Spanning 185.4 miles, your journey from Lorton to Chesapeake is a straightforward trek through the southeastern corner of Virginia. You should plan for a drive time of approximately 3 hours and 14 minutes, making this a very manageable single-day trip. With a fuel budget of about $30, it is an affordable excursion that requires only one planned stop to keep you refreshed. Since both locations reside within the Southeast region, you won't experience drastic climate or landscape shifts along the way. Whether you are heading to the coast for a quick getaway or visiting family, this route offers a practical connection between Northern Virginia and the Chesapeake area.
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
89.6 miles from Lorton, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 41m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
66.8 mi
1h 15m
I 95
48.6 mi
53m
Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
29.4 mi
34m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
13 mi
14m
Hampton Roads Beltway
6.8 mi
8m
Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
3.5 mi
4m
Chesapeake Boulevard
2.1 mi
3m
Ballentine Boulevard
1.1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 66.8 mi, about 1h 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lorton, VA and Chesapeake, VA.
1
Start on SR 747
308 ft·41 sec·Sanger Street
2
Continue on SR 747
417 ft·22 sec·Sanger Street
3
Turn right onto SR 642
519 ft·17 sec·Lorton Road
Use the right lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·29 sec
Toward I 95 South: RichmondUse the left lane.
5
Merge onto I 95
29 mi·34 min·Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
49 mi·53 min·I 95
Use the straight lane.
7
Take the exit
1.9 mi·2 min
Exit 84AToward I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va BeachUse the slight left / straight lanes.
8
Merge onto I 295
13 mi·14 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
1.3 mi·2 min
Exit 28AToward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia BeachUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 64
67 mi·1 hr 15 min·I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64; US 60
342 ft·5 sec·Hampton Roads Beltway
12
Continue on I 64; US 60
3.5 mi·4 min·Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
13
Continue on I 64; US 60
6.7 mi·8 min·Hampton Roads Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Exit 278Toward VA 194 South: Chesapeake BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
15
Turn straight onto VA 194
2.1 mi·3 min·Chesapeake Boulevard
Use the left lane.
16
Turn straight
135 ft·7 sec
17
Turn left onto VA 247
1.1 mi·1 min·Ballentine Boulevard
18
Turn right onto VA 166
0.9 mi·1 min·East Princess Anne Road
19
Turn left onto VA 166
0.6 mi·1 min·Park Avenue
20
Turn left onto US 460; VA 166; VA 168
0.3 mi·57 sec·East Brambleton Avenue
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
21
Continue on US 460; VA 166; VA 168
0.7 mi·1 min·Campostella Road
22
Turn right onto US 460; VA 166
0.7 mi·1 min·Wilson Road
Use the right lane.
23
Continue on US 460; VA 166
0.3 mi·27 sec·22nd Street
24
Continue on US 460; VA 166
0.3 mi·29 sec·Poindexter Street
Use the straight lane.
25
Turn right onto D Street
412 ft·18 sec·D Street
26
Arrive at destination
D Street
Trip Plan
Given the local nature of the roads, try to avoid peak commuting hours to ensure you maintain your 3-hour and 14-minute pace. Since this is a turn-heavy route, keep your navigation apps updated and ready to guide you through the initial local segments before you merge onto the main transit corridors. A single stop is plenty for this distance, so pick a spot midway to stretch your legs and refuel within your $30 budget. Because you aren't tied to a long-haul interstate schedule, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time to suit your personal comfort. Pay close attention to the signage on Sanger Street and Lorton Road early in the trip to avoid any unnecessary backtracking.
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 89.6 miles from Lorton, VA, or about 1h 41m 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 39 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 89.6 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 47m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Chesapeake, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Lorton, 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 Lorton, VA
This is one driving day of about 179.1 miles and 3h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from Lorton, 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 171.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
0.1 mi into trip|~1m in|SR 642 / Lorton Road
Turn right onto SR 642 / Lorton Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
0.2 mi into trip|~1m in
Take the ramp toward I 95 South: Richmond
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 95 South: Richmond
8
78.4 mi into trip|~1h 29m 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
93.3 mi into trip|~1h 45m 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
171.7 mi into trip|~3h 17m in
Take the exit toward VA 194 South: Chesapeake Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 278
Toward VA 194 South: Chesapeake Boulevard
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.01 one way
$56.01 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg63 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$30.62
$61.25
premium
$4.70
$33.15
$66.30
diesel
$5.61
$39.54
$79.09
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 62.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
53.7
0
$18.81
$8.60
Efficient EV
44.8
0
$15.67
$7.16
EV Truck/SUV
71.6
0
$25.07
$11.46
Gas CO2
63 kg
EV CO2
21 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 16, 2026
Origin
Lorton, VA
Late night
in Lorton on Tuesday
Local time
5:08 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Chesapeake, VA
Late night
in Chesapeake on Tuesday
Local time
5:08 AM
EDT
Current temp
93°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 14 mph0% chanceLive 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
24 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
3h 31m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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...
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 160.6
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
~66 min detour
Free
near mile 92.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a mindless highway cruise, as this route relies on navigating local arteries like Sanger Street and Lorton Road before transitioning to I-95 South. Because the highway share is 0%, your time behind the wheel will be defined by intersection management and local traffic patterns rather than high-speed interstate cruising. You will need to stay alert for frequent turns, which keeps the drive engaging but requires more active focus than a standard freeway sprint. The road personality shifts from the suburban density of the Lorton area into the more fluid, though still local-focused, transit towards Chesapeake.
64% 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: 66.8 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 0.1 miles in near SR 642 / Lorton 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 179.1 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 0.1 miles (SR 642 / Lorton Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 78.4 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 Lorton, VA and Chesapeake, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk, Va Beach and Virginia Beach.
Chesapeake is a town of 245,000 people (2019) in the Hampton Roads region of Eastern Virginia. Chesapeake is a diverse city in which a few urban areas are located; it also has many square miles of protected farmland, forests, and wetlands, including a substantial portion of the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 31m. Total distance: 179.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.
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 Chesapeake, 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 0.1 miles (SR 642 / Lorton Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 78.4 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 7.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Chesapeake, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
