Trip from Newport News, VA to Ashland, VA

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 35m

Distance

81.9 mi

132 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$13

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 21 min

4 AM

1h 29m ★

6 AM

1h 36m

8 AM

1h 50m

10 AM

1h 41m

12 PM

1h 39m

3 PM

1h 42m

5 PM

1h 50m

8 PM

1h 31m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

Google Maps Waze Apple Maps

Download GPX

independent city in Virginia, United States

Newport News, VA

Wikimedia Commons

Ashland, VA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 81.9-mile journey from Newport News, VA, to Ashland, VA, will take you about 1 hour and 35 minutes to complete. Designed as a single-day trip, it's a straightforward drive within the Southeast region. You'll be navigating primarily local roads, indicated by its 'turn-heavy local drive' profile, meaning you'll be making frequent adjustments rather than cruising on the highway. With a fuel cost estimated at $13, this route is budget-friendly. It's a practical option if you're looking for a direct and relatively quick connection between these two Virginia locations without extensive highway time.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

40.9 miles from Newport News, VA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 47m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 64	56.6 mi	1h 2m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway	11.9 mi	12m
I 95	6.1 mi	6m
England Street	0.9 mi	2m
J Clyde Morris Boulevard	0.7 mi	1m
Diligence Drive	0.4 mi	1m
East Patrick Henry Road	0.3 mi	<1m
Thimble Shoals Boulevard	0.1 mi	<1m

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 Ashland, VA.

Start on this road

82 ft · 12 sec · this road

Turn left

413 ft · 31 sec

At end of road, turn right onto Thimble Shoals Boulevard

0.1 mi · 20 sec · Thimble Shoals Boulevard

Turn left onto Diligence Drive

0.4 mi · 1 min · Diligence Drive

Turn left onto US 17

0.7 mi · 1 min · J Clyde Morris Boulevard

Use the left lane.

Continue on US 17

168 ft · 10 sec · J Clyde Morris Boulevard

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 31 sec

Toward I 64 West: Williamsburg, Richmond

Merge onto I 64

57 mi · 1 hr 2 min · I 64

Use the right lane.

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 32 sec

Exit 200 Toward I 295, US 60: Washington, Rocky Mount NC Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork

1.3 mi · 2 min

Toward I 295 North: Washington Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 295

12 mi · 12 min · Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway

Take the exit

2.4 mi · 2 min

Exit 43A Toward I 95 North: Washington Use the slight left lane.

Merge onto I 95

6.1 mi · 6 min · I 95

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 37 sec

Toward VA 54 West: Ashland Use the slight right lane.

Continue on VA 54

0.3 mi · 25 sec · East Patrick Henry Road

Continue on VA 54

0.9 mi · 2 min · England Street

Use the left / straight / right lanes.

Turn sharp right

68 ft · 5 sec

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Given the 1 hour and 35-minute duration and the 'turn-heavy local drive' nature of this 81.9-mile route, you have ample flexibility for departure time. Consider leaving mid-morning to avoid peak local traffic. With no designated stops and a low fuel cost of $13, you can easily manage this trip in one go. Pay close attention to your GPS or navigation app, as the frequent turns on local roads like Thimble Shoals Boulevard can be disorienting. It's advisable to have your route clearly mapped out before you begin to ensure a smooth transition between roads.

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.

The halfway point lands around 40.9 miles from Newport News, VA, or about 47m 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 18 miles or 22m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 40.9 miles or 47m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 19m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ashland, 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.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Newport News, VA

This is one driving day of about 81.9 miles and 1h 35m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Newport News, VA.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

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.

town in southeastern Virginia, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Windsor, VA

41 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Gloucester Point, VA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 18 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

West Point, VA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 40.9 miles from Newport News, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

The Caboose Market & Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ashland, Virginia

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20 mile 81.9

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+18047982933

Visit website

Juan's Mexican Cafe and Cantina

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Newport News, Virginia

0.3 mi

Cafe 54 Breakfast and Lunch

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Ashland, Virginia

0.1 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Tous les Jours Bakery & Cafe - Newport News

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Newport News, Virginia

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 5.8

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+17577553134

Visit website

Dubai Girls Cafe

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Glen Allen, Virginia

2.1 mi

The Caboose Market & Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20 mile 81.9

