Alberta Safety Rest Area South
0 mi from route
Trip from Newport News, VA to Martinsville, VA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 7m
Distance
247.4 mi
398 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$37
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 54m
★
6 AM
5h 7m
8 AM
5h 34m
10 AM
5h 17m
12 PM
5h 14m
3 PM
5h 18m
5 PM
5h 33m
8 PM
4h 59m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Newport News, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Martinsville, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Newport News to Martinsville is 247.4 miles and takes about 5 hours 7 minutes via Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike and I-64, with a fuel budget near $41 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Virginia, connecting the Southeast region from the coast to the Piedmont. With 70% highway driving, expect a fairly direct path, though you'll transition to surface roads for the final stretch. It's a manageable one-day drive if you're looking for a straightforward transit between these two points.
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
123.7 miles from Newport News, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 25m 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 |
| US 58 | 15.6 mi | 20m |
| Danville Expressway | 13.9 mi | 16m |
| Roxbury Road | 13.3 mi | 17m |
| South Boston Highway | 5.3 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
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
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 Martinsville, 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 211
Toward VA 106: Talleysville, Roxbury
Use 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: Durham
Use 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 12B
Toward US 58 West, SR 47: South Hill, Chase City
Use the slight right lane.
25
Keep slight left at fork
252 ft
·
9 sec
Exit 12B
Toward 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, Danville
Use 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
3.1 mi
·
5 min
·
South Boston Road
35
Take the ramp onto US 58
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
US 58
Toward US 29 South, US 58 West: Greesboro, Martinsville
36
Merge onto US 29; US 58
14 mi
·
16 min
·
Danville Expressway
37
Keep slight left at fork onto US 58
15 mi
·
20 min
·
US 58
38
Continue on US 58 BUS
3.6 mi
·
5 min
·
A L Philpott Highway
Toward US 58 West: Business, Martinsville
39
Continue on US 58 BUS; VA 57
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
East Church Street
40
Turn right onto Hooker Street
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
·
Hooker Street
41
Turn right onto Fairy Street
116 ft
·
4 sec
·
Fairy Street
42
Turn left onto VA 457
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Commonwealth Boulevard East
43
Turn sharp left onto Liberty Street
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
Liberty Street
44
Turn right onto Franklin Street
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
Franklin Street
45
Arrive at destination
Walnut Street
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour duration, leaving Newport News in the morning should get you to Martinsville with plenty of daylight to spare. The route includes one suggested stop and a longest stretch of 55.8 miles without a break, so plan your own stops accordingly. Keep an eye on your fuel; the estimated cost is $41, but prices can fluctuate. The transition from highway to Highway 58 will mean more local traffic and potentially lower speed limits, so factor that into your arrival time.
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 123.7 miles from Newport News, VA, or about 2h 25m 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 54 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 123.7 miles or 2h 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 4h 6m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Martinsville, 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 247.4 miles and 5h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 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.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
124 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 54 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 123.7 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.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Dinwiddie Rest Area South
0 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
TA Express
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Alberta Safety Rest Area North
0.1 mi from route
Dinwiddie Rest Area North
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Danville Welcome Center
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.4 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 255 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
$36.53 one way
$73.05 round trip
$3.75/gal
25.4 MPG avg
87 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.12 | $40.14 | $80.28 |
| premium | $4.49 | $43.75 | $87.51 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $46.71 | $93.43 |
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
$37
Tolls
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 86.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 74.2 | 0 | $25.98 | $11.88 |
| Efficient EV | 61.9 | 0 | $21.65 | $9.90 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 99 | 1 | $34.64 | $15.83 |
Gas CO2
87 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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.
Origin
Newport News, VA
Late night in Newport News on Sunday
Local time
3:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
97°F
Patchy Smoke then Slight Chance Rain Showers
SW 6 to 14 mph
18% chance
Live forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 7:50AM EDT until July 18 at 7:00PM EDT by NWS Baltimore MD/Washington DC
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 2:31AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Destination
Martinsville, VA
Late night in Martinsville on Sunday
Local time
3:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
91°F
Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 0 to 9 mph
50% chance
Live forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 7:50AM EDT until July 18 at 7:00PM EDT by NWS Baltimore MD/Washington DC
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 2:31AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
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
6 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
5h 7m 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.
Petersburg National Battlefield
National Battlefield
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...
1 mi from route
~1 min detour
Free
near mile 85.3
Park Closure: Eastern Front Tour Road south of Route 36 - Closed
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...
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
$15
near mile 17.1
View on nps.gov
Fort Monroe National Monument
National Monument
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...
10 mi from route
~26 min detour
Free
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly highway, with 70% of the 247.4 miles on high-speed roads like the Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike and I-64. You'll experience a significant stretch of 55.8 miles on the Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike before transitioning to Highway 58. Expect a noticeable increase in exits and traffic density as you approach and pass through the Richmond area before the route becomes more rural.
70% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
45 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?
10/10
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 Effort
10/10
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 25 significant decision points across 247.4 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
Gently rolling terrain
1,020 ft
33 ft
Total Climb
1,081 ft
Total Descent
94 ft
Highest Point
1,020 ft
~247.4 mi in
Elevation Range
987 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Martinsville, VA, road signs point toward Roxbury, Chase City and Danville.
Roxbury
48.3 mi in
|
~55m
Chase City
135.1 mi in
|
~2h 37m
Danville
161.1 mi in
|
~3h 12m
|
via US 58
About the Cities
Starting in Newport News, VA
Full guide →Founded 1881
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
Arriving in Martinsville, VA
Full guide →Top landmarks
- • Virginia Museum of Natural History — natural history museum in Martinsville, Virginia
- • Little Post Office — post office in Martinsville, United States of America
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 7m. Total distance: 247.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (70%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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 Martinsville, 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 — Petersburg National Battlefield, Colonial National Historical Park and Fort Monroe National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.1 hours each way, a round trip means 10.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Martinsville, 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, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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