If you are planning to head from Emporia to Virginia Beach, you are looking at a straightforward 95.4-mile trek that typically takes about 2 hours and 10 minutes. Because this is a relatively short distance, it works perfectly as a simple day trip, meaning you do not need to worry about overnight lodging. You can expect to spend roughly $15 on fuel for the journey, keeping your travel costs quite manageable. The route keeps you within the Southeast region of Virginia the entire time, transitioning from the inland area of Emporia to the coastal environment of Virginia Beach. Given the efficient duration, this drive is ideal for travelers who want to maximize their time at the coast without spending their whole day behind the wheel.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
47.7 miles from Emporia, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 3m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 58
65.8 mi
1h 25m
I 264
24.5 mi
34m
US 13
1.2 mi
2m
East Atlantic Street
0.8 mi
1m
Hampton Roads Beltway
0.6 mi
<1m
Lee Street
0.5 mi
1m
21st Street
0.4 mi
<1m
Hicksford Avenue
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
US 58
— 65.8 mi, about 1h 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Emporia, VA and Virginia Beach, VA.
1
Start on Hicksford Avenue
0.4 mi·51 sec·Hicksford Avenue
2
Continue on Lee Street
0.5 mi·1 min·Lee Street
3
At end of road, turn right onto Southampton Street
0.2 mi·27 sec·Southampton Street
4
Turn right onto US 58 BUS
0.8 mi·1 min·East Atlantic Street
5
Turn right onto US 58
66 mi·1 hr 25 min·US 58
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit onto US 13; US 460
0.7 mi·1 min·US 13; US 460
Toward I 264 East, I 64, US 13 North: Portsmouth, Norfolk, Va Beach
7
Keep slight left at fork onto US 13; US 460
0.4 mi·56 sec·US 13; US 460
Toward I 264 East, I 64, US 13 North: Portsmouth, Norfolk, Va Beach
8
Merge onto I 664; US 13; US 460
0.6 mi·42 sec·Hampton Roads Beltway
9
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 15AToward I 264 East: Portsmouth, Norfolk
10
Continue on I 264
7.2 mi·11 min·I 264
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 264; VA 337
17 mi·23 min·I 264; VA 337
Use the slight right lane.
12
Continue on 21st Street
0.4 mi·54 sec·21st Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Turn left onto Arctic Avenue
0.3 mi·46 sec·Arctic Avenue
Use the left lane.
14
Turn right onto 25th Street
454 ft·12 sec·25th Street
15
Arrive at destination
25th Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a quick 2-hour and 10-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You can easily complete the entire 95.4-mile distance without needing any scheduled stops, though taking a break is always an option if you prefer to pace yourself. Keep in mind that with 96% of the route on highways, traffic patterns near the coast can fluctuate, so checking road conditions before you leave is a smart move. Because the fuel cost is estimated at only $15, you do not need to worry about complex refueling logistics or finding the cheapest stations along the way. Prioritize leaving at a time that avoids peak congestion when entering the Virginia Beach area to ensure your arrival is as smooth as the drive itself.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 47.7 miles from Emporia, VA, or about 1h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 65.8 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 21 miles or 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 47.7 miles or 1h 3m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 46m
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 Emporia, 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 Emporia, VA
This is one driving day of about 95.4 miles and 2h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Emporia, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 58 for about 65.8 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.8 and 95 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
1.8 mi into trip|~3m in|US 58
Turn right onto US 58
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
68.3 mi into trip|~1h 31m in|US 13; US 460
Keep slight left at fork onto US 13; US 460 toward I 264 East, I 64, US 13 North: Portsmouth, Norfolk, Va Beach
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 264 East, I 64, US 13 North: Portsmout...
6
69.3 mi into trip|~1h 32m in
Take the exit toward I 264 East: Portsmouth, Norfolk
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 15A
Toward I 264 East: Portsmouth, Norfolk
6
77.3 mi into trip|~1h 45m 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.
6
95 mi into trip|~2h 9m in|Arctic Avenue
Turn left onto Arctic Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.92 one way
$29.84 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg33 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$16.31
$32.62
premium
$4.70
$17.66
$35.31
diesel
$5.61
$21.06
$42.13
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 33.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
28.6
0
$10.02
$4.58
Efficient EV
23.9
0
$8.35
$3.82
EV Truck/SUV
38.2
0
$13.36
$6.11
Gas CO2
33 kg
EV CO2
11 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 16, 2026
Origin
Emporia, VA
Afternoon
in Emporia on Sunday
Local time
12:15 PM
EDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Virginia Beach, VA
Afternoon
in Virginia Beach on Sunday
Local time
12:15 PM
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
20 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
2h 10m 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.
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...
12 mi from route
~30 min detour
Free
near mile 78.9
Park Closure: Road Closure and Fishing Pier Impact
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is a highway-focused drive, with 96% of your time spent on major roads like US 58, I-264, and US 13. You will spend the vast majority of your time cruising, highlighted by a significant 65.8-mile stretch on US 58 that defines the bulk of the experience. The character of the road is consistent, favoring speed and efficiency over winding local paths. As you move toward the coast, the infrastructure transitions from rural highway stretches into the busier, more developed interstate approaches of the Virginia Beach area. Expect a steady, predictable pace that allows you to cover the distance quickly while maintaining focus on the highway flow.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 65.8 mi on US 58.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 58 and I 264. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.8 miles in near US 58.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 95.4 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.8 miles (US 58): Lane positioning matters here; at 68.3 miles (US 13; US 460): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 69.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 Emporia, VA and Virginia Beach, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk and Va Beach.
Norfolk
67.6 mi in|~1h 29m|via US 13; US 460
Va Beach
67.6 mi in|~1h 29m|via US 13; US 460
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 10m. Total distance: 95.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 10m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 65.8 miles on US 58. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.8 miles (US 58): Lane positioning matters here; at 68.3 miles (US 13; US 460): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 69.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Fort Monroe National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Virginia Beach, VA before heading back.
