Newport News to Independent Hill is 149.5 miles and takes about 2h 52m via I 95, I 64, and Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, with a fuel budget near $23 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Virginia, moving from the Southeast region to another part of the Southeast. It's a straightforward, highway-focused drive that's well-suited for a single-day excursion. You'll encounter mostly interstate driving, making it a quick and efficient journey between these two points.
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
74.7 miles from Newport News, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 25m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
66 mi
1h 13m
I 64
56.6 mi
1h 2m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
11.9 mi
12m
Dumfries Road
7.3 mi
11m
J Clyde Morris Boulevard
0.7 mi
1m
Bristow Road
0.6 mi
<1m
Diligence Drive
0.4 mi
1m
Thimble Shoals Boulevard
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 66 mi, about 1h 13m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Newport News, VA and Independent Hill, 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
57 mi·1 hr 2 min·I 64
Use the right lane.
9
Take the exit
0.5 mi·32 sec
Exit 200Toward I 295, US 60: Washington, Rocky Mount NCUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork
1.3 mi·2 min
Toward I 295 North: WashingtonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 295
12 mi·12 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
12
Take the exit
2.4 mi·2 min
Exit 43AToward I 95 North: WashingtonUse the slight left lane.
13
Merge onto I 95
46 mi·49 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 95; US 17
1.6 mi·1 min·I 95; US 17
15
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
16
Merge onto I 95
19 mi·21 min·I 95
Use the slight left lane.
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 152BToward VA 234 North: ManassasUse the right lane.
18
Continue on VA 234
7.3 mi·11 min·Dumfries Road
19
Turn left onto SR 846
0.6 mi·59 sec·Bristow Road
20
Arrive at destination
SR 846
Trip Plan
Given the 2h 52m duration, this is easily a one-day trip, so you have flexibility on when to depart. Leaving in the morning will allow you to arrive well before the evening. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $23, planning is minimal. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before entering the 66-mile stretch on I 95, to ensure you don't need to deviate from your planned route for gas.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 74.7 miles from Newport News, VA, or about 1h 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 66 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 33 miles or 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 74.7 miles or 1h 25m 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 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Independent Hill, 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 149.5 miles and 2h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 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 I 95 for about 66 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
The midpoint is around 74.7 miles from Newport News, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before I 95 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 66 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.4 and 141.3 — 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
58.2 mi into trip|~1h 6m in
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
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 200
Toward I 295, US 60: Washington, Rocky Mount NC
7
58.7 mi into trip|~1h 6m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 295 North: Washington
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 295 North: Washington
7
71.9 mi into trip|~1h 22m in
Take the exit toward I 95 North: Washington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 43A
Toward I 95 North: Washington
7
141.3 mi into trip|~2h 39m in
Take the exit toward VA 234 North: Manassas
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 152B
Toward VA 234 North: Manassas
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.38 one way
$46.76 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg52 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$25.56
$51.12
premium
$4.70
$27.67
$55.34
diesel
$5.61
$33.01
$66.02
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 52.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
44.9
0
$15.70
$7.18
Efficient EV
37.4
0
$13.08
$5.98
EV Truck/SUV
59.8
0
$20.93
$9.57
Gas CO2
52 kg
EV CO2
17 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 Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Newport News, VA
Morning
in Newport News on Sunday
Local time
8:09 AM
EDT
Current temp
92°F
Sunny
SW 15 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 16 at 1:12PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 16 at 9:43AM EDT until April 16 at 7:00PM EDT by NWS Baltimore MD/Washington DC
Destination
Independent Hill, VA
Morning
in Independent Hill on Sunday
Local time
8:09 AM
EDT
Current temp
57°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
35 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
2h 52m on the road
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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for this route, with 82% of the journey on major highways like I 95 and I 64. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is a solid 66 miles on I 95, offering a consistent pace. This profile suggests a drive characterized by smooth, high-speed travel for the majority of the trip. While the specific road conditions outside of the main highways aren't detailed, the high highway share implies minimal time spent on slower, local roads.
82% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 66 mi on I 95.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 1.4 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 16 significant decision points across 149.5 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Newport News, VA to Independent Hill, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Rocky Mount along the way.
Rocky Mount
58.2 mi in|~1h 6m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 52m. Total distance: 149.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 52m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (82%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 66 miles on I 95. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Independent Hill, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Independent Hill, VA before heading back.
