Glasgow, VA to Norfolk, VA is 242 miles and takes about 4h 38m via I 64, I 81, and Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, with a fuel budget near $38 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This highway-focused drive stays within Virginia, connecting the Southeast regions. It's a straightforward trip that's easy to complete in a single day, making it ideal for those looking for an efficient journey without needing to plan for an overnight stay. Expect a consistent driving experience for the majority of the trip.
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
121 miles from Glasgow, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 13m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
156.9 mi
2h 53m
I 81
32.4 mi
34m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
22.9 mi
25m
Glasgow Highway
6.1 mi
6m
Hampton Roads Beltway
4.5 mi
6m
Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
3.5 mi
4m
Granby Street
3.1 mi
7m
East Midland Trail
2.7 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 156.9 mi, about 2h 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Glasgow, VA and Norfolk, VA.
1
Start on this road
248 ft·20 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto Anderson Street
213 ft·9 sec·Anderson Street
3
Turn left onto SR 684
0.2 mi·32 sec·Blue Ridge Road
4
Turn left onto VA 130
0.5 mi·59 sec·Rockbridge Road
5
At end of road, turn left onto US 501
6.1 mi·6 min·Glasgow Highway
6
Continue on US 501
2.1 mi·2 min·South Magnolia Avenue
7
Turn straight onto US 501
0.6 mi·43 sec·US 501
8
Turn straight onto US 501
0.5 mi·42 sec·Beech Avenue
9
Turn left onto US 60
0.6 mi·42 sec·West 29th Street
10
Continue on US 60
2.7 mi·3 min·East Midland Trail
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·43 sec
12
Merge onto I 81
32 mi·34 min·I 81
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 64
90 mi·1 hr 38 min·I 64
Toward I 64 East: RichmondUse the straight lane.
14
Take the exit
1.2 mi·1 min
Exit 177Toward I 295 North: Washington, NorfolkUse the slight right lane.
15
Continue on I 295
23 mi·25 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
1.3 mi·2 min
Exit 28AToward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia BeachUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Merge onto I 64
67 mi·1 hr 15 min·I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64; US 60
342 ft·5 sec·Hampton Roads Beltway
19
Continue on I 64; US 60
3.5 mi·4 min·Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
20
Continue on I 64; US 60
4.4 mi·5 min·Hampton Roads Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
Exit 276Toward I 564, US 460: Naval Base, Granby StreetUse the slight right lane.
22
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·18 sec
Toward US 460, VA 165: Granby Street, Little Creek RoadUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
23
Turn straight onto US 460
3.1 mi·7 min·Granby Street
Use the left lane.
24
Continue on US 460
446 ft·9 sec·Church Street
25
Turn right onto US 460
1.2 mi·2 min·Monticello Avenue
Use the right lane.
26
Continue on US 460
0.7 mi·1 min·Saint Pauls Boulevard
Use the left lane.
27
Turn left onto East City Hall Avenue
158 ft·9 sec·East City Hall Avenue
Use the left lane.
28
Arrive at destination
East City Hall Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 38m duration and 242-mile distance, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip. Leaving in the morning will give you plenty of daylight to reach Norfolk comfortably. With only one recommended stop, you can plan your breaks strategically, perhaps around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without services is 156.9 miles on I 64; ensure you're fueled up before embarking on that segment. The estimated fuel cost is $38, so factor that into your budget.
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 121 miles from Glasgow, VA, or about 2h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 156.9 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 53 miles or 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 121 miles or 2h 13m 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 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Norfolk, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Glasgow, 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 Glasgow, VA
This is one driving day of about 242 miles and 4h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 miles from Glasgow, 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 156.9 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 46.2 and 236.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
46.2 mi into trip|~52m 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
136.2 mi into trip|~2h 30m 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
160.3 mi into trip|~2h 57m 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
236.4 mi into trip|~4h 26m in
Take the exit toward I 564, US 460: Naval Base, Granby Street
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 276
Toward I 564, US 460: Naval Base, Granby Street
9
236.6 mi into trip|~4h 26m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 460, VA 165: Granby Street, Little Creek Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward US 460, VA 165: Granby Street, Little Cr...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.84 one way
$75.69 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg85 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$41.38
$82.76
premium
$4.70
$44.79
$89.58
diesel
$5.61
$53.43
$106.86
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 84.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
72.6
0
$25.41
$11.62
Efficient EV
60.5
0
$21.17
$9.68
EV Truck/SUV
96.8
1
$33.88
$15.49
Gas CO2
85 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 20, 2026
Origin
Glasgow, VA
Morning
in Glasgow on Tuesday
Local time
6:15 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Norfolk, VA
Morning
in Norfolk on Tuesday
Local time
6:15 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
51°F
Ashland, VA
121 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
4h 38m 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.
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...
4 mi from route
~9 min detour
$15
near mile 208.6
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...
4 mi from route
~9 min detour
Free
near mile 225.3
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...
27 mi from route
~67 min detour
Free
near mile 158.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is primarily a highway-focused drive, with 78% of the route utilizing major interstates. You'll encounter the longest uninterrupted stretch on I 64, covering 156.9 miles. The journey offers a consistent pace, largely on well-maintained highways. Expect the character of the drive to remain largely the same for the bulk of the 4h 38m duration, emphasizing efficient travel over varied terrain.
78% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 156.9 mi on I 64.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 46.2 miles in near I 64.
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 17 significant decision points across 242 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 46.2 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 136.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 160.3 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 Glasgow, VA to Norfolk, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Virginia Beach along the way.
Norfolk is in the Hampton Roads region of Virginia. It is a port city with a large Navy and shipping presence. But it is also known as a major cultural center, with world-class museums, opera, symphony, ballet and a vibrant arts community. The downtown area has experienced a major resurgence, with gourmet restaurants, shopping and attractions. Norfolk is one of the top cruise ports in the country.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 38m. Total distance: 242 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (78%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 156.9 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 Norfolk, 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 46.2 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 136.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 160.3 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 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Norfolk, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
