Origin
Dublin, VA
Late night in Dublin on Sunday
Local time
4:02 AM
EDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
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
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Dublin, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Virginia Beach, VA
Wikimedia Commons
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 .
| 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 |
Step-by-step road directions between Dublin, VA and Virginia Beach, VA.
Start on US 11
Turn slight right
Turn straight onto VA 100
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 81
Keep slight right at fork onto I 64
Take the exit
Continue on I 295
Take the exit
Merge onto I 64
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64; US 60
Continue on I 64; US 60
Continue on I 64; US 60
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 264
Continue on 21st Street
Turn left onto Arctic Avenue
Turn right onto 25th Street
Arrive at destination
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.
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.
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.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
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.
A short stop after about 74 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
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 checkTop 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.
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.
Keep slight right at fork onto I 64 toward I 64 East: Richmond
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
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
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
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
Keep slight left at fork toward I 264 East: Va Beach
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$52.59 one way
$105.18 round trip
| 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Dublin on Sunday
Local time
4:02 AM
EDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Destination
Late night in Virginia Beach on Sunday
Local time
4:02 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
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...
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...
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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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