This 224.7-mile journey from Martinsville, Virginia, to Norfolk, Virginia, is designed for a single day of travel, taking approximately 5 hours and 3 minutes to complete. You'll navigate using key roadways like Southampton Parkway, Clarksville Bypass, and Governor Harrison Parkway. With a highway share of 51%, expect a mixed driving experience. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $35, making it an economical option for a day trip. This route primarily stays within the Southeast region of Virginia, offering a straightforward path to your destination. It's a practical choice if you're looking to cover ground efficiently without needing 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
112.4 miles from Martinsville, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 30m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Southampton Parkway
62.1 mi
1h 20m
Clarksville Bypass
22.9 mi
29m
Governor Harrison Parkway
22.5 mi
30m
Philpott Road
19.7 mi
25m
Bill Tuck Highway
18.8 mi
24m
US 58
14.5 mi
17m
A L Philpott Highway
9 mi
12m
Martinsville Highway
8.9 mi
11m
Longest stretch:
Southampton Parkway
— 62.1 mi, about 1h 20m
Traffic on I-264
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 6 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,452 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,835
Quietest
2 AM
~162 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
15.1×
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 Martinsville, VA and Norfolk, VA.
1
Start on Walnut Street
255 ft·14 sec·Walnut Street
2
At end of road, turn left onto East Church Street
2.0 mi·5 min·East Church Street
3
Continue on US 58 BUS; VA 57
9.0 mi·12 min·A L Philpott Highway
4
Continue on US 58
8.9 mi·11 min·Martinsville Highway
5
Take the exit onto US 58
14 mi·17 min·US 58
Toward US 58 East
6
Take the exit onto US 58
0.3 mi·38 sec·US 58
Toward US 58 East, US 360 East: South Boston
7
Merge onto US 58; US 360
2.9 mi·5 min·South Boston Road
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on US 58; US 360
5.3 mi·7 min·South Boston Highway
9
Continue on US 58; US 360
20 mi·25 min·Philpott Road
10
Continue on US 58; US 360
19 mi·24 min·Bill Tuck Highway
11
Continue on US 58; VA 49
3.6 mi·4 min·Clarksville Bypass
Use the straight lane.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto US 58
19 mi·24 min·Clarksville Bypass
Toward US 58 East: Boydton, South Hill
13
Continue on US 1; US 58
3.5 mi·4 min·Highway 1
14
Continue on US 58
3.3 mi·4 min·South Hill Bypass
15
Continue on US 58
1.1 mi·1 min·East Atlantic Street
16
Continue on US 58
3.6 mi·5 min·Highway 58
17
Continue on US 58
1.2 mi·2 min·Piney Pond Road
18
Continue on US 58
23 mi·30 min·Governor Harrison Parkway
19
Continue on US 58
6.4 mi·8 min·Pleasant Shade Drive
20
Continue on US 58
5.1 mi·6 min·West Atlantic Street
21
Continue on US 58
62 mi·1 hr 20 min·Southampton Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on US 13; US 58; US 460
1.7 mi·2 min·West Military Highway
23
Take the exit onto US 13; US 460
0.7 mi·1 min·US 13; US 460
Toward I 264 East, I 64, US 13 North: Portsmouth, Norfolk, Va Beach
24
Keep slight left at fork onto US 13; US 460
0.4 mi·56 sec·US 13; US 460
Toward I 264 East, I 64, US 13 North: Portsmouth, Norfolk, Va Beach
25
Merge onto I 664; US 13; US 460
0.6 mi·42 sec·Hampton Roads Beltway
26
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 15AToward I 264 East: Portsmouth, Norfolk
27
Continue on I 264
7.2 mi·11 min·I 264
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Keep slight left at fork onto US 460 ALT
0.2 mi·26 sec·US 460 ALT
Exit 9Toward Waterside Drive, St Paul's BoulevardUse the slight left lane.
29
Keep slight left at fork onto US 460 ALT
0.3 mi·53 sec·US 460 ALT
Toward Saint Paul's BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Turn left onto Saint Pauls Boulevard
0.1 mi·29 sec·Saint Pauls Boulevard
Use the left lane.
31
Turn left onto East City Hall Avenue
158 ft·9 sec·East City Hall Avenue
Use the left lane.
