Traveling from Lynchburg to Virginia Beach covers 209.7 miles and typically takes about 3 hours and 46 minutes of drive time. Because this route is a turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed interstate haul, it is best suited as a one-day trip. You should budget approximately $34 for fuel to complete the journey comfortably. Since both cities are located within the Southeast region of Virginia, you will experience a consistent regional feel throughout the transit. While it is certainly possible to complete the trip in a single day, the winding nature of the roads means you should prepare for a focused driving experience rather than a quick sprint.
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
110.1 miles from Lynchburg, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 25m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
77.4 mi
1h 28m
Anderson Highway
36.7 mi
48m
VA 24
18.9 mi
21m
Richmond Highway
16.4 mi
21m
Hampton Roads Beltway
12 mi
15m
Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway
11.8 mi
16m
Powhite Parkway
11.5 mi
15m
East James Anderson Highway
8.1 mi
9m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 77.4 mi, about 1h 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lynchburg, VA and Virginia Beach, 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
16 mi·21 min·Richmond Highway
Use the left lane.
6
Take the exit onto VA 24
0.2 mi·21 sec·VA 24
Toward VA 24 East, VA 131 South: To Route 60, Appomattox
7
Turn slight left onto VA 24
19 mi·21 min·VA 24
8
Continue on US 60
7.7 mi·9 min·West James Anderson Highway
9
Continue on US 60
8.1 mi·9 min·East James Anderson Highway
10
Continue on US 60
37 mi·48 min·Anderson Highway
11
Continue on US 60
0.9 mi·1 min·Midlothian Turnpike
12
Turn right onto SR 652
2.5 mi·3 min·Old Hundred Road
Use the straight lane.
13
Enter roundabout onto SR 652
147 ft·5 sec·Old Hundred Road
14
Continue on SR 652
2.5 mi·4 min·Old Hundred Road
Use the straight lane.
15
Continue on VA 76
9.7 mi·12 min·Powhite Parkway
Use the left / straight lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto VA 76
1.8 mi·2 min·Powhite Parkway
Use the slight right lane.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto VA 146
0.9 mi·1 min·VA 146
Use the slight right lane.
18
Merge onto VA 195
2.9 mi·3 min·Downtown Expressway
Use the straight lane.
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward I 95 North: Washington, Charlottesville, Norfolk, Richmond International AirportUse the slight left lane.
20
Merge onto I 95
0.7 mi·54 sec·Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi·14 sec
Exit 75Toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach, 7th StreetUse the slight right lane.
22
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·23 sec
Toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia BeachUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Merge onto I 64
77 mi·1 hr 28 min·I 64
Use the straight lane.
24
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64; US 60
342 ft·5 sec·Hampton Roads Beltway
25
Continue on I 64; US 60
3.5 mi·4 min·Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
26
Continue on I 64; US 60
12 mi·15 min·Hampton Roads Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
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.
28
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 264 East: Va BeachUse the straight / slight left lanes.
29
Merge onto I 264
12 mi·16 min·Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway
30
Continue on 21st Street
0.4 mi·54 sec·21st Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
31
Turn left onto Arctic Avenue
0.3 mi·46 sec·Arctic Avenue
Use the left lane.
32
Turn right onto 25th Street
454 ft·12 sec·25th Street
33
Arrive at destination
25th Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a turn-heavy drive lasting nearly four hours, plan to depart early in the day to avoid fatigue on the smaller, winding roads. You have one scheduled stop included in this itinerary, which is the perfect opportunity to stretch your legs and refuel before pushing toward the coast. Given that the entire route relies on local streets, keep a close watch on your navigation to ensure you stay on the correct path through town transitions. Flexibility is your best asset on this trip, so don't hesitate to adjust your pace if local traffic on Main Street or Washington Street increases. Remember to set aside the $34 fuel budget early so you can focus entirely on the navigation and the road ahead.
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 110.1 miles from Lynchburg, VA, or about 2h 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 77.4 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 48 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 110.1 miles or 2h 25m 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 46m
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 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 220.3 miles and 4h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 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 I 64 for about 77.4 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 112.5 and 207 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
112.5 mi into trip|~2h 28m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 North: Washington, Charlottesville, Norfolk, Richmond International Airport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 95 North: Washington, Charlottesville,...
8
113.5 mi into trip|~2h 30m in
Take the exit toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach, 7th 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 75
Toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach, 7th...
9
113.7 mi into trip|~2h 30m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach
8
206.9 mi into trip|~4h 19m 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
207 mi into trip|~4h 19m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.45 one way
$68.90 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg77 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$37.67
$75.34
premium
$4.70
$40.77
$81.55
diesel
$5.61
$48.64
$97.28
Estimated Tolls: $0.32
Concord Turnpike
(2.9 mi)$0.20
Midlothian Turnpike
(0.9 mi)$0.07
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
(0.7 mi)$0.05
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
$34
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 77.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
66.1
0
$23.13
$10.57
Efficient EV
55.1
0
$19.28
$8.81
EV Truck/SUV
88.1
1
$30.84
$14.10
Gas CO2
77 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (66% 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 Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Lynchburg, VA
Late night
in Lynchburg on Sunday
Local time
4:08 AM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Virginia Beach, VA
Late night
in Virginia Beach on Sunday
Local time
4:08 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
26 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 38m 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...
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
~5 min detour
Free
near mile 189.9
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...
20 mi from route
~51 min detour
Free
near mile 98.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a very different experience than a standard highway cruise, as this route features zero percent highway usage. You will navigate primarily via Main Street, Washington Street, and Concord Turnpike, resulting in a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention. The road's personality is defined by its local character, requiring you to navigate segments that prioritize smaller thoroughfares over high-speed lanes. Because you are sticking to local roads for the entire 209.7-mile distance, the pace remains steady and consistent. Stay alert behind the wheel, as the technical nature of these roads makes the drive feel much more hands-on than a typical interstate trek.
58% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 77.4 mi on I 64.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 112.5 miles in.
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 21 significant decision points across 220.3 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 112.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 113.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 113.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Lynchburg, VA and Virginia Beach, VA, road signs point toward Appomattox, Charlottesville, Norfolk, Richmond International Airport and Portsmouth.
Appomattox
19.7 mi in|~29m|via VA 24
Charlottesville
112.5 mi in|~2h 28m
Norfolk
112.5 mi in|~2h 28m
Richmond International Airport
112.5 mi in|~2h 28m
Portsmouth
206.9 mi in|~4h 19m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 38m. Total distance: 220.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 77.4 miles on I 64. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.32 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 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 112.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 113.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 113.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Virginia Beach, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
