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Trip from Newport News, VA to Bluefield, VA

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

Drive Time

6h 41m

Distance

359.3 mi

578 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$56

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min
4 AM
6h 29m ★
6 AM
6h 41m
8 AM
7h 5m
10 AM
6h 50m
12 PM
6h 47m
3 PM
6h 51m
5 PM
7h 4m
8 PM
6h 34m

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

independent city in Virginia, United States

Newport News, VA

Wikimedia Commons

town in Tazwell County, Virginia, United States

Bluefield, VA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

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

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 200 Toward I 295, US 60: Washington, Rocky Mount NC Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Keep slight right at fork

1.3 mi · 2 min
Toward I 295 North: Washington Use 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 53A Toward I 64 West: Charlottesville
13

Merge onto I 64

120 mi · 2 hr 10 min · I 64
Toward I 64 West: Charlottesville Use 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 1 Toward 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.

independent city in Virginia, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Lynchburg, VA

180 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

Middletown, MD

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 79 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Charlottesville, VA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 179.7 miles from Newport News, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 64 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 176.9 miles.

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

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

$56.19 one way

$112.37 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 126 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $61.43 $122.87
premium $4.70 $66.50 $133.00
diesel $5.61 $79.33 $158.66

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$56

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$81–$106

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, 2026-04-13.

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 Apr 18, 2026

Origin

Newport News, VA

Late night in Newport News on Sunday

Local time

12:50 AM

EDT

Current temp

62°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Bluefield, VA

Late night in Bluefield on Sunday

Local time

12:50 AM

EDT

Current temp

66°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

4 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

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

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
View on nps.gov
Fort Monroe National Monument

Fort Monroe National Monument

National Monument

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...

10 mi from route ~26 min detour Free
View on nps.gov
Booker T Washington National Monument

Booker T Washington National Monument

National Monument

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
View on nps.gov
Petersburg National Battlefield

Petersburg National Battlefield

National Battlefield

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
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

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 Effort 10/10

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.

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..

Rocky Mount

58.2 mi in | ~1h 6m

Charleston W. Va.

321.9 mi in | ~5h 56m | via I 77

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

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.

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 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. 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 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.

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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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