This 274-mile journey from Covington, Virginia to Chesapeake, Virginia is a straightforward drive, clocking in at just over 5 hours. It's entirely contained within Virginia, making it an easy one-day trip. You'll spend most of your time on major highways, with an estimated fuel cost of $43. The route is primarily a highway-focused drive, designed for efficient travel. With a single recommended stop, this trip is well-suited for a single day of driving.
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
137 miles from Covington, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 30m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
228.9 mi
4h 11m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
22.9 mi
25m
Hampton Roads Beltway
6.8 mi
8m
Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
3.5 mi
4m
Chesapeake Boulevard
2.1 mi
3m
Ballentine Boulevard
1.1 mi
1m
East Princess Anne Road
0.9 mi
1m
North Craig Avenue
0.8 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 228.9 mi, about 4h 11m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Covington, VA and Chesapeake, VA.
1
Start on West Main Street
0.3 mi·54 sec·West Main Street
2
Turn left onto North Lexington Avenue
350 ft·9 sec·North Lexington Avenue
3
Turn right onto West Locust Street
0.1 mi·14 sec·West Locust Street
4
Continue on VA 154
0.8 mi·1 min·North Craig Avenue
5
Continue on VA 154
0.4 mi·48 sec·South Durant Road
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·26 sec
7
Merge onto I 64
72 mi·1 hr 17 min·I 64
Use the straight lane.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 64
90 mi·1 hr 38 min·I 64
Toward I 64 East: RichmondUse the straight lane.
9
Take the exit
1.2 mi·1 min
Exit 177Toward I 295 North: Washington, NorfolkUse the slight right lane.
10
Continue on I 295
23 mi·25 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
1.3 mi·2 min
Exit 28AToward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia BeachUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 64
67 mi·1 hr 15 min·I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64; US 60
342 ft·5 sec·Hampton Roads Beltway
14
Continue on I 64; US 60
3.5 mi·4 min·Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
15
Continue on I 64; US 60
6.7 mi·8 min·Hampton Roads Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Exit 278Toward VA 194 South: Chesapeake BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
17
Turn straight onto VA 194
2.1 mi·3 min·Chesapeake Boulevard
Use the left lane.
18
Turn straight
135 ft·7 sec
19
Turn left onto VA 247
1.1 mi·1 min·Ballentine Boulevard
20
Turn right onto VA 166
0.9 mi·1 min·East Princess Anne Road
21
Turn left onto VA 166
0.6 mi·1 min·Park Avenue
22
Turn left onto US 460; VA 166; VA 168
0.3 mi·57 sec·East Brambleton Avenue
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
23
Continue on US 460; VA 166; VA 168
0.7 mi·1 min·Campostella Road
24
Turn right onto US 460; VA 166
0.7 mi·1 min·Wilson Road
Use the right lane.
25
Continue on US 460; VA 166
0.3 mi·27 sec·22nd Street
26
Continue on US 460; VA 166
0.3 mi·29 sec·Poindexter Street
Use the straight lane.
27
Turn right onto D Street
412 ft·18 sec·D Street
28
Arrive at destination
D Street
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour duration, departing in the morning from Covington will allow you to reach Chesapeake with plenty of daylight remaining. You'll want to plan for one stop, and with a longest uninterrupted stretch of 228.9 miles on I 64, a mid-drive break is advisable. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during that long highway segment, as services can be spaced out. The $43 fuel cost is a good estimate to budget for. This drive is manageable in a single day, offering flexibility in your timing.
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 137 miles from Covington, VA, or about 2h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 228.9 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 60 miles or 1h 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 137 miles or 2h 30m 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 9m
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 Covington, 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 Covington, VA
This is one driving day of about 274 miles and 5h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 miles from Covington, 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 228.9 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 0.4 and 266.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.4 mi into trip|~1m in|West Locust Street
Turn right onto West Locust Street
Navigation decision point
7
74 mi into trip|~1h 22m 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
8
164.1 mi into trip|~3h 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
8
188.2 mi into trip|~3h 26m 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
7
266.6 mi into trip|~4h 58m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.85 one way
$85.70 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg96 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$46.85
$93.70
premium
$4.70
$50.71
$101.42
diesel
$5.61
$60.50
$120.99
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$43
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 95.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
82.2
1
$28.77
$13.15
Efficient EV
68.5
0
$23.97
$10.96
EV Truck/SUV
109.6
1
$38.36
$17.54
Gas CO2
96 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Covington, VA
Late night
in Covington on Tuesday
Local time
5:46 AM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Chesapeake, VA
Late night
in Chesapeake on Tuesday
Local time
5:46 AM
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
3 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 12m 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.
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...
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Free
near mile 255.1
Park Closure: Road Closure and Fishing Pier Impact
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...
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...
25 mi from route
~64 min detour
Free
near mile 189
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this 274-mile trip, with 84% of the route utilizing major roadways. You'll be on I 64 for a significant portion, including a continuous stretch of 228.9 miles. The Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway and the Hampton Roads Beltway are also key components. This profile suggests a consistent pace with limited deviations, making it a drive where you can settle in for an extended period on the interstate.
84% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 228.9 mi on I 64.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 0.4 miles in near West Locust Street.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 274 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 0.4 miles (West Locust Street): Navigation decision point; at 74 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 164.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. 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 Covington, VA and Chesapeake, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk and Virginia Beach.
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 5h 12m. Total distance: 274 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 12m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (84%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 228.9 miles on I 64. 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 0.4 miles (West Locust Street): Navigation decision point; at 74 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 164.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Fort Monroe National Monument, Colonial National Historical Park and Petersburg National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Chesapeake, VA before the return drive.
