Franklin, VA to Chesapeake, VA is 165.6 miles and takes about 3h 15m via I 64 and the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, with a fuel budget near $26 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This journey stays within Virginia, connecting two points in the Southeast region. It's a straightforward drive, primarily on well-maintained highways, making it a convenient option for a single-day trip. Expect a consistent travel pace for most of the 165.6 miles.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
82.8 miles from Franklin, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 34m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
119.3 mi
2h 11m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
22.9 mi
25m
Hampton Roads Beltway
6.8 mi
8m
Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
3.5 mi
4m
Chesapeake Boulevard
2.1 mi
3m
Richmond Road
1.7 mi
3m
Ballentine Boulevard
1.1 mi
1m
East Princess Anne Road
0.9 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 119.3 mi, about 2h 11m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Franklin, VA and Chesapeake, VA.
1
Start on Cason Farm Road
0.2 mi·59 sec·Cason Farm Road
2
Turn left onto VA 20
0.9 mi·1 min·Stony Point Road
3
Turn left onto US 250
1.7 mi·3 min·Richmond Road
4
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward I 64 East
5
Merge onto I 64
52 mi·56 min·I 64
Use the straight lane.
6
Take the exit
1.2 mi·1 min
Exit 177Toward I 295 North: Washington, NorfolkUse the slight right lane.
7
Continue on I 295
23 mi·25 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
1.3 mi·2 min
Exit 28AToward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia BeachUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 64
67 mi·1 hr 15 min·I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64; US 60
342 ft·5 sec·Hampton Roads Beltway
11
Continue on I 64; US 60
3.5 mi·4 min·Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
12
Continue on I 64; US 60
6.7 mi·8 min·Hampton Roads Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Exit 278Toward VA 194 South: Chesapeake BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
14
Turn straight onto VA 194
2.1 mi·3 min·Chesapeake Boulevard
Use the left lane.
15
Turn straight
135 ft·7 sec
16
Turn left onto VA 247
1.1 mi·1 min·Ballentine Boulevard
17
Turn right onto VA 166
0.9 mi·1 min·East Princess Anne Road
18
Turn left onto VA 166
0.6 mi·1 min·Park Avenue
19
Turn left onto US 460; VA 166; VA 168
0.3 mi·57 sec·East Brambleton Avenue
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
20
Continue on US 460; VA 166; VA 168
0.7 mi·1 min·Campostella Road
21
Turn right onto US 460; VA 166
0.7 mi·1 min·Wilson Road
Use the right lane.
22
Continue on US 460; VA 166
0.3 mi·27 sec·22nd Street
23
Continue on US 460; VA 166
0.3 mi·29 sec·Poindexter Street
Use the straight lane.
24
Turn right onto D Street
412 ft·18 sec·D Street
25
Arrive at destination
D Street
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 3h 15m and a fuel cost around $26, this trip is easily manageable in a single day. Starting your drive in the morning will give you ample daylight to complete the 165.6 miles. With the longest stretch being 119.3 miles on I 64, plan for at least one fuel stop before you hit that point if your tank isn't full. Since it's a highway-focused drive, keep an eye on traffic conditions, especially as you approach Chesapeake.
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 82.8 miles from Franklin, VA, or about 1h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 119.3 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 36 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 82.8 miles or 1h 34m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 34m
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 Franklin, 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 Franklin, VA
This is one driving day of about 165.6 miles and 3h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 miles from Franklin, 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 119.3 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.2 and 158.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
3.2 mi into trip|~6m in|I 64
Merge onto I 64
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
55.7 mi into trip|~1h 3m 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
79.8 mi into trip|~1h 29m 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
5
81 mi into trip|~1h 32m in|I 64
Merge onto I 64
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
158.2 mi into trip|~3h 1m in
Take the exit toward VA 194 South: Chesapeake Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 278
Toward VA 194 South: Chesapeake Boulevard
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.90 one way
$51.79 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg58 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$28.31
$56.63
premium
$4.70
$30.65
$61.30
diesel
$5.61
$36.56
$73.12
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 57.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
49.7
0
$17.39
$7.95
Efficient EV
41.4
0
$14.49
$6.62
EV Truck/SUV
66.2
0
$23.18
$10.60
Gas CO2
58 kg
EV CO2
19 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 18, 2026
Origin
Franklin, VA
Morning
in Franklin on Sunday
Local time
10:37 AM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Chesapeake, VA
Morning
in Chesapeake on Sunday
Local time
10:37 AM
EDT
Current temp
85°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
26 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
3h 15m 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.
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...
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
$15
near mile 125.6
Park Closure: Rehabilitation of Colonial Parkway Continues
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...
1 mi from route
~4 min detour
Free
near mile 148.5
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...
26 mi from route
~64 min detour
Free
near mile 79.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is heavily focused on highway driving, with 72% of the journey utilizing major roadways like I 64. You'll experience long stretches of fast-paced travel, including an uninterrupted segment of 119.3 miles on I 64. The profile is consistently highway-centric, meaning you'll be on high-speed roads for the majority of the 3h 15m estimated drive time. Expect a consistent, efficient pace without many significant changes in road type.
72% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 119.3 mi on I 64.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.2 miles in near I 64.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 165.6 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 3.2 miles (I 64): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 55.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 79.8 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.
Between Franklin, VA and Chesapeake, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk and Virginia Beach.
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 3h 15m. Total distance: 165.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 15m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (72%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 119.3 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 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 3.2 miles (I 64): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 55.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 79.8 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 Petersburg National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Chesapeake, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
