Origin
Great Falls, VA
Late night in Great Falls on Sunday
Local time
2:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Great Falls, VA to Norfolk, VA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 2m
Distance
200.4 mi
323 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$31
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 50m
★
6 AM
4h 3m
8 AM
4h 29m
10 AM
4h 12m
12 PM
4h 9m
3 PM
4h 13m
5 PM
4h 28m
8 PM
3h 55m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Great Falls, VA
Wilson Rodriguez
Norfolk, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Embarking on a road trip from Great Falls, VA, to Norfolk, VA, covers a distance of 200.4 miles and is estimated to take around 4 hours and 2 minutes of driving time. This journey is easily manageable as a single-day trip, with a projected fuel cost of approximately $31. The route primarily utilizes major interstates, offering a straightforward drive through the Southeast region of Virginia. You'll spend about 58% of your time on highways, making it a convenient option for a quick getaway or a necessary commute. The overall feel of this drive is practical and efficient, designed for reaching your destination without unnecessary detours.
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
100.2 miles from Great Falls, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 1m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 64 | 66.8 mi | 1h 15m |
| I 95 | 48.6 mi | 53m |
| Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway | 35.7 mi | 42m |
| Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway | 13 mi | 14m |
| Capital Beltway | 10.1 mi | 12m |
| Hampton Roads Beltway | 4.5 mi | 6m |
| Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel | 3.5 mi | 4m |
| Leesburg Pike | 3.4 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 66.8 mi, about 1h 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Great Falls, VA and Norfolk, VA.
1
Start on VA 193
26 ft
·
9 sec
·
Georgetown Pike
2
Turn left onto SR 681
2.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Walker Road
Use the left lane.
3
At end of road, turn left onto SR 743
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Colvin Run Road
Use the left lane.
4
Turn left onto VA 7
3.4 mi
·
5 min
·
Leesburg Pike
Use the left lane.
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward VA 267 Toll East: Washington
Use the slight right lane.
6
Merge onto VA 267
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
·
Dulles Toll Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto VA 267
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Dulles Toll Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Exit 18A
Toward I 495 South: Richmond
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 18A
Toward I 495 South: Richmond
10
Merge onto I 495
10 mi
·
12 min
·
Capital Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 57A
Toward I 95 South: Richmond
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Toward I 95 South, SR 644 East: Richmond, Franconia
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
33 sec
Toward I 95 South: Richmond
14
Merge onto I 395
36 mi
·
42 min
·
Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
49 mi
·
53 min
·
I 95
Use the straight lane.
16
Take the exit
1.9 mi
·
2 min
Exit 84A
Toward I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va Beach
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
17
Merge onto I 295
13 mi
·
14 min
·
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
1.3 mi
·
2 min
Exit 28A
Toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Merge onto I 64
67 mi
·
1 hr 15 min
·
I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64; US 60
342 ft
·
5 sec
·
Hampton Roads Beltway
21
Continue on I 64; US 60
3.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
22
Continue on I 64; US 60
4.4 mi
·
5 min
·
Hampton Roads Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Exit 276
Toward I 564, US 460: Naval Base, Granby Street
Use the slight right lane.
24
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
Toward US 460, VA 165: Granby Street, Little Creek Road
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
25
Turn straight onto US 460
3.1 mi
·
7 min
·
Granby Street
Use the left lane.
26
Continue on US 460
446 ft
·
9 sec
·
Church Street
27
Turn right onto US 460
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Monticello Avenue
Use the right lane.
28
Continue on US 460
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Saint Pauls Boulevard
Use the left lane.
29
Turn left onto East City Hall Avenue
158 ft
·
9 sec
·
East City Hall Avenue
Use the left lane.
30
Arrive at destination
East City Hall Avenue
Trip Plan
For this 200.4-mile drive, departing in the morning is advisable to avoid potential traffic, especially as you'll be navigating through the densely populated Northern Virginia area initially. With a total duration of just over 4 hours, you can comfortably complete this trip in one day, with only one planned stop needed for fuel or a quick break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without an exit on I-64 is nearly 67 miles. The estimated fuel cost of $31 is a helpful budget point, so factor that into your planning before you set off.
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 100.2 miles from Great Falls, VA, or about 2h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 66.8 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 44 miles or 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 100.2 miles or 2h 1m 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 14m
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 Great Falls, 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 Great Falls, VA
This is one driving day of about 200.4 miles and 4h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 miles from Great Falls, 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 66.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
100 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 44 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 100.2 miles from Great Falls, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 64 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 66.8 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 245 decision points cluster between mile 19 and 195.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
19 mi into trip
|
~29m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 South, SR 644 East: Richmond, Franconia
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 95 South, SR 644 East: Richmond, Franc...
8
103.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 5m in
Take the exit toward I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va Beach
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 84A
Toward I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va B...
8
118.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 22m 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
194.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 50m 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
195.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 51m 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
$31.34 one way
$62.68 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
70 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $34.27 | $68.53 |
| premium | $4.70 | $37.09 | $74.18 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $44.25 | $88.49 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.28
Dulles Toll Road
(1.4 mi)
$0.28
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 70.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 60.1 | 0 | $21.04 | $9.62 |
| Efficient EV | 50.1 | 0 | $17.54 | $8.02 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 80.2 | 1 | $28.06 | $12.83 |
Gas CO2
70 kg
EV CO2
23 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.
Destination
Norfolk, VA
Late night in Norfolk on Sunday
Local time
2:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
84°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
8 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
4h 2m 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.
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...
1 mi from route
~4 min detour
Free
near mile 186.6
Park Closure: Road Closure and Fishing Pier Impact
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
~6 min detour
$15
near mile 165.9
View on nps.gov
Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail
National Scenic Trail
The Potomac River corridor is rich in both history and recreation, offering a chance to both explore your heritage and choose your adventure along the way. Start your journey here!
16 mi from route
~41 min detour
Free
View on nps.gov
Petersburg National Battlefield
National Battlefield
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 117.5
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive presents a mixed profile, with a significant 58% of the journey taking place on highways. You'll experience stretches that are more about covering ground efficiently, particularly on roads like I-95 and I-64. The longest uninterrupted segment is a 66.8-mile portion on I-64, offering a good opportunity to settle into a rhythm. While much of the route involves straightforward interstate driving, the 'mixed drive' profile suggests you might encounter some variations in road type as you progress towards Norfolk, though the emphasis remains on steady travel.
58% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 66.8 mi on I 64.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 19 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 24 significant decision points across 200.4 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 19 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 103.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 118.8 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Great Falls, VA and Norfolk, VA, road signs point toward Franconia, Va Beach and Virginia Beach.
Franconia
19 mi in
|
~29m
Va Beach
103.9 mi in
|
~2h 5m
Virginia Beach
118.8 mi in
|
~2h 22m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 2m. Total distance: 200.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 66.8 miles on I 64. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.28 in tolls one way, starting with Dulles Toll Road. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
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 19 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 103.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 118.8 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 Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Norfolk, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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