Traveling from Norfolk to Appomattox covers 169.1 miles and typically takes about 3 hours and 48 minutes of drive time. Because this journey is relatively short, it functions perfectly as a single-day excursion, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $27 on fuel for the trip, keeping costs manageable for a solo traveler or a small group. Navigating through the Southeast region of Virginia, your path primarily utilizes US 460 along with New Cox Road and West Colonial Trail Highway. Whether you are heading out for a quick getaway or a historical visit, this route offers a straightforward connection between the coast and the inland landscape.
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
84.5 miles from Norfolk, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 3m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 460
79.8 mi
1h 51m
New Cox Road
23 mi
26m
West Colonial Trail Highway
13.1 mi
16m
Portsmouth Boulevard
8.2 mi
10m
East Colonial Trail
7.5 mi
11m
I 264
7.4 mi
11m
East Colonial Trail Road
6.9 mi
7m
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
6 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
US 460
— 79.8 mi, about 1h 51m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Norfolk, VA and Appomattox, VA.
1
Start on East City Hall Avenue
122 ft·2 sec·East City Hall Avenue
2
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward US 460 West, I 264 Toll West, I 464: Portsmouth
3
Merge onto I 264; US 460 ALT; VA 337
7.4 mi·11 min·I 264; US 460 ALT; VA 337
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·47 sec
Toward I 664: Bowers Hill, Suffolk, RichmondUse the slight right lane.
5
Merge onto I 664
0.4 mi·31 sec·Hampton Roads Beltway
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi·54 sec
Exit 13A-BToward US 13, US 58, US 460, VA 191 North: Suffolk, Military HighwayUse the slight right lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
8
Continue on US 13; US 58; US 460
2.4 mi·3 min·West Military Highway
9
Continue on US 13; US 58; US 460
8.2 mi·10 min·Portsmouth Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Take the exit onto US 460
0.2 mi·29 sec·US 460
Toward US 460: PetersburgUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto US 460
50 mi·1 hr 14 min·US 460
Toward US 460 West: Petersburg, Albert G Horton Junior Memorial, Veterans CemeteryUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
12
Turn left onto SR 630
1.9 mi·3 min·Rives Road
Use the left lane.
13
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward I 95 North
14
Merge onto I 95
3.7 mi·4 min·I 95
15
Take the exit onto US 460
0.6 mi·1 min·US 460
Toward I 85 South, US 460 West: Durham, BlackstoneUse the right lane.
16
Merge onto I 85; US 460
6.0 mi·7 min·Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
17
Take the exit onto US 460
0.2 mi·25 sec·US 460
Exit 61Toward US 460 West: Blackstone, LynchburgUse the slight right lane.
18
Continue on US 460
1.1 mi·1 min·Airport Street
19
Continue on US 460
23 mi·26 min·New Cox Road
20
Continue on US 460
4.3 mi·5 min·East Colonial Trail Highway
21
Continue on US 460
6.9 mi·7 min·East Colonial Trail Road
22
Continue on US 460
7.5 mi·11 min·East Colonial Trail
23
Merge onto US 360; US 460
1.5 mi·2 min·West Colonial Trail Highway
24
Keep slight right at fork onto US 460
12 mi·14 min·West Colonial Trail Highway
25
Keep slight left at fork onto US 460
29 mi·34 min·US 460
26
Keep slight left at fork onto US 460 BUS
1.3 mi·1 min·US 460 BUS
Toward US 460 Business: Appomattox
27
Arrive at destination
US 460 BUS
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 3 hour and 48 minute drive, plan for at least one dedicated stop to break up the monotony of the longer stretches. Since the route is manageable in a single day, you have the flexibility to depart at your leisure, though leaving early helps avoid potential traffic buildup on the primary corridors. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge during the 79.8-mile stretch on US 460, as service options may vary compared to more urbanized areas. Given the $27 fuel estimate, setting aside a small buffer for gas prices is a smart move for your budget. Prioritize your rest breaks strategically to ensure you remain alert throughout the entire drive to Appomattox.
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 84.5 miles from Norfolk, VA, or about 2h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 79.8 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 37 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 84.5 miles or 2h 3m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 11m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Appomattox, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Norfolk, 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 Norfolk, VA
This is one driving day of about 169.1 miles and 3h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from Norfolk, 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 US 460 for about 79.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
The Exchange Building and Petersburg Visitors Center
4.2
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour
4.4 mi from route
~11 min detour
mile 72.5
Petersburg, Virginia
+18048359630
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 7.6 and 82.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
7.6 mi into trip|~11m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 664: Bowers Hill, Suffolk, Richmond
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 664: Bowers Hill, Suffolk, Richmond
8
8.7 mi into trip|~13m in
Take the exit toward US 13, US 58, US 460, VA 191 North: Suffolk, Military Highway
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 13A-B
Toward US 13, US 58, US 460, VA 191 North: Suff...
8
20.4 mi into trip|~29m in|US 460
Keep slight right at fork onto US 460 toward US 460 West: Petersburg, Albert G Horton Junior Memorial, Veterans Cemetery
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward US 460 West: Petersburg, Albert G Horton...
7
75.9 mi into trip|~1h 52m in|US 460
Take the exit onto US 460 toward I 85 South, US 460 West: Durham, Blackstone
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward I 85 South, US 460 West: Durham, Blackst...
8
82.5 mi into trip|~2h 1m in|US 460
Take the exit onto US 460 toward US 460 West: Blackstone, Lynchburg
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 61
Toward US 460 West: Blackstone, Lynchburg
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.44 one way
$52.89 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg59 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$28.91
$57.83
premium
$4.70
$31.30
$62.59
diesel
$5.61
$37.34
$74.67
Estimated Tolls: $0.42
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
(6 mi)$0.42
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
$26
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 59.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
50.7
0
$17.76
$8.12
Efficient EV
42.3
0
$14.80
$6.76
EV Truck/SUV
67.6
0
$23.67
$10.82
Gas CO2
59 kg
EV CO2
20 kg (66% 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
Norfolk, VA
Late night
in Norfolk on Sunday
Local time
3:30 AM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Appomattox, VA
Late night
in Appomattox on Sunday
Local time
3:30 AM
EDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
86°F
Colonial Heights, VA
85 mi in
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
4 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
3h 48m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip features a mixed driving profile, balancing highway travel with local road navigation. Approximately 58% of your journey will be spent on highways, providing a steady pace for the majority of the 169.1-mile trek. You will encounter your longest stretch of continuous driving along US 460, which spans 79.8 miles of the total distance. Expect the character of the road to shift as you transition from the coastal region toward the more interior parts of the state. While the highway portions allow for efficient progress, the remaining segments on secondary roads require more focused attention as you navigate toward your final destination.
58% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 79.8 mi on US 460.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 7.6 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 169.1 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 7.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 20.4 miles (US 460): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
848 ft7 ft
Total Climb
1,014 ft
Total Descent
173 ft
Highest Point
848 ft
~169.1 mi in
Elevation Range
841 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Norfolk, VA and Appomattox, VA, road signs point toward Military Highway, Albert G Horton Junior Memorial, Veterans Cemetery, Blackstone and Lynchburg.
Military Highway
8.7 mi in|~13m
Albert G Horton Junior Memorial
20.4 mi in|~29m|via US 460
Veterans Cemetery
20.4 mi in|~29m|via US 460
Blackstone
75.9 mi in|~1h 52m|via US 460
Lynchburg
82.5 mi in|~2h 1m|via US 460
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 48m. Total distance: 169.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 79.8 miles on US 460. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.42 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.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Appomattox, 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 7.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 20.4 miles (US 460): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Appomattox, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
