This 225.8-mile drive from Mount Jackson, VA to Chesapeake, VA is a solid single-day trip, taking approximately 4 hours and 46 minutes. You'll navigate a mix of major highways and scenic routes, with about 55% of the journey on highways. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is $39, making it an economical choice. Given its manageable length and mixed driving profile, this route is well-suited for a day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. Both your origin and destination are within the Southeast region, so you'll experience a consistent regional feel throughout the drive.
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
112.9 miles from Mount Jackson, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 30m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
106.8 mi
1h 58m
Spotswood Trail
30.5 mi
41m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
22.9 mi
25m
US 340
17.1 mi
26m
James Madison Highway
11 mi
15m
Hampton Roads Beltway
6.8 mi
8m
East Lee Highway
6.5 mi
9m
Old Valley Pike
5.9 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 106.8 mi, about 1h 58m
Traffic on I-64
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 124 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,367 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,885
Quietest
2 AM
~141 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
16.8×
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 Mount Jackson, VA and Chesapeake, VA.
1
Start on SR 1334
94 ft·10 sec·Bridge Street
2
Turn left onto US 11
0.3 mi·49 sec·Main Street
3
Continue on US 11
5.9 mi·8 min·Old Valley Pike
4
Continue on US 11
0.6 mi·1 min·North Congress Street
5
Turn left onto US 211
6.5 mi·9 min·East Lee Highway
6
Turn right onto US 340
17 mi·26 min·US 340
7
Turn left onto US 33 BUS
0.3 mi·38 sec·US 33 BUS
Use the left lane.
8
Merge onto US 33
13 mi·16 min·Spotswood Trail
9
Turn straight onto US 33
2.2 mi·3 min·Stanardsville By-Pass
10
Continue on US 33
12 mi·17 min·Spotswood Trail
11
Enter roundabout onto US 33
167 ft·3 sec·Spotswood Trail
12
Continue on US 33
5.4 mi·8 min·Spotswood Trail
13
Continue on US 33; VA 231
0.2 mi·14 sec·North Main Street
14
Enter roundabout onto US 15; US 33
72 ft·0 sec·US 15; US 33
15
Continue on US 15; US 33
0.7 mi·1 min·US 15; US 33
16
Turn slight right onto US 15; US 33
0.4 mi·34 sec·Martinsburg Avenue
17
Continue on US 15; US 33
11 mi·15 min·James Madison Highway
18
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·50 sec
19
Merge onto I 64
40 mi·43 min·I 64
Use the straight lane.
20
Take the exit
1.2 mi·1 min
Exit 177Toward I 295 North: Washington, NorfolkUse the slight right lane.
21
Continue on I 295
23 mi·25 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
1.3 mi·2 min
Exit 28AToward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia BeachUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Merge onto I 64
67 mi·1 hr 15 min·I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64; US 60
342 ft·5 sec·Hampton Roads Beltway
25
Continue on I 64; US 60
3.5 mi·4 min·Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
26
Continue on I 64; US 60
6.7 mi·8 min·Hampton Roads Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Exit 278Toward VA 194 South: Chesapeake BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
28
Turn straight onto VA 194
2.1 mi·3 min·Chesapeake Boulevard
Use the left lane.
29
Turn straight
135 ft·7 sec
30
Turn left onto VA 247
1.1 mi·1 min·Ballentine Boulevard
31
Turn right onto VA 166
0.9 mi·1 min·East Princess Anne Road
32
Turn left onto VA 166
0.6 mi·1 min·Park Avenue
33
Turn left onto US 460; VA 166; VA 168
0.3 mi·57 sec·East Brambleton Avenue
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
34
Continue on US 460; VA 166; VA 168
0.7 mi·1 min·Campostella Road
35
Turn right onto US 460; VA 166
0.7 mi·1 min·Wilson Road
Use the right lane.
36
Continue on US 460; VA 166
0.3 mi·27 sec·22nd Street
37
Continue on US 460; VA 166
0.3 mi·29 sec·Poindexter Street
Use the straight lane.
