways. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $16, making it an economical option. Since both your origin and destination are within the Southeast region, you won't experience significant regional shifts. This route offers a practical and straightforward journey for a day trip.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

51.6 miles from Colonial Heights, VA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 7m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 264 20 mi 28m
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 7.4 mi 9m
Bridge Road 6.2 mi 10m
Temple Avenue 3.7 mi 6m
Longest stretch: I 264 — 20 mi, about 28m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Colonial Heights, VA and Virginia Beach, 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

7.4 mi · 9 min · Western Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
20

Merge onto US 58; VA 164

0.7 mi · 46 sec · Martin Luther King Freeway
21

Continue on VA 164

0.7 mi · 41 sec · Martin Luther King Jr Freeway
22

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward I 264 East: Norfolk
23

Merge onto I 264; US 460 ALT

2.7 mi · 4 min · I 264; US 460 ALT
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24

Keep slight right at fork onto I 264; VA 337

17 mi · 23 min · I 264; VA 337
Use the slight right lane.
25

Continue on 21st Street

0.4 mi · 54 sec · 21st Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
26

Turn left onto Arctic Avenue

0.3 mi · 46 sec · Arctic Avenue
Use the left lane.
27

Turn right onto 25th Street

454 ft · 12 sec · 25th Street
28

Arrive at destination

25th Street

Trip Plan

With a total duration of just over 2 hours, this 103.2-mile trip from Colonial Heights to Virginia Beach offers plenty of flexibility. You can depart at your leisure, but consider leaving earlier in the day to maximize your time at your destination. The estimated fuel cost is $16, so ensure your tank is full before you leave Colonial Heights. While there are no specific stops mentioned, the relatively short duration means you won't need to plan for extensive breaks. Keep an eye on your navigation as you transition between I 264 and the local roads to ensure you stay on track.

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 51.6 miles from Colonial Heights, VA, or about 1h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 20 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 23 miles or 32m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 51.6 miles or 1h 7m 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 54m

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 Colonial Heights, 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 Heights, VA

This is one driving day of about 103.2 miles and 2h 21m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 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 264 for about 20 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Williamsburg, VA, VA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Williamsburg, VA

52 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

Waverly, VA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 23 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Williamsburg, VA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 51.6 miles from Colonial Heights, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Perked Up Coffee Cafe'

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 103.2

Hours: 6:30 am–2 pm

+17574220032

C4 Coffee Cafe @ Princess Anne

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Virginia Beach, Virginia

2.7 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Flora's Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Near the end, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 95.8

Hours: 7:30 am–3:30 pm

+17573403249

Cafe Stella

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Norfolk, Virginia

2.8 mi

CooL BeanZ Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Petersburg, Virginia

2.8 mi

Perked Up Coffee Cafe'

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 103.2

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Hours: 6:30 am–2 pm

+17574220032

FunVille Playground and Cafe

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 95.8

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+17579638683

Visit website

C4 Coffee Cafe @ Princess Anne

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 95.8

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Hours: Closed

+17577612524

Sandlot Cafe & Catering

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 14.7

Hopewell, Virginia

Hours: Closed

+18043343338

NuVegan Cafe Petersburg

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20

Petersburg, Virginia

Hours: 11:30 am–8 pm

+18045045580

Tropical Smoothie Cafe

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour Inexpensiv mile 7.4

Fort Gregg-Adams, Virginia

Hours: 10 am–6 pm

+18048949500

Visit website

Flora's Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 95.8

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Hours: 7:30 am–3:30 pm

+17573403249

Cafe Stella

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 81.1

Norfolk, Virginia

Hours: 7:30 am–10 pm

+17576250461

Visit website

CooL BeanZ Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20

Petersburg, Virginia

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+18045908876

Visit website

Gather Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 73.7

Chesapeake, Virginia

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

Visit website

Virginia Beach Field House

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 95.8

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Hours: 1–10:30 pm

+17574273955

Visit website

Ordnance Cafe

Near the start, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 7.4

Fort Gregg-Adams, Virginia

Tesla Supercharger

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 81.1

Portsmouth, Virginia

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 88.4

Norfolk, Virginia

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 88.4

Norfolk, Virginia

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Nissan Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 73.7

