Newport News, VA to Stafford, VA is 129.5 miles and takes about 2h 27m via I 64 and I 95, with a fuel budget near $20 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Virginia, connecting two points in the Southeast region. Expect a straightforward highway-focused drive that's ideal for a single-day journey. With a relatively short duration and a manageable fuel cost, this route is a practical option for getting between these two locations efficiently.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
64.8 miles from Newport News, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 14m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
56.6 mi
1h 2m
I 95
53 mi
58m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
11.9 mi
12m
Courthouse Road
0.8 mi
1m
J Clyde Morris Boulevard
0.7 mi
1m
Diligence Drive
0.4 mi
1m
Thimble Shoals Boulevard
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 56.6 mi, about 1h 2m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Newport News, VA and Stafford, 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
5.6 mi·6 min·I 95
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi·31 sec
Exit 140Toward SR 630: StaffordUse the slight right lane.
18
Keep slight right at fork
513 ft·14 sec
Toward SR 630 East: Stafford
19
Turn straight onto SR 630
0.2 mi·23 sec·Courthouse Road
20
Turn left onto SR 630
0.2 mi·27 sec·Courthouse Road
Use the left lane.
21
At end of road, turn right onto SR 630
0.5 mi·52 sec·Courthouse Road
Use the right lane.
22
Arrive at destination
SR 630
Trip Plan
Given the 2h 27m duration, this is a very manageable single-day trip, offering flexibility in your departure time. Aiming to leave Newport News in the morning will allow you to arrive in Stafford with plenty of daylight. With a fuel cost estimated at around $20, you won't need to worry excessively about frequent refueling stops. Keep an eye on traffic conditions around the I 64 and I 95 interchange, as this can be a point of congestion.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 64.8 miles from Newport News, VA, or about 1h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 56.6 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 28 miles or 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 64.8 miles or 1h 14m 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
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Stafford, 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 129.5 miles and 2h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Newport News, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 64 for about 56.6 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 58.2 and 128.9 — 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
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
128.3 mi into trip|~2h 24m in
Take the exit toward SR 630: Stafford
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 140
Toward SR 630: Stafford
7
128.9 mi into trip|~2h 25m in|SR 630 / Courthouse Road
Turn left onto SR 630 / Courthouse Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.25 one way
$40.50 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg45 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$22.14
$44.28
premium
$4.70
$23.97
$47.94
diesel
$5.61
$28.59
$57.18
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 45.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
38.9
0
$13.60
$6.22
Efficient EV
32.4
0
$11.33
$5.18
EV Truck/SUV
51.8
0
$18.13
$8.29
Gas CO2
45 kg
EV CO2
15 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 18, 2026
Origin
Newport News, VA
Morning
in Newport News on Sunday
Local time
6:32 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Mostly Clear
E 2 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Stafford, VA
Morning
in Stafford on Sunday
Local time
6:32 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°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
13 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 27m 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.
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...
2 mi from route
~4 min detour
$15
near mile 13.4
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...
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 58.1
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 85% of the journey utilizing major interstates. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on I 64 and I 95, including a 56.6-mile stretch on I 64 without major interruptions. The drive offers a consistent pace, characterized by the efficiency of interstate travel. While it's primarily highway, the inclusion of the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway adds a slight variation to the road's personality as you progress.
85% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 56.6 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 95. 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 18 significant decision points across 129.5 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 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 71.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 Stafford, 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 27m. Total distance: 129.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 56.6 miles on I 64. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 1 rest area or service plaza 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 Stafford, 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. There are 1 rest area 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 71.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Colonial National Historical Park, Fort Monroe National Monument and Petersburg National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Stafford, VA before heading back.
