This 338.8-mile drive from Galax, VA to Newport News, VA will take approximately 6 hours and 25 minutes, making it a manageable one-day trip. You'll primarily be on major highways, with 88% of the route being highway driving. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $53. This route focuses on efficient travel, connecting two points within the Southeast region. It's a straightforward drive for those looking to cover distance without extensive detours, offering a predictable and efficient way to get from point A to point B. Consider starting early to make the most of your day.
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
169.4 miles from Galax, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 16m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
147 mi
2h 40m
I 81
139 mi
2h 33m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
22.9 mi
25m
I 77
12.5 mi
14m
Coulson Church Road
5.6 mi
9m
Carrollton Pike
3.6 mi
5m
Glendale Road
2.1 mi
3m
East Stuart Drive
1.1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 147 mi, about 2h 40m
Traffic on I-64
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 90 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,062 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,481
Quietest
2 AM
~117 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
17.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Galax, VA and Newport News, VA.
1
Start on this road
35 ft·4 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto East Oldtown Street
159 ft·10 sec·East Oldtown Street
3
Turn right onto VA 89
0.4 mi·45 sec·South Main Street
4
At end of road, turn right onto US 58; US 221
0.5 mi·1 min·East Stuart Drive
5
Turn left onto SR 887
2.1 mi·3 min·Glendale Road
6
Turn right onto SR 722
0.2 mi·36 sec·Cranberry Road
7
Turn left onto US 58; US 221
0.6 mi·1 min·East Stuart Drive
8
Continue on US 58; US 221
3.6 mi·5 min·Carrollton Pike
9
Turn left onto SR 620
5.6 mi·9 min·Coulson Church Road
10
Turn left
0.3 mi·34 sec
11
Merge onto I 77
12 mi·14 min·I 77
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi·56 sec
Toward I 81 North: RoanokeUse the slight right lane.
13
Merge onto I 81; US 11
139 mi·2 hr 33 min·I 81; US 11
Toward I 81 North, US 11 North: RoanokeUse the straight lane.
14
Continue on I 64; I 81
0.3 mi·17 sec·I 64; I 81
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 64
90 mi·1 hr 38 min·I 64
Toward I 64 East: RichmondUse the straight lane.
16
Take the exit
1.2 mi·1 min
Exit 177Toward I 295 North: Washington, NorfolkUse the slight right lane.
17
Continue on I 295
23 mi·25 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
1.3 mi·2 min
Exit 28AToward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia BeachUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Merge onto I 64
57 mi·1 hr 2 min·I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.4 mi·51 sec
Exit 258AToward US 17 South: J Clyde Morris BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
21
Turn straight onto US 17
0.1 mi·10 sec·J Clyde Morris Boulevard
22
Turn right onto Diligence Drive
0.5 mi·1 min·Diligence Drive
23
At end of road, turn right onto Thimble Shoals Boulevard
0.1 mi·19 sec·Thimble Shoals Boulevard
24
Turn left
413 ft·33 sec
25
At end of road, turn right
82 ft·6 sec
26
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 6-hour 25-minute duration, this route is best tackled as a single-day journey. Aim for an early morning departure from Galax to ensure you arrive in Newport News with ample daylight. With 88% highway driving, plan for at least one fuel stop, especially considering the longest stretch on I-64 is 147 miles. The estimated fuel cost of $53 is a helpful budgeting tool. Keep an eye on traffic conditions as you approach the Hampton Roads area, as congestion can impact your arrival time. This is a drive where efficiency is key, so minimize unnecessary stops to stay on schedule.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 169.4 miles from Galax, VA, or about 3h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 147 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 75 miles or 1h 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 169.4 miles or 3h 16m 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 16m
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 Galax, 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 Galax, VA
This is one driving day of about 338.8 miles and 6h 25m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 75 miles from Galax, 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 147 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 26.3 and 337.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
26.3 mi into trip|~38m in|I 81; US 11
Merge onto I 81; US 11 toward I 81 North, US 11 North: Roanoke
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 81 North, US 11 North: Roanoke
7
165.5 mi into trip|~3h 12m in|I 64
Keep slight right at fork onto I 64 toward I 64 East: Richmond
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 64 East: Richmond
8
255.5 mi into trip|~4h 50m 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
279.6 mi into trip|~5h 16m 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
7
337.6 mi into trip|~6h 22m 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 slight right lane.
Exit 258A
Toward US 17 South: J Clyde Morris Boulevard
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$50.02 one way
$100.04 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg119 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$54.97
$109.94
premium
$4.49
$59.92
$119.83
diesel
$4.80
$63.97
$127.94
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$50
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$75–$100
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 118.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
101.6
1
$35.57
$16.26
Efficient EV
84.7
0
$29.65
$13.55
EV Truck/SUV
135.5
1
$47.43
$21.68
Gas CO2
119 kg
EV CO2
40 kg (66% 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Galax, VA
Late night
in Galax on Sunday
Local time
4:22 AM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Mostly Sunny then Patchy Smoke
NE 3 mph15% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Newport News, VA
Late night
in Newport News on Sunday
Local time
4:22 AM
EDT
Current temp
89°F
Smoke
NE 8 mph3% chanceLive 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
3 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
6h 25m on the road
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.
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...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
$15
near mile 327.1
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...
10 mi from route
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 338.8
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...
21 mi from route
~51 min detour
Free
near mile 93.5
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...
25 mi from route
~63 min detour
Free
near mile 280.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this trip, with 88% of the route consisting of interstate travel. The main arteries guiding you are I-64, I-81, and the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway. You'll encounter one significant stretch of 147 miles on I-64, so be prepared for extended periods on this fast-paced road. The character of the drive is predominantly one of efficient transit, designed for covering ground rather than leisurely sightseeing. While primarily highway, the transition between these major roads is seamless, keeping you moving steadily towards your destination.
88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 147 mi on I 64.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
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 26.3 miles in near I 81; US 11.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 338.8 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 26.3 miles (I 81; US 11): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 165.5 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 255.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,367 ft33 ft
Total Climb
707 ft
Total Descent
3,041 ft
Highest Point
2,367 ft
Elevation Range
2,334 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Galax, VA and Newport News, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk and Virginia Beach.
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.
Top landmarks
•USS Monitor — 1862 unique ironclad; first in United States Navy service
•Endview Plantation Historic Site — human settlement in United States of America
•Newport News Middle Ground Light — lighthouse in Virginia, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 25m. Total distance: 338.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 25m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 147 miles on I 64. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 24 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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.
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. There are 24 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 26.3 miles (I 81; US 11): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 165.5 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 255.5 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 Booker T Washington National Monument (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.4 hours each way, a round trip means 12.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Newport News, VA before the return drive.
