Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 15m
Distance
46.6 mi
75 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
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
Franklin, VA
Wikimedia Commons
This 46.6-mile drive from Newport News to Franklin, Virginia, is a straightforward local journey that can easily be completed in about 1 hour and 15 minutes. It's an ideal day trip, requiring no overnight stays. You'll primarily navigate on Walters Highway, Everets Road, and the James River Bridge. With a modest fuel cost estimated at $7, this route offers a convenient way to travel within the Southeast region of Virginia. The drive's turn-heavy profile suggests a more engaged driving experience rather than a simple highway cruise, making it a manageable and direct connection between these two communities.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Walters Highway | 12.6 mi | 18m |
| Everets Road | 5.9 mi | 10m |
| James River Bridge | 4.4 mi | 6m |
| Jefferson Avenue | 4.1 mi | 7m |
| Benns Church Boulevard | 4 mi | 5m |
| Shiloh Drive | 2.9 mi | 5m |
| Brewers Neck Boulevard | 2.7 mi | 3m |
| Carrollton Boulevard | 2.4 mi | 3m |
Step-by-step road directions between Newport News, VA and Franklin, VA.
Start on this road
At end of road, turn left onto Pilot House Drive
Turn right onto Thimble Shoals Boulevard
Turn right onto US 17
Turn left onto US 17; VA 143
Take the ramp onto US 17
Merge onto US 17; US 258; VA 32
Continue on US 17; US 258; VA 32
Continue on US 17; US 258; VA 32
Turn right onto US 258; VA 32
Turn left onto VA 32
Turn left onto VA 10; VA 32
Continue on VA 10; VA 32
Turn right onto SR 603
Turn slight right onto SR 606
Turn left onto SR 603
Continue on SR T603
Turn left onto Bank Street
Keep slight right at fork onto SR T-603
Turn left onto US 258
Turn right onto US 58 BUS; US 258 BUS
Continue on US 58 BUS; US 258 BUS
Turn left onto North Main Street
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
23 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 10 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 23.3 miles from Newport News, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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 0.1 and 46.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
At end of road, turn left onto Pilot House Drive
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto Thimble Shoals Boulevard
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto US 17; VA 143 / Jefferson Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Merge onto US 17; US 258; VA 32 / Mercury Boulevard
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto North Main Street
Navigation decision point
Regular Gas
$7.29 one way
$14.57 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $7.97 | $15.94 |
| premium | $4.70 | $8.62 | $17.25 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $10.29 | $20.58 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$7
Estimated CO2 emission: 16.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 14 | 0 | $4.89 | $2.24 |
| Efficient EV | 11.7 | 0 | $4.08 | $1.86 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 18.6 | 0 | $6.52 | $2.98 |
Gas CO2
16 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (69% 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
6:24 AM
EDT
Current temp
92°F
Sunny
Destination
Morning in Franklin on Sunday
Local time
6:24 AM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
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.
Expect a turn-heavy local drive on this route, with a 0% highway share. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 12.6 miles on Walters Highway. This suggests a driving experience characterized by more frequent turns and intersections, rather than long, high-speed segments. As you progress from Newport News towards Franklin, the road will likely transition through various local and secondary roads, offering a more intimate feel of the Virginia landscape. This type of drive allows for a closer look at the communities you pass through, with the pace dictated by local traffic and road conditions.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Pilot House Drive.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 46.6 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Pilot House Drive): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (Thimble Shoals Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 1.2 miles (US 17; VA 143 / Jefferson Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 15m. Total distance: 46.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 15m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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