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Trip from Dublin, 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

6h 23m

Distance

336.3 mi

541 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$53

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min
4 AM
6h 11m ★
6 AM
6h 23m
8 AM
6h 48m
10 AM
6h 32m
12 PM
6h 30m
3 PM
6h 33m
5 PM
6h 47m
8 PM
6h 16m

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 Virginia Beach, VA, VA

Virginia Beach, VA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Dublin, VA to Virginia Beach, VA is 336.3 miles and takes about 6h 23m via I 81 and I 64, with a fuel budget near $53 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward drive through the Southeast region, primarily utilizing major interstate highways. It's a trip that gets you from point A to point B efficiently, making it a solid choice if you need to cover ground quickly. Expect a consistent highway experience for most of the journey, with minimal detours needed.

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

168.2 miles from Dublin, VA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 7m 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 12 mi 15m
Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway 11.8 mi 16m
Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel 3.5 mi 4m
Cleburne Boulevard 1.8 mi 3m
21st Street 0.4 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 Virginia Beach, 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

12 mi · 15 min · Hampton Roads Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 14 sec
Exit 284A Toward I 264 East, I 264 West: Va Beach, Downtown Norfolk, Portsmouth Use the slight right lane.
15

Keep slight left at fork

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward I 264 East: Va Beach Use the straight / slight left lanes.
16

Merge onto I 264

12 mi · 16 min · Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway
17

Continue on 21st Street

0.4 mi · 54 sec · 21st Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
18

Turn left onto Arctic Avenue

0.3 mi · 46 sec · Arctic Avenue
Use the left lane.
19

Turn right onto 25th Street

454 ft · 12 sec · 25th Street
20

Arrive at destination

25th Street

Trip Plan

Given the 6h 23m estimated duration, this drive is very manageable in a single day. Aim to leave Dublin, VA early in the morning to maximize daylight and avoid potential afternoon traffic as you approach Virginia Beach. While the drive is primarily on interstates, keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longest stretch on I-64, as services can sometimes be spaced out. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility to choose when and where to take breaks based on your needs.

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 168.2 miles from Dublin, VA, or about 3h 7m 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 74 miles or 1h 24m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 168.2 miles or 3h 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 5h 8m

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 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 336.3 miles and 6h 23m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 74 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

168 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

Roanoke, VA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 74 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Charlottesville, VA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 168.2 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 13

5 decision points cluster between mile 125.2 and 323.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

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
8
322.9 mi into trip | ~6h 3m in

Take the exit toward I 264 East, I 264 West: Va Beach, Downtown Norfolk, Portsmouth

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 284A Toward I 264 East, I 264 West: Va Beach, Downto...
7
323.1 mi into trip | ~6h 3m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 264 East: Va Beach

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight left lanes. Toward I 264 East: Va Beach

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$52.59 one way

$105.18 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 118 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $57.50 $115.00
premium $4.70 $62.24 $124.48
diesel $5.61 $74.25 $148.50

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$53

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$78–$103

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 117.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $35 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 100.9 1 $35.31 $16.14
Efficient EV 84.1 0 $29.43 $13.45
EV Truck/SUV 134.5 1 $47.08 $21.52

Gas CO2

118 kg

EV CO2

39 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 15, 2026

Origin

Dublin, VA

Late night in Dublin on Sunday

Local time

4:02 AM

EDT

Current temp

71°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Virginia Beach, VA

Late night in Virginia Beach on Sunday

Local time

4:02 AM

EDT

Current temp

60°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

11 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

6h 23m 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...

5 mi from route ~14 min detour $15 near mile 278.3
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 ~12 min detour Free near mile 313.1
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 ~54 min detour Free near mile 46.4
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...

27 mi from route ~68 min detour Free near mile 243.5
View on nps.gov

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

What kind of drive is this?

This trip is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 87% of the route on interstates like I-81 and I-64. You'll experience a consistent pace for much of the 336.3 miles, including a lengthy stretch of 156.9 miles on I-64 without needing to exit. While the "Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway" is mentioned as a primary road, it's integrated into the interstate system. The overall character is that of efficient travel, designed for covering distance rather than leisurely sightseeing.

87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 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?

9/10

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 125.2 miles in near I 64.

Driving Effort 9/10

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 13 significant decision points across 336.3 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 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; at 239.3 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.

On the drive from Dublin, VA to Virginia Beach, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Norfolk along the way.

Norfolk

215.2 mi in | ~3h 58m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 23m. Total distance: 336.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h 23m 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 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 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; at 239.3 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 6.4 hours each way, a round trip means 12.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Virginia Beach, 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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