Origin
Norfolk, VA
Late night in Norfolk on Sunday
Local time
12:35 AM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Norfolk, VA to Basye, VA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h
Distance
232.8 mi
375 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$36
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 47m
★
6 AM
5h 1m
8 AM
5h 28m
10 AM
5h 10m
12 PM
5h 8m
3 PM
5h 12m
5 PM
5h 27m
8 PM
4h 53m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Norfolk, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Basye, VA
Eric Joseph
Trip Overview
This 232.8-mile drive from Norfolk, VA, to Basye, VA, is estimated to take around 5 hours, making it a feasible one-day trip. With a fuel cost estimated at $36, it's an economical option for exploring the Southeast region of Virginia. The route primarily utilizes I-64, Spotswood Trail, and Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, offering a mixed driving experience. You'll spend about 45% of your time on highways. This journey is well-suited for a single day, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop.
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
116.4 miles from Norfolk, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 19m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 64 | 101.3 mi | 1h 50m |
| Spotswood Trail | 30.6 mi | 41m |
| Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway | 22.6 mi | 24m |
| Hampton Roads Beltway | 11.4 mi | 15m |
| 4th Street | 11.4 mi | 17m |
| James Madison Highway | 10.8 mi | 15m |
| Orkney Grade | 10.5 mi | 18m |
| Old Valley Pike | 5.9 mi | 8m |
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 101.3 mi, about 1h 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Norfolk, VA and Basye, 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
40 mi
·
43 min
·
I 64
Toward I 64 West: Charlottesville
Use the slight right lane.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Toward US 15: Gordonsville, Palmyra
Use the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Toward US 15: Gordonsville, Palmyra
16
Turn straight onto US 15
11 mi
·
15 min
·
James Madison Highway
17
Continue on US 15; US 33
0.4 mi
·
34 sec
·
Martinsburg Avenue
18
Continue on US 15; US 33
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
South Main Street
19
Enter roundabout onto US 33; VA 231
117 ft
·
1 sec
·
North Main Street
20
Continue on US 33; VA 231
0.2 mi
·
13 sec
·
North Main Street
21
Continue on US 33
5.4 mi
·
8 min
·
Spotswood Trail
22
Enter roundabout onto US 33; VA 20
83 ft
·
1 sec
·
Spotswood Trail
23
Continue on US 33; VA 20
12 mi
·
17 min
·
Spotswood Trail
24
Continue on US 33
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Stanardsville By-Pass
25
Continue on US 33
13 mi
·
16 min
·
Spotswood Trail
26
Take the exit onto US 33 BUS
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
US 33 BUS
Use the slight right lane.
27
Keep slight right at fork onto US 33 BUS
363 ft
·
11 sec
·
US 33 BUS
28
Continue on US 340
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
South Stuart Avenue
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
29
Continue on US 340
4.3 mi
·
6 min
·
North East Side Highway
30
Continue on US 340
0.3 mi
·
23 sec
·
South Third Street
31
Continue on US 340
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
3rd Street
32
Continue on US 340
11 mi
·
17 min
·
4th Street
33
At end of road, turn left onto US 211
4.4 mi
·
6 min
·
US 211
34
Continue on US 211
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
East Lee Highway
35
At end of road, turn right onto US 11
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
North Congress Street
36
Continue on US 11
5.9 mi
·
8 min
·
Old Valley Pike
37
Continue on US 11
0.1 mi
·
24 sec
·
Main Street
38
Turn left onto VA 263
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Bryce Boulevard
39
Continue on VA 263
10 mi
·
18 min
·
Orkney Grade
40
Turn right onto Alum Springs Road
91 ft
·
2 sec
·
Alum Springs Road
41
Arrive at destination
Alum Springs Road
Trip Plan
For this 5-hour journey, consider an early morning departure from Norfolk to maximize your daylight hours, especially if you plan to make a stop. With only one suggested stop and a manageable 232.8 miles, you have flexibility in pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, with an estimated cost of $36 for the trip, and plan your fill-ups accordingly. A practical tip for this route is to be aware of potential traffic on I-64 as you leave the Norfolk area, which can impact your initial travel time.
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 116.4 miles from Norfolk, VA, or about 2h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 101.3 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 51 miles or 1h 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 116.4 miles or 2h 19m 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 54m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Basye, 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 232.8 miles and 5h.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 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 101.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
116 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 51 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 116.4 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 101.3 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 195 decision points cluster between mile 20.2 and 146.6 — 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
7
146.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 52m in
Take the exit toward US 15: Gordonsville, Palmyra
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 15: Gordonsville, Palmyra
7
146.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 52m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 15: Gordonsville, Palmyra
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 15: Gordonsville, Palmyra
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.40 one way
$72.81 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
82 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $39.81 | $79.61 |
| premium | $4.70 | $43.09 | $86.17 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $51.40 | $102.80 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 81.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 69.8 | 0 | $24.44 | $11.17 |
| Efficient EV | 58.2 | 0 | $20.37 | $9.31 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 93.1 | 1 | $32.59 | $14.90 |
Gas CO2
81 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Basye, VA
Late night in Basye on Sunday
Local time
12:35 AM
EDT
Current temp
46°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
38 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 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...
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
$15
near mile 40.1
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
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 16.1
View on nps.gov
Shenandoah National Park
National Park
Just 75 miles from the bustle of Washington, D.C., Shenandoah National Park is a land bursting with cascading waterfalls, spectacular vistas, fields of wildflowers, and quiet wooded hollows. With over...
8 mi from route
~20 min detour
$30
near mile 200.7
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...
26 mi from route
~65 min detour
Free
near mile 80.3
View on nps.gov
Cedar Creek & Belle Grove National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley has a long and rich heritage that still inspires today. Native Americans first shaped the land, followed by colonists and settlers. The fertile valley became an important...
27 mi from route
~67 min detour
Free
near mile 224.8
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
The drive presents a mixed profile, with 45% of the journey on highways. You'll encounter a significant stretch of 101.3 miles on I-64, which will likely feel like a faster-paced section. As you transition to Spotswood Trail and Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, expect the character of the drive to change, potentially offering a different pace and feel. This blend means you'll experience both efficient highway travel and potentially more local road navigation.
45% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
41 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 101.3 mi on I 64.
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 20.2 miles in near I 64.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 19 significant decision points across 232.8 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.
Between Norfolk, VA and Basye, VA, road signs point toward Rocky Mount and Palmyra.
Rocky Mount
81.3 mi in
|
~1h 39m
Palmyra
146.4 mi in
|
~2h 52m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h. Total distance: 232.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 101.3 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 Basye, 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 Shenandoah National Park (5 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.0 hours each way, a round trip means 10.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Basye, 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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