Motley, VA to Chesapeake, VA is 217.7 miles and takes about 4h 55m via Prince Edward Highway and Richmond Highway, with a fuel budget near $33 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Southeast region, traversing mostly surface roads. It's a manageable drive for a single day, ideal if you're looking for a straightforward route without extensive highway time. Consider this if you prefer seeing more of the local landscape rather than just interstate travel.
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
108.9 miles from Motley, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 27m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Prince Edward Highway
24.1 mi
29m
Richmond Highway
20.1 mi
24m
Patrick Henry Highway
17.2 mi
21m
US 29
16.4 mi
20m
James River Drive
14.6 mi
19m
Hull Street Road
13.7 mi
19m
Colonial Trail West
13.3 mi
15m
World War II Veterans Memorial Highway
12.1 mi
14m
Longest stretch:
Prince Edward Highway
— 24.1 mi, about 29m
Traffic on I-95
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 4 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~4,913 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~553 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 105 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 Motley, VA and Chesapeake, VA.
1
Start on this road
88 ft·8 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto SR 988
0.8 mi·1 min·Highwayview Road
3
Continue on US 29 BUS
0.1 mi·13 sec·Main Street
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·20 sec
Toward US 29 North
5
Merge onto US 29
16 mi·20 min·US 29
6
Turn right onto VA 24
4.3 mi·7 min·Colonial Highway
7
At end of road, turn left onto US 501; VA 24
340 ft·8 sec·Brookneal Highway
8
Continue on US 501; VA 24
9.2 mi·17 min·Village Highway
9
Enter roundabout onto VA 24
113 ft·2 sec·Village Highway
10
Continue on VA 24
1.2 mi·2 min·Village Highway
11
Turn right onto US 460; VA 24
20 mi·24 min·Richmond Highway
12
Continue on US 460
24 mi·29 min·Prince Edward Highway
13
Turn left onto VA 307
9.3 mi·12 min·Holly Farms Road
14
Turn left onto US 360
17 mi·21 min·Patrick Henry Highway
15
Continue on US 360
14 mi·19 min·Hull Street Road
Use the straight lane.
16
Turn right onto SR 754
0.9 mi·1 min·Commonwealth Centre Parkway
Use the right lane.
17
Take the ramp
62 ft·1 sec
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward VA 288 SouthUse the slight right lane.
19
Merge onto VA 288
12 mi·14 min·World War II Veterans Memorial Highway
20
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward I 95 South: PetersburgUse the slight right lane.
21
Merge onto I 95
1.5 mi·1 min·Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
22
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 61AToward VA 10 East: HopewellUse the right lane.
23
Continue on VA 10
6.8 mi·10 min·West Hundred Road
Use the left / uturn lanes.
24
Continue on VA 10
2.9 mi·4 min·West Randolph Road
25
Continue on VA 10; VA 156 BUS
15 mi·19 min·James River Drive
26
Continue on VA 10
13 mi·15 min·Colonial Trail West
27
At end of road, turn left onto VA 10; VA 31
1.0 mi·1 min·Rolfe Highway
28
Take the exit
149 ft·6 sec
29
Merge onto VA 10
9.8 mi·11 min·Colonial Trail East
30
Continue on VA 10
12 mi·15 min·Old Stage Highway
Use the left lane.
31
Keep slight left at fork onto US 258
2.8 mi·3 min·Brewers Neck Boulevard
32
Take the exit
0.1 mi·19 sec
33
Merge onto US 17
2.3 mi·3 min·Carrollton Boulevard
34
Continue on US 17
6.2 mi·10 min·Bridge Road
Use the left lane.
35
Keep slight right at fork onto VA 164
7.4 mi·9 min·Western Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
36
Merge onto US 58; VA 164
0.7 mi·46 sec·Martin Luther King Freeway
37
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward VA 141 South: Downtown PortsmouthUse the right lane.
38
Turn straight onto US 58
0.9 mi·1 min·London Boulevard
39
Turn right onto Elm Avenue
2.4 mi·4 min·Elm Avenue
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
40
Continue on VA 337
1.1 mi·2 min·South Norfolk Jordan Bridge
41
Turn straight onto VA 337
0.7 mi·1 min·Poindexter Street
Use the straight lane.
