Traveling from Newport News to Danville covers 214.2 miles across the heart of Virginia, typically taking about 4 hours and 24 minutes behind the wheel. Because this route is a highway-focused drive, it works perfectly as a single-day journey, meaning you won’t need to worry about booking an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $34 on fuel for the trip, making it a fairly budget-friendly transit across the Southeast region. The route utilizes a mix of the Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike, I-64, and Highway 58 to connect the coast to the southern interior. Whether you are traveling for business or a change of scenery, the straightforward nature of this drive allows for a predictable schedule.
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
107.1 miles from Newport News, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 7m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
55.8 mi
1h
I 64
46.7 mi
51m
Highway 58
37.7 mi
48m
Philpott Road
19.7 mi
25m
Roxbury Road
13.3 mi
17m
South Boston Highway
5.3 mi
7m
East Washington Street
4.3 mi
5m
South Boston Road
4.2 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
— 55.8 mi, about 1h
Traffic on I-85
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 48 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~887 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,234
Quietest
2 AM
~140 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.3×
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 Danville, 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
47 mi·51 min·I 64
Use the right lane.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Exit 211Toward VA 106: Talleysville, RoxburyUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork
152 ft·7 sec
11
Turn left onto VA 106
3.2 mi·4 min·Emmaus Church Road
12
Continue on VA 106
13 mi·17 min·Roxbury Road
13
Continue on VA 106; VA 156
1.9 mi·2 min·Jordan Point Road
14
Turn right onto VA 10; VA 106; VA 156
2.0 mi·2 min·James River Drive
15
Continue on VA 10; VA 156 BUS
1.2 mi·2 min·East Randolph Road
16
Turn left onto VA 156 Business
1.8 mi·2 min·Winston Churchill Drive
17
Continue on VA 36
0.4 mi·26 sec·Oaklawn Boulevard
18
Continue on VA 36
1.0 mi·1 min·Woodlawn Street
19
Continue on VA 36
1.0 mi·1 min·Oaklawn Boulevard
20
Continue on VA 36
4.3 mi·5 min·East Washington Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.5 mi·58 sec
Toward I 85 South, I 95 South
22
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward I 85 South, US 460 West: DurhamUse the slight left lane.
23
Merge onto I 85
56 mi·1 hr·Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
24
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 12BToward US 58 West, SR 47: South Hill, Chase CityUse the slight right lane.
25
Keep slight left at fork
252 ft·9 sec
Exit 12BToward US 58 West, SR 47: South Hill, Chase City
26
Turn right onto US 58
503 ft·12 sec·East Atlantic Street
27
Continue on US 58
3.5 mi·4 min·South Hill Bypass
28
Continue on US 1; US 58
3.2 mi·4 min·Highway 1
29
Continue on US 58
19 mi·24 min·Highway 58
30
Turn straight onto US 58
4.0 mi·5 min·Clarksville Bypass
Toward US 58 West, US 15 South, VA 49 South: South Boston, DanvilleUse the straight lane.
31
Continue on US 58; VA 49
19 mi·24 min·Highway 58
Use the left lane.
32
Continue on US 58; US 360
20 mi·25 min·Philpott Road
33
Continue on US 58; US 360
5.3 mi·7 min·South Boston Highway
34
Continue on US 58; US 360
4.2 mi·7 min·South Boston Road
35
Continue on US 360; US 58 BUS
0.6 mi·1 min·River Street
36
Turn left onto VA 293
0.6 mi·1 min·Main Street
37
Turn left onto VA 293
105 ft·2 sec·South Ridge Street
38
Arrive at destination
VA 293
Trip Plan
Planning for this 4-hour and 24-minute drive is simple, though you should aim for an early departure to avoid potential traffic congestion on the busier highway sections. Since the route includes one recommended stop, use that time to stretch your legs and refuel your vehicle before tackling the final leg of the journey. Given the reliance on major arteries like I-64 and the Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike, monitor local traffic reports before you leave to ensure your timing remains on track. Because the entire trip is easily manageable in one day, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure to suit your personal schedule. Keep your $34 fuel budget in mind, but always factor in a little extra for potential idling or heavy traffic conditions.
