Spanning 212 miles across Virginia, this trip from Gretna to Newport News typically takes about 4 hours and 32 minutes of drive time. Because it is a manageable distance, you can easily complete the journey in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to budget roughly $34 for fuel, depending on your vehicle's efficiency. You will transition from the interior southeast region toward the coast, utilizing a combination of Anderson Highway, Main Street, and I-64. Whether you are traveling for business or a change of scenery, this route offers a straightforward connection between these two points in the Commonwealth.
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
106 miles from Gretna, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 22m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
67.3 mi
1h 15m
Anderson Highway
36.7 mi
48m
Main Street
25.9 mi
33m
VA 24
18.9 mi
21m
Powhite Parkway
11.5 mi
15m
Village Highway
10.4 mi
19m
Richmond Highway
8.5 mi
11m
East James Anderson Highway
8.1 mi
9m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 67.3 mi, about 1h 15m
Traffic on I-64
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 70 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,437 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,853
Quietest
2 AM
~177 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
13.8×
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 Gretna, VA and Newport News, VA.
1
Start on SR 792
0.1 mi·20 sec·Northside Drive
2
Turn right onto US 29 BUS
26 mi·33 min·Main Street
3
Turn right onto VA 24
4.3 mi·7 min·Colonial Highway
4
At end of road, turn left onto US 501; VA 24
340 ft·8 sec·Brookneal Highway
5
Continue on US 501; VA 24
9.2 mi·17 min·Village Highway
6
Enter roundabout onto VA 24
113 ft·2 sec·Village Highway
7
Continue on VA 24
1.2 mi·2 min·Village Highway
8
Turn right onto US 460; VA 24
8.5 mi·11 min·Richmond Highway
9
Take the exit onto VA 24
0.2 mi·21 sec·VA 24
Toward VA 24 East, VA 131 South: To Route 60, Appomattox
10
Turn slight left onto VA 24
19 mi·21 min·VA 24
11
Continue on US 60
7.7 mi·9 min·West James Anderson Highway
12
Continue on US 60
8.1 mi·9 min·East James Anderson Highway
13
Continue on US 60
37 mi·48 min·Anderson Highway
14
Continue on US 60
0.9 mi·1 min·Midlothian Turnpike
15
Turn right onto SR 652
2.5 mi·3 min·Old Hundred Road
Use the straight lane.
16
Enter roundabout onto SR 652
147 ft·5 sec·Old Hundred Road
17
Continue on SR 652
2.5 mi·4 min·Old Hundred Road
Use the straight lane.
18
Continue on VA 76
9.7 mi·12 min·Powhite Parkway
Use the left / straight lanes.
19
Keep slight right at fork onto VA 76
1.8 mi·2 min·Powhite Parkway
Use the slight right lane.
20
Keep slight right at fork onto VA 146
0.9 mi·1 min·VA 146
Use the slight right lane.
21
Merge onto VA 195
2.9 mi·3 min·Downtown Expressway
Use the straight lane.
22
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward I 95 North: Washington, Charlottesville, Norfolk, Richmond International AirportUse the slight left lane.
23
Merge onto I 95
0.7 mi·54 sec·Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.2 mi·14 sec
Exit 75Toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach, 7th StreetUse the slight right lane.
25
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·23 sec
Toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia BeachUse the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Merge onto I 64
67 mi·1 hr 15 min·I 64
Use the straight lane.
27
Take the exit
0.4 mi·51 sec
Exit 258AToward US 17 South: J Clyde Morris BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
28
Turn straight onto US 17
0.1 mi·10 sec·J Clyde Morris Boulevard
29
Turn right onto Diligence Drive
0.5 mi·1 min·Diligence Drive
30
At end of road, turn right onto Thimble Shoals Boulevard
0.1 mi·19 sec·Thimble Shoals Boulevard
31
Turn left
413 ft·33 sec
32
At end of road, turn right
82 ft·6 sec
33
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since the total duration is under five hours, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure time to avoid local traffic bottlenecks. You should plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refuel, keeping your $34 fuel budget in mind as you map out your service stations. Because nearly half of your journey takes place on highways, keep a close watch on merge points when transitioning from local roads to I-64. If you prefer a relaxed pace, treat the 212-mile trek as a steady cruise rather than a race to the finish line. Prioritize your comfort by timing your single stop to occur after you have cleared the initial stretch of Anderson Highway.
