Matoaca, VA to Norfolk, VA is 87.8 miles and takes about 2 hours via James River Drive, Colonial Trail West, and Old Stage Highway, with a fuel budget near $14 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Virginia's Southeast region, offering a more local feel than a major interstate journey. Expect a route that requires attention due to frequent turns, making it ideal for those who prefer engaging driving over a simple point-to-point cruise. With a short duration and reasonable fuel cost, this trip is easily manageable for a single day.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
43.9 miles from Matoaca, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 58m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
James River Drive
14.6 mi
19m
Colonial Trail West
13.3 mi
15m
Old Stage Highway
12 mi
15m
Colonial Trail East
9.8 mi
11m
Western Freeway
6.8 mi
8m
Bridge Road
6.2 mi
10m
East Washington Street
3.5 mi
4m
River Road
2.9 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
James River Drive
— 14.6 mi, about 19m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Matoaca, VA and Norfolk, VA.
1
Start on Fitzhugh Street
287 ft·17 sec·Fitzhugh Street
2
Turn left onto SR 1304
163 ft·9 sec·Wilcox Street
3
Turn right onto VA 36
2.9 mi·4 min·River Road
Use the straight lane.
4
Continue on VA 36
0.8 mi·1 min·Chesterfield Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
5
Continue on VA 36
0.1 mi·17 sec·Fleet Street
6
Turn left onto VA 36
0.5 mi·56 sec·Grove Avenue
7
Continue on VA 36
0.1 mi·18 sec·West Old Street
8
Turn right onto VA 36
484 ft·18 sec·North Sycamore Street
9
Turn left onto East Bank Street
1.1 mi·2 min·East Bank Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
10
At end of road, turn left onto VA 36
3.5 mi·4 min·East Washington Street
Use the left lane.
11
Continue on VA 36
2.0 mi·2 min·Oaklawn Boulevard
12
Continue on VA 36
2.2 mi·2 min·Winston Churchill Drive
13
Turn right onto VA 10; VA 156 BUS
1.3 mi·2 min·East Randolph Road
14
Continue on VA 10; VA 156 BUS
15 mi·19 min·James River Drive
15
Continue on VA 10
13 mi·15 min·Colonial Trail West
16
At end of road, turn left onto VA 10; VA 31
1.0 mi·1 min·Rolfe Highway
17
Take the exit
149 ft·6 sec
18
Merge onto VA 10
9.8 mi·11 min·Colonial Trail East
19
Continue on VA 10
12 mi·15 min·Old Stage Highway
Use the left lane.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto US 258
2.8 mi·3 min·Brewers Neck Boulevard
21
Take the exit
0.1 mi·19 sec
22
Merge onto US 17
2.3 mi·3 min·Carrollton Boulevard
23
Continue on US 17
6.2 mi·10 min·Bridge Road
Use the left lane.
24
Keep slight right at fork onto VA 164
6.8 mi·8 min·Western Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
25
Take the exit
0.4 mi·35 sec
Toward US 58 East: Tunnel Norfolk
26
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·37 sec
Toward US 58 East: Tunnel Norfolk
27
Merge onto US 58
1.2 mi·2 min·US 58
28
Take the exit onto US 58
1.6 mi·3 min·US 58
Toward US 58 East: Brambleton Avenue, Downtown NorfolkUse the left lane.
29
Turn right onto US 460 ALT
0.5 mi·1 min·Saint Pauls Boulevard
Use the left lane.
30
Turn left onto East City Hall Avenue
158 ft·9 sec·East City Hall Avenue
Use the left lane.
31
Arrive at destination
East City Hall Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 2-hour duration, this trip is perfectly suited for a same-day excursion. Consider departing in the morning to maximize daylight and allow for any unexpected delays. While there are no designated stops mentioned, the drive's turn-heavy nature means you'll want to stay alert; plan for brief breaks if needed, perhaps around the longest stretch on James River Drive. With a fuel cost estimated at $14, you should have ample range for this distance, but it's always wise to start with a full tank.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 43.9 miles from Matoaca, VA, or about 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 14.6 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 19 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 43.9 miles or 58m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 39m
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 Matoaca, 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 Matoaca, VA
This is one driving day of about 87.8 miles and 2h.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Matoaca, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on James River Drive for about 14.6 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 85.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|VA 36 / River Road
Turn right onto VA 36 / River Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
4.6 mi into trip|~7m in|VA 36 / North Sycamore Street
Turn right onto VA 36 / North Sycamore Street
Navigation decision point
6
5.7 mi into trip|~10m in|VA 36 / East Washington Street
At end of road, turn left onto VA 36 / East Washington Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
77 mi into trip|~1h 43m in|VA 164 / Western Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto VA 164 / Western Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
7
85.7 mi into trip|~1h 55m 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
$13.73 one way
$27.46 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg31 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$15.01
$30.02
premium
$4.70
$16.25
$32.50
diesel
$5.61
$19.39
$38.77
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 30.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
26.3
0
$9.22
$4.21
Efficient EV
22
0
$7.68
$3.51
EV Truck/SUV
35.1
0
$12.29
$5.62
Gas CO2
31 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (68% 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 18, 2026
Origin
Matoaca, VA
Morning
in Matoaca on Sunday
Local time
11:49 AM
EDT
Current temp
87°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Norfolk, VA
Morning
in Norfolk on Sunday
Local time
11:49 AM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
71°F
Williamsburg, VA
44 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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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.
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...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Free
Park Closure: Eastern Front Tour Road south of Route 36 - Closed
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 51.5
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 81.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is characterized as a turn-heavy local drive, with only 11% of the journey on highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 14.6 miles along James River Drive. As you travel, the road will likely transition between these main arteries and smaller local roads, requiring constant navigation. Be prepared for a dynamic driving experience that demands your focus rather than allowing for passive cruising.
Only 11% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 14.6 mi on James River Drive.
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 0.1 miles in near VA 36 / River Road.
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 20 significant decision points across 87.8 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 0.1 miles (VA 36 / River Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.6 miles (VA 36 / North Sycamore Street): Navigation decision point; at 5.7 miles (VA 36 / East Washington Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h. Total distance: 87.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 14.6 miles on James River Drive. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (VA 36 / River Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.6 miles (VA 36 / North Sycamore Street): Navigation decision point; at 5.7 miles (VA 36 / East Washington Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Petersburg National Battlefield, Colonial National Historical Park and Fort Monroe National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Norfolk, VA before heading back.
