This 173.7-mile drive from Lake Ridge, VA to Norfolk, VA takes approximately 3 hours and 27 minutes, making it a very manageable day trip. The route is predominantly highway-focused, with about 80% of the journey on major interstates. You can expect to spend around $27 on fuel for this trip. Since both your origin and destination are in the Southeast region, you'll be staying within familiar territory throughout. This drive is straightforward and efficient, ideal for getting you to Norfolk without needing an overnight stop.
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
86.8 miles from Lake Ridge, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 41m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
72.7 mi
1h 21m
I 64
66.8 mi
1h 15m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
13 mi
14m
Hampton Roads Beltway
4.5 mi
6m
Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
3.5 mi
4m
Granby Street
3.1 mi
7m
Old Bridge Road
1.4 mi
2m
Monticello Avenue
1.2 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 72.7 mi, about 1h 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lake Ridge, VA and Norfolk, VA.
1
Start on Woodfern Court
451 ft·23 sec·Woodfern Court
2
Turn left onto SR 2185
0.4 mi·56 sec·Antietam Road
3
Turn left onto SR 641
1.4 mi·2 min·Old Bridge Road
4
Turn right onto SR 640
0.5 mi·1 min·Minnieville Road
5
Turn slight left
0.1 mi·23 sec
6
Continue on SR 1781
1.2 mi·2 min·Telegraph Road
7
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward Prince William Parkway
8
Merge onto VA 294
469 ft·8 sec·Prince William Parkway
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward I 95 South: Richmond
10
Merge onto I 95
24 mi·28 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
49 mi·53 min·I 95
Use the straight lane.
12
Take the exit
1.9 mi·2 min
Exit 84AToward I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va BeachUse the slight left / straight lanes.
13
Merge onto I 295
13 mi·14 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
1.3 mi·2 min
Exit 28AToward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia BeachUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto I 64
67 mi·1 hr 15 min·I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64; US 60
342 ft·5 sec·Hampton Roads Beltway
17
Continue on I 64; US 60
3.5 mi·4 min·Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
18
Continue on I 64; US 60
4.4 mi·5 min·Hampton Roads Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
Exit 276Toward I 564, US 460: Naval Base, Granby StreetUse the slight right lane.
20
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·18 sec
Toward US 460, VA 165: Granby Street, Little Creek RoadUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
21
Turn straight onto US 460
3.1 mi·7 min·Granby Street
Use the left lane.
22
Continue on US 460
446 ft·9 sec·Church Street
23
Turn right onto US 460
1.2 mi·2 min·Monticello Avenue
Use the right lane.
24
Continue on US 460
0.7 mi·1 min·Saint Pauls Boulevard
Use the left lane.
25
Turn left onto East City Hall Avenue
158 ft·9 sec·East City Hall Avenue
Use the left lane.
26
Arrive at destination
East City Hall Avenue
Trip Plan
For this 3-hour and 27-minute drive, departing in the morning can help you avoid potential afternoon traffic, especially as you approach the Norfolk area. With only 173.7 miles, you have flexibility with stops, but plan for one brief break to stretch your legs. The estimated fuel cost is around $27, so ensure your tank is full before leaving Lake Ridge. A specific tip for this route is to be aware of potential congestion on I-64 as you get closer to Norfolk, particularly during peak commuting hours.
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 86.8 miles from Lake Ridge, VA, or about 1h 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 72.7 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 38 miles or 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 86.8 miles or 1h 41m 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 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Norfolk, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Lake Ridge, 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 Ridge, VA
This is one driving day of about 173.7 miles and 3h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 miles from Lake Ridge, 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 95 for about 72.7 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 28.6 and 168.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
28.6 mi into trip|~37m 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
77.2 mi into trip|~1h 30m 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
92 mi into trip|~1h 46m 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
168.1 mi into trip|~3h 15m in
Take the exit toward I 564, US 460: Naval Base, Granby Street
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 276
Toward I 564, US 460: Naval Base, Granby Street
9
168.3 mi into trip|~3h 16m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 460, VA 165: Granby Street, Little Creek Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward US 460, VA 165: Granby Street, Little Cr...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.16 one way
$54.33 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg61 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$29.70
$59.40
premium
$4.70
$32.15
$64.30
diesel
$5.61
$38.35
$76.70
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 60.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
52.1
0
$18.24
$8.34
Efficient EV
43.4
0
$15.20
$6.95
EV Truck/SUV
69.5
0
$24.32
$11.12
Gas CO2
61 kg
EV CO2
20 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 20, 2026
Origin
Lake Ridge, VA
Morning
in Lake Ridge on Tuesday
Local time
7:20 AM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Norfolk, VA
Morning
in Norfolk on Tuesday
Local time
7:20 AM
EDT
Current temp
55°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
13 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 27m 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...
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
$15
near mile 137.8
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...
2 mi from route
~4 min detour
Free
near mile 161.7
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...
27 mi from route
~67 min detour
Free
near mile 95.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for most of this trip, with 80% of the route utilizing major interstates like I-95 and I-64. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 72.7 miles on I-95, so be prepared for periods of consistent highway travel. While the majority of the journey is on these main arteries, the inclusion of the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway offers a slight variation. Overall, this drive is characterized by its efficiency and focus on covering distance quickly.
80% 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: 72.7 mi on I 95.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and I 64. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 28.6 miles in near I 95.
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 16 significant decision points across 173.7 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 28.6 miles (I 95): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 77.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 92 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 Ridge, VA and Norfolk, VA, road signs point toward Va Beach and Virginia Beach.
Norfolk is in the Hampton Roads region of Virginia. It is a port city with a large Navy and shipping presence. But it is also known as a major cultural center, with world-class museums, opera, symphony, ballet and a vibrant arts community. The downtown area has experienced a major resurgence, with gourmet restaurants, shopping and attractions. Norfolk is one of the top cruise ports in the country.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 27m. Total distance: 173.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (80%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 72.7 miles on I 95. 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 Norfolk, 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 28.6 miles (I 95): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 77.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 92 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. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Norfolk, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
