Traveling from Forest to Chesapeake covers 205.4 miles of Virginia’s Southeast landscape, typically taking about 4 hours and 34 minutes behind the wheel. Because this route is manageable within a single day, you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay unless you prefer a slower pace. You can expect to spend approximately $33 on fuel for the journey. The route relies heavily on local thoroughfares rather than major interstates, providing a consistent transition across the region. It is a straightforward trip for those looking to traverse the state without the intensity of heavy highway traffic.
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
102.7 miles from Forest, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 15m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 501
32.1 mi
40m
Prince Edward Highway
24.1 mi
29m
Patrick Henry Highway
17.2 mi
21m
James River Drive
14.6 mi
19m
Hull Street Road
13.7 mi
19m
Colonial Trail West
13.3 mi
15m
World War II Veterans Memorial Highway
12.1 mi
14m
Old Stage Highway
12 mi
15m
Longest stretch:
US 501
— 32.1 mi, about 40m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Forest, VA and Chesapeake, VA.
1
Start on this road
94 ft·13 sec·this road
2
Turn left
105 ft·8 sec
3
At end of road, turn right onto US 221
2.8 mi·4 min·Forest Road
4
Turn right onto Graves Mill Road
1.5 mi·3 min·Graves Mill Road
Use the straight lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·29 sec
Use the right lane.
6
Merge onto US 501
2.5 mi·3 min·Lynchburg Expressway
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·42 sec
Toward US 501 South, VA 128 EastUse the right lane.
8
Merge onto US 501; VA 128
0.5 mi·1 min·Candlers Mountain Road
9
Keep slight left at fork onto US 501
32 mi·40 min·US 501
Toward US 29 North, US 460 East, US 501 South: Charlottesville, Appomattox, South BostonUse the straight lane.
10
Continue on US 460
24 mi·29 min·Prince Edward Highway
11
Turn left onto VA 307
9.3 mi·12 min·Holly Farms Road
12
Turn left onto US 360
17 mi·21 min·Patrick Henry Highway
13
Continue on US 360
14 mi·19 min·Hull Street Road
Use the straight lane.
14
Turn right onto SR 754
0.9 mi·1 min·Commonwealth Centre Parkway
Use the right lane.
15
Take the ramp
62 ft·1 sec
16
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward VA 288 SouthUse the slight right lane.
17
Merge onto VA 288
12 mi·14 min·World War II Veterans Memorial Highway
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward I 95 South: PetersburgUse the slight right lane.
19
Merge onto I 95
1.5 mi·1 min·Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 61AToward VA 10 East: HopewellUse the right lane.
21
Continue on VA 10
6.8 mi·10 min·West Hundred Road
Use the left / uturn lanes.
22
Continue on VA 10
2.9 mi·4 min·West Randolph Road
23
Continue on VA 10; VA 156 BUS
15 mi·19 min·James River Drive
24
Continue on VA 10
13 mi·15 min·Colonial Trail West
25
At end of road, turn left onto VA 10; VA 31
1.0 mi·1 min·Rolfe Highway
26
Take the exit
149 ft·6 sec
27
Merge onto VA 10
9.8 mi·11 min·Colonial Trail East
28
Continue on VA 10
12 mi·15 min·Old Stage Highway
Use the left lane.
29
Keep slight left at fork onto US 258
2.8 mi·3 min·Brewers Neck Boulevard
30
Take the exit
0.1 mi·19 sec
31
Merge onto US 17
2.3 mi·3 min·Carrollton Boulevard
32
Continue on US 17
6.2 mi·10 min·Bridge Road
Use the left lane.
33
Keep slight right at fork onto VA 164
7.4 mi·9 min·Western Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
34
Merge onto US 58; VA 164
0.7 mi·46 sec·Martin Luther King Freeway
35
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward VA 141 South: Downtown PortsmouthUse the right lane.
36
Turn straight onto US 58
0.9 mi·1 min·London Boulevard
37
Turn right onto Elm Avenue
2.4 mi·4 min·Elm Avenue
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
38
Continue on VA 337
1.1 mi·2 min·South Norfolk Jordan Bridge
39
Turn straight onto VA 337
0.7 mi·1 min·Poindexter Street
Use the straight lane.
