Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 38m
Distance
185.1 mi
298 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$29
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
Dulles Town Center, VA
Arian Fernandez
Newport News, VA to Dulles Town Center, VA is 185.1 miles and takes about 3h 38m via I 95, I 64, and Leesburg Pike, with a fuel budget near $29 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Southeast region, covering ground entirely within Virginia. Expect a straightforward drive that’s mostly highway, making it a practical choice for a single-day journey. Given the relatively short duration, you'll have plenty of flexibility for departure times or an unplanned stop along the way.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
92.6 miles from Newport News, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 45m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 95 | 82.3 mi | 1h 33m |
| I 64 | 56.6 mi | 1h 2m |
| Leesburg Pike | 12 mi | 18m |
| Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway | 11.9 mi | 12m |
| Capital Beltway | 10.5 mi | 12m |
| Dulles Toll Road | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| J Clyde Morris Boulevard | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway | 0.6 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Newport News, VA and Dulles Town Center, 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
Take the exit
Merge onto I 95
Keep slight right at fork onto I 95; US 17
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 95
Keep slight right at fork onto I 395
Take the exit
Merge onto I 495
Keep slight right at fork onto I 495
Take the exit
Merge onto VA 267
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto VA 267
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto VA 7
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Turn left onto SR 1582
Continue on SR 1902
Take the ramp
Merge onto VA 7
Arrive at destination
Since this is a 1-day trip covering 185.1 miles, aim to depart in the morning to maximize daylight hours and avoid potential rush hour congestion around the Washington D.C. metro area. With a driving time under 4 hours, you likely won't need more than one planned stop for fuel or a quick break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before the 82.3-mile segment on I 95, to ensure you have ample range. The fuel cost is estimated at $29, so factor that into your budget.
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.
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 41 miles or 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 92.6 miles or 1h 45m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 52m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Dulles Town Center, 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 185.1 miles and 3h 38m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
93 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 41 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 92.6 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 95 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 82.3 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 58.2 and 172.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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 onto I 395 / Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway toward I 395 North, I 495 North: Washington, Tysons Corner
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward VA 267 Toll West: Reston, Herndon, Dulles Airport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward VA 7: Tysons Corner, Leesburg, Leesburg Pike
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 VA 7 West: Leesburg Pike, Leesburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$28.95 one way
$57.89 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $31.65 | $63.30 |
| premium | $4.70 | $34.26 | $68.52 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $40.87 | $81.74 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.23
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
$29
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 64.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 55.5 | 0 | $19.44 | $8.88 |
| Efficient EV | 46.3 | 0 | $16.20 | $7.40 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 74 | 0 | $25.91 | $11.85 |
Gas CO2
65 kg
EV CO2
22 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in Newport News on Sunday
Local time
6:50 AM
EDT
Current temp
92°F
Sunny
Destination
Morning in Dulles Town Center on Sunday
Local time
6:50 AM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
49°F
Bowling Green, VA
93 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
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
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
This route is heavily focused on highway driving, with 75% of the journey utilizing major interstates. You'll experience an 82.3-mile stretch on I 95, which forms the longest uninterrupted segment of your drive. While the majority is highway-focused, the latter part of the trip incorporates Leesburg Pike, offering a slight shift in character as you approach your destination. The overall feel is one of steady progress with minimal distractions.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and I 64. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 58.2 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 30 significant decision points across 185.1 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 58.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 157.6 miles (I 395 / Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 170.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Newport News, VA and Dulles Town Center, VA, road signs point toward Rocky Mount, Tysons Corner, Herndon, Dulles Airport and Leesburg.
Rocky Mount
Tysons Corner
Herndon
Dulles Airport
Leesburg
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 38m. Total distance: 185.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (75%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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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