Origin
Lake Barcroft, VA
Afternoon in Lake Barcroft on Sunday
Local time
12:13 PM
EDT
Current temp
83°F
Unavailable
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 6m
Distance
203.2 mi
327 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$32
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lake Barcroft, VA
El Capra
Virginia Beach, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Lake Barcroft, VA to Virginia Beach, VA is 203.2 miles and takes about 4h 6m via I 95 and I 64, with a fuel budget near $32 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a primarily highway-focused drive that keeps you within the Southeast region and the state of Virginia for its entirety. You'll experience a fairly direct journey, suitable for a single-day trip. Consider this route if you're looking for an efficient way to get from the Northern Virginia area to the Virginia coast without significant detours.
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
101.6 miles from Lake Barcroft, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 3m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 64 | 66.8 mi | 1h 15m |
| I 95 | 48.6 mi | 53m |
| Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway | 36.9 mi | 43m |
| Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway | 13 mi | 14m |
| Hampton Roads Beltway | 12 mi | 15m |
| Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway | 11.8 mi | 16m |
| Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel | 3.5 mi | 4m |
| Braddock Road | 1.8 mi | 4m |
Step-by-step road directions between Lake Barcroft, VA and Virginia Beach, VA.
Start on Crosswoods Drive
Turn left onto Waterway Drive
Continue on Waterway Drive
Turn slight left onto Dearborn Drive
At end of road, turn left onto SR 613
At end of road, turn left onto VA 244
Turn right onto SR 613
Turn right onto SR 620
Turn left onto Clifton Street
At end of road, turn left onto SR 648
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 395
Continue on I 395
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
Take the exit
Merge onto I 295
Take the exit
Merge onto I 64
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64; US 60
Continue on I 64; US 60
Continue on I 64; US 60
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 264
Continue on 21st Street
Turn left onto Arctic Avenue
Turn right onto 25th Street
Arrive at destination
Given the 4h 6m estimated duration, this is a very manageable one-day trip. Departing from Lake Barcroft, VA, consider leaving in the morning to avoid peak commuter traffic on the Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway. With only one stop recommended, you have flexibility in where and when you choose to take a break. The fuel cost is estimated at $32, so plan your fueling stops accordingly, especially before heading into longer stretches like the 66.8 miles on I 64.
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.
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 45 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 101.6 miles or 2h 3m 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 17m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Virginia Beach, VA than in the middle of the route.
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 203.2 miles and 4h 6m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
102 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 45 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 101.6 miles from Lake Barcroft, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 64 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 66.8 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 5.2 and 190 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
At end of road, turn left onto SR 648 / Edsall Road
Lane positioning matters here
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
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
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
Keep slight left at fork toward I 264 East: Va Beach
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$31.78 one way
$63.55 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $34.74 | $69.49 |
| premium | $4.70 | $37.61 | $75.22 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $44.86 | $89.73 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 71.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 61 | 0 | $21.34 | $9.75 |
| Efficient EV | 50.8 | 0 | $17.78 | $8.13 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 81.3 | 1 | $28.45 | $13.00 |
Gas CO2
71 kg
EV CO2
24 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Lake Barcroft on Sunday
Local time
12:13 PM
EDT
Current temp
83°F
Unavailable
Destination
Afternoon in Virginia Beach on Sunday
Local time
12:13 PM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
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
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.
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...
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...
National Battlefield
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...
National Scenic Trail
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.
This trip is largely a highway-focused drive, with 63% of the journey on major interstates like I 95 and I 64. You'll encounter the Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway early on, which can be busy depending on the time of day. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 66.8 miles on I 64, offering a period of consistent driving. Expect a straightforward travel experience with minimal complexities on this route.
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.
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 203.2 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 91.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 106.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Lake Barcroft, VA and Virginia Beach, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk, Va Beach and Portsmouth.
Norfolk
Va Beach
Portsmouth
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 6m. Total distance: 203.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.
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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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