Spanning 64.4 miles, this direct route from Gloucester Courthouse to Virginia Beach takes approximately 1 hour and 34 minutes to complete. Because the journey is short, it is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach the coast without needing an overnight stay. You will navigate through the Southeast region using a combination of the George Washington Memorial Highway, the Hampton Roads Beltway, and the Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway. With an estimated fuel cost of only $10, it is an affordable excursion for those looking to transition from the quiet of Gloucester to the vibrant atmosphere of Virginia Beach. Whether you are heading out for a quick getaway or a necessary commute, the straightforward nature of this drive makes it a manageable experience.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
32.2 miles from Gloucester Courthouse, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 50m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
George Washington Memorial Highway
21.6 mi
33m
Hampton Roads Beltway
12 mi
15m
Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway
11.8 mi
16m
I 64
10 mi
12m
Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
3.5 mi
4m
Main Street
1.5 mi
3m
Coleman Bridge
1.1 mi
1m
J Clyde Morris Boulevard
0.8 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
George Washington Memorial Highway
— 21.6 mi, about 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gloucester Courthouse, VA and Virginia Beach, VA.
1
Start on SR 1014
0.3 mi·1 min·Botetourt Avenue
2
Turn right onto US 17 BUS; VA 14
1.5 mi·3 min·Main Street
3
Turn left onto US 17
11 mi·16 min·George Washington Memorial Highway
4
Continue on US 17
1.1 mi·1 min·Coleman Bridge
5
Continue on US 17
11 mi·17 min·George Washington Memorial Highway
6
Continue on US 17
0.8 mi·1 min·J Clyde Morris Boulevard
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward US 64 East: Hampton, Norfolk
8
Merge onto I 64
10.0 mi·12 min·I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64; US 60
342 ft·5 sec·Hampton Roads Beltway
10
Continue on I 64; US 60
3.5 mi·4 min·Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
11
Continue on I 64; US 60
12 mi·15 min·Hampton Roads Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
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.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 264 East: Va BeachUse the straight / slight left lanes.
14
Merge onto I 264
12 mi·16 min·Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway
15
Continue on 21st Street
0.4 mi·54 sec·21st Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Turn left onto Arctic Avenue
0.3 mi·46 sec·Arctic Avenue
Use the left lane.
17
Turn right onto 25th Street
454 ft·12 sec·25th Street
18
Arrive at destination
25th Street
Trip Plan
Given the 1 hour and 34 minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though you should keep an eye on traffic patterns when navigating the Hampton Roads Beltway. Since there are no formal stops required for a drive of this length, you can easily complete the 64.4-mile trip in one push. Budgeting $10 for gas is a safe bet, but filling your tank before leaving Gloucester Courthouse is a smart way to avoid higher prices in more congested areas. Because the route is relatively short, use your departure time to your advantage by avoiding typical rush-hour peaks on the expressway to ensure a smoother, more consistent transit to your destination.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 32.2 miles from Gloucester Courthouse, VA, or about 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 21.6 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 14 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 32.2 miles or 50m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 20m
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 Gloucester Courthouse, VA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Gloucester Courthouse, VA
This is one driving day of about 64.4 miles and 1h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 14 miles from Gloucester Courthouse, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on George Washington Memorial Highway for about 21.6 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 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 25.3 and 64 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
25.3 mi into trip|~41m in
Take the exit toward US 64 East: Hampton, Norfolk
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 64 East: Hampton, Norfolk
5
25.6 mi into trip|~41m in|I 64
Merge onto I 64
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
51 mi into trip|~1h 14m 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...
7
51.2 mi into trip|~1h 14m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 264 East: Va Beach
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward I 264 East: Va Beach
6
64 mi into trip|~1h 33m in|Arctic Avenue
Turn left onto Arctic Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$10.07 one way
$20.14 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg23 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$11.01
$22.02
premium
$4.70
$11.92
$23.84
diesel
$5.61
$14.22
$28.44
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$10
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$35–$60
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 22.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
19.3
0
$6.76
$3.09
Efficient EV
16.1
0
$5.64
$2.58
EV Truck/SUV
25.8
0
$9.02
$4.12
Gas CO2
23 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (65% 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 15, 2026
Origin
Gloucester Courthouse, VA
Evening
in Gloucester Courthouse on Sunday
Local time
5:52 PM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Virginia Beach, VA
Evening
in Virginia Beach on Sunday
Local time
5:52 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.
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
9 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
1h 34m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip offers a mixed driving profile that transitions between local thoroughfares and major expressways. You will spend roughly 34 percent of your time on highways, with your longest uninterrupted stretch covering 21.6 miles along the George Washington Memorial Highway. Expect the character of the road to shift as you move from the more rural stretches near the start toward the busier, high-traffic corridors of the Hampton Roads area. The drive avoids the monotony of a purely interstate route by blending these varied road types, requiring you to stay alert as you transition from cruising speeds to the more complex interchanges of the beltway system.
34% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 21.6 mi on George Washington Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 25.3 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 64.4 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 25.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 25.6 miles (I 64): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 51 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
73 ft-3 ft
Total Climb
121 ft
Total Descent
146 ft
Highest Point
73 ft
~4.6 mi in
Elevation Range
75 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Gloucester Courthouse, VA and Virginia Beach, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk and Portsmouth.
Norfolk
25.3 mi in|~41m
Portsmouth
51 mi in|~1h 14m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 34m. Total distance: 64.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (34%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 21.6 miles on George Washington Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 1 rest area or service plaza 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 Virginia Beach, VA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 25.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 25.6 miles (I 64): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 51 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Virginia Beach, VA before heading back.
