If you are planning to head from Lawrenceville to Virginia Beach, you are looking at a straightforward 114.8-mile journey through Southeast Virginia. Expect to spend about 2 hours and 36 minutes behind the wheel, making this a very manageable one-day trip that does not require an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $18 for fuel to cover the distance. Since the route is primarily highway-focused, it is a practical choice for those who prefer steady, efficient travel over winding backroads. Whether you are heading to the coast for a quick getaway or a necessary visit, this route offers a simple transition from the inland region to the shoreline.
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
57.4 miles from Lawrenceville, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 17m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Southampton Parkway
62.1 mi
1h 20m
I 264
24.5 mi
34m
Governor Harrison Parkway
9.8 mi
13m
Pleasant Shade Drive
6.4 mi
8m
West Atlantic Street
5.1 mi
6m
West Military Highway
1.7 mi
2m
Lawrenceville Plank Road
1.3 mi
2m
US 13
1.2 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Southampton Parkway
— 62.1 mi, about 1h 20m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lawrenceville, VA and Virginia Beach, VA.
1
Start on US 58 Business; VA 46
10 ft·5 sec·West Hicks Street
2
Turn left onto US 58 Business; VA 46
0.4 mi·1 min·North Main Street
3
Continue on US 58 Business
1.3 mi·2 min·Lawrenceville Plank Road
4
Take the ramp onto US 58 Business
0.2 mi·21 sec·US 58 Business
5
Merge onto US 58
9.8 mi·13 min·Governor Harrison Parkway
6
Continue on US 58
6.4 mi·8 min·Pleasant Shade Drive
7
Continue on US 58
5.1 mi·6 min·West Atlantic Street
8
Continue on US 58
62 mi·1 hr 20 min·Southampton Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on US 13; US 58; US 460
1.7 mi·2 min·West Military Highway
10
Take the exit onto US 13; US 460
0.7 mi·1 min·US 13; US 460
Toward I 264 East, I 64, US 13 North: Portsmouth, Norfolk, Va Beach
11
Keep slight left at fork onto US 13; US 460
0.4 mi·56 sec·US 13; US 460
Toward I 264 East, I 64, US 13 North: Portsmouth, Norfolk, Va Beach
12
Merge onto I 664; US 13; US 460
0.6 mi·42 sec·Hampton Roads Beltway
13
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 15AToward I 264 East: Portsmouth, Norfolk
14
Continue on I 264
7.2 mi·11 min·I 264
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 264; VA 337
17 mi·23 min·I 264; VA 337
Use the slight right lane.
16
Continue on 21st Street
0.4 mi·54 sec·21st Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Turn left onto Arctic Avenue
0.3 mi·46 sec·Arctic Avenue
Use the left lane.
18
Turn right onto 25th Street
454 ft·12 sec·25th Street
19
Arrive at destination
25th Street
Trip Plan
Because this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around local traffic patterns. One scheduled stop is all you really need to break up the 2-hour and 36-minute drive comfortably. Keep a close watch on your fuel levels before leaving Lawrenceville, as the $18 cost estimate assumes steady highway driving conditions. To make the most of your time, try to time your arrival in Virginia Beach to avoid peak congestion on I-264. Since you have a long, 62.1-mile uninterrupted stretch on Southampton Parkway, ensure you are well-rested before starting that segment to maintain steady focus.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 57.4 miles from Lawrenceville, VA, or about 1h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 62.1 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 25 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 57.4 miles or 1h 17m 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 7m
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 Lawrenceville, 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 Lawrenceville, VA
This is one driving day of about 114.8 miles and 2h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Lawrenceville, 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 Southampton Parkway for about 62.1 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 87 and 114.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
87 mi into trip|~1h 55m in|US 13; US 460
Take the exit onto US 13; US 460 toward I 264 East, I 64, US 13 North: Portsmouth, Norfolk, Va Beach
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 264 East, I 64, US 13 North: Portsmout...
6
87.7 mi into trip|~1h 57m in|US 13; US 460
Keep slight left at fork onto US 13; US 460 toward I 264 East, I 64, US 13 North: Portsmouth, Norfolk, Va Beach
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 264 East, I 64, US 13 North: Portsmout...
6
88.7 mi into trip|~1h 59m in
Take the exit toward I 264 East: Portsmouth, Norfolk
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 15A
Toward I 264 East: Portsmouth, Norfolk
6
96.7 mi into trip|~2h 11m in|I 264; VA 337
Keep slight right at fork onto I 264; VA 337
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
6
114.4 mi into trip|~2h 36m in|Arctic Avenue
Turn left onto Arctic Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.95 one way
$35.90 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg40 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$19.63
$39.26
premium
$4.70
$21.25
$42.49
diesel
$5.61
$25.35
$50.69
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 40.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
34.4
0
$12.05
$5.51
Efficient EV
28.7
0
$10.05
$4.59
EV Truck/SUV
45.9
0
$16.07
$7.35
Gas CO2
40 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (68% 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
Lawrenceville, VA
Morning
in Lawrenceville on Sunday
Local time
10:52 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Virginia Beach, VA
Morning
in Virginia Beach on Sunday
Local time
10:52 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
2h 36m 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.
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...
12 mi from route
~31 min detour
Free
near mile 98.9
Park Closure: Road Closure and Fishing Pier Impact
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is defined by its efficiency, with 85% of the trip spent on major highways. You will rely on a mix of Southampton Parkway, Governor Harrison Parkway, and I-264 to navigate toward the coast. The most significant portion of your time will be spent on the 62.1-mile stretch along Southampton Parkway, which serves as the backbone of your journey. While the route is largely a highway-focused grind, the transition from rural stretches to the interstate system keeps the pace moving quickly. Expect a consistent driving experience that prioritizes speed and directness over technical or slow-moving local roads.
85% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 62.1 mi on Southampton Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Southampton Parkway and I 264. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 87 miles in near US 13; US 460.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 114.8 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 87 miles (US 13; US 460): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 87.7 miles (US 13; US 460): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 88.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 Lawrenceville, VA and Virginia Beach, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk and Va Beach.
Norfolk
87 mi in|~1h 55m|via US 13; US 460
Va Beach
87 mi in|~1h 55m|via US 13; US 460
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 36m. Total distance: 114.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 36m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 62.1 miles on Southampton Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 87 miles (US 13; US 460): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 87.7 miles (US 13; US 460): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 88.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Fort Monroe National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Virginia Beach, VA before heading back.
