This 332.3-mile drive from Hillsville, VA to Newport News, VA is entirely within the Southeast region and can comfortably be completed in about 6 hours and 11 minutes. Considered a highway-focused trip, it's well-suited for a single-day journey, saving you the need for an overnight stop. With an estimated fuel cost of $52, this route offers a straightforward way to travel across Virginia. The majority of your travel will be on major interstates, making for an efficient 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
166.1 miles from Hillsville, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 6m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
147 mi
2h 40m
I 81
139 mi
2h 33m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
22.9 mi
25m
I 77
16.7 mi
19m
Carrollton Pike
1.4 mi
2m
West Stuart Drive
0.9 mi
2m
Diligence Drive
0.5 mi
1m
Thimble Shoals Boulevard
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 147 mi, about 2h 40m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hillsville, VA and Newport News, VA.
1
Start on US 221; US 58 BUS
0.9 mi·2 min·West Stuart Drive
2
Continue on US 221; US 58 BUS
1.4 mi·2 min·Carrollton Pike
3
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward I 77 North: Wytheville
4
Merge onto I 77
17 mi·19 min·I 77
5
Take the exit
0.4 mi·56 sec
Toward I 81 North: RoanokeUse the slight right lane.
6
Merge onto I 81; US 11
139 mi·2 hr 33 min·I 81; US 11
Toward I 81 North, US 11 North: RoanokeUse the straight lane.
7
Continue on I 64; I 81
0.3 mi·17 sec·I 64; I 81
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 64
90 mi·1 hr 38 min·I 64
Toward I 64 East: RichmondUse the straight lane.
9
Take the exit
1.2 mi·1 min
Exit 177Toward I 295 North: Washington, NorfolkUse the slight right lane.
10
Continue on I 295
23 mi·25 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
1.3 mi·2 min
Exit 28AToward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia BeachUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 64
57 mi·1 hr 2 min·I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi·51 sec
Exit 258AToward US 17 South: J Clyde Morris BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
14
Turn straight onto US 17
0.1 mi·10 sec·J Clyde Morris Boulevard
15
Turn right onto Diligence Drive
0.5 mi·1 min·Diligence Drive
16
At end of road, turn right onto Thimble Shoals Boulevard
0.1 mi·19 sec·Thimble Shoals Boulevard
17
Turn left
413 ft·33 sec
18
At end of road, turn right
82 ft·6 sec
19
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 6-hour, 11-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Hillsville to bypass potential traffic. With only one recommended stop, plan for a mid-drive break to stretch your legs and refuel. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 147 miles on I-64, so ensure your fuel tank is adequately filled before embarking on this segment. Given the efficient highway nature, you'll have flexibility in timing your single stop.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 166.1 miles from Hillsville, VA, or about 3h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 147 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 73 miles or 1h 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 166.1 miles or 3h 6m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 2m
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 Hillsville, 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 Hillsville, VA
This is one driving day of about 332.3 miles and 6h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 73 miles from Hillsville, 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 147 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 19.8 and 331.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
19.8 mi into trip|~24m in|I 81; US 11
Merge onto I 81; US 11 toward I 81 North, US 11 North: Roanoke
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 81 North, US 11 North: Roanoke
7
159 mi into trip|~2h 58m 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
249 mi into trip|~4h 36m 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
273.1 mi into trip|~5h 3m 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
7
331.1 mi into trip|~6h 8m 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
$51.96 one way
$103.93 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg116 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$56.82
$113.64
premium
$4.70
$61.50
$123.00
diesel
$5.61
$73.37
$146.74
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$52
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$77–$102
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 116.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
99.7
1
$34.89
$15.95
Efficient EV
83.1
0
$29.08
$13.29
EV Truck/SUV
132.9
1
$46.52
$21.27
Gas CO2
116 kg
EV CO2
39 kg (66% 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 16, 2026
Origin
Hillsville, VA
Morning
in Hillsville on Sunday
Local time
6:39 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Newport News, VA
Morning
in Newport News on Sunday
Local time
6:39 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
72°F
Amherst, VA
166 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
10 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
6h 11m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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...
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
$15
near mile 320.8
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...
10 mi from route
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 332.3
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...
22 mi from route
~54 min detour
Free
near mile 80.2
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
~64 min detour
Free
near mile 275
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this route, with 91% of the drive utilizing major interstates like I-64 and I-81. You'll encounter one significant stretch of 147 miles on I-64, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent speed. The Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway is also part of your journey. This profile suggests a drive that prioritizes efficiency over winding backroads.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 147 mi on I 64.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
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 19.8 miles in near I 81; US 11.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 332.3 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 19.8 miles (I 81; US 11): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 159 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 249 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.
Between Hillsville, VA and Newport News, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk and Virginia Beach.
Norfolk
249 mi in|~4h 36m
Virginia Beach
273.1 mi in|~5h 3m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 11m. Total distance: 332.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 11m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 147 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 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 19.8 miles (I 81; US 11): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 159 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 249 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 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 6.2 hours each way, a round trip means 12.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Newport News, VA before the return drive.
