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Trip from Madison Heights, VA to Newport News, VA

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 48m

Distance

183.9 mi

296 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$29

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
3h 36m ★
6 AM
3h 49m
8 AM
4h 14m
10 AM
3h 58m
12 PM
3h 55m
3 PM
3h 59m
5 PM
4h 13m
8 PM
3h 41m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Madison Heights, VA, VA

Madison Heights, VA

Josh Sorenson

independent city in Virginia, United States

Newport News, VA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Madison Heights, VA to Newport News, VA is 183.9 miles and takes about 3h 48m via I 64, Anderson Highway, and VA 24, with a fuel budget near $29 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Southeast region, primarily in Virginia, offering a mixed driving experience that should be manageable for a single day. With only one recommended stop and a highway share of 57%, it's a relatively straightforward trip. Consider this route if you're looking for a direct connection between these two Virginia locations without extensive detours.

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

91.9 miles from Madison Heights, VA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 57m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 64 67.3 mi 1h 15m
Anderson Highway 36.7 mi 48m
VA 24 18.9 mi 21m
Richmond Highway 15.9 mi 21m
Powhite Parkway 11.5 mi 15m
East James Anderson Highway 8.1 mi 9m
West James Anderson Highway 7.7 mi 9m
Old Hundred Road 5.1 mi 8m
Longest stretch: I 64 — 67.3 mi, about 1h 15m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Madison Heights, VA and Newport News, VA.

1

Start on Phelps Road

134 ft · 5 sec · Phelps Road
2

Turn left onto VA 163

429 ft · 20 sec · South Amherst Highway
3

Turn left

0.2 mi · 22 sec
4

Merge onto US 29 BUS

0.3 mi · 23 sec · Amherst Highway
5

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 18 sec
Toward VA 210
6

Turn left onto VA 210

2.3 mi · 3 min · Old Town Connector
7

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 24 sec
Toward US 29 South
8

Merge onto US 29

1.0 mi · 1 min · Monacan Parkway
9

Keep slight left at fork

1.1 mi · 1 min
Toward US 460 East: Appomattox
10

Merge onto US 460

16 mi · 21 min · Richmond Highway
Toward US 460 East: Appomattox
11

Take the exit onto VA 24

0.2 mi · 21 sec · VA 24
Toward VA 24 East, VA 131 South: To Route 60, Appomattox
12

Turn slight left onto VA 24

19 mi · 21 min · VA 24
13

Continue on US 60

7.7 mi · 9 min · West James Anderson Highway
14

Continue on US 60

8.1 mi · 9 min · East James Anderson Highway
15

Continue on US 60

37 mi · 48 min · Anderson Highway
16

Continue on US 60

0.9 mi · 1 min · Midlothian Turnpike
17

Turn right onto SR 652

2.5 mi · 3 min · Old Hundred Road
Use the straight lane.
18

Enter roundabout onto SR 652

147 ft · 5 sec · Old Hundred Road
19

Continue on SR 652

2.5 mi · 4 min · Old Hundred Road
Use the straight lane.
20

Continue on VA 76

9.7 mi · 12 min · Powhite Parkway
Use the left / straight lanes.
21

Keep slight right at fork onto VA 76

1.8 mi · 2 min · Powhite Parkway
Use the slight right lane.
22

Keep slight right at fork onto VA 146

0.9 mi · 1 min · VA 146
Use the slight right lane.
23

Merge onto VA 195

2.9 mi · 3 min · Downtown Expressway
Use the straight lane.
24

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 39 sec
Toward I 95 North: Washington, Charlottesville, Norfolk, Richmond International Airport Use the slight left lane.
25

Merge onto I 95

0.7 mi · 54 sec · Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 14 sec
Exit 75 Toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach, 7th Street Use the slight right lane.
27

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 23 sec
Toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28

Merge onto I 64

67 mi · 1 hr 15 min · I 64
Use the straight lane.
29

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 51 sec
Exit 258A Toward US 17 South: J Clyde Morris Boulevard Use the slight right lane.
30

