Origin
Lynchburg, VA
Morning in Lynchburg on Tuesday
Local time
8:22 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lynchburg, VA to Norfolk, VA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 20m
Distance
194 mi
312 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$30
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 7m
★
6 AM
4h 20m
8 AM
4h 47m
10 AM
4h 30m
12 PM
4h 27m
3 PM
4h 31m
5 PM
4h 45m
8 PM
4h 12m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lynchburg, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Norfolk, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 194-mile journey from Lynchburg to Norfolk, Virginia, is designed as a single-day adventure, taking approximately 4 hours and 20 minutes to complete. You'll primarily navigate along Richmond Highway and Prince Edward Highway, with a modest 8% share of highway driving, making it a more local-feeling drive. With an estimated fuel cost of $30, this trip is quite budget-friendly. The route is characterized by frequent turns, suggesting a need for attentive navigation. Given its manageable length and the nature of the roads, it's well-suited for a day trip without the need for an overnight stop.
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
97 miles from Lynchburg, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 9m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Richmond Highway | 27.9 mi | 34m |
| Prince Edward Highway | 24.1 mi | 29m |
| Patrick Henry Highway | 17.2 mi | 21m |
| James River Drive | 14.6 mi | 19m |
| Hull Street Road | 13.7 mi | 19m |
| Colonial Trail West | 13.3 mi | 15m |
| World War II Veterans Memorial Highway | 12.1 mi | 14m |
| Old Stage Highway | 12 mi | 15m |
Longest stretch:
Richmond Highway
— 27.9 mi, about 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lynchburg, VA and Norfolk, VA.
1
Start on 10th Street
221 ft
·
13 sec
·
10th Street
2
Turn right onto Main Street
0.3 mi
·
53 sec
·
Main Street
3
Turn left onto Washington Street
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
Washington Street
4
Continue on Concord Turnpike
2.9 mi
·
6 min
·
Concord Turnpike
5
Turn left onto US 29; US 460
28 mi
·
34 min
·
Richmond Highway
Use the left lane.
6
Continue on US 460
24 mi
·
29 min
·
Prince Edward Highway
7
Turn left onto VA 307
9.3 mi
·
12 min
·
Holly Farms Road
8
Turn left onto US 360
17 mi
·
21 min
·
Patrick Henry Highway
9
Continue on US 360
14 mi
·
19 min
·
Hull Street Road
Use the straight lane.
10
Turn right onto SR 754
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Commonwealth Centre Parkway
Use the right lane.
11
Take the ramp
62 ft
·
1 sec
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Toward VA 288 South
Use the slight right lane.
13
Merge onto VA 288
12 mi
·
14 min
·
World War II Veterans Memorial Highway
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward I 95 South: Petersburg
Use the slight right lane.
15
Merge onto I 95
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 61A
Toward VA 10 East: Hopewell
Use the right lane.
17
Continue on VA 10
6.8 mi
·
10 min
·
West Hundred Road
Use the left / uturn lanes.
18
Continue on VA 10
2.9 mi
·
4 min
·
West Randolph Road
19
Continue on VA 10; VA 156 BUS
15 mi
·
19 min
·
James River Drive
20
Continue on VA 10
13 mi
·
15 min
·
Colonial Trail West
21
At end of road, turn left onto VA 10; VA 31
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Rolfe Highway
22
Take the exit
149 ft
·
6 sec
23
Merge onto VA 10
9.8 mi
·
11 min
·
Colonial Trail East
24
Continue on VA 10
12 mi
·
15 min
·
Old Stage Highway
Use the left lane.
25
Keep slight left at fork onto US 258
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Brewers Neck Boulevard
26
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
27
Merge onto US 17
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Carrollton Boulevard
28
Continue on US 17
6.2 mi
·
10 min
·
Bridge Road
Use the left lane.
29
Keep slight right at fork onto VA 164
6.8 mi
·
8 min
·
Western Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
30
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
35 sec
Toward US 58 East: Tunnel Norfolk
31
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
37 sec
Toward US 58 East: Tunnel Norfolk
32
Merge onto US 58
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
US 58
33
Take the exit onto US 58
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
US 58
Toward US 58 East: Brambleton Avenue, Downtown Norfolk
Use the left lane.
34
Turn right onto US 460 ALT
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Saint Pauls Boulevard
Use the left lane.