40
Turn left onto D Street
412 ft·18 sec·D Street
41
Arrive at destination
D Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a one-day trip, your primary advantage is schedule flexibility, though departing early helps you avoid the fatigue of a long, turn-heavy drive. Plan for at least one well-timed stop to break up the 4.5-hour duration and keep your focus sharp on the winding sections. Because fuel costs are estimated at $33, consider topping off your tank before leaving Forest to ensure you don't need to hunt for stations during the more rural portions of the drive. Keep a close eye on your navigation when transitioning between US 501 and the various state highways to stay on track.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 102.7 miles from Forest, VA, or about 2h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 32.1 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 45 miles or 1h in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 102.7 miles or 2h 15m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 40m
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 Forest, 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 Forest, VA
This is one driving day of about 205.4 miles and 4h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from Forest, 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 US 501 for about 32.1 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 27
5 decision points cluster between mile 7.1 and 119.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
7.1 mi into trip|~12m in
Take the exit toward US 501 South, VA 128 East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward US 501 South, VA 128 East
8
7.9 mi into trip|~14m in|US 501
Keep slight left at fork onto US 501 toward US 29 North, US 460 East, US 501 South: Charlottesville, Appomattox, South Boston
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward US 29 North, US 460 East, US 501 South:...
8
105.3 mi into trip|~2h 20m in
Keep slight right at fork toward VA 288 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward VA 288 South
7
117.7 mi into trip|~2h 34m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 95 South: Petersburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 95 South: Petersburg
7
119.5 mi into trip|~2h 37m in
Take the exit toward VA 10 East: Hopewell
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 61A
Toward VA 10 East: Hopewell
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.12 one way
$64.24 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg72 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$35.12
$70.24
premium
$4.70
$38.02
$76.03
diesel
$5.61
$45.35
$90.70
Estimated Tolls: $0.10
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
(1.5 mi)$0.10
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
$32
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 71.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
61.6
0
$21.57
$9.86
Efficient EV
51.4
0
$17.97
$8.22
EV Truck/SUV
82.2
1
$28.76
$13.15
Gas CO2
72 kg
EV CO2
24 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
Forest, VA
Late night
in Forest on Sunday
Local time
1:57 AM
EDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Chesapeake, VA
Late night
in Chesapeake on Sunday
Local time
1:57 AM
EDT
Current temp
93°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 14 mph0% chanceLive 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
86°F
Colonial Heights, VA
103 mi in
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
14 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
4h 34m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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.
Appomattox Court House National Historical Park
National Historical Park
On April 9, 1865, the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia in the McLean House in the village of Appomattox Court House, Virginia signaled the effective end of the nation's largest war. Question...
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...
11 mi from route
~29 min detour
Free
near mile 198.3
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...
12 mi from route
~29 min detour
$15
near mile 162.9
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...
12 mi from route
~30 min detour
Free
near mile 120.4
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...
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 that demands your full attention rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. With only 22% of the trip consisting of highway driving, you will spend the majority of your time navigating secondary roads like US 501, the Prince Edward Highway, and the Patrick Henry Highway. Your longest uninterrupted stretch is 32.1 miles on US 501, which offers a brief reprieve from the more frequent turns found throughout the rest of the journey. This combination of segments creates a varied, active driving experience that feels significantly different from typical high-speed corridors.
Only 22% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
41 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 32.1 mi on US 501.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 7.1 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 27 significant decision points across 205.4 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 7.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7.9 miles (US 501): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 105.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Chesapeake is a town of 245,000 people (2019) in the Hampton Roads region of Eastern Virginia. Chesapeake is a diverse city in which a few urban areas are located; it also has many square miles of protected farmland, forests, and wetlands, including a substantial portion of the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 34m. Total distance: 205.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 32.1 miles on US 501. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.10 in tolls one way, starting with Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike. 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.
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 7.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7.9 miles (US 501): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 105.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Appomattox Court House National Historical Park, Fort Monroe National Monument and Colonial National Historical Park (5 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Chesapeake, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
