Traveling from Newport News to Appomattox covers 159.9 miles, typically taking about 3 hours and 19 minutes of drive time. This journey is perfectly manageable as a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $26 on fuel, making it a budget-friendly way to navigate across Virginia. Your path primarily utilizes I-64, US-460, and Hull Street Road to transition from the Southeast region toward your inland destination. Because the route is straightforward, it serves as an efficient connection for those looking to move between these two points with minimal fuss.
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
79.9 miles from Newport News, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 34m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
56.6 mi
1h 2m
US 460
33.2 mi
39m
Hull Street Road
21.6 mi
32m
Patrick Henry Highway
17.1 mi
21m
Holly Farms Road
9.2 mi
12m
Pocahontas Parkway
7.9 mi
9m
Chippenham Parkway
5.5 mi
5m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
2.1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 56.6 mi, about 1h 2m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Newport News, VA and Appomattox, 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
57 mi·1 hr 2 min·I 64
Use the right lane.
9
Take the exit
0.5 mi·32 sec
Exit 200Toward I 295, US 60: Washington, Rocky Mount NCUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·59 sec
Toward I 295 South, US 60: Rocky Mount NCUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·46 sec
Toward I 295 South: Rocky Mount NCUse the right lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·59 sec
Toward US 60: Seven Pines, Bottoms Bridge
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·45 sec
Toward US 60 East, I 295 South: Bottoms Bridge
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 295 South
15
Merge onto I 295
2.1 mi·2 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
16
Take the exit
0.5 mi·52 sec
Exit 25Toward VA 895 Toll West: Richmond, Richmond International AirportUse the slight right lane.
17
Continue on VA 895
7.9 mi·9 min·Pocahontas Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on VA 150
5.5 mi·5 min·Chippenham Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.1 mi·16 sec
Toward US 360 West: Hull Street Road, AmeliaUse the right lane.
20
Continue on US 360
22 mi·32 min·Hull Street Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Continue on US 360
17 mi·21 min·Patrick Henry Highway
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
23
Merge onto VA 307
9.2 mi·12 min·Holly Farms Road
24
Take the exit
457 ft·12 sec
25
Merge onto US 460
4.0 mi·4 min·US 460
26
Keep slight left at fork onto US 460
29 mi·34 min·US 460
27
Keep slight left at fork onto US 460 BUS
1.3 mi·1 min·US 460 BUS
Toward US 460 Business: Appomattox
28
Arrive at destination
US 460 BUS
Trip Plan
To ensure a smooth journey, plan for at least one dedicated stop to break up the 3-hour and 19-minute drive. Leaving early in the day is your best strategy to avoid potential traffic congestion as you navigate away from the Newport News area. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge when transitioning from the interstate to the secondary highways, as service intervals may change once you leave the main corridor. Since this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace based on your personal comfort levels. Prioritize keeping your vehicle fueled before departing, as the estimated $26 cost can fluctuate depending on your specific vehicle's efficiency.
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 79.9 miles from Newport News, VA, or about 1h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 56.6 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 35 miles or 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 79.9 miles or 1h 34m 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 45m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Appomattox, 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 159.9 miles and 3h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 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 56.6 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 58.2 and 77 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
58.2 mi into trip|~1h 6m in
Take the exit toward I 295, US 60: Washington, Rocky Mount NC
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 200
Toward I 295, US 60: Washington, Rocky Mount NC
8
58.7 mi into trip|~1h 6m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 295 South, US 60: Rocky Mount NC
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 295 South, US 60: Rocky Mount NC
7
59.2 mi into trip|~1h 7m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 295 South: Rocky Mount NC
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 295 South: Rocky Mount NC
8
63.1 mi into trip|~1h 14m in
Take the exit toward VA 895 Toll West: Richmond, Richmond International Airport
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 25
Toward VA 895 Toll West: Richmond, Richmond Int...
7
77 mi into trip|~1h 30m in
Take the exit toward US 360 West: Hull Street Road, Amelia
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward US 360 West: Hull Street Road, Amelia
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.00 one way
$50.01 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg56 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$27.34
$54.68
premium
$4.70
$29.59
$59.19
diesel
$5.61
$35.30
$70.61
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 55.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
48
0
$16.79
$7.68
Efficient EV
40
0
$13.99
$6.40
EV Truck/SUV
64
0
$22.39
$10.23
Gas CO2
56 kg
EV CO2
19 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
Late night
in Newport News on Sunday
Local time
3:31 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Appomattox, VA
Late night
in Appomattox on Sunday
Local time
3:31 AM
EDT
Current temp
80°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
18 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
3h 19m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 65% of your travel takes place on major thoroughfares. You will begin with a significant 56.6-mile stretch on I-64, which offers the most consistent pace of the entire journey. As you move away from the interstate, the character of the road shifts, requiring you to navigate segments of US-460 and Hull Street Road. While the interstate portions are designed for speed, the secondary roads demand more attention as you transition inland. This combination creates a driving profile that balances high-speed cruising with the more localized feel of regional Virginia highways.
65% 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: 56.6 mi on I 64.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and US 460. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 58.2 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 21 significant decision points across 159.9 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 58.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 58.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 59.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Newport News, VA and Appomattox, VA, road signs point toward Rocky Mount, Richmond International Airport and Amelia.
Rocky Mount
58.2 mi in|~1h 6m
Richmond International Airport
63.1 mi in|~1h 14m
Amelia
77 mi in|~1h 30m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 19m. Total distance: 159.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 56.6 miles on I 64. 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 Appomattox, 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 58.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 58.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 59.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Appomattox, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