42
Turn left onto D Street
412 ft·18 sec·D Street
43
Arrive at destination
D Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 55m duration, starting your drive in the morning is best to allow for a relaxed pace and potential unplanned stops. With only one recommended stop and a relatively short distance, you have flexibility in how you manage your time. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you transition to surface roads, and note that the longest stretch without a major highway segment is 24.1 miles on Prince Edward Highway. Budgeting around $33 for fuel should cover the 217.7 miles.
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 108.9 miles from Motley, VA, or about 2h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 24.1 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 48 miles or 1h 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 108.9 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 58m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Chesapeake, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Motley, 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 Motley, VA
This is one driving day of about 217.7 miles and 4h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 miles from Motley, 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 Prince Edward Highway for about 24.1 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 26
5 decision points cluster between mile 116.7 and 204.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
116.7 mi into trip|~2h 38m in|SR 754 / Commonwealth Centre Parkway
Turn right onto SR 754 / Commonwealth Centre Parkway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
8
117.6 mi into trip|~2h 40m in
Keep slight right at fork toward VA 288 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward VA 288 South
7
130 mi into trip|~2h 55m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 95 South: Petersburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 95 South: Petersburg
7
131.8 mi into trip|~2h 57m in
Take the exit toward VA 10 East: Hopewell
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 61A
Toward VA 10 East: Hopewell
6
204.2 mi into trip|~4h 34m 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.58 one way
$69.17 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg76 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$37.71
$75.42
premium
$4.78
$40.97
$81.94
diesel
$6.18
$52.96
$105.92
Estimated Tolls: $0.10
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
(1.5 mi)$0.10
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
$35
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 76.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
65.3
0
$22.86
$10.45
Efficient EV
54.4
0
$19.05
$8.71
EV Truck/SUV
87.1
1
$30.48
$13.93
Gas CO2
76 kg
EV CO2
25 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 Oct 17, 2026
Origin
Motley, VA
Morning
in Motley on Sunday
Local time
9:14 AM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Rain Showers then Partly Sunny
N 14 mph77% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 8:09AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Baltimore MD/Washington DC
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 8:01AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Charleston WV
Destination
Chesapeake, VA
Morning
in Chesapeake on Sunday
Local time
9:14 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Rain
N 15 to 20 mph96% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 8:09AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Baltimore MD/Washington DC
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 8:01AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Charleston WV
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
4h 55m 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.
Appomattox Court House National Historical Park
National Historical Park
On April 9, 1865, the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia in the McLean House in the village of Appomattox Court House, Virginia signaled the effective end of the nation's largest war. Question...
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 180.2
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
~28 min detour
Free
near mile 210.2
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...
13 mi from route
~32 min detour
Free
near mile 135.1
Booker T. Washington was born a slave in April 1856 on the 207-acre farm of James Burroughs. After the Civil War, Washington became the first principal of Tuskegee Normal and Industrial School. Later...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
With only a 12% highway share, you'll spend most of your time on surface roads. The longest stretch without a significant turn or exit is 24.1 miles on Prince Edward Highway. Expect to transition from highway cruising to more local road driving fairly early in the trip. This means you'll likely encounter more at-grade intersections and varying speed limits as you get closer to Chesapeake.
Only 12% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
43 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 24.1 mi on Prince Edward Highway.
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 116.7 miles in near SR 754 / Commonwealth Centre Parkway.
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 26 significant decision points across 217.7 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 116.7 miles (SR 754 / Commonwealth Centre Parkway): Lane positioning matters here; at 117.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 130 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Chesapeake is a town of 245,000 people (2019) in the Hampton Roads region of Eastern Virginia. Chesapeake is a diverse city in which a few urban areas are located; it also has many square miles of protected farmland, forests, and wetlands, including a substantial portion of the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge.
Top landmarks
•Dismal Swamp Canal — canal in Virginia, United States of America
•Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal — canal in Chesapeake, Virginia
•South Norfolk Historic District — historic district in Virginia, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 55m. Total distance: 217.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 24.1 miles on Prince Edward Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.10 in tolls one way, starting with Richmond-Petersburg 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 Chesapeake, 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 116.7 miles (SR 754 / Commonwealth Centre Parkway): Lane positioning matters here; at 117.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 130 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Appomattox Court House 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 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Chesapeake, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
