Origin
Middletown, VA
Afternoon in Middletown on Sunday
Local time
12:12 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Middletown, VA to Virginia Beach, VA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 49m
Distance
237.2 mi
382 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$37
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 36m
★
6 AM
4h 49m
8 AM
5h 16m
10 AM
4h 58m
12 PM
4h 56m
3 PM
5h 0m
5 PM
5h 15m
8 PM
4h 41m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Middletown, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Virginia Beach, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Middletown, VA to Virginia Beach, VA is 237.2 miles and takes about 4h 49m via US 17 and I-64, with a fuel budget near $37 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This highway-focused drive will take you across the Southeast region of Virginia, making it a straightforward, single-day trip. You'll spend most of your time on major interstates and highways, so expect a consistent pace. It's a practical option if you're looking to get from point A to point B efficiently without many detours.
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
118.6 miles from Middletown, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 27m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 17 | 75 mi | 1h 33m |
| I 64 | 66.8 mi | 1h 15m |
| I 66 | 28.1 mi | 30m |
| Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway | 13 mi | 14m |
| Hampton Roads Beltway | 12 mi | 15m |
| Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway | 11.8 mi | 16m |
| James Madison Highway | 11.6 mi | 16m |
| Eastern Bypass | 4.9 mi | 6m |
Longest stretch:
US 17
— 75 mi, about 1h 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Middletown, VA and Virginia Beach, VA.
1
Start on US 11
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
2
Turn right onto SR 627
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
·
Reliance Road
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
4
Merge onto I 81
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
I 81
5
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 66 East: Front Royal, Washington
6
Continue on I 66
28 mi
·
30 min
·
I 66
7
Take the exit onto US 17
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
·
US 17
Toward US 17: Warrenton, Fredericksburg
8
Keep slight right at fork onto US 17
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
·
US 17
9
Merge onto US 17
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Winchester Road
10
Continue on US 17
6.5 mi
·
8 min
·
James Madison Highway
11
Keep slight right at fork onto US 17
4.9 mi
·
6 min
·
Eastern Bypass
Toward US 17 South: Fredericksburg
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on US 15; US 17; US 29
5.1 mi
·
7 min
·
James Madison Highway
13
Keep slight right at fork onto US 17
27 mi
·
39 min
·
US 17
Toward US 17 South
14
Take the exit onto US 17
48 mi
·
53 min
·
US 17
Toward I 95 South, US 17 South: Richmond
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
1.9 mi
·
2 min
Exit 84A
Toward I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va Beach
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
16
Merge onto I 295
13 mi
·
14 min
·
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
1.3 mi
·
2 min
Exit 28A
Toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Merge onto I 64
67 mi
·
1 hr 15 min
·
I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64; US 60
342 ft
·
5 sec
·
Hampton Roads Beltway
20
Continue on I 64; US 60
3.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
21
Continue on I 64; US 60
12 mi
·
15 min
·
Hampton Roads Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
Exit 284A
Toward I 264 East, I 264 West: Va Beach, Downtown Norfolk, Portsmouth
Use the slight right lane.
23
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 264 East: Va Beach
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
24
Merge onto I 264
12 mi
·
16 min
·
Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway
25
Continue on 21st Street
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
·
21st Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
26
Turn left onto Arctic Avenue
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
·
Arctic Avenue
Use the left lane.
27
Turn right onto 25th Street
454 ft
·
12 sec
·
25th Street
28
Arrive at destination
25th Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour 49-minute duration, this trip is comfortably achievable in a single day, so you can leave when you're ready. With only one recommended stop, plan your fuel and rest breaks strategically. Watch for potential traffic as you approach more populated areas closer to Virginia Beach. A key consideration for this route is the fuel cost, estimated at $37, so ensure your tank is full before departing to avoid unexpected stops.
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 118.6 miles from Middletown, VA, or about 2h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 75 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 52 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 118.6 miles or 2h 27m 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 53m
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 Middletown, 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 Middletown, VA
This is one driving day of about 237.2 miles and 4h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 miles from Middletown, 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 US 17 for about 75 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
119 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 52 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 118.6 miles from Middletown, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 17 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 75 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 205 decision points cluster between mile 40.6 and 223.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
40.6 mi into trip
|
~48m in
|
US 17 / Eastern Bypass
Keep slight right at fork onto US 17 / Eastern Bypass toward US 17 South: Fredericksburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 17 South: Fredericksburg
7
77.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 42m in
|
US 17
Take the exit onto US 17 toward I 95 South, US 17 South: Richmond
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.
Toward I 95 South, US 17 South: Richmond
8
125.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 35m 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
140.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 51m 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
8
223.8 mi into trip
|
~4h 29m 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...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.09 one way
$74.19 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
83 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $40.56 | $81.11 |
| premium | $4.70 | $43.90 | $87.80 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $52.37 | $104.74 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 83 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 71.2 | 0 | $24.91 | $11.39 |
| Efficient EV | 59.3 | 0 | $20.76 | $9.49 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 94.9 | 1 | $33.21 | $15.18 |
Gas CO2
83 kg
EV CO2
28 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.
Destination
Virginia Beach, VA
Afternoon in Virginia Beach on Sunday
Local time
12:12 PM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
53°F
Ashland, VA
119 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
4 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
4h 49m 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.
Cedar Creek & Belle Grove National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley has a long and rich heritage that still inspires today. Native Americans first shaped the land, followed by colonists and settlers. The fertile valley became an important...
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Free
View on nps.gov
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...
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
$15
near mile 188.1
View on nps.gov
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...
4 mi from route
~9 min detour
Free
near mile 212.6
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...
27 mi from route
~66 min detour
Free
near mile 139
View on nps.gov
Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail
National Scenic Trail
The Potomac River corridor is rich in both history and recreation, offering a chance to both explore your heritage and choose your adventure along the way. Start your journey here!
27 mi from route
~67 min detour
Free
near mile 32.7
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is largely a highway-focused drive, with 77% of it on major highways like I-66 and I-64. You'll experience long stretches of consistent speed, including one segment of 75 miles on US 17. While much of the journey involves interstate driving, there are moments where you'll transition between different highway systems. Expect a predictable driving experience that prioritizes covering distance over intricate scenic routes.
77% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 75 mi on US 17.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 17 and I 64. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 40.6 miles in near US 17 / Eastern Bypass.
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 20 significant decision points across 237.2 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 40.6 miles (US 17 / Eastern Bypass): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 77.4 miles (US 17): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 125.3 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 Middletown, VA and Virginia Beach, VA, road signs point toward Fredericksburg, Norfolk, Va Beach and Portsmouth.
Fredericksburg
31.4 mi in
|
~35m
|
via US 17
Norfolk
125.3 mi in
|
~2h 35m
Va Beach
125.3 mi in
|
~2h 35m
Portsmouth
223.8 mi in
|
~4h 29m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 49m. Total distance: 237.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (77%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 75 miles on US 17. 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 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 40.6 miles (US 17 / Eastern Bypass): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 77.4 miles (US 17): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 125.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Cedar Creek & Belle Grove National Historical Park, Colonial National Historical Park and Fort Monroe National Monument (5 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Virginia Beach, 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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