Crossing the entirety of Virginia, this 455.2-mile journey takes you from the mountainous landscape of Gate City to the coastal atmosphere of Virginia Beach. Expect an estimated drive time of 8 hours and 36 minutes, primarily utilizing I-81, I-64, and the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway. Given the significant distance, attempting this in a single day is possible but demanding, so splitting the trip over two days is highly recommended for a more relaxed pace. You should budget approximately $73 for fuel to cover the transit across the state. This highway-focused route is a straightforward, practical way to connect the Southeast region's western edge to the Atlantic coast.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
227.6 miles from Gate City, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 15m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 81
222.1 mi
4h 2m
I 64
157.1 mi
2h 53m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
22.9 mi
25m
Hampton Roads Beltway
12 mi
15m
Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway
11.8 mi
16m
East Stone Drive
9.7 mi
11m
Bloomingdale Pike
5.1 mi
9m
Wadlow Gap Highway
4.7 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 222.1 mi, about 4h 2m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gate City, VA and Virginia Beach, VA.
1
Start on this road
48 ft·5 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto SR 665
73 ft·7 sec·Mianville Road
3
Turn left onto US 23 BUS; US 58 BUS; US 421 BUS
0.1 mi·23 sec·West Jackson Street
4
Turn right onto US 23 BUS; US 58 BUS; US 421 BUS
0.7 mi·2 min·Kane Street
5
Turn left onto US 23; US 58; US 421
0.9 mi·1 min·US Highway 23
6
Continue on US 23; US 58; US 421
0.2 mi·22 sec·Main Street
7
Turn left onto US 58; US 421
4.7 mi·5 min·Wadlow Gap Highway
8
Continue on SR 93
0.1 mi·14 sec·North John B Dennis Highway
9
Turn left onto Bloomingdale Pike
5.1 mi·9 min·Bloomingdale Pike
10
Turn right onto Ollis Bowers Hill Road
357 ft·15 sec·Ollis Bowers Hill Road
11
Turn left onto US 11W
9.7 mi·11 min·East Stone Drive
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
13
Merge onto I 81
82 mi·1 hr 28 min·I 81
Use the straight lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81; US 11
140 mi·2 hr 33 min·I 81; US 11
Toward I 81 North, US 11 North: RoanokeUse the straight lane.
15
Continue on I 64; I 81
0.3 mi·17 sec·I 64; I 81
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 64
90 mi·1 hr 38 min·I 64
Toward I 64 East: RichmondUse the straight lane.
17
Take the exit
1.2 mi·1 min
Exit 177Toward I 295 North: Washington, NorfolkUse the slight right lane.
18
Continue on I 295
23 mi·25 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
1.3 mi·2 min
Exit 28AToward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia BeachUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Merge onto I 64
67 mi·1 hr 15 min·I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64; US 60
342 ft·5 sec·Hampton Roads Beltway
22
Continue on I 64; US 60
3.5 mi·4 min·Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
23
Continue on I 64; US 60
12 mi·15 min·Hampton Roads Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.2 mi·14 sec
Exit 284AToward I 264 East, I 264 West: Va Beach, Downtown Norfolk, PortsmouthUse the slight right lane.
25
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 264 East: Va BeachUse the straight / slight left lanes.
26
Merge onto I 264
12 mi·16 min·Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway
27
Continue on 21st Street
0.4 mi·54 sec·21st Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
28
Turn left onto Arctic Avenue
0.3 mi·46 sec·Arctic Avenue
Use the left lane.
29
Turn right onto 25th Street
454 ft·12 sec·25th Street
30
Arrive at destination
25th Street
Trip Plan
To manage the 8-hour and 36-minute duration effectively, plan for at least two deliberate stops to break up the monotony of the interstate. Departing early in the morning is your best strategy for navigating the high-traffic segments of the highway system successfully. Since I-81 and I-64 are major arteries, be prepared for fluctuations in traffic density as you move across the state. Using your two recommended stops to refuel will keep you within your $73 budget while helping you stay alert during the 222.1-mile stretch. If you choose to turn this into a two-day trip, look for accommodations near the midpoint to ensure you arrive in Virginia Beach refreshed rather than exhausted.
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.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 227.6 miles from Gate City, VA, or about 4h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 222.1 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 100 miles or 1h 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 227.6 miles or 4h 15m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 227.6 miles or 4h 15m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 7h 21m
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 Gate City, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Gate City, VA
Aim for roughly 228 miles and 4.3 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Virginia Beach, VA
Aim for roughly 228 miles and 4.3 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 100 miles from Gate City, VA.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 81 for about 222.1 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 104.2 and 441.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
104.2 mi into trip|~1h 59m in|I 81; US 11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81; US 11 toward I 81 North, US 11 North: Roanoke
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 81 North, US 11 North: Roanoke
7
244.1 mi into trip|~4h 34m 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
334.2 mi into trip|~6h 12m 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
358.3 mi into trip|~6h 38m 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
8
441.9 mi into trip|~8h 16m in
Take the exit toward I 264 East, I 264 West: Va Beach, Downtown Norfolk, Portsmouth
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 284A
Toward I 264 East, I 264 West: Va Beach, Downto...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$71.18 one way
$142.37 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg159 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$77.83
$155.66
premium
$4.70
$84.25
$168.50
diesel
$5.61
$100.50
$201.00
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$71
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$201–$311
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 159.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $48 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
136.6
1
$47.80
$21.85
Efficient EV
113.8
1
$39.83
$18.21
EV Truck/SUV
182.1
2
$63.73
$29.13
Gas CO2
159 kg
EV CO2
53 kg (67% 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Gate City, VA
Night
in Gate City on Saturday
Local time
9:30 PM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Virginia Beach, VA
Night
in Virginia Beach on Saturday
Local time
9:30 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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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
8h 36m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
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...
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Free
near mile 423.8
Park Closure: Road Closure and Fishing Pier Impact
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...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
$15
near mile 408.1
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
~52 min detour
Free
near mile 172.7
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
~65 min detour
Free
near mile 361.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
With 86% of your time spent on major highways, this trip is defined by efficient, high-speed travel rather than technical backroads. You will face a significant, long-haul stretch of 222.1 miles while navigating I-81, which serves as the backbone of the first half of your drive. The road environment is consistent and interstate-heavy, requiring you to maintain focus during long periods of sustained highway speeds. As you transition from the western corridors toward the coast, the character of the road remains oriented toward transit efficiency. Prepare for a steady, predictable experience behind the wheel that prioritizes reach over scenic diversions.
86% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 222.1 mi on I 81.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and I 64. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 104.2 miles in near I 81; US 11.
Driving Effort9/10
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 18 significant decision points across 455.2 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 104.2 miles (I 81; US 11): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 244.1 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 334.2 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.
On the drive from Gate City, VA to Virginia Beach, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Norfolk along the way.
Norfolk
334.2 mi in|~6h 12m
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 222.1 miles on I 81. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 228 miles on day one.
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 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. Plan at least 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 104.2 miles (I 81; US 11): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 244.1 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 334.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Fort Monroe National Monument, Colonial National Historical Park 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 8.6 hours each way, a round trip means 17.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Virginia Beach, VA before the return drive.