Ashland, Virginia

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+18047982933

Visit website

Juan's Mexican Cafe and Cantina

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour Moderately mile 5.8

Newport News, Virginia

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+17578775826

Visit website

Cafe 54 Breakfast and Lunch

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20 mile 81.9

Ashland, Virginia

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+18043688671

Visit website

Jake's Place Restaurant & Market

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 81.9

Ashland, Virginia

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+18047983287

Visit website

Early Bird Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10 mile 52.6

Quinton, Virginia

Hours: 6 am–1 pm

+18042464145

Visit website

Hohl

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 29.2

Toano, Virginia

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+17577410144

Visit website

Tropical Smoothie Cafe

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour Inexpensiv mile 23.4

Williamsburg, Virginia

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+17572580007

Visit website

Tropical Smoothie Cafe

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 5.8

Newport News, Virginia

Hours: 10 am–7 pm

+17573695533

Visit website

Tous les Jours Bakery & Cafe - Newport News

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 5.8

Newport News, Virginia

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+17577553134

Visit website

Dubai Girls Cafe

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 76

Glen Allen, Virginia

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+18044001505

Mobjack Bay Coffee Roasters and Petite Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 11.7

Yorktown, Virginia

Hours: 9 am–4 pm

+17578723020

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 5.8

Newport News, Virginia

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Near the start, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 5.8

Newport News, Virginia

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour

Hampton, Virginia

+17578254657

Visit website

The Mariners' Museum and Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour

Newport News, Virginia

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+17575962222

Visit website

Ripley's Believe It or Not! Williamsburg

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 23.4

Williamsburg, Virginia

Hours: 10 am–7 pm

+17572209220

Visit website

Riverview Farm Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 5.8

Newport News, Virginia

+17578867912

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 13

5 decision points cluster between mile 1.4 and 80.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

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

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

58.7 mi into trip | ~1h 6m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 295 North: Washington

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 295 North: Washington

71.9 mi into trip | ~1h 22m in

Take the exit toward I 95 North: Washington

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Exit 43A Toward I 95 North: Washington

80.4 mi into trip | ~1h 32m in

Take the exit toward VA 54 West: Ashland

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward VA 54 West: Ashland

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$12.81 one way

$25.61 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 29 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.34	$14.00	$28.01
premium	$4.70	$15.16	$30.32
diesel	$5.61	$18.08	$36.16

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$13

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$38–$63

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 28.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	24.6	$8.60	$3.93
Efficient EV	20.5	$7.17	$3.28
EV Truck/SUV	32.8	$11.47	$5.24

Gas CO2

29 kg

EV CO2

10 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

Afternoon in Newport News on Sunday

Local time

12:16 PM

EDT

Current temp

62°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Ashland, VA

Afternoon in Ashland on Sunday

Local time

12:16 PM

EDT

Current temp

53°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

1h 35m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' on this 81.9-mile route, with a 0% highway share. This means your experience will be characterized by frequent turns and navigation through local streets rather than long stretches of high-speed travel. The longest uninterrupted stretch isn't specified, but the profile suggests you'll be actively engaged with the road for much of the 1 hour and 35-minute duration. The drive progresses through varied local environments, requiring constant attention to your surroundings and road signs as you navigate from Diligence Drive and other local thoroughfares.

77% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

18 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?

8/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway. 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 Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 81.9 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

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 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.

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 Ashland, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Rocky Mount along the way.

Rocky Mount

58.2 mi in | ~1h 6m

About the Cities

Arriving in Ashland, VA

Full guide →

Ashland is in Central Virginia.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 35m. Total distance: 81.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (77%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

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.

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 Ashland, VA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Ashland, VA before heading back.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Explore more options from Newport News, VA or browse trips ending in Ashland, VA.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse VA road trips.

Trip from Newport News, VA to Ashland, VA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Nearby Places

The Caboose Market & Cafe

Tous les Jours Bakery & Cafe - Newport News

The Caboose Market & Cafe

Juan's Mexican Cafe and Cantina

Cafe 54 Breakfast and Lunch

Jake's Place Restaurant & Market

Early Bird Cafe

Hohl

Tropical Smoothie Cafe

Tropical Smoothie Cafe

Tous les Jours Bakery & Cafe - Newport News

Dubai Girls Cafe

Mobjack Bay Coffee Roasters and Petite Cafe

Electrify America Charging Station

EV Connect Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

EVgo Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

InCharge Charging Station

Lee Hall Mansion

Virginia Living Museum

Colonial Escape Room

Loch Ness Monster

Sandy Bottom Nature Park

The Mariners' Museum and Park

Ripley's Believe It or Not! Williamsburg

Riverview Farm Park

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Newport News, VA

Ashland, VA

Same local time

9 degrees cooler at arrival

1h 35m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

About the Cities

Arriving in Ashland, VA

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

Continue From Ashland, VA

More from Newport News, VA

More trips to Ashland, VA