Luray to Virginia Beach is 230.9 miles and takes about 4 hours 49 minutes via I 64, with a fuel budget near $35 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Virginia, moving from the Southeast region to the Southeast region. With over half of the route on the interstate, expect a fairly straightforward drive. This route is best suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay.
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
115.5 miles from Luray, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 31m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
106.8 mi
1h 58m
Spotswood Trail
30.5 mi
41m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
22.9 mi
25m
US 340
17.1 mi
26m
Hampton Roads Beltway
12 mi
15m
Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway
11.8 mi
16m
James Madison Highway
11 mi
15m
US 211
6.1 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 106.8 mi, about 1h 58m
Traffic on I-64
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 67 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,563 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,014
Quietest
2 AM
~147 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
17.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Luray, VA and Virginia Beach, VA.
1
Start on US 211 BUS
1.1 mi·3 min·East Main Street
2
Enter roundabout onto Northcott Drive
26 ft·0 sec·Northcott Drive
3
Continue on Northcott Drive
0.1 mi·16 sec·Northcott Drive
4
Turn left onto US 211; US 340
6.1 mi·8 min·US 211; US 340
5
Continue on US 340
17 mi·26 min·US 340
6
Turn left onto US 33 BUS
0.3 mi·38 sec·US 33 BUS
Use the left lane.
7
Merge onto US 33
13 mi·16 min·Spotswood Trail
8
Turn straight onto US 33
2.2 mi·3 min·Stanardsville By-Pass
9
Continue on US 33
12 mi·17 min·Spotswood Trail
10
Enter roundabout onto US 33
167 ft·3 sec·Spotswood Trail
11
Continue on US 33
5.4 mi·8 min·Spotswood Trail
12
Continue on US 33; VA 231
0.2 mi·14 sec·North Main Street
13
Enter roundabout onto US 15; US 33
72 ft·0 sec·US 15; US 33
14
Continue on US 15; US 33
0.7 mi·1 min·US 15; US 33
15
Turn slight right onto US 15; US 33
0.4 mi·34 sec·Martinsburg Avenue
16
Continue on US 15; US 33
11 mi·15 min·James Madison Highway
17
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·50 sec
18
Merge onto I 64
40 mi·43 min·I 64
Use the straight lane.
19
Take the exit
1.2 mi·1 min
Exit 177Toward I 295 North: Washington, NorfolkUse the slight right lane.
20
Continue on I 295
23 mi·25 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
1.3 mi·2 min
Exit 28AToward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia BeachUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Merge onto I 64
67 mi·1 hr 15 min·I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64; US 60
342 ft·5 sec·Hampton Roads Beltway
24
Continue on I 64; US 60
3.5 mi·4 min·Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
25
Continue on I 64; US 60
12 mi·15 min·Hampton Roads Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Take the exit
0.2 mi·14 sec
Exit 284AToward I 264 East, I 264 West: Va Beach, Downtown Norfolk, PortsmouthUse the slight right lane.
27
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 264 East: Va BeachUse the straight / slight left lanes.
28
Merge onto I 264
12 mi·16 min·Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway
29
Continue on 21st Street
0.4 mi·54 sec·21st Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
30
Turn left onto Arctic Avenue
0.3 mi·46 sec·Arctic Avenue
Use the left lane.
31
Turn right onto 25th Street
454 ft·12 sec·25th Street
32
Arrive at destination
25th Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4 hour 49 minute drive time, leaving Luray in the morning is your best bet to maximize daylight. The route is efficient, so you should plan for just one stop to break up the 106.8-mile stretch on I 64. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you get closer to Virginia Beach, and aim to refuel before you hit the denser coastal traffic. Since this is a manageable one-day drive, you have flexibility to adjust your departure time based on your morning's activities in Luray.
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 115.5 miles from Luray, VA, or about 2h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 106.8 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 51 miles or 1h 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 115.5 miles or 2h 31m 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 55m
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 Luray, 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 Luray, VA
This is one driving day of about 230.9 miles and 4h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 miles from Luray, 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 106.8 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 109.9 and 230.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
109.9 mi into trip|~2h 25m in
Take the exit toward I 295 North: Washington, Norfolk
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 177
Toward I 295 North: Washington, Norfolk
8
134 mi into trip|~2h 52m 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
217.6 mi into trip|~4h 30m in
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
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 284A
Toward I 264 East, I 264 West: Va Beach, Downto...
7
217.7 mi into trip|~4h 30m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 264 East: Va Beach
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward I 264 East: Va Beach
6
230.6 mi into trip|~4h 48m in|Arctic Avenue
Turn left onto Arctic Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.09 one way
$68.18 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg81 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$37.46
$74.92
premium
$4.49
$40.83
$81.67
diesel
$4.80
$43.60
$87.20
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 80.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
69.3
0
$24.24
$11.08
Efficient EV
57.7
0
$20.20
$9.24
EV Truck/SUV
92.4
1
$32.33
$14.78
Gas CO2
81 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Luray, VA
Afternoon
in Luray on Sunday
Local time
3:48 PM
EDT
Current temp
92°F
Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 9 mph56% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 12:43PM EDT by NWS Charleston WV
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued July 18 at 11:43AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Baltimore MD/Washington DC
Destination
Virginia Beach, VA
Afternoon
in Virginia Beach on Sunday
Local time
3:48 PM
EDT
Current temp
94°F
Mostly Sunny
S 9 to 14 mph9% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 12:43PM EDT by NWS Charleston WV
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued July 18 at 11:43AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Baltimore MD/Washington DC
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
2 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
4h 49m on the road
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.
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...
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
$15
near mile 175.2
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...
4 mi from route
~9 min detour
Free
near mile 199.1
Just 75 miles from the bustle of Washington, D.C., Shenandoah National Park is a land bursting with cascading waterfalls, spectacular vistas, fields of wildflowers, and quiet wooded hollows. With over...
Cedar Creek & Belle Grove National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley has a long and rich heritage that still inspires today. Native Americans first shaped the land, followed by colonists and settlers. The fertile valley became an important...
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 135.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 62% of this 230.9-mile drive on the highway, primarily on I 64. The longest continuous stretch on I 64 is 106.8 miles, so you'll have plenty of time for steady cruising. Once you transition off the interstate, you'll be on surface roads like Spotswood Trail and Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, which will likely have more frequent intersections and a different pace.
62% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 106.8 mi on I 64.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and Spotswood Trail. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 109.9 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
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 15 significant decision points across 230.9 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 109.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 134 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 217.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,431 ft9 ft
Total Climb
679 ft
Total Descent
1,476 ft
Highest Point
1,431 ft
~33 mi in
Elevation Range
1,422 ft
Notable High Points
1,431 ft at ~33 miles+515 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Luray, VA and Virginia Beach, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk and Portsmouth.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 49m. Total distance: 230.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 106.8 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 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 109.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 134 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 217.6 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 Shenandoah National Park (5 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Virginia Beach, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