Turn straight onto US 17

0.1 mi · 10 sec · J Clyde Morris Boulevard
31

Turn right onto Diligence Drive

0.5 mi · 1 min · Diligence Drive
32

At end of road, turn right onto Thimble Shoals Boulevard

0.1 mi · 19 sec · Thimble Shoals Boulevard
33

Turn left

413 ft · 33 sec
34

At end of road, turn right

82 ft · 6 sec
35

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Given the 3h 48m duration, this trip is easily accomplished in a single day, so consider leaving in the morning to allow for flexibility. With a fuel cost estimated at $29, it’s wise to fill up before you depart or at a convenient point along I 64, as this highway accounts for the longest stretch of your journey. While only one stop is officially recommended, keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you move onto VA 24 or Anderson Highway, where services might be less frequent than on the interstate. Plan your departure time to avoid peak traffic, particularly as you approach the Newport News area.

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 91.9 miles from Madison Heights, VA, or about 1h 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 67.3 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 40 miles or 50m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 91.9 miles or 1h 57m 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 9m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Newport News, VA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Madison Heights, 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 Madison Heights, VA

This is one driving day of about 183.9 miles and 3h 48m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 40 miles from Madison Heights, 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 67.3 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Richmond, VA

92 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

Appomattox, VA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 40 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Richmond, VA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 91.9 miles from Madison Heights, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 64 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 67.3 miles.

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 24

5 decision points cluster between mile 93.6 and 182.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
93.6 mi into trip | ~1h 59m in | SR 652 / Old Hundred Road

Turn right onto SR 652 / Old Hundred Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
8
114 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
115 mi into trip | ~2h 29m 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
115.1 mi into trip | ~2h 29m 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
7
182.7 mi into trip | ~3h 45m in

Take the exit toward US 17 South: J Clyde Morris Boulevard

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 258A Toward US 17 South: J Clyde Morris Boulevard

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$28.76 one way

$57.52 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 64 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $31.44 $62.89
premium $4.70 $34.04 $68.07
diesel $5.61 $40.60 $81.21

Estimated Tolls: $0.12

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

$29

Tolls

$0

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$54–$79

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 64.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 55.2 0 $19.31 $8.83
Efficient EV 46 0 $16.09 $7.36
EV Truck/SUV 73.6 0 $25.75 $11.77

Gas CO2

64 kg

EV CO2

22 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.

Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026

Origin

Madison Heights, VA

Morning in Madison Heights on Sunday

Local time

9:29 AM

EDT

Current temp

80°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Newport News, VA

Morning in Newport News on Sunday

Local time

9:29 AM

EDT

Current temp

92°F

Sunny

SW 15 mph 0% chance 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

12 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 48m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

This is a mixed drive, with 57% of the route on highways, suggesting a blend of faster travel and more local roads. You'll encounter a significant stretch of 67.3 miles on I 64, which will likely be your most uninterrupted segment. As you transition between Anderson Highway and VA 24, expect the character of the drive to change, potentially offering more varied scenery and slower speeds compared to the interstate portions. This route isn't entirely a highway grind, nor is it exclusively backroads, providing a balanced driving experience.

57% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
35 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 67.3 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 93.6 miles in near SR 652 / Old Hundred Road.

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 24 significant decision points across 183.9 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 93.6 miles (SR 652 / Old Hundred Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 114 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 115 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 Madison Heights, VA and Newport News, VA, road signs point toward Appomattox, Charlottesville, Norfolk, Richmond International Airport and Virginia Beach.

Appomattox

21.2 mi in | ~29m | via VA 24

Charlottesville

114 mi in | ~2h 28m

Norfolk

114 mi in | ~2h 28m

Richmond International Airport

114 mi in | ~2h 28m

Virginia Beach

115 mi in | ~2h 29m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 48m. Total distance: 183.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 67.3 miles on I 64. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $0.12 in tolls one way, starting with Midlothian 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 Newport News, 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 93.6 miles (SR 652 / Old Hundred Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 114 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 115 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Possible but tiring. At 3.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Newport News, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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