Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 21m
Distance
283.3 mi
456 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$44
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
Merrimac, VA
Israyosoy S.
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 .
| 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 |
Step-by-step road directions between Newport News, VA and Merrimac, VA.
Start on this road
Turn left
At end of road, turn right onto Thimble Shoals Boulevard
Turn left onto Diligence Drive
Turn left onto US 17
Continue on US 17
Take the exit
Merge onto I 64
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 295
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 64
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Turn slight right
Turn straight onto US 11; US 460 BUS
Take the ramp
Merge onto US 460
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Turn straight onto US 460 BUS
Turn left onto SR 657
Arrive at destination
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.
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.
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.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
142 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 62 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 141.6 miles from Newport News, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 64 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 176.9 miles.
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 58.2 and 280.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
Keep slight right at fork toward I 295 North: Washington
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
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
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
Keep slight left at fork toward US 460 Business West: Blacksburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$44.30 one way
$88.60 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $48.44 | $96.88 |
| premium | $4.70 | $52.43 | $104.87 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $62.55 | $125.10 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$44
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
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, 2026-04-13.
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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Newport News on Sunday
Local time
12:51 AM
EDT
Current temp
92°F
Sunny
Destination
Late night in Merrimac on Sunday
Local time
12:51 AM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
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
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
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.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
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...
National Monument
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...
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Rocky Mount
Weekend Trip
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.
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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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