Origin
Newport News, VA
Night in Newport News on Saturday
Local time
9:32 PM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Newport News, VA to Gate City, VA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
7h 47m
Distance
417.4 mi
672 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$65
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
7h 38m
★
6 AM
7h 48m
8 AM
8h 6m
10 AM
7h 54m
12 PM
7h 52m
3 PM
7h 55m
5 PM
8h 5m
8 PM
7h 42m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Newport News, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Gate City, VA
Pham Ngoc Anh
Trip Overview
This 417.4-mile journey from Newport News, VA, to Gate City, VA, is estimated to take about 7 hours and 47 minutes of driving time. With a fuel cost of approximately $67, this drive is manageable as a single-day trip, though you'll want to plan for at least two stops along the way. The route primarily utilizes local roads, indicated by its turn-heavy profile and zero highway share. This drive offers a more intimate exploration of the Southeast region, moving from one part of Virginia to another. Prepare for a day of varied driving that requires attention to navigation.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
208.7 miles from Newport News, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 53m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Thimble Shoals Boulevard | — | — |
| Diligence Drive | — | — |
| J Clyde Morris Boulevard | — | — |
| I 64 West | — | — |
| I 295 | — | — |
| I 295 North | — | — |
| Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway | — | — |
| US 11W South | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
Thimble Shoals Boulevard
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Newport News, VA and Gate City, VA.
1
Start on the route
82 ft
·
12 sec
·
the route
2
Turn left
413 ft
·
32 sec
3
At the end of the 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 J Clyde Morris Boulevard
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
J Clyde Morris Boulevard
6
Continue on J Clyde Morris Boulevard
167 ft
·
10 sec
·
J Clyde Morris Boulevard
7
Take the exit slight right toward I 64 West: Williamsburg, Richmond
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
I 64 West: Williamsburg, Richmond
8
Merge slight left
57 mi
·
1 hr 2 min
9
Take the exit slight right toward I 295, US 60: Washington, Rocky Mount NC
0.5 mi
·
32 sec
·
I 295, US 60: Washington, Rocky Mount NC
10
Keep slight right to continue on I 295 North: Washington
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
I 295 North: Washington
11
Merge slight left onto Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
23 mi
·
24 min
·
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
12
Keep slight right to continue on I 64 West: Charlottesville
0.6 mi
·
55 sec
·
I 64 West: Charlottesville
13
Merge slight left onto I 64 West: Charlottesville
120 mi
·
2 hr 10 min
·
I 64 West: Charlottesville
14
Keep slight left
117 mi
·
2 hr 9 min
15
Continue straight
1.3 mi
·
1 min
16
Keep slight left
74 mi
·
1 hr 19 min
17
Take the exit slight right toward US 11W South: Kingsport
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
·
US 11W South: Kingsport
18
Merge slight left
9.5 mi
·
11 min
19
Turn right onto Ollis Bowers Hill Road
358 ft
·
22 sec
·
Ollis Bowers Hill Road
20
Turn left onto Bloomingdale Pike
5.1 mi
·
8 min
·
Bloomingdale Pike
21
Turn right onto North John B Dennis Highway
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
North John B Dennis Highway
22
Continue on Wadlow Gap Highway
4.7 mi
·
5 min
·
Wadlow Gap Highway
23
Turn right onto Main Street
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
·
Main Street
24
Continue on US Highway 23
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
US Highway 23
25
Turn slight right onto Kane Street
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Kane Street
26
Turn left onto West Jackson Street
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
·
West Jackson Street
27
Turn right onto Mianville Road
72 ft
·
7 sec
·
Mianville Road
28
Turn left
49 ft
·
3 sec
29
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Given the 7-hour, 47-minute duration, starting your drive from Newport News early in the morning is advisable to make the most of daylight. Plan for your two recommended stops to include breaks for fuel and stretching, especially since there are no long highway stretches to offer a consistent pace. Keep a close eye on your navigation, as the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile means you'll be making frequent adjustments. The estimated fuel cost of $67 should be factored into your budget, and it's always a good idea to have a bit extra for unexpected detours or longer-than-anticipated waits in local traffic.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 208.7 miles from Newport News, VA, or about 3h 53m into the drive.
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 92 miles or 1h 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 208.7 miles or 3h 53m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 40m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gate City, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Newport News, VA
This is one driving day of about 417.4 miles and 7h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 92 miles from Newport News, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
209 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 92 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 208.7 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$65.27 one way
$130.54 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
146 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $71.37 | $142.74 |
| premium | $4.70 | $77.25 | $154.50 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $92.16 | $184.31 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$65
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$90–$115
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 146 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $44 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 125.2 | 1 | $43.83 | $20.04 |
| Efficient EV | 104.4 | 1 | $36.52 | $16.70 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 167 | 2 | $58.44 | $26.71 |
Gas CO2
146 kg
EV CO2
49 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Gate City, VA
Night in Gate City on Saturday
Local time
9:32 PM
EDT
Current temp
46°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
16 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
7h 47m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a driving experience characterized by frequent turns, as this route has a 'turn-heavy local drive' profile. With no highway miles included, you'll be navigating through towns and along local thoroughfares for the entire 417.4 miles. The absence of long highway stretches means you'll likely be encountering varying speed limits and traffic patterns throughout the 7-hour and 47-minute journey. The main roads you'll be on include Thimble Shoals Boulevard, Diligence Drive, and J Clyde Morris Boulevard, suggesting a path that winds through populated areas rather than bypassing them.
Only 0% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Main road: Thimble Shoals Boulevard.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way.
Driving Effort
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The route itself is not hard, but at 7h 47m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 0 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Newport News, VA to Gate City, VA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 47m. Total distance: 417.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 47m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
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 is a long drive, so arriving tired and in the dark compounds. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Gate City, 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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Newport News, VA to Gate City, VA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.8 hours each way, a round trip means 15.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Gate City, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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