38
Turn right onto D Street
412 ft·18 sec·D Street
39
Arrive at destination
D Street
Trip Plan
For this 4-hour and 46-minute drive, consider an early morning departure to maximize your daylight hours and avoid potential traffic. With a total of 225.8 miles, you'll encounter one significant stretch of 106.8 miles on I-64, so plan your first break accordingly. The $39 fuel cost is relatively low, but always keep an eye on your gauge, especially before embarking on longer highway segments. Since this is a feasible one-day trip, you have the flexibility to stop when needed, but be mindful of the highway share, which is 55%, to maintain your schedule.
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 112.9 miles from Mount Jackson, VA, or about 2h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 106.8 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 50 miles or 1h 12m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 112.9 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 3h 52m
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 Mount Jackson, 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 Mount Jackson, VA
This is one driving day of about 225.8 miles and 4h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 miles from Mount Jackson, 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 106.8 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 218.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|US 11 / Main Street
Turn left onto US 11 / Main Street
Navigation decision point
5
30.4 mi into trip|~46m in|US 33 BUS
Turn left onto US 33 BUS
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
115.9 mi into trip|~2h 33m in
Take the exit toward I 295 North: Washington, Norfolk
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 177
Toward I 295 North: Washington, Norfolk
8
140 mi into trip|~3h 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
218.4 mi into trip|~4h 32m in
Take the exit toward VA 194 South: Chesapeake Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 278
Toward VA 194 South: Chesapeake Boulevard
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.60 one way
$69.20 round trip
$3.89/gal25.4 MPG avg79 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.27
$37.97
$75.94
premium
$4.64
$41.22
$82.44
diesel
$5.60
$49.77
$99.55
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 79 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
67.7
0
$23.71
$10.84
Efficient EV
56.5
0
$19.76
$9.03
EV Truck/SUV
90.3
1
$31.61
$14.45
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 Aug 31, 2026
Origin
Mount Jackson, VA
Late night
in Mount Jackson on Sunday
Local time
12:35 AM
EDT
Current temp
89°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
N 3 mph20% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Chesapeake, VA
Late night
in Chesapeake on Sunday
Local time
12:35 AM
EDT
Current temp
93°F
Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 3 to 8 mph18% chanceLive forecast
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 46m 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.
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...
2 mi from route
~6 min detour
$15
near mile 186.9
Park Closure: Rehabilitation of Colonial Parkway Continues
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...
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Free
near mile 210.3
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...
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...
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...
26 mi from route
~64 min detour
Free
near mile 140.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a mixed drive on this route, blending efficient highway travel with more varied road types. Fifty-five percent of your journey will be on main roads like I-64 and Spotswood Trail, offering a good pace for covering ground. The longest uninterrupted stretch measures 106.8 miles on I-64, providing a substantial period of consistent driving. This blend means you'll experience both the speed of the interstate and potentially more engaging stretches as you transition between routes. The character of the drive will shift, offering a dynamic experience behind the wheel.
55% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
39 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 106.8 mi on I 64.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
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 early in the drive near US 11 / Main Street.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 225.8 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: near the start (US 11 / Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 30.4 miles (US 33 BUS): Lane positioning matters here; at 115.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,180 ft-4 ft
Total Climb
320 ft
Total Descent
1,223 ft
Highest Point
1,180 ft
~32.3 mi in
Elevation Range
1,183 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Mount Jackson, VA and Chesapeake, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk and Virginia Beach.
Mount Jackson is a town of 2100 people (2019) in Shenandoah County, Virginia. The town has history as a commercial and railroad hub in the region, with rich Civil War heritage and a historic district listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Top landmarks
•J.W.R. Moore House — historic house in Virginia, United States
•Mount Jackson Historic District — Mount Jackson, Virginia, listed on the NRHP in Shenandoah County, Virginia
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 46m. Total distance: 225.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 46m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 106.8 miles on I 64. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 11 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 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. There are 11 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 11 / Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 30.4 miles (US 33 BUS): Lane positioning matters here; at 115.9 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 (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 9.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Chesapeake, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
