Origin
Merrimac, VA
Morning in Merrimac on Sunday
Local time
8:27 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Merrimac, 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 4m
Distance
154.4 mi
249 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$24
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 53m
★
6 AM
3h 5m
8 AM
3h 28m
10 AM
3h 13m
12 PM
3h 10m
3 PM
3h 14m
5 PM
3h 26m
8 PM
2h 58m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Merrimac, VA
Israyosoy S.
Newport News, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 154.4-mile drive from Merrimac, VA to Newport News, VA is easily managed as a single-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 4 minutes to complete. The route is primarily highway-focused, with about 65% of the drive utilizing major interstates like I-64 and I-95, along with Germanna Highway. With an estimated fuel cost of $24, this trip offers a straightforward journey through the Southeast region of Virginia. Given its manageable length and duration, it’s a convenient option for a day excursion without the need for an overnight stay.
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
77.2 miles from Merrimac, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 36m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 64 | 56.7 mi | 1h 2m |
| I 95 | 44.2 mi | 48m |
| Germanna Highway | 18 mi | 25m |
| Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway | 13 mi | 14m |
| Plank Road | 12.3 mi | 18m |
| James Monroe Highway | 4.3 mi | 5m |
| James Madison Highway | 1 mi | 1m |
| Diligence Drive | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 56.7 mi, about 1h 2m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Merrimac, VA and Newport News, VA.
1
Start on US 29
4.3 mi
·
5 min
·
James Monroe Highway
2
Continue on US 15; US 29
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
James Madison Highway
3
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward US 522, VA 3: Mineral, Fredericksburg
4
Turn right onto US 522; VA 3
18 mi
·
25 min
·
Germanna Highway
5
Continue on VA 3
12 mi
·
18 min
·
Plank Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
Toward I 95 South: Richmond
7
Merge onto I 95; US 17
44 mi
·
48 min
·
I 95; US 17
Use the straight lane.
8
Take the exit
1.9 mi
·
2 min
Exit 84A
Toward I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va Beach
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
9
Merge onto I 295
13 mi
·
14 min
·
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
1.3 mi
·
2 min
Exit 28A
Toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 64
57 mi
·
1 hr 2 min
·
I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
Exit 258A
Toward US 17 South: J Clyde Morris Boulevard
Use the slight right lane.
13
Turn straight onto US 17
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
·
J Clyde Morris Boulevard
14
Turn right onto Diligence Drive
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Diligence Drive
15
At end of road, turn right onto Thimble Shoals Boulevard
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
Thimble Shoals Boulevard
16
Turn left
413 ft
·
33 sec
17
At end of road, turn right
82 ft
·
6 sec
18
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour duration, starting your drive from Merrimac, VA, to Newport News, VA, in the morning is a good strategy to avoid potential traffic. You'll only have one recommended stop, so plan it strategically along I-64, perhaps around the longest stretch of 56.7 miles, for fuel or a quick break. The estimated fuel cost is $24, so ensure your tank is sufficiently full before departing. This route's highway-centric nature means you can maintain a steady pace, making it a flexible trip where you can adjust your timing as 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 77.2 miles from Merrimac, VA, or about 1h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 56.7 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 34 miles or 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 77.2 miles or 1h 36m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 32m
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 Merrimac, 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 Merrimac, VA
This is one driving day of about 154.4 miles and 3h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from Merrimac, 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 56.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
77 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 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 77.2 miles from Merrimac, 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 125 decision points cluster between mile 5.3 and 154.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
5.3 mi into trip
|
~6m in
Take the exit toward US 522, VA 3: Mineral, Fredericksburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 522, VA 3: Mineral, Fredericksburg
8
80.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 40m in
Take the exit toward I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va Beach
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 84A
Toward I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va B...
8
95.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 56m in
Take the exit toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 28A
Toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach
7
153.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 1m 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
6
154.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 4m in
At end of road, turn right
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.14 one way
$48.29 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
54 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $26.40 | $52.80 |
| premium | $4.70 | $28.58 | $57.15 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $34.09 | $68.18 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 54 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 46.3 | 0 | $16.21 | $7.41 |
| Efficient EV | 38.6 | 0 | $13.51 | $6.18 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 61.8 | 0 | $21.62 | $9.88 |
Gas CO2
54 kg
EV CO2
18 kg (67% 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
Newport News, VA
Morning in Newport News on Sunday
Local time
8:27 AM
EDT
Current temp
89°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 12 mph
2% chance
Live forecast
53°F
Ashland, VA
77 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
33 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 4m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
$15
near mile 138.4
Park Closure: Rehabilitation of Colonial Parkway Continues
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...
10 mi from route
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 154.4
View on nps.gov
Shenandoah National Park
National Park
Just 75 miles from the bustle of Washington, D.C., Shenandoah National Park is a land bursting with cascading waterfalls, spectacular vistas, fields of wildflowers, and quiet wooded hollows. With over...
21 mi from route
~53 min detour
$30
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...
25 mi from route
~63 min detour
Free
near mile 95.8
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 largely highway-focused experience on this route, with 65% of your travel time spent on major roadways such as I-64 and I-95. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 56.7 miles, primarily on I-64, offering a consistent pace for a significant portion of the journey. While much of the drive will be on high-speed interstates, the inclusion of Germanna Highway suggests a potential for some variation in road type and speed as you transition between major routes. This profile generally points to efficient travel with fewer stops needed for navigation.
65% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 56.7 mi on I 64.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and I 95. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 5.3 miles in.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 154.4 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 5.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 80.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 95.3 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Merrimac, VA and Newport News, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk, Va Beach and Virginia Beach.
Norfolk
80.4 mi in
|
~1h 40m
Va Beach
80.4 mi in
|
~1h 40m
Virginia Beach
95.3 mi in
|
~1h 56m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 4m. Total distance: 154.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 56.7 miles on I 64. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 5.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 80.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 95.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Colonial National Historical Park, Fort Monroe National Monument and Shenandoah National Park (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.2 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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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