Traveling from Newport News to Altavista covers 195.5 miles and typically takes about 4 hours and 15 minutes. Because this is a single-day trip, you can easily complete it in one sitting, though building in at least one stop will make the journey more comfortable. You should budget approximately $31 for fuel to cover the distance across Virginia. The route transitions from the coastal Southeast region toward the central part of the state, offering a steady change in scenery. It is a straightforward drive that works well for a weekend getaway or a necessary transit, provided you plan for the moderate duration behind the wheel.
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
97.7 miles from Newport News, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 3m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
64.7 mi
1h 11m
Anderson Highway
36.7 mi
48m
Village Highway
10.4 mi
19m
Old Courthouse Road
10 mi
11m
Midlothian Turnpike
9.9 mi
16m
Wards Road
9.1 mi
11m
Richmond Highway
8.6 mi
10m
Mount Rush Highway
8.6 mi
9m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 64.7 mi, about 1h 11m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Newport News, VA and Altavista, VA.
1
Start on this road
82 ft·12 sec·this road
2
Turn left
413 ft·31 sec
3
At end of road, turn right onto Thimble Shoals Boulevard
0.1 mi·20 sec·Thimble Shoals Boulevard
4
Turn left onto Diligence Drive
0.4 mi·1 min·Diligence Drive
5
Turn left onto US 17
0.7 mi·1 min·J Clyde Morris Boulevard
Use the left lane.
6
Continue on US 17
168 ft·10 sec·J Clyde Morris Boulevard
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward I 64 West: Williamsburg, Richmond
8
Merge onto I 64
65 mi·1 hr 11 min·I 64
Use the right lane.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 193AToward VA 33 West: Nine Mile RoadUse the slight right lane.
10
Turn straight onto VA 33
1.0 mi·1 min·Nine Mile Road
11
Enter roundabout onto North 25th Street
148 ft·2 sec·North 25th Street
12
Continue on North 25th Street
0.5 mi·48 sec·North 25th Street
13
Enter roundabout onto North 25th Street
100 ft·2 sec·North 25th Street
14
Continue on North 25th Street
0.5 mi·1 min·North 25th Street
15
Turn right onto US 60
0.3 mi·29 sec·East Main Street
16
Turn left onto South 21st Street
0.1 mi·17 sec·South 21st Street
17
At end of road, turn right onto Dock Street
0.4 mi·49 sec·Dock Street
18
At end of road, turn right onto US 360; US 60 ALT
306 ft·12 sec·South 14th Street
Use the left / right lanes.
19
Turn left onto East Canal Street
0.2 mi·36 sec·East Canal Street
20
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·14 sec
Toward VA 195 Toll West
21
Merge onto VA 195
2.5 mi·3 min·Downtown Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork onto VA 146
1.1 mi·1 min·VA 146
Toward Powhite ParkwayUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
23
Merge onto VA 76
1.0 mi·1 min·Powhite Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight left at fork onto VA 76
1.0 mi·1 min·E-ZPass Only (Powhite Parkway)
25
Merge onto VA 76
2.5 mi·3 min·Powhite Parkway
26
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward US 60: Midlothian TurnpikeUse the slight right lane.
27
Continue on this road
0.1 mi·19 sec·this road
Toward US 60: Midlothian Turnpike
28
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward US 60 West: Midlothian Turnpike, MidlothianUse the slight right lane.
29
Merge onto US 60
9.9 mi·16 min·Midlothian Turnpike
Use the straight / right lanes.
