Origin
Norfolk, VA
Late night in Norfolk on Sunday
Local time
3:57 AM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Norfolk, VA to Atkins, VA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 55m
Distance
366.7 mi
590 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$57
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 44m
★
6 AM
6h 56m
8 AM
7h 19m
10 AM
7h 4m
12 PM
7h 2m
3 PM
7h 5m
5 PM
7h 18m
8 PM
6h 49m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Norfolk, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Atkins, VA
Christopher Welsch Leveroni
Trip Overview
Norfolk, VA to Atkins, VA is 366.7 miles and takes about 6h 55m via I 64 and I 81, with a fuel budget near $57 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive keeps you within the Southeast region, moving from one end of Virginia to the other. It's primarily a highway-focused trip, meaning you'll cover ground efficiently. If you're looking for a straightforward transit between these two points with minimal fuss, this route is a solid choice for a single-day journey.
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
183.4 miles from Norfolk, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 32m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 64 | 181.4 mi | 3h 18m |
| I 81 | 135 mi | 2h 28m |
| Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway | 22.6 mi | 24m |
| Hampton Roads Beltway | 11.4 mi | 15m |
| Tidewater Drive | 4.6 mi | 10m |
| Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel | 3.5 mi | 4m |
| Lee Highway | 3.3 mi | 4m |
| I 77 | 1.3 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 181.4 mi, about 3h 18m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Norfolk, VA and Atkins, VA.
1
Start on East City Hall Avenue
0.4 mi
·
42 sec
·
East City Hall Avenue
2
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
28 sec
Toward VA 337: Tidewater Drive
3
Merge onto VA 337
4.6 mi
·
10 min
·
Tidewater Drive
Use the left lane.
4
Turn left
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
5
Merge onto I 64
5.6 mi
·
7 min
·
Hampton Roads Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on I 64; US 60
3.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
7
Continue on I 64; US 60
5.9 mi
·
7 min
·
Hampton Roads Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64
61 mi
·
1 hr 7 min
·
I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 200
Toward I 295, US 60: Washington, Rocky Mount NC
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork
1.3 mi
·
2 min
Toward I 295 North: Washington
Use 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 53A
Toward I 64 West: Charlottesville
13
Merge onto I 64
120 mi
·
2 hr 10 min
·
I 64
Toward I 64 West: Charlottesville
Use the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
117 mi
·
2 hr 9 min
·
I 81
Use the straight lane.
15
Continue on I 77; I 81; US 52
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
I 77; I 81; US 52
Use the straight lane.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81; US 52
18 mi
·
19 min
·
I 81; US 52
Use the straight lane.
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
47 sec
Toward SR 683: Groseclose
18
Turn left onto SR 683
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
Windsor Road
19
At end of road, turn right onto US 11
3.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Lee Highway
20
Turn right onto SR 686
221 ft
·
9 sec
·
Atkins Tank Road
21
Arrive at destination
SR 686
Trip Plan
Given the 6h 55m duration, starting in the morning is advisable to maximize daylight. With only one recommended stop and a high highway share, you can easily complete this in a single day. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longest stretch of 181.4 miles on I 64, as services can sometimes be spaced further apart on interstates. Breaking up the drive at a midpoint service area will help you stay refreshed for the latter half of your journey.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 183.4 miles from Norfolk, VA, or about 3h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 181.4 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 81 miles or 1h 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 183.4 miles or 3h 32m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 48m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Atkins, 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 366.7 miles and 6h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 81 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 I 64 for about 181.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
183 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 81 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 183.4 miles from Norfolk, 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 181.4 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 155 decision points cluster between mile 20.2 and 106.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
20.2 mi into trip
|
~32m in
|
I 64
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
81.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 39m 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
81.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 40m 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
6
105.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 7m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 64 West: Charlottesville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 53A
Toward I 64 West: Charlottesville
6
106.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 8m in
|
I 64
Merge onto I 64 toward I 64 West: Charlottesville
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 64 West: Charlottesville
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$57.34 one way
$114.69 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
128 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $62.70 | $125.40 |
| premium | $4.70 | $67.87 | $135.74 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $80.96 | $161.93 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$57
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$82–$107
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 128.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 110 | 1 | $38.50 | $17.60 |
| Efficient EV | 91.7 | 1 | $32.09 | $14.67 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 146.7 | 1 | $51.34 | $23.47 |
Gas CO2
128 kg
EV CO2
43 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Atkins, VA
Late night in Atkins on Sunday
Local time
3:57 AM
EDT
Current temp
76°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
8 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
6h 55m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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...
0 mi from route
$15
near mile 37.9
Park Closure: Rehabilitation of Colonial Parkway Continues
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...
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Free
near mile 12.6
View on nps.gov
Booker T Washington National Monument
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...
23 mi from route
~56 min detour
Free
near mile 278.2
View on nps.gov
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...
28 mi from route
~71 min detour
Free
near mile 75.9
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for 87% of this route. You'll be on major interstates for the bulk of your travel, allowing for consistent speeds. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 181.4 miles, likely on I 64, so plan for a significant period of steady driving. The Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway is also part of your journey, contributing to the highway nature of this trip. It's a route designed for covering distance rather than exploring local byways.
87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 181.4 mi on I 64.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 20.2 miles in near I 64.
Driving Effort
9/10
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 15 significant decision points across 366.7 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 20.2 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 81.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 81.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
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 Norfolk, VA to Atkins, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Rocky Mount along the way.
Rocky Mount
81.3 mi in
|
~1h 39m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 55m. Total distance: 366.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 55m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 181.4 miles on I 64. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Atkins, 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 20.2 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 81.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 81.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 6.9 hours each way, a round trip means 13.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Atkins, 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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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