Cafe Stella
Near the end, short detour
Norfolk, Virginia
Hours: 7:30 am–10 pm
+17576250461
Visit websiteCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 23m
Distance
287.9 mi
463 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$45
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Hillsville, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Norfolk, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Spanning 287.9 miles across Virginia, this trip connects the rolling landscape of Hillsville to the coastal atmosphere of Norfolk. Expect roughly 6 hours and 23 minutes of total driving time, making it a feasible single-day journey if you start early. You will primarily navigate via US 58, Jeb Stuart Highway, and Southampton Parkway. With an estimated fuel budget of $46, you can plan your expenses ahead of time. While the route is straightforward enough to complete in one go, staying mindful of the duration is key to avoiding fatigue. It is a practical cross-state connection that transitions you from the Southeast interior toward the coast.
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
144 miles from Hillsville, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 9m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Southampton Parkway | 62.1 mi | 1h 20m |
| Jeb Stuart Highway | 31.2 mi | 42m |
| US 58 | 29.4 mi | 37m |
| Clarksville Bypass | 22.9 mi | 29m |
| Governor Harrison Parkway | 22.5 mi | 30m |
| Philpott Road | 19.7 mi | 25m |
| Bill Tuck Highway | 18.8 mi | 24m |
| Danville Pike | 15.2 mi | 20m |
Step-by-step road directions between Hillsville, VA and Norfolk, VA.
Start on US 221; US 58 BUS
Turn right onto US 52
Take the ramp
Merge onto US 58
Continue on US 58
Continue on US 58
Continue on US 58
Take the exit onto US 58
Merge onto US 58; US 220
Keep slight right at fork onto US 58
Take the exit onto US 58
Take the exit onto US 58
Merge onto US 58; US 360
Continue on US 58; US 360
Continue on US 58; US 360
Continue on US 58; US 360
Continue on US 58; VA 49
Keep slight right at fork onto US 58
Continue on US 1; US 58
Continue on US 58
Continue on US 58
Continue on US 58
Continue on US 58
Continue on US 58
Continue on US 58
Continue on US 58
Continue on US 58
Continue on US 13; US 58; US 460
Take the exit onto US 13; US 460
Keep slight left at fork onto US 13; US 460
Merge onto I 664; US 13; US 460
Take the exit
Continue on I 264
Keep slight left at fork onto US 460 ALT
Keep slight left at fork onto US 460 ALT
Turn left onto Saint Pauls Boulevard
Turn left onto East City Hall Avenue
Arrive at destination
To maximize your efficiency, aim for a morning departure to clear the bulk of the 6-hour drive before late afternoon traffic. Since the itinerary includes one recommended stop, use that break strategically to refuel and stretch your legs, keeping the $46 fuel estimate in mind for your budget. Because the route is a single-day trip, your primary advantage is flexibility; you can adjust your pace based on how you feel behind the wheel. Given the reliance on US 58 and Southampton Parkway, keep a close watch on your navigation as you transition between these main segments. Planning for that single planned stop will help you stay refreshed for the final miles approaching Norfolk.
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.
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 63 miles or 1h 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 144 miles or 3h 9m 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 12m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Norfolk, VA than in the middle of the route.
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 287.9 miles and 6h 23m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
144 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.
A short stop after about 63 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 144 miles from Hillsville, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Southampton Parkway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 62.1 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Top Coffee Stop
Norfolk, Virginia
Near the end, short detour
Hours: 7:30 am–10 pm
+17576250461
StoreHouse Coffee
Franklin, Virginia
Near the end, short detour
Norfolk, Virginia
Hours: 7:30 am–10 pm
+17576250461
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Franklin, Virginia
Hours: 7:30 am–2:30 pm
+17575710042
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Portsmouth, Virginia
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18777983752
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
South Boston, Virginia
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18777983752
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Norfolk, Virginia
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18774943833
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Franklin, Virginia
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteLater in the drive, ~9 min detour
Emporia, Virginia
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18336322778
Visit websiteLater in the drive, ~10 min detour
Emporia, Virginia
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteNear the end, ~9 min detour
Norfolk, Virginia
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18777983752
Visit websiteNear the end, ~12 min detour
Norfolk, Virginia
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Portsmouth, Virginia
Hours: 10 am–4 pm
+17573938591
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Suffolk, Virginia
Hours: 6 am–8 pm
+17575147250
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Norfolk, Virginia
Hours: 9:30 am–4 pm
+17574412374
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Norfolk, Virginia
Hours: Open 24 hours
Around the midpoint, short detour
Clarksville, Virginia
Hours: Closed
+14343748672
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.4 and 287.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Take the ramp toward US 58 East: Martinsville, Danville
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit onto US 58 toward US 58 East, US 220 South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork onto US 58 toward US 58 East: Danville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork onto US 460 ALT toward Waterside Drive, St Paul's Boulevard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork onto US 460 ALT toward Saint Paul's Boulevard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$45.02 one way
$90.04 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $49.23 | $98.45 |
| premium | $4.70 | $53.28 | $106.57 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $63.56 | $127.13 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$45
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 100.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 86.4 | 1 | $30.23 | $13.82 |
| Efficient EV | 72 | 0 | $25.19 | $11.52 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 115.2 | 1 | $40.31 | $18.43 |
Gas CO2
101 kg
EV CO2
34 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Hillsville on Sunday
Local time
12:42 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Destination
Late night in Norfolk on Sunday
Local time
12:42 AM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
56°F
Henderson, NC
144 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
This journey offers a mixed-drive experience, alternating between highway stretches and secondary roads. Approximately 45% of your travel takes place on highways, providing a balance between speed and local navigation. You will encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 62.1 miles along Southampton Parkway, which serves as a significant portion of the trip. The road personality shifts as you move eastward, requiring you to remain alert as you transition between different roadway types. Being prepared for these variations will help you maintain a steady pace throughout the 287.9-mile transit.
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 1.4 miles in.
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 18 significant decision points across 287.9 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 1.4 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 58.8 miles (US 58): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 68.5 miles (US 58): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Gently rolling terrain
Total Climb
568 ft
Total Descent
3,072 ft
Highest Point
2,975 ft
~24 mi in
Elevation Range
2,968 ft
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Hillsville, VA to Norfolk, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Hill along the way.
Hill
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 23m. Total distance: 287.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 23m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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