This 178.5-mile drive from Newington, VA, to Norfolk, VA, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 31 minutes. You'll primarily be on major highways like I-95 and I-64, with about 65% of the journey on these faster roads. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $28, making it a budget-friendly option for exploring within the Southeast region. Given the relatively short duration, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience and arrive in Norfolk the same day without needing an overnight stop. This route offers a straightforward connection between two points in Virginia.
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
89.2 miles from Newington, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 42m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
66.8 mi
1h 15m
I 95
48.6 mi
53m
Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
32.5 mi
38m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
13 mi
14m
Hampton Roads Beltway
4.5 mi
6m
Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
3.5 mi
4m
Granby Street
3.1 mi
7m
Monticello Avenue
1.2 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 66.8 mi, about 1h 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Newington, VA and Norfolk, VA.
1
Start on this road
139 ft·17 sec·this road
2
Turn left
89 ft·12 sec
3
Turn left onto SR 877
0.2 mi·42 sec·Newington Road
4
Turn left onto SR 877
0.1 mi·10 sec·Loisdale Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
5
Turn right onto VA 286
0.2 mi·25 sec·Fairfax County Parkway
6
Take the exit
482 ft·16 sec
Toward SR 617, I 95 South: Backlick Road, RichmondUse the right lane.
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·38 sec
Toward I 95 South: RichmondUse the straight / right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 95
33 mi·38 min·Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
49 mi·53 min·I 95
Use the straight lane.
10
Take the exit
1.9 mi·2 min
Exit 84AToward I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va BeachUse the slight left / straight lanes.
11
Merge onto I 295
13 mi·14 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
1.3 mi·2 min
Exit 28AToward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia BeachUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 64
67 mi·1 hr 15 min·I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64; US 60
342 ft·5 sec·Hampton Roads Beltway
15
Continue on I 64; US 60
3.5 mi·4 min·Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
16
Continue on I 64; US 60
4.4 mi·5 min·Hampton Roads Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
Exit 276Toward I 564, US 460: Naval Base, Granby StreetUse the slight right lane.
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·18 sec
Toward US 460, VA 165: Granby Street, Little Creek RoadUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
19
Turn straight onto US 460
3.1 mi·7 min·Granby Street
Use the left lane.
20
Continue on US 460
446 ft·9 sec·Church Street
21
Turn right onto US 460
1.2 mi·2 min·Monticello Avenue
Use the right lane.
22
Continue on US 460
0.7 mi·1 min·Saint Pauls Boulevard
Use the left lane.
23
Turn left onto East City Hall Avenue
158 ft·9 sec·East City Hall Avenue
Use the left lane.
24
Arrive at destination
East City Hall Avenue
Trip Plan
For this 3-hour and 31-minute drive, departing in the morning is recommended to maximize your time upon arrival in Norfolk. With only one stop suggested, you can easily complete this trip in a single day. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without a major exit is 66.8 miles on I-64. The estimated fuel cost of $28 means you won't need to worry about excessive spending on gas. Since this is a relatively short drive, you have the flexibility to take breaks as needed without significantly impacting your arrival time.
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 89.2 miles from Newington, VA, or about 1h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 66.8 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 39 miles or 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 89.2 miles or 1h 42m 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 47m
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 Newington, 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 Newington, VA
This is one driving day of about 178.5 miles and 3h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from Newington, 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 66.8 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.5 and 173.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
0.5 mi into trip|~1m in
Take the exit toward SR 617, I 95 South: Backlick Road, Richmond
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward SR 617, I 95 South: Backlick Road, Richm...
8
0.6 mi into trip|~2m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 95 South: Richmond
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward I 95 South: Richmond
8
82 mi into trip|~1h 34m 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
96.9 mi into trip|~1h 50m 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
9
173.1 mi into trip|~3h 19m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 460, VA 165: Granby Street, Little Creek Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward US 460, VA 165: Granby Street, Little Cr...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.91 one way
$55.83 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg63 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$30.52
$61.04
premium
$4.70
$33.04
$66.07
diesel
$5.61
$39.41
$78.82
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 62.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
53.6
0
$18.74
$8.57
Efficient EV
44.6
0
$15.62
$7.14
EV Truck/SUV
71.4
0
$24.99
$11.42
Gas CO2
62 kg
EV CO2
21 kg (66% 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
Newington, VA
Morning
in Newington on Tuesday
Local time
6:27 AM
EDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Norfolk, VA
Morning
in Norfolk on Tuesday
Local time
6:27 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live 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
9 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
3h 31m 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.
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...
0 mi from route
~1 min detour
$15
near mile 141.6
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
~4 min detour
Free
near mile 166.2
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...
26 mi from route
~64 min detour
Free
near mile 98.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this 178.5-mile route. With 65% of your journey on interstates, including Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway, I-95, and I-64, you'll experience consistent, faster travel. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 66.8 miles on I-64, so be prepared for extended periods of highway driving. While primarily interstate, the route offers a practical and efficient way to cover the distance, with the road character remaining largely consistent as you progress towards Norfolk.
65% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 66.8 mi on I 64.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and I 95. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in.
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 18 significant decision points across 178.5 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 0.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 0.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 82 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.
Between Newington, VA and Norfolk, VA, road signs point toward Va Beach and Virginia Beach.
Norfolk is in the Hampton Roads region of Virginia. It is a port city with a large Navy and shipping presence. But it is also known as a major cultural center, with world-class museums, opera, symphony, ballet and a vibrant arts community. The downtown area has experienced a major resurgence, with gourmet restaurants, shopping and attractions. Norfolk is one of the top cruise ports in the country.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 31m. Total distance: 178.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 66.8 miles on I 64. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 1 rest area or service plaza 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 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. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 1 rest area along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 0.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 82 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 Petersburg National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Norfolk, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