32
Arrive at destination
East City Hall Avenue
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5-hour drive, consider an early morning departure from Martinsville to avoid potential afternoon traffic as you approach Norfolk. With only one recommended stop, you can plan your break strategically, perhaps around the halfway point. The fuel cost is estimated at $35, so ensure your tank is full before you leave Martinsville. Keep an eye on your navigation as you transition between Southampton Parkway, Clarksville Bypass, and Governor Harrison Parkway, as these are your main guides for this 224.7-mile trip. The longest stretch without a break is over 60 miles, so plan accordingly for rest if needed.
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 112.4 miles from Martinsville, VA, or about 2h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 62.1 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 49 miles or 1h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 112.4 miles or 2h 30m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 6m
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 Martinsville, 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 Martinsville, VA
This is one driving day of about 224.7 miles and 5h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 miles from Martinsville, 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 Southampton Parkway for about 62.1 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 34.4 and 224.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
34.4 mi into trip|~46m in|US 58; US 360 / South Boston Road
Merge onto US 58; US 360 / South Boston Road
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
84.7 mi into trip|~1h 53m in|US 58 / Clarksville Bypass
Keep slight right at fork onto US 58 / Clarksville Bypass toward US 58 East: Boydton, South Hill
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 58 East: Boydton, South Hill
6
215 mi into trip|~4h 47m in|US 13; US 460
Keep slight left at fork onto US 13; US 460 toward I 264 East, I 64, US 13 North: Portsmouth, Norfolk, Va Beach
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 264 East, I 64, US 13 North: Portsmout...
9
224.1 mi into trip|~5h 1m in|US 460 ALT
Keep slight left at fork onto US 460 ALT toward Waterside Drive, St Paul's Boulevard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 9
Toward Waterside Drive, St Paul's Boulevard
8
224.3 mi into trip|~5h 1m in|US 460 ALT
Keep slight left at fork onto US 460 ALT toward Saint Paul's Boulevard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Saint Paul's Boulevard
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.17 one way
$66.35 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg79 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$36.46
$72.91
premium
$4.49
$39.74
$79.48
diesel
$4.80
$42.43
$84.86
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 78.6 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
67.4
0
$23.59
$10.79
Efficient EV
56.2
0
$19.66
$8.99
EV Truck/SUV
89.9
1
$31.46
$14.38
Gas CO2
79 kg
EV CO2
26 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
Martinsville, VA
Morning
in Martinsville on Sunday
Local time
6:46 AM
EDT
Current temp
93°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
W 9 mph33% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 3:29PM EDT by NWS Blacksburg VA
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 3:22PM EDT until July 18 at 4:15PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Destination
Norfolk, VA
Morning
in Norfolk on Sunday
Local time
6:46 AM
EDT
Current temp
96°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 14 mph22% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 3:29PM EDT by NWS Blacksburg VA
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 3:22PM EDT until July 18 at 4:15PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
85°F
Henderson, NC
112 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
3 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
5h 3m 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.
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...
12 mi from route
~30 min detour
Free
near mile 224.7
Park Closure: Road Closure and Fishing Pier Impact
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
The drive is characterized as a 'Mixed drive,' meaning you'll experience a blend of highway speeds and local road conditions. With 51% of the route on highways, there are opportunities for quicker travel, interspersed with stretches that require more attention. The longest uninterrupted segment you'll encounter is 62.1 miles along Southampton Parkway. This indicates a significant portion of the drive will be on a more consistent, potentially faster road, before transitions to other named parkways and bypasses that might offer a different driving feel. Overall, expect the road to change character as you progress towards Norfolk.
51% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 62.1 mi on Southampton Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 34.4 miles in near US 58; US 360 / South Boston Road.
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 13 significant decision points across 224.7 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 34.4 miles (US 58; US 360 / South Boston Road): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 84.7 miles (US 58 / Clarksville Bypass): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 215 miles (US 13; US 460): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,020 ft7 ft
Total Climb
240 ft
Total Descent
1,253 ft
Highest Point
1,020 ft
Elevation Range
1,013 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Martinsville, VA to Norfolk, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Hill along the way.
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.
Top landmarks
•USS Wisconsin — 1943 Iowa-class battleship
•Chrysler Museum of Art — art museum in Norfolk, Virginia
•Basilica of Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Norfolk — church building in Norfolk, United States of America
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 3m. Total distance: 224.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 3m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 62.1 miles on Southampton Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 10 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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. There are 10 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 34.4 miles (US 58; US 360 / South Boston Road): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 84.7 miles (US 58 / Clarksville Bypass): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 215 miles (US 13; US 460): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Fort Monroe National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.1 hours each way, a round trip means 10.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Norfolk, VA before the return drive.