30
Continue on US 60
37 mi·48 min·Anderson Highway
31
Continue on US 60
8.1 mi·9 min·East James Anderson Highway
32
Continue on US 60
7.8 mi·9 min·West James Anderson Highway
33
Turn slight left onto VA 24
8.6 mi·9 min·Mount Rush Highway
34
Continue on VA 24
10 mi·11 min·Old Courthouse Road
35
Take the exit onto VA 24
0.2 mi·29 sec·VA 24
Toward US 460 West, VA 24 West
36
Merge onto US 460; VA 24
8.6 mi·10 min·Richmond Highway
37
Turn left onto VA 24
1.2 mi·2 min·Village Highway
38
Enter roundabout onto VA 24
112 ft·2 sec·Village Highway
39
Continue on VA 24
9.2 mi·17 min·Village Highway
40
Take the exit onto VA 24
4.3 mi·7 min·VA 24
41
Turn left onto US 29
9.1 mi·11 min·Wards Road
42
Take the exit onto US 29 BUS
0.2 mi·31 sec·US 29 BUS
Toward US 29 Business South
43
Turn left onto US 29 BUS
2.0 mi·3 min·Main Street
44
Turn right onto 7th Street
0.9 mi·2 min·7th Street
45
Turn left onto Franklin Avenue
364 ft·17 sec·Franklin Avenue
46
Turn left onto US 29 BUS
30 ft·1 sec·Main Street
47
Arrive at destination
US 29 BUS
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 4-hour and 15-minute journey, try to time your departure to avoid heavy congestion near the Newport News area. Since you only have one recommended stop, consider breaking up the drive once you transition off I-64 to stretch your legs before tackling the secondary highways. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge during the final, more rural stretches of the route to ensure you don't run low far from a service station. Because the total distance is under 200 miles, you have plenty of flexibility to adjust your pace based on traffic or personal preference. Prioritize a steady rhythm during the initial interstate portion to ensure you arrive in Altavista feeling refreshed.
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 97.7 miles from Newport News, VA, or about 2h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 64.7 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 43 miles or 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 97.7 miles or 2h 3m 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 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Altavista, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Newport News, 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 Newport News, VA
This is one driving day of about 195.5 miles and 4h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 43 miles from Newport News, 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 64.7 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 33
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.4 and 78.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
1.4 mi into trip|~3m in
Take the exit toward I 64 West: Williamsburg, Richmond
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 64 West: Williamsburg, Richmond
7
66.3 mi into trip|~1h 15m in
Take the exit toward VA 33 West: Nine Mile Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 193A
Toward VA 33 West: Nine Mile Road
6
69.3 mi into trip|~1h 21m in|US 360; US 60 ALT / South 14th Street
At end of road, turn right onto US 360; US 60 ALT / South 14th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / right lanes.
7
72.2 mi into trip|~1h 25m in|VA 146
Keep slight left at fork onto VA 146 toward Powhite Parkway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward Powhite Parkway
9
78.2 mi into trip|~1h 34m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 60 West: Midlothian Turnpike, Midlothian
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 60 West: Midlothian Turnpike, Midloth...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.57 one way
$61.14 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg68 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$33.43
$66.85
premium
$4.70
$36.18
$72.37
diesel
$5.61
$43.16
$86.33
Estimated Tolls: $0.69
Midlothian Turnpike
(9.9 mi)$0.69
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
$31
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 68.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
58.7
0
$20.53
$9.38
Efficient EV
48.9
0
$17.11
$7.82
EV Truck/SUV
78.2
0
$27.37
$12.51
Gas CO2
68 kg
EV CO2
23 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
Newport News, VA
Morning
in Newport News on Sunday
Local time
6:37 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Altavista, VA
Morning
in Altavista on Sunday
Local time
6:37 AM
EDT
Current temp
50°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
12 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
4h 15m 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...
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...
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...
23 mi from route
~57 min detour
Free
near mile 80.9
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...
25 mi from route
~61 min detour
Free
near mile 195.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip features a mixed driving profile, beginning with faster interstate travel before shifting to regional highways. You will spend roughly 45% of your time on highways, with a significant 64.7-mile stretch on I-64 representing your longest uninterrupted segment. After leaving the interstate, the character of the road changes as you navigate onto Anderson Highway and Village Highway. Expect a transition from high-speed, multi-lane transit to a more localized driving experience as you head inland. The variation between these road types keeps the drive from feeling like a monotonous grind.
45% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
47 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 64.7 mi on I 64.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 around 1.4 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 33 significant decision points across 195.5 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 1.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 66.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 69.3 miles (US 360; US 60 ALT / South 14th Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
802 ft32 ft
Total Climb
795 ft
Total Descent
277 ft
Highest Point
802 ft
~167.5 mi in
Elevation Range
770 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Newport News, VA to Altavista, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Midlothian along the way.
Midlothian
78.2 mi in|~1h 34m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 15m. Total distance: 195.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 15m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 64.7 miles on I 64. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.69 in tolls one way, starting with Midlothian 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 Altavista, 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 1.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 66.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 69.3 miles (US 360; US 60 ALT / South 14th Street): 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 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Altavista, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
