Origin
Newport News, VA
Late night in Newport News on Sunday
Local time
12:50 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
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
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Newport News, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Bluefield, VA
Wikimedia Commons
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 .
| 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 |
Step-by-step road directions between Newport News, VA and Bluefield, VA.
Start on this road
Turn left
At end of road, turn right onto Thimble Shoals Boulevard
Turn left onto Diligence Drive
Turn left onto US 17
Continue on US 17
Take the exit
Merge onto I 64
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 295
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 64
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
Continue on I 77; I 81; US 52
Keep slight right at fork onto I 77
Take the exit onto US 52
Turn right onto US 52
Take the exit onto US 52
Merge onto US 52; US 460; US 52 Truck
Take the exit
Turn straight onto SR 720
Arrive at destination
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.
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.
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.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
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.
A short stop after about 79 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
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 checkTop 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.
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.
Take the exit toward I 64 West: Williamsburg, Richmond
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
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
Keep slight right at fork toward I 295 North: Washington
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork toward I 64 West: Charlottesville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
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
Regular Gas
$56.19 one way
$112.37 round trip
| 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Newport News on Sunday
Local time
12:50 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Destination
Late night in Bluefield on Sunday
Local time
12:50 AM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
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...
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...
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
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.
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.
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.
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
Charleston W. Va.
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.
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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