Spanning 165.4 miles, your journey from Lake Barcroft to Newport News connects Northern Virginia to the coast in just over 3 hours and 16 minutes. Since this trip is well within a single day's reach, you can easily complete it in one go without needing an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $26 for fuel to cover the distance. The route relies heavily on major thoroughfares like I-95, I-64, and the Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway. Given the highway-focused nature of this drive, it serves as a straightforward, functional link between these two Southeast Virginia locations rather than a leisurely backcountry tour.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
82.7 miles from Lake Barcroft, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 42m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
56.7 mi
1h 2m
I 95
48.6 mi
53m
Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
36.9 mi
43m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
13 mi
14m
Braddock Road
1.8 mi
4m
Columbia Pike
0.8 mi
1m
Sleepy Hollow Road
0.7 mi
1m
Waterway Drive
0.6 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 56.7 mi, about 1h 2m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lake Barcroft, VA and Newport News, VA.
1
Start on Crosswoods Drive
57 ft·8 sec·Crosswoods Drive
2
Turn left onto Waterway Drive
0.5 mi·1 min·Waterway Drive
3
Continue on Waterway Drive
0.1 mi·33 sec·Waterway Drive
4
Turn slight left onto Dearborn Drive
0.5 mi·1 min·Dearborn Drive
5
At end of road, turn left onto SR 613
0.7 mi·1 min·Sleepy Hollow Road
6
At end of road, turn left onto VA 244
0.8 mi·1 min·Columbia Pike
7
Turn right onto SR 613
0.4 mi·57 sec·Lincolnia Road
Use the right lane.
8
Turn right onto SR 620
1.8 mi·4 min·Braddock Road
Use the right lane.
9
Turn left onto Clifton Street
0.4 mi·1 min·Clifton Street
10
At end of road, turn left onto SR 648
0.4 mi·1 min·Edsall Road
Use the left lane.
11
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward I 395 South: Richmond
12
Merge onto I 395
0.6 mi·45 sec·Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 395
36 mi·43 min·Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
Exit 1AToward I 95 South: RichmondUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
49 mi·53 min·I 95
Use the straight lane.
15
Take the exit
1.9 mi·2 min
Exit 84AToward I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va BeachUse the slight left / straight lanes.
16
Merge onto I 295
13 mi·14 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
1.3 mi·2 min
Exit 28AToward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia BeachUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Merge onto I 64
57 mi·1 hr 2 min·I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.4 mi·51 sec
Exit 258AToward US 17 South: J Clyde Morris BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
20
Turn straight onto US 17
0.1 mi·10 sec·J Clyde Morris Boulevard
21
Turn right onto Diligence Drive
0.5 mi·1 min·Diligence Drive
22
At end of road, turn right onto Thimble Shoals Boulevard
0.1 mi·19 sec·Thimble Shoals Boulevard
23
Turn left
413 ft·33 sec
24
At end of road, turn right
82 ft·6 sec
25
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 3-hour and 16-minute drive, plan for at least one strategic stop to break up the monotony of the highway stretches. Leaving during off-peak hours is essential, as the heavy reliance on I-95 and the Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway can lead to significant congestion. Since you are looking at a $26 fuel cost, check your tank levels before hitting the major interstates to avoid paying premium prices at busy rest stops. Keep a close eye on traffic alerts for I-64, especially near the end of your trip, as this section can fluctuate in speed. Flexibility is your best asset here, so allow yourself extra time to adjust to potential backups along these high-traffic arteries.
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 82.7 miles from Lake Barcroft, VA, or about 1h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 56.7 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 36 miles or 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 82.7 miles or 1h 42m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 42m
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 Lake Barcroft, 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 Lake Barcroft, VA
This is one driving day of about 165.4 miles and 3h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 miles from Lake Barcroft, 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 56.7 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 5.2 and 164.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
5.2 mi into trip|~13m in|SR 648 / Edsall Road
At end of road, turn left onto SR 648 / Edsall Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
42.7 mi into trip|~59m in|I 95
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
91.3 mi into trip|~1h 52m 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
106.2 mi into trip|~2h 8m 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
164.2 mi into trip|~3h 13m 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
$25.86 one way
$51.73 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg58 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$28.28
$56.56
premium
$4.70
$30.61
$61.22
diesel
$5.61
$36.52
$73.04
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 57.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
49.6
0
$17.37
$7.94
Efficient EV
41.4
0
$14.47
$6.62
EV Truck/SUV
66.2
0
$23.16
$10.59
Gas CO2
58 kg
EV CO2
19 kg (67% 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 18, 2026
Origin
Lake Barcroft, VA
Morning
in Lake Barcroft on Sunday
Local time
8:09 AM
EDT
Current temp
83°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Newport News, VA
Morning
in Newport News on Sunday
Local time
8:09 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
53°F
Ashland, VA
83 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
21 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
3h 16m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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...
2 mi from route
~6 min detour
$15
near mile 148.3
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 165.4
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...
26 mi from route
~64 min detour
Free
near mile 108.3
The Potomac River corridor is rich in both history and recreation, offering a chance to both explore your heritage and choose your adventure along the way. Start your journey here!
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a high-speed, interstate-heavy experience, as roughly 64% of your travel occurs on major highways. You will spend much of your time navigating the flow of heavy traffic common on the I-95 and I-64 corridors. The drive reaches its peak intensity during the longest uninterrupted stretch, which lasts 56.7 miles on I-64. Because the route is strictly highway-focused, you should prepare for a consistent, utilitarian pace behind the wheel. The character of the road remains fairly uniform throughout the journey, prioritizing efficiency and connectivity over local, winding scenery.
64% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 56.7 mi on I 64.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 5.2 miles in near SR 648 / Edsall Road.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 165.4 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 5.2 miles (SR 648 / Edsall Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 42.7 miles (I 95): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 91.3 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 Lake Barcroft, VA and Newport News, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk, Va Beach and Virginia Beach.
Norfolk
91.3 mi in|~1h 52m
Va Beach
91.3 mi in|~1h 52m
Virginia Beach
106.2 mi in|~2h 8m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 16m. Total distance: 165.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 16m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 56.7 miles on I 64. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 1 rest area or service plaza 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 1 rest area along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 5.2 miles (SR 648 / Edsall Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 42.7 miles (I 95): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 91.3 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 Petersburg National Battlefield (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Newport News, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
