If you are planning to head from Hopewell to Virginia Beach, expect a straightforward journey covering 211.7 miles. You should budget approximately 4 hours and 18 minutes of time behind the wheel, making this a manageable day trip that does not require an overnight stay. With a fuel cost estimate of $34, it is an economical route for a quick getaway. You will be traveling entirely within the Southeast region of Virginia, moving from an inland area toward the coast. Because the drive is relatively efficient, you have plenty of flexibility to arrive at your destination with time to spare for your plans.
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
105.8 miles from Hopewell, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 11m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
66.8 mi
1h 15m
I 95
66.8 mi
1h 14m
Dumfries Road
13.6 mi
19m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
13 mi
14m
Hampton Roads Beltway
12 mi
15m
Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway
11.8 mi
16m
Prince William Parkway
8.3 mi
11m
I 66
3.5 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 66.8 mi, about 1h 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hopewell, VA and Virginia Beach, VA.
1
Start on SR 700
62 ft·8 sec·Creels Lane
2
Turn left onto SR 601
1.3 mi·3 min·Hopewell Road
3
Continue on SR 601
0.9 mi·1 min·Waterfall Road
4
Turn right onto Antioch Road
3.2 mi·5 min·Antioch Road
5
At end of road, turn left onto VA 55
0.9 mi·1 min·John Marshall Highway
6
Turn left onto US 15
0.1 mi·21 sec·James Madison Highway
Use the left lane.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward I 66 East: WashingtonUse the slight right lane.
8
Merge onto I 66
2.4 mi·2 min·I 66
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 66
1.1 mi·1 min·I 66
Use the straight lane.
10
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 44Toward US 234 South: Prince William Parkway, Manassas, DumfriesUse the slight right lane.
11
Continue on VA 234
8.3 mi·11 min·Prince William Parkway
Use the left lane.
12
Continue on VA 234
14 mi·19 min·Dumfries Road
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi·58 sec
14
Merge onto I 95
18 mi·20 min·I 95
Use the straight lane.
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 84AToward I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va BeachUse 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 28AToward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia BeachUse 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
12 mi·15 min·Hampton Roads Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
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.
24
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 264 East: Va BeachUse the straight / slight left lanes.
25
Merge onto I 264
12 mi·16 min·Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway
26
Continue on 21st Street
0.4 mi·54 sec·21st Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
27
Turn left onto Arctic Avenue
0.3 mi·46 sec·Arctic Avenue
Use the left lane.
28
Turn right onto 25th Street
454 ft·12 sec·25th Street
29
Arrive at destination
25th Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 4-hour and 18-minute drive, try to time your departure to avoid peak traffic on the main interstates. Since the route includes one recommended stop, use that break to stretch your legs and refresh your fuel supply before tackling the remaining distance. Keep a close eye on your navigation when transitioning between I-95 and I-64, as these highway interchanges can be busy. Given the highway-heavy nature of this 211.7-mile trip, maintaining a steady speed will help you stay on schedule. Staying mindful of your fuel gauge throughout the journey will ensure you reach the coast without any unnecessary stress.
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 105.8 miles from Hopewell, VA, or about 2h 11m 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 47 miles or 1h 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 105.8 miles or 2h 11m 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 28m
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 Hopewell, 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 Hopewell, VA
This is one driving day of about 211.7 miles and 4h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 miles from Hopewell, 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.
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 6.3 and 198.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
6.3 mi into trip|~12m in
Take the exit toward I 66 East: Washington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 66 East: Washington
8
10.2 mi into trip|~17m in
Take the exit toward US 234 South: Prince William Parkway, Manassas, Dumfries
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 44
Toward US 234 South: Prince William Parkway, Ma...
8
99.8 mi into trip|~2h 4m 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
114.7 mi into trip|~2h 21m 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
198.3 mi into trip|~3h 59m 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
$33.11 one way
$66.21 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg74 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$36.20
$72.39
premium
$4.70
$39.18
$78.36
diesel
$5.61
$46.74
$93.48
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 74.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
63.5
0
$22.23
$10.16
Efficient EV
52.9
0
$18.52
$8.47
EV Truck/SUV
84.7
1
$29.64
$13.55
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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Hopewell, VA
Morning
in Hopewell on Sunday
Local time
8:26 AM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Virginia Beach, VA
Morning
in Virginia Beach on Sunday
Local time
8:26 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°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
10 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 18m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is heavily focused on highway travel, with 74% of your journey spent on high-speed roads. You will rely primarily on I-64, I-95, and Dumfries Road to navigate your way toward the coast. Be prepared for a consistent pace, as your longest uninterrupted stretch clocks in at 66.8 miles while on I-64. The route feels like a classic interstate grind, prioritizing speed and efficiency over winding backroads. Expect a steady, predictable experience as you transition from the infrastructure around Hopewell to the major thoroughfares leading into Virginia Beach.
74% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 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 is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and I 95. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 6.3 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 211.7 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 6.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 10.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 99.8 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.
Between Hopewell, VA and Virginia Beach, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk, Va Beach and Portsmouth.
Norfolk
99.8 mi in|~2h 4m
Va Beach
99.8 mi in|~2h 4m
Portsmouth
198.3 mi in|~3h 59m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 18m. Total distance: 211.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (74%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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.
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 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 6.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 10.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 99.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Virginia Beach, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
