This 138.5-mile drive from Crewe, VA to Virginia Beach, VA takes about 2 hours and 31 minutes and is best suited as a 1-day trip. You'll navigate primarily local roads, with no highway driving involved, making it a turn-heavy experience. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is $22. This route stays within the Southeast region, offering a straightforward path to the coast. Given its manageable length, it’s an easy drive to complete in a single day without needing an overnight stop.
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
74.2 miles from Crewe, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 34m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New Cox Road
23 mi
28m
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
East Courthouse Road
8.3 mi
9m
Western Freeway
7.4 mi
9m
Longest stretch:
New Cox Road
— 23 mi, about 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Crewe, VA and Virginia Beach, VA.
1
Start on US 460; VA 49
2.1 mi·3 min·East Virginia Avenue
2
Continue on US 460
8.3 mi·9 min·East Courthouse Road
3
Continue on US 460
4.3 mi·5 min·East Colonial Trail Highway
4
Continue on US 460
23 mi·28 min·New Cox Road
5
Continue on US 460
1.2 mi·1 min·Airport Street
6
Take the exit onto US 460
7.1 mi·9 min·US 460
Toward I 85 North, I 95 North, US 460 East: Petersburg, Norfolk
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
Exit 69Toward Wythe Street, Washigton Street, Historic Old Towne PetersburgUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·17 sec
Toward US 301 South: Wythe StreetUse the slight right lane.
9
Merge onto US 460 BUS; VA 36
0.6 mi·47 sec·East Wythe Street
Use the left lane.
10
Continue on VA 36
3.6 mi·4 min·East Washington Street
Use the left lane.
11
Continue on VA 36
2.0 mi·2 min·Oaklawn Boulevard
12
Continue on VA 36
2.2 mi·2 min·Winston Churchill Drive
13
Turn right onto VA 10; VA 156 BUS
1.3 mi·2 min·East Randolph Road
14
Continue on VA 10; VA 156 BUS
15 mi·19 min·James River Drive
15
Continue on VA 10
13 mi·15 min·Colonial Trail West
16
At end of road, turn left onto VA 10; VA 31
1.0 mi·1 min·Rolfe Highway
17
Take the exit
149 ft·6 sec
18
Merge onto VA 10
9.8 mi·11 min·Colonial Trail East
19
Continue on VA 10
12 mi·15 min·Old Stage Highway
Use the left lane.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto US 258
2.8 mi·3 min·Brewers Neck Boulevard
21
Take the exit
0.1 mi·19 sec
22
Merge onto US 17
2.3 mi·3 min·Carrollton Boulevard
23
Continue on US 17
6.2 mi·10 min·Bridge Road
Use the left lane.
24
Keep slight right at fork onto VA 164
7.4 mi·9 min·Western Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
25
Merge onto US 58; VA 164
0.7 mi·46 sec·Martin Luther King Freeway
26
Continue on VA 164
0.7 mi·41 sec·Martin Luther King Jr Freeway
27
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 264 East: Norfolk
28
Merge onto I 264; US 460 ALT
2.7 mi·4 min·I 264; US 460 ALT
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Keep slight right at fork onto I 264; VA 337
17 mi·23 min·I 264; VA 337
Use the slight right lane.
30
Continue on 21st Street
0.4 mi·54 sec·21st Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
31
Turn left onto Arctic Avenue
0.3 mi·46 sec·Arctic Avenue
Use the left lane.
32
Turn right onto 25th Street
454 ft·12 sec·25th Street
33
Arrive at destination
25th Street
Trip Plan
For this 2 hour and 31 minute drive, consider leaving Crewe in the morning to allow ample time in Virginia Beach. Since it's a 1-day trip covering 138.5 miles, you have flexibility with your timing and can afford to make a stop or two if needed. Keep an eye on your fuel, with an estimated cost of $22, and be prepared for the numerous turns indicated by the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile. A specific tip for this route: since you're not on major highways, pay close attention to road signs as you approach Virginia Beach to ensure you're on the most direct path.
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 74.2 miles from Crewe, VA, or about 1h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 23 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 33 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 74.2 miles or 1h 34m 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 37m
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 Crewe, 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 Crewe, VA
This is one driving day of about 148.5 miles and 3h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 miles from Crewe, 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 New Cox Road for about 23 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 46 and 130.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
46 mi into trip|~57m in
Take the exit toward Wythe Street, Washigton Street, Historic Old Towne Petersburg
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 69
Toward Wythe Street, Washigton Street, Historic...
8
46.3 mi into trip|~58m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 301 South: Wythe Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 301 South: Wythe Street
6
46.4 mi into trip|~58m in|US 460 BUS; VA 36 / East Wythe Street
Merge onto US 460 BUS; VA 36 / East Wythe Street
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
118.4 mi into trip|~2h 32m 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
130.4 mi into trip|~2h 49m 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.22 one way
$46.44 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg52 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$25.39
$50.78
premium
$4.70
$27.48
$54.97
diesel
$5.61
$32.79
$65.57
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 52 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
44.6
0
$15.59
$7.13
Efficient EV
37.1
0
$12.99
$5.94
EV Truck/SUV
59.4
0
$20.79
$9.50
Gas CO2
52 kg
EV CO2
17 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 15, 2026
Origin
Crewe, VA
Afternoon
in Crewe on Sunday
Local time
12:12 PM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Virginia Beach, VA
Afternoon
in Virginia Beach on Sunday
Local time
12:12 PM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
52°F
Waverly, VA
74 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
10 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 15m 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...
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...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
$15
near mile 92.2
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 122.9
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 on this route, with a 0% highway share. You'll be following roads like East Courthouse Road and East Colonial Trail Highway, which means frequent turns and a more engaged driving experience. There isn't a longest uninterrupted stretch specified, indicating a continuous series of local roads rather than long, straightaways. The journey will feel like a true local exploration rather than a high-speed transit, requiring your attention to navigation throughout.
Only 24% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 23 mi on New Cox Road.
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 46 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 18 significant decision points across 148.5 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 46 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 46.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 46.4 miles (US 460 BUS; VA 36 / East Wythe Street): 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.
Between Crewe, VA and Virginia Beach, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk and Historic Old Towne Petersburg.
Norfolk
38.9 mi in|~48m|via US 460
Historic Old Towne Petersburg
46 mi in|~57m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 15m. Total distance: 148.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 15m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 23 miles on New Cox Road. 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 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. 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 46 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 46.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 46.4 miles (US 460 BUS; VA 36 / East Wythe Street): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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.
Possible but tiring. At 3.3 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 Virginia Beach, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
