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Trip from Dublin, VA to Chesapeake, VA

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

Drive Time

6h 11m

Distance

325.2 mi

523 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$51

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
5h 59m ★
6 AM
6h 12m
8 AM
6h 37m
10 AM
6h 21m
12 PM
6h 18m
3 PM
6h 22m
5 PM
6h 36m
8 PM
6h 4m

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

town in Virginia

Dublin, VA

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Chesapeake, VA, VA

Chesapeake, VA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 325-mile drive from Dublin, Virginia, to Chesapeake, Virginia, is a solid day trip, estimated to take about 6 hours and 11 minutes. You'll be spending most of your time on major highways, with 86% of the route being on interstates like I-81 and I-64, also known as the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway. With a projected fuel cost of around $51, this is a straightforward journey across the Southeast region of Virginia. It's a highway-focused trip that's perfectly manageable in a single day, making it a convenient option for getting from point A to point B efficiently.

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

162.6 miles from Dublin, VA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 1m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 64 156.9 mi 2h 53m
I 81 122.5 mi 2h 15m
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
Cleburne Boulevard 1.8 mi 3m
Ballentine Boulevard 1.1 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 64 — 156.9 mi, about 2h 53m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Dublin, VA and Chesapeake, VA.

1

Start on US 11

0.4 mi · 52 sec · Broad Street
2

Turn slight right

0.2 mi · 29 sec
Toward VA 100 South: Hillsville, Bristol
3

Turn straight onto VA 100

1.8 mi · 3 min · Cleburne Boulevard
4

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 45 sec
5

Merge onto I 81

123 mi · 2 hr 15 min · I 81
Use the straight lane.
6

Keep slight right at fork onto I 64

90 mi · 1 hr 38 min · I 64
Toward I 64 East: Richmond Use the straight lane.
7

Take the exit

1.2 mi · 1 min
Exit 177 Toward I 295 North: Washington, Norfolk Use the slight right lane.
8

Continue on I 295

23 mi · 25 min · Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Take the exit

1.3 mi · 2 min
Exit 28A Toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Merge onto I 64

67 mi · 1 hr 15 min · I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Keep slight left at fork onto I 64; US 60

342 ft · 5 sec · Hampton Roads Beltway
12

Continue on I 64; US 60

3.5 mi · 4 min · Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
13

Continue on I 64; US 60

6.7 mi · 8 min · Hampton Roads Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 32 sec
Exit 278 Toward VA 194 South: Chesapeake Boulevard Use the slight right lane.
15

Turn straight onto VA 194

2.1 mi · 3 min · Chesapeake Boulevard
Use the left lane.
16

Turn straight

135 ft · 7 sec
17

Turn left onto VA 247

1.1 mi · 1 min · Ballentine Boulevard
18

Turn right onto VA 166

0.9 mi · 1 min · East Princess Anne Road
19

Turn left onto VA 166

0.6 mi · 1 min · Park Avenue
20

Turn left onto US 460; VA 166; VA 168

0.3 mi · 57 sec · East Brambleton Avenue
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
21

Continue on US 460; VA 166; VA 168

0.7 mi · 1 min · Campostella Road
22

Turn right onto US 460; VA 166

0.7 mi · 1 min · Wilson Road
Use the right lane.
23

Continue on US 460; VA 166

0.3 mi · 27 sec · 22nd Street
24

Continue on US 460; VA 166

0.3 mi · 29 sec · Poindexter Street
Use the straight lane.
25

Turn right onto D Street

412 ft · 18 sec · D Street
26

Arrive at destination

D Street

Trip Plan

Given the 6-hour duration, starting your trip from Dublin, VA, early in the morning is your best bet to arrive in Chesapeake, VA, with daylight to spare. While this route is designed for a single day, plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs and refuel; the longest stretch without major exits is 156.9 miles on I-64. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during that longer segment, and remember that the estimated fuel cost is $51. Given it's a highway-focused drive, you'll have flexibility in timing your stops.

Morning Departure

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Evening Departure

This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 162.6 miles from Dublin, VA, or about 3h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 156.9 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 72 miles or 1h 21m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 162.6 miles or 3h 1m 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 57m

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 Dublin, 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 Dublin, VA

This is one driving day of about 325.2 miles and 6h 11m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 72 miles from Dublin, 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 156.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Charlottesville, VA, VA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Charlottesville, VA

163 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.

Popular next leg

Charlottesville, VA to Chesapeake, VA

165.8 mi · 3h 17m

Pacing Suggestions

Roanoke, VA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 72 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Charlottesville, VA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 162.6 miles from Dublin, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 64 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 156.9 miles.

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 17

5 decision points cluster between mile 2.7 and 317.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
2.7 mi into trip | ~5m in | I 81

Merge onto I 81

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
7
125.2 mi into trip | ~2h 20m 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
215.2 mi into trip | ~3h 58m 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
239.3 mi into trip | ~4h 25m 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
317.8 mi into trip | ~5h 57m 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

$50.85 one way

$101.71 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 114 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $55.60 $111.21
premium $4.70 $60.19 $120.38
diesel $5.61 $71.80 $143.60

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$51

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$76–$101

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 113.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $34 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 97.6 1 $34.15 $15.61
Efficient EV 81.3 0 $28.46 $13.01
EV Truck/SUV 130.1 1 $45.53 $20.81

Gas CO2

114 kg

EV CO2

38 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 16, 2026

Origin

Dublin, VA

Late night in Dublin on Sunday

Local time

12:34 AM

EDT

Current temp

71°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Chesapeake, VA

Late night in Chesapeake on Sunday

Local time

12:34 AM

EDT

Current temp

93°F

Mostly Sunny

SW 14 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Red Flag Warning

Red Flag Warning issued April 16 at 9:43AM EDT until April 16 at 7:00PM EDT by NWS Baltimore MD/Washington DC

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued April 16 at 5:34AM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA

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

22 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

6h 11m on the road

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

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

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...

3 mi from route ~9 min detour $15 near mile 280.3
Park Closure: Rehabilitation of Colonial Parkway Continues
View on nps.gov
Fort Monroe National Monument

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...

5 mi from route ~13 min detour Free near mile 302.7
View on nps.gov
Booker T Washington National Monument

Booker T Washington National Monument

National Monument

Booker T. Washington was born a slave in April 1856 on the 207-acre farm of James Burroughs. After the Civil War, Washington became the first principal of Tuskegee Normal and Industrial School. Later...

22 mi from route ~55 min detour Free near mile 44.8
View on nps.gov
Petersburg National Battlefield

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...

28 mi from route ~70 min detour Free near mile 235.5
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a highway-centric experience for the majority of this 325-mile journey. With 86% of the route on interstates, you'll largely be on fast-paced roads like I-81 and I-64. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is a significant 156.9 miles along I-64, meaning you can cover a lot of ground without frequent exits. This profile suggests a drive where maintaining speed is possible for extended periods, with fewer opportunities for leisurely exploration on local roads.

86% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 156.9 mi on I 64.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and I 81. 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 I 81.

Driving Effort 8/10

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 325.2 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 2.7 miles (I 81): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 125.2 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 215.2 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 Dublin, VA and Chesapeake, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk and Virginia Beach.

Norfolk

215.2 mi in | ~3h 58m

Virginia Beach

239.3 mi in | ~4h 25m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 11m. Total distance: 325.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h 11m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 156.9 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 2.7 miles (I 81): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 125.2 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 215.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes — Colonial National Historical Park, Fort Monroe National Monument and Booker T Washington National Monument (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Not recommended in a single day. At 6.2 hours each way, a round trip means 12.4 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.

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

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