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 106 miles from Gretna, VA, or about 2h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 67.3 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 47 miles or 1h 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 106 miles or 2h 22m 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 47m
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 Gretna, 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 Gretna, VA
This is one driving day of about 212 miles and 4h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 miles from Gretna, 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 67.3 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 121.7 and 210.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
121.7 mi into trip|~2h 42m in|SR 652 / Old Hundred Road
Turn right onto SR 652 / Old Hundred Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
142.1 mi into trip|~3h 11m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 North: Washington, Charlottesville, Norfolk, Richmond International Airport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 95 North: Washington, Charlottesville,...
8
143.1 mi into trip|~3h 13m in
Take the exit toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach, 7th 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 75
Toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach, 7th...
9
143.2 mi into trip|~3h 13m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach
7
210.8 mi into trip|~4h 29m 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
$31.30 one way
$62.60 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg74 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$34.40
$68.79
premium
$4.49
$37.49
$74.98
diesel
$4.80
$40.03
$80.06
Estimated Tolls: $0.12
Midlothian Turnpike
(0.9 mi)$0.07
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
(0.7 mi)$0.05
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
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 74.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
63.6
0
$22.26
$10.18
Efficient EV
53
0
$18.55
$8.48
EV Truck/SUV
84.8
1
$29.68
$13.57
Gas CO2
74 kg
EV CO2
25 kg (66% 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Gretna, VA
Morning
in Gretna on Monday
Local time
7:16 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy
W 7 to 10 mph32% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued July 18 at 6:53PM EDT until July 18 at 9:00PM EDT by NWS Blacksburg VA
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued July 18 at 2:14PM EDT until July 18 at 9:00PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Destination
Newport News, VA
Morning
in Newport News on Monday
Local time
7:16 AM
EDT
Current temp
78°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 13 mph53% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued July 18 at 6:53PM EDT until July 18 at 9:00PM EDT by NWS Blacksburg VA
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued July 18 at 2:14PM EDT until July 18 at 9:00PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
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
5 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 32m 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.
Appomattox Court House National Historical Park
National Historical Park
On April 9, 1865, the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia in the McLean House in the village of Appomattox Court House, Virginia signaled the effective end of the nation's largest war. Question...
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...
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 212
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
~53 min detour
Free
near mile 7.3
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...
21 mi from route
~51 min detour
Free
near mile 131.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip offers a mixed driving profile, balancing local roads with significant interstate travel. About 49% of your total mileage is spent on highways, providing a nice contrast to the slower pace of local corridors. You will encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 67.3 miles on I-64, which allows for consistent highway speeds before you transition back to local surface streets. The personality of the drive shifts as you move from the initial stretches of Main Street and Anderson Highway onto the broader interstate system. Be prepared for this rhythm change as you navigate through different zones of the Virginia landscape.
49% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 67.3 mi on I 64.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 121.7 miles in near SR 652 / Old Hundred Road.
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 21 significant decision points across 212 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 121.7 miles (SR 652 / Old Hundred Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 142.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 143.1 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
922 ft33 ft
Total Climb
348 ft
Total Descent
1,157 ft
Highest Point
922 ft
~30.3 mi in
Elevation Range
890 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Gretna, VA and Newport News, VA, road signs point toward Appomattox, Charlottesville, Norfolk, Richmond International Airport 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 4h 32m. Total distance: 212 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 67.3 miles on I 64. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.12 in tolls one way, starting with Midlothian Turnpike. 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.
Yes — we found about 4 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 4 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 121.7 miles (SR 652 / Old Hundred Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 142.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 143.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Appomattox Court House National Historical Park, Colonial National Historical Park and Fort Monroe National Monument (5 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Newport News, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