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 107.1 miles from Newport News, VA, or about 2h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 55.8 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 47 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 107.1 miles or 2h 7m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Danville, 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 214.2 miles and 4h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 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 Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike for about 55.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
The Exchange Building and Petersburg Visitors Center
4.2
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Around the midpoint, short detour
Early stretch
2.5 mi from route
~6 min detour
Petersburg, Virginia
+18048359630
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.4 and 135.3 — 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
48.3 mi into trip|~55m in
Take the exit toward VA 106: Talleysville, Roxbury
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 211
Toward VA 106: Talleysville, Roxbury
8
79.1 mi into trip|~1h 36m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 85 South, US 460 West: Durham
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 85 South, US 460 West: Durham
8
135.1 mi into trip|~2h 37m in
Take the exit toward US 58 West, SR 47: South Hill, Chase City
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 12B
Toward US 58 West, SR 47: South Hill, Chase Cit...
8
135.3 mi into trip|~2h 38m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 58 West, SR 47: South Hill, Chase City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 12B
Toward US 58 West, SR 47: South Hill, Chase Cit...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.62 one way
$63.25 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg75 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$34.75
$69.51
premium
$4.49
$37.88
$75.76
diesel
$4.80
$40.45
$80.89
Estimated Tolls: $3.91
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
(55.8 mi)$3.91
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Tolls
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 74.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
64.3
0
$22.49
$10.28
Efficient EV
53.6
0
$18.74
$8.57
EV Truck/SUV
85.7
1
$29.99
$13.71
Gas CO2
75 kg
EV CO2
25 kg (67% 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Newport News, VA
Late night
in Newport News on Sunday
Local time
4:23 AM
EDT
Current temp
78°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 13 mph53% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued July 18 at 6:53PM EDT until July 18 at 9:00PM EDT by NWS Blacksburg VA
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued July 18 at 2:14PM EDT until July 18 at 9:00PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Destination
Danville, VA
Late night
in Danville on Sunday
Local time
4:23 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy
SW 2 to 8 mph52% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued July 18 at 6:53PM EDT until July 18 at 9:00PM EDT by NWS Blacksburg VA
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued July 18 at 2:14PM EDT until July 18 at 9:00PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
85°F
Lawrenceville, VA
107 mi in
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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 24m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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...
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...
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a trip defined by its highway-focused personality, with 67% of your travel time spent on major thoroughfares. You will start with a significant interstate experience, including a 55.8-mile stretch along the Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike, which offers the longest uninterrupted segment of the drive. As you transition away from the coastal region, the road character shifts from busy interstate corridors to the more steady pacing of Highway 58. This combination of high-speed transit and local highway driving keeps the journey moving efficiently. You should prepare for a consistent rhythm as you navigate these primary roads toward your destination.
67% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
38 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 55.8 mi on Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike and I 64. 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 Effort9/10
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 19 significant decision points across 214.2 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 48.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 79.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
507 ft33 ft
Total Climb
584 ft
Total Descent
111 ft
Highest Point
507 ft
~214.2 mi in
Elevation Range
474 ft
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 Danville, VA, road signs point toward Roxbury and Chase City.
Roxbury
48.3 mi in|~55m
Chase City
135.1 mi in|~2h 37m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
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
Danville is a city of 40,000 people (2018) in the state of Virginia on the Banks of the Dan River close to the border with North Carolina. Founded in 1793, Danville is perhaps best known for its role in the Civil War, when it was an important railroad stop for the Confederacy and became the last Confederate capital after Richmond fell to the North.
Top landmarks
•Danville — Amtrak station in Danville, Virginia, United States
•Dan's Hill — historic home located near Danville in Pittsylvania County, Virginia
•Main Street Methodist Episcopal Church South — church building in Danville, United States of America
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 24m. Total distance: 214.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 55.8 miles on Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $3.91 in tolls one way, starting with Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
Yes — we found about 14 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 Danville, 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 14 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 48.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 79.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Colonial National Historical Park, Petersburg National Battlefield and Fort Monroe National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Danville, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
