Newport News, VA to Merrimac, VA is 283.3 miles and takes about 5h 21m via I 64 and I 81, with a fuel budget near $44 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Virginia, moving from the Southeast region to the Southeast region. It's a primarily highway-focused trip, making it a straightforward option for a single-day journey. You'll be on the road for over five hours, so be prepared for a full day of driving.
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
141.6 miles from Newport News, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 38m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
176.9 mi
3h 13m
I 81
72.5 mi
1h 21m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
22.6 mi
24m
US 460
1.9 mi
2m
North Franklin Street
1.5 mi
2m
Merrimac Road Northwest
1.3 mi
2m
Roanoke Street
0.9 mi
1m
J Clyde Morris Boulevard
0.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 176.9 mi, about 3h 13m
Traffic on I-64
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 90 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,062 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,481
Quietest
2 AM
~117 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
17.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
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 Merrimac, 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
23 mi·24 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·55 sec
Exit 53AToward I 64 West: Charlottesville
13
Merge onto I 64
120 mi·2 hr 10 min·I 64
Toward I 64 West: CharlottesvilleUse the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
73 mi·1 hr 21 min·I 81
Use the straight lane.
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi·55 sec
Exit 118C-B-AToward US 11, US 460: Christiansburg, BlacksburgUse the slight right lane.
16
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 118CToward US 11, US 460 East, US 460 Business: Christiansburg, Shawsville
17
Turn slight right
241 ft·6 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Turn straight onto US 11; US 460 BUS
0.9 mi·1 min·Roanoke Street
19
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward US 460 WestUse the right lane.
20
Merge onto US 460
1.9 mi·2 min·US 460
21
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward US 460 Business: ChristiansburgUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit 3BToward US 460 Business West: BlacksburgUse the straight lane.
23
Turn straight onto US 460 BUS
1.5 mi·2 min·North Franklin Street
Use the straight lane.
24
Turn left onto SR 657
1.3 mi·2 min·Merrimac Road Northwest
25
Arrive at destination
SR 657
Trip Plan
With a duration of just over five hours, this drive is well-suited for a single day. Consider an early morning departure from Newport News to maximize your daylight hours and avoid potential traffic. Plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs and refuel, as the longest stretch without a break is nearly 177 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during that long segment on I 64, to ensure you have enough to reach your destination in Merrimac.
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 141.6 miles from Newport News, VA, or about 2h 38m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 176.9 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 62 miles or 1h 11m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 141.6 miles or 2h 38m 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 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Merrimac, 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 283.3 miles and 5h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 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 64 for about 176.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 58.2 and 280.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
8
276 mi into trip|~5h 7m in
Take the exit toward US 11, US 460: Christiansburg, Blacksburg
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 118C-B-A
Toward US 11, US 460: Christiansburg, Blacksbur...
7
276.4 mi into trip|~5h 8m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 11, US 460 East, US 460 Business: Christiansburg, Shawsville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 118C
Toward US 11, US 460 East, US 460 Business: Chr...
8
280.3 mi into trip|~5h 15m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 460 Business West: Blacksburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Exit 3B
Toward US 460 Business West: Blacksburg
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.83 one way
$83.65 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg99 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$45.96
$91.93
premium
$4.49
$50.10
$100.20
diesel
$4.80
$53.49
$106.98
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 99.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
85
1
$29.75
$13.60
Efficient EV
70.8
0
$24.79
$11.33
EV Truck/SUV
113.3
1
$39.66
$18.13
Gas CO2
99 kg
EV CO2
33 kg (67% 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.
Forecast as of Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Newport News, VA
Evening
in Newport News on Saturday
Local time
7:00 PM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Areas Of Smoke
SE 5 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Merrimac, VA
Evening
in Merrimac on Saturday
Local time
7:00 PM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Patchy Smoke then Patchy Fog
SW 2 mph4% chanceLive 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
7 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 21m 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.
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...
4 mi from route
~11 min detour
$15
near mile 19.5
Park Closure: Rehabilitation of Colonial Parkway Continues
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...
Booker T. Washington was born a slave in April 1856 on the 207-acre farm of James Burroughs. After the Civil War, Washington became the first principal of Tuskegee Normal and Industrial School. Later...
22 mi from route
~54 min detour
Free
near mile 244.2
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...
26 mi from route
~64 min detour
Free
near mile 58.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 89% of the journey utilizing major interstates. You can expect long, uninterrupted stretches, including one segment of 176.9 miles primarily on I 64. The Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway is also part of your path. Given the high highway share, the character of the drive is likely consistent for much of the trip, emphasizing efficient travel over varied scenery.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 176.9 mi on I 64.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and I 81. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 58.2 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 21 significant decision points across 283.3 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 58.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 276 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,987 ft33 ft
Total Climb
2,757 ft
Total Descent
803 ft
Highest Point
1,987 ft
~283.3 mi in
Elevation Range
1,954 ft
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 Merrimac, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Rocky Mount along the way.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 21m. Total distance: 283.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 176.9 miles on I 64. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 19 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 Merrimac, 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 19 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 58.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 276 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Colonial National Historical Park, Fort Monroe National Monument and Booker T Washington National Monument (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.4 hours each way, a round trip means 10.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Merrimac, VA before the return drive.