35
Turn left onto East City Hall Avenue
158 ft
·
9 sec
·
East City Hall Avenue
Use the left lane.
36
Arrive at destination
East City Hall Avenue
Trip Plan
This 4-hour and 20-minute drive is easily manageable in a single day, offering flexibility for when you depart. Consider leaving early to maximize daylight and minimize potential traffic, especially as you approach Norfolk. With only one recommended stop, you can choose a convenient point for a break or fuel. Keep an eye on your navigation system as the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile suggests frequent turns; a GPS is highly recommended. The estimated fuel cost of $30 is modest, but it's always wise to ensure you have enough fuel before embarking on longer stretches like the 27.9-mile segment on Richmond Highway.
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 97 miles from Lynchburg, VA, or about 2h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 27.9 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 43 miles or 57m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 97 miles or 2h 9m 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 28m
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 Lynchburg, 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 Lynchburg, VA
This is one driving day of about 194 miles and 4h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 43 miles from Lynchburg, 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 Richmond Highway for about 27.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
97 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 43 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 97 miles from Lynchburg, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 235 decision points cluster between mile 95.7 and 191.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
95.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 7m in
|
SR 754 / Commonwealth Centre Parkway
Turn right onto SR 754 / Commonwealth Centre Parkway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
8
96.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 8m in
Keep slight right at fork toward VA 288 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward VA 288 South
7
109 mi into trip
|
~2h 23m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 95 South: Petersburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 95 South: Petersburg
7
110.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 26m in
Take the exit toward VA 10 East: Hopewell
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 61A
Toward VA 10 East: Hopewell
7
191.9 mi into trip
|
~4h 15m in
|
US 58
Take the exit onto US 58 toward US 58 East: Brambleton Avenue, Downtown Norfolk
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward US 58 East: Brambleton Avenue, Downtown...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.34 one way
$60.67 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
68 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $33.17 | $66.34 |
| premium | $4.70 | $35.91 | $71.81 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $42.83 | $85.67 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.30
Concord Turnpike
(2.9 mi)
$0.20
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
(1.5 mi)
$0.10
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 67.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 58.2 | 0 | $20.37 | $9.31 |
| Efficient EV | 48.5 | 0 | $16.97 | $7.76 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 77.6 | 0 | $27.16 | $12.42 |
Gas CO2
68 kg
EV CO2
23 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Norfolk, VA
Morning in Norfolk on Tuesday
Local time
8:22 AM
EDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
71°F
Colonial Heights, VA
97 mi in
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
17 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
4h 20m 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.
Appomattox Court House National Historical Park
National Historical Park
On April 9, 1865, the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia in the McLean House in the village of Appomattox Court House, Virginia signaled the effective end of the nation's largest war. Question...
2 mi from route
~4 min detour
Free
near mile 20.1
View on nps.gov
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...
11 mi from route
~28 min detour
$15
near mile 160.5
View on nps.gov
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...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 187.3
View on nps.gov
Petersburg National Battlefield
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...
13 mi from route
~32 min detour
Free
near mile 113.7
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive on this route, rather than a straightforward interstate cruise. While only 8% of the journey is on highways, the longest continuous stretch you'll experience is 27.9 miles on Richmond Highway. This suggests a driving experience that involves more frequent adjustments and potentially slower speeds as you pass through various communities. The profile indicates a more engaging, less monotonous drive, where you'll likely be interacting with local road networks more than high-speed thoroughfares.
Only 8% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
36 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 27.9 mi on Richmond Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 95.7 miles in near SR 754 / Commonwealth Centre Parkway.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 23 significant decision points across 194 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 95.7 miles (SR 754 / Commonwealth Centre Parkway): Lane positioning matters here; at 96.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 109 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
Starting in Lynchburg, VA
Full guide →Lynchburg is an independent city of 79,000 (2020) in the Commonwealth of Virginia. It lies east of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Central Virginia.
Arriving in Norfolk, VA
Full guide →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.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 20m. Total distance: 194 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 20m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 27.9 miles on Richmond Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.30 in tolls one way, starting with Concord Turnpike. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
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 95.7 miles (SR 754 / Commonwealth Centre Parkway): Lane positioning matters here; at 96.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 109 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Appomattox Court House National Historical Park, Colonial National Historical Park and Fort Monroe National Monument (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Norfolk, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
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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