Traversing Virginia from the mountains of Honaker to the coast of Virginia Beach covers 436.1 miles, a journey that typically takes about 8 hours and 27 minutes. Given the significant distance, this highway-focused drive is best enjoyed over two days rather than a single grueling stint. You will rely heavily on major arteries like I-81 and I-64, with the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway playing a key role in the transit. Budgeting approximately $70 for fuel is a smart way to prepare for the trip across the state. While both locations are firmly within the Southeast, the transition from the rugged terrain near Honaker to the Atlantic shore offers a distinct change in scenery that makes the overnight split worthwhile.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
218.1 miles from Honaker, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 17m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 81
195.9 mi
3h 34m
I 64
157.1 mi
2h 53m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
22.9 mi
25m
Hayters Gap Road
15 mi
26m
Hampton Roads Beltway
12 mi
15m
Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway
11.8 mi
16m
Redbud Highway
5.6 mi
10m
Lindell Road
4.8 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 195.9 mi, about 3h 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Honaker, VA and Virginia Beach, VA.
1
Start on VA 80
5.6 mi·10 min·Redbud Highway
2
Turn right onto US 19; VA 80
2.6 mi·3 min·US 19; VA 80
3
Turn left onto VA 80
9.8 mi·17 min·Hayters Gap Road
4
At end of road, turn right onto VA 80
5.2 mi·9 min·Hayters Gap Road
5
Keep slight right at fork onto VA 80
4.8 mi·8 min·Lindell Road
6
At end of road, turn left onto VA 80
0.2 mi·24 sec·Hillman Highway
7
Turn right onto VA 80
0.4 mi·46 sec·Glenbrook Avenue
8
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·31 sec
9
Merge onto I 81
56 mi·1 hr·I 81
Use the straight lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81; US 11
140 mi·2 hr 33 min·I 81; US 11
Toward I 81 North, US 11 North: RoanokeUse the straight lane.
11
Continue on I 64; I 81
0.3 mi·17 sec·I 64; I 81
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 64
90 mi·1 hr 38 min·I 64
Toward I 64 East: RichmondUse the straight lane.
13
Take the exit
1.2 mi·1 min
Exit 177Toward I 295 North: Washington, NorfolkUse the slight right lane.
14
Continue on I 295
23 mi·25 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
1.3 mi·2 min
Exit 28AToward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia BeachUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto I 64
67 mi·1 hr 15 min·I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64; US 60
342 ft·5 sec·Hampton Roads Beltway
18
Continue on I 64; US 60
3.5 mi·4 min·Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
19
Continue on I 64; US 60
12 mi·15 min·Hampton Roads Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
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.
21
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 264 East: Va BeachUse the straight / slight left lanes.
22
Merge onto I 264
12 mi·16 min·Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway
23
Continue on 21st Street
0.4 mi·54 sec·21st Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
24
Turn left onto Arctic Avenue
0.3 mi·46 sec·Arctic Avenue
Use the left lane.
25
Turn right onto 25th Street
454 ft·12 sec·25th Street
26
Arrive at destination
25th Street
Trip Plan
To manage this 436.1-mile trek effectively, aim to start your day early to avoid potential traffic congestion on the major interstates. Planning for at least two stops will help break up the long hours behind the wheel and keep you alert. Since you are spending about $70 on fuel, keep an eye on your gauge during the long 195.9-mile stretch on I-81 to ensure you have enough range between fill-ups. If you choose to split the trip over two days, look for a mid-point hotel along the I-64 corridor to balance your driving time. Staying flexible with your departure time is your best strategy for navigating this long-distance route comfortably.
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 drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 218.1 miles from Honaker, VA, or about 4h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 195.9 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 96 miles or 2h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 218.1 miles or 4h 17m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 218.1 miles or 4h 17m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 7h 12m
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 Honaker, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Honaker, VA
Aim for roughly 218 miles and 4.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Virginia Beach, VA
Aim for roughly 218 miles and 4.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 96 miles from Honaker, VA.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 81 for about 195.9 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 85 and 422.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
85 mi into trip|~1h 50m in|I 81; US 11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81; US 11 toward I 81 North, US 11 North: Roanoke
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 81 North, US 11 North: Roanoke
7
225 mi into trip|~4h 24m 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
315 mi into trip|~6h 2m 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
339.1 mi into trip|~6h 29m 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
422.7 mi into trip|~8h 7m 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...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$68.20 one way
$136.39 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg153 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$74.57
$149.13
premium
$4.70
$80.71
$161.43
diesel
$5.61
$96.29
$192.57
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$68
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$198–$308
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 152.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $46 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
130.8
1
$45.79
$20.93
Efficient EV
109
1
$38.16
$17.44
EV Truck/SUV
174.4
2
$61.05
$27.91
Gas CO2
153 kg
EV CO2
51 kg (67% 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 15, 2026
Origin
Honaker, VA
Night
in Honaker on Saturday
Local time
9:28 PM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Virginia Beach, VA
Night
in Virginia Beach on Saturday
Local time
9:28 PM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
42°F
Lewisburg, WV
218 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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
8h 27m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
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...
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Free
near mile 406
Park Closure: Road Closure and Fishing Pier Impact
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...
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
~52 min detour
Free
near mile 150.4
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...
28 mi from route
~70 min detour
Free
near mile 345.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is defined by a high-speed, interstate-heavy personality, with 84% of the trip spent on highways. You should prepare for a consistent interstate grind, particularly during the longest uninterrupted stretch of 195.9 miles along I-81. Because the majority of the drive is focused on efficiency, you will find yourself moving quickly through the state’s interior. While the pace is fast, the sheer duration of the drive means you will experience shifting landscapes as you move eastward. Expect a straightforward, utilitarian driving experience that prioritizes reaching your destination efficiently rather than winding through technical local roads.
84% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 195.9 mi on I 81.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and I 64. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 85 miles in near I 81; US 11.
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 19 significant decision points across 436.1 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 85 miles (I 81; US 11): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 225 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 315 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,312 ft8 ft
Total Climb
1,241 ft
Total Descent
3,083 ft
Highest Point
2,312 ft
~54.5 mi in
Elevation Range
2,304 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Honaker, VA to Virginia Beach, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Norfolk along the way.
Norfolk
315 mi in|~6h 2m
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 195.9 miles on I 81. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 218 miles on day one.
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 Virginia Beach, 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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 85 miles (I 81; US 11): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 225 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 315 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 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 8.5 hours each way, a round trip means 16.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Virginia Beach, VA before the return drive.
