This 79.1-mile journey from Exmore, VA to Newport News, VA takes approximately 1 hour and 52 minutes, making it a manageable day trip. You'll primarily travel on Lankford Highway before transitioning to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge–Tunnel and then the Hampton Roads Beltway. With a fuel cost estimated at $12, this route offers a straightforward drive through the Southeast region of Virginia. While there are no specific stops recommended in the data, the relatively short duration means you can easily complete this drive in a single day, allowing for flexibility in your schedule.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
39.6 miles from Exmore, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 56m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Lankford Highway
29.7 mi
41m
Chesapeake Bay Bridge–Tunnel
17.7 mi
24m
Hampton Roads Beltway
15.7 mi
22m
Northampton Boulevard
5.1 mi
7m
I 64
4.3 mi
5m
Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
3.5 mi
4m
Main Street
1.3 mi
3m
Diligence Drive
0.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Lankford Highway
— 29.7 mi, about 41m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Exmore, VA and Newport News, VA.
1
Start on Westfield Avenue
47 ft·4 sec·Westfield Avenue
2
Turn right onto US 13 BUS
1.3 mi·3 min·Main Street
3
Turn left onto US 13
29 mi·39 min·Lankford Highway
4
Merge onto US 13
1.1 mi·1 min·Lankford Highway
5
Continue on US 13
18 mi·24 min·Chesapeake Bay Bridge–Tunnel
6
Continue on US 13
5.1 mi·7 min·Northampton Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.1 mi·14 sec
Toward I 64 East, I 64 West: Downtown Norfolk, Chesapeake, Suffolk, Hampton, Richmond
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward I 64 West: Hampton, RichmondUse the slight right lane.
9
Merge onto I 64
9.8 mi·14 min·Hampton Roads Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 64; US 60
3.5 mi·4 min·Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
11
Continue on I 64; US 60
5.9 mi·7 min·Hampton Roads Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64
4.3 mi·5 min·I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·36 sec
Exit 258AToward US 17 South: J Clyde Morris BoulevardUse the right lane.
14
Merge onto US 17
0.1 mi·13 sec·J Clyde Morris Boulevard
15
Continue on US 17
0.3 mi·30 sec·J Clyde Morris Boulevard
16
Turn right onto Diligence Drive
0.5 mi·1 min·Diligence Drive
17
At end of road, turn right onto Thimble Shoals Boulevard
0.1 mi·19 sec·Thimble Shoals Boulevard
18
Turn left
413 ft·33 sec
19
At end of road, turn right
82 ft·6 sec
20
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 1 hour and 52-minute duration, you have considerable flexibility with departure times for this 79.1-mile trip. Consider leaving earlier in the day to avoid potential traffic, especially as you approach the Hampton Roads Beltway. While no specific stops are noted, the longest stretch without significant changes is nearly 30 miles, so plan for any necessary breaks before or after this segment. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $12, and make sure you're topped off before heading onto the Chesapeake Bay Bridge–Tunnel, where services might be limited.
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 39.6 miles from Exmore, VA, or about 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 29.7 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 17 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 39.6 miles or 56m 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 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Newport News, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Exmore, VA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Exmore, VA
This is one driving day of about 79.1 miles and 1h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Exmore, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Lankford Highway for about 29.7 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 53.9 and 79.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
53.9 mi into trip|~1h 16m in
Take the exit toward I 64 East, I 64 West: Downtown Norfolk, Chesapeake, Suffolk, Hampton, Richmond
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 64 East, I 64 West: Downtown Norfolk,...
9
54 mi into trip|~1h 16m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 64 West: Hampton, Richmond
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 64 West: Hampton, Richmond
6
73.5 mi into trip|~1h 44m in|I 64
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
77.8 mi into trip|~1h 49m in
Take the exit toward US 17 South: J Clyde Morris Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 258A
Toward US 17 South: J Clyde Morris Boulevard
6
79.1 mi into trip|~1h 52m in
At end of road, turn right
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.37 one way
$24.74 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg28 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$13.52
$27.05
premium
$4.70
$14.64
$29.28
diesel
$5.61
$17.46
$34.93
Estimated Tolls: $4.00
Chesapeake Bay Bridge
$4.00
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Tolls
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 27.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
23.7
0
$8.31
$3.80
Efficient EV
19.8
0
$6.92
$3.16
EV Truck/SUV
31.6
0
$11.07
$5.06
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (68% 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 17, 2026
Origin
Exmore, VA
Morning
in Exmore on Tuesday
Local time
11:26 AM
EDT
Current temp
80°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny
NW 5 to 9 mph16% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Newport News, VA
Morning
in Newport News on Tuesday
Local time
11:26 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°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
24 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
1h 52m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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...
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...
13 mi from route
~32 min detour
$15
near mile 79.1
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" for much of this route, with only a 5% highway share. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 29.7 miles on Lankford Highway. This suggests a drive that involves more frequent changes in speed and direction, characteristic of navigating through towns and local roads rather than sustained highway cruising. As you progress, the road will likely evolve from local byways to the more significant infrastructure of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge–Tunnel and the Beltway.
Only 5% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 29.7 mi on Lankford Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 53.9 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 79.1 miles you will encounter 11 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 53.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 54 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 73.5 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Exmore, VA and Newport News, VA, road signs point toward Chesapeake, Suffolk, Hampton and Richmond.
Newport News is a city in Virginia in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area. It's on the James River, and much of the area has been developed into a city starting in the late 19th century.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 52m. Total distance: 79.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 52m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 29.7 miles on Lankford Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $4.00 in tolls one way, starting with Chesapeake Bay Bridge. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
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 Newport News, VA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 53.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 54 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 73.5 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Fort Monroe National Monument and Colonial National Historical Park. 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 Newport News, VA before heading back.