Chesapeake, Virginia

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+33172676914

Visit website

EVgo Charging Station

2.9 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 88.4

Norfolk, Virginia

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

2.0 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 73.7

Chesapeake, Virginia

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargeSmart EV Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 88.4

Norfolk, Virginia

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887174544

Visit website

Mercedes-Benz Charging Station

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.4 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 88.4

Norfolk, Virginia

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336224743

Visit website

Virginia Beach Oceanfront Boardwalk

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 103.2

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Neptune's Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 103.2

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+18008223224

Visit website

Atlantic Fun Park

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 103.2

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Hours: 12–10 pm

+17574220467

Visit website

Isle of Wight County Museum

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 59

Smithfield, Virginia

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+17573561223

Visit website

Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 81.1

Portsmouth, Virginia

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+17573938591

Visit website

Ferry Plantation House

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 95.8

Virginia Beach, Virginia

+17574735182

Visit website

Get Air Trampoline Park

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 95.8

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+17572555230

Visit website

Historic Old Towne Petersburg

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour

Petersburg, Virginia

Visit website

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 102.8 — 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.
6
85.1 mi into trip | ~1h 55m in | I 264; VA 337

Keep slight right at fork onto I 264; VA 337

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane.
6
102.8 mi into trip | ~2h 20m in | Arctic Avenue

Turn left onto Arctic Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$16.14 one way

$32.28 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 36 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $17.65 $35.29
premium $4.70 $19.10 $38.20
diesel $5.61 $22.79 $45.57

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$16

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$41–$66

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 36.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 31 0 $10.84 $4.95
Efficient EV 25.8 0 $9.03 $4.13
EV Truck/SUV 41.3 0 $14.45 $6.60

Gas CO2

36 kg

EV CO2

12 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 18, 2026

Origin

Colonial Heights, VA

Morning in Colonial Heights on Sunday

Local time

6:06 AM

EDT

Current temp

60°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Virginia Beach, VA

Morning in Virginia Beach on Sunday

Local time

6:06 AM

EDT

Current temp

60°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

71°F

Williamsburg, VA

52 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

Very similar conditions

Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.

Road read

2h 21m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a "turn-heavy local drive" for much of this 103.2-mile route. While 28% of the drive is on highways, the majority involves navigating local roads like James River Drive and Colonial Trail West. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 20 miles on I 264, offering a brief period of faster travel. The character of the road shifts between these quicker highway segments and more intricate local driving, requiring your attention as you transition between them.

Only 28% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 20 mi on I 264.

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 Effort 10/10

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 17 significant decision points across 103.2 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 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.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 21m. Total distance: 103.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 20 miles on I 264. 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 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

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. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Virginia Beach, VA before heading back.

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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Continue From Virginia Beach, VA

Appalachia, VA 476.3 mi · 9h 20m Petersburg, VA 217.8 mi · 4h 30m Loudoun Valley Estates, VA 217.2 mi · 4h 30m Danville, VA 213.6 mi · 4h 44m

More from Colonial Heights, VA

Leesburg, VA 150.7 mi · 3h 9m Harrisonburg, VA 150.3 mi · 2h 56m Danville, VA 139.1 mi · 2h 55m McLean, VA 129.1 mi · 2h 37m Alexandria, VA 124 mi · 2h 30m West Lynchburg, VA 119.8 mi · 2h 33m

More trips to Virginia Beach, VA

Pennington Gap, VA 487.8 mi Clintwood, VA 476.1 mi Norton, VA 466.5 mi Gate City, VA 455.2 mi Weber City, VA 454.5 mi Castlewood, VA 445.1 mi
Escape planner: Colonial Heights, VA Scenic drives in VA

Explore more options from Colonial Heights, VA or browse trips ending in Virginia Beach, VA.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse VA road trips.