This 359.3-mile drive from Newport News, VA, to Bluefield, VA, is a solid day trip, estimated to take about 6 hours and 41 minutes. With 90% of the journey on highways, it's a straightforward trip focused on covering ground efficiently. The estimated fuel cost for this route is around $56. You'll primarily be on I-64, I-81, and I-77, making for a generally predictable drive. This route stays within the Southeast region, so you won't experience significant regional landscape shifts. It's a practical option if you're looking to get from point A to point B without many detours.
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
179.7 miles from Newport News, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 20m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
176.9 mi
3h 13m
I 81
117.1 mi
2h 9m
I 77
28.4 mi
31m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
22.6 mi
24m
Big Laurel Highway
5.8 mi
6m
John Nash Boulevard
2.5 mi
2m
SR 720
1.2 mi
1m
J Clyde Morris Boulevard
0.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 176.9 mi, about 3h 13m
Traffic on I-64
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 90 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,062 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,481
Quietest
2 AM
~117 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
17.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Newport News, VA and Bluefield, 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 right at fork
1.3 mi·2 min
Toward I 295 North: WashingtonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 295
23 mi·24 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·55 sec
Exit 53AToward I 64 West: Charlottesville
13
Merge onto I 64
120 mi·2 hr 10 min·I 64
Toward I 64 West: CharlottesvilleUse the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
117 mi·2 hr 9 min·I 81
Use the straight lane.
15
Continue on I 77; I 81; US 52
1.3 mi·1 min·I 77; I 81; US 52
Use the straight lane.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 77
27 mi·30 min·I 77
Toward I 77 North: Bluefield, Charleston W. Va.Use the slight right lane.
17
Take the exit onto US 52
0.3 mi·1 min·US 52
Exit 1Toward US 52 North: Bluefield
18
Turn right onto US 52
2.5 mi·2 min·John Nash Boulevard
19
Take the exit onto US 52
0.3 mi·37 sec·US 52
Toward US 460 West: Bluefield
20
Merge onto US 52; US 460; US 52 Truck
5.8 mi·6 min·Big Laurel Highway
Use the left / straight lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward VA 102: Pocahontas
22
Turn straight onto SR 720
1.2 mi·1 min·SR 720
23
Arrive at destination
VA 102
Trip Plan
Given the 6-hour, 41-minute duration, this trip is well-suited for a single day. Starting early from Newport News will give you ample time to reach Bluefield without feeling rushed. Plan for at least one stop to break up the 359.3 miles, perhaps around the halfway point or where I-81 and I-77 converge. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the longest stretch on I-64, as services can sometimes be spaced out on interstates. The $56 fuel estimate is a good baseline for budgeting your travel expenses.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 179.7 miles from Newport News, VA, or about 3h 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 176.9 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 79 miles or 1h 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 179.7 miles or 3h 20m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 32m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bluefield, 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 359.3 miles and 6h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 79 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 176.9 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 1.4 and 321.9 — 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
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
7
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
6
82.6 mi into trip|~1h 34m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 64 West: Charlottesville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 53A
Toward I 64 West: Charlottesville
8
321.9 mi into trip|~5h 56m in|I 77
Keep slight right at fork onto I 77 toward I 77 North: Bluefield, Charleston W. Va.
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 77 North: Bluefield, Charleston W. Va.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$53.05 one way
$106.09 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg126 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$58.29
$116.59
premium
$4.49
$63.54
$127.08
diesel
$4.80
$67.84
$135.69
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$53
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$78–$103
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 125.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $38 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
107.8
1
$37.73
$17.25
Efficient EV
89.8
1
$31.44
$14.37
EV Truck/SUV
143.7
1
$50.30
$23.00
Gas CO2
126 kg
EV CO2
42 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Newport News, VA
Late night
in Newport News on Sunday
Local time
5:11 AM
EDT
Current temp
80°F
Partly Cloudy
NW 3 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Bluefield, VA
Late night
in Bluefield on Sunday
Local time
5:11 AM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Partly Cloudy
SW 1 mph0% 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
14 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
6h 41m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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...
3 mi from route
~6 min detour
$15
near mile 12.4
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...
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...
21 mi from route
~52 min detour
Free
near mile 247.8
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...
27 mi from route
~68 min detour
Free
near mile 61.9
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 experience for the majority of this 359.3-mile journey, with 90% of the drive taking place on interstates. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 176.9 miles, primarily on I-64, meaning you can settle in for a good period of consistent driving. While largely interstate, the transition between I-64, I-81, and I-77 will offer some change in scenery and road layout. This route is designed for efficiency rather than winding scenic byways, making it a dependable choice for covering distance.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 176.9 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 81. 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 18 significant decision points across 359.3 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 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.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
2,512 ft33 ft
Total Climb
3,118 ft
Total Descent
780 ft
Highest Point
2,512 ft
~333.6 mi in
Elevation Range
2,480 ft
Notable High Points
1,557 ft at ~179.7 miles+564 ft prominence
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 Bluefield, VA, road signs point toward Rocky Mount and Charleston W. Va..
Newport News is a city in Virginia in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area. It's on the James River, and much of the area has been developed into a city starting in the late 19th century.
Top landmarks
•USS Monitor — 1862 unique ironclad; first in United States Navy service
•Endview Plantation Historic Site — human settlement in United States of America
•Newport News Middle Ground Light — lighthouse in Virginia, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 41m. Total distance: 359.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 41m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 176.9 miles on I 64. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 31 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 Bluefield, 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 31 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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.
Yes — Colonial National Historical Park, Fort Monroe National Monument and Booker T Washington National Monument (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.7 hours each way, a round trip means 13.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Bluefield, VA before the return drive.
