Norfolk, VA to Ferrum, VA is 253.5 miles and takes about 5h 43m via Portsmouth Boulevard and Highway 58, with a fuel budget near $39 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Virginia, moving from the Southeast region to the Southeast region. Expect a mix of highway driving and surface roads, offering a straightforward path for a single-day excursion. Given the manageable distance and duration, it's a convenient route for those looking to cover ground efficiently without an overnight stay.
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
126.8 miles from Norfolk, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 52m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Portsmouth Boulevard
62.1 mi
1h 21m
Highway 58
41.2 mi
53m
Governor Harrison Parkway
22.5 mi
30m
Philpott Road
19.7 mi
25m
US 58
15.6 mi
20m
Danville Expressway
13.9 mi
16m
Virginia Avenue
9.5 mi
13m
Henry Road
9.2 mi
12m
Longest stretch:
Portsmouth Boulevard
— 62.1 mi, about 1h 21m
Traffic on I-264
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 12 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,486 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,985
Quietest
2 AM
~161 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
15.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 105 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Norfolk, VA and Ferrum, 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
62 mi·1 hr 21 min·Portsmouth Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Continue on US 58
5.2 mi·7 min·Courtland Road
11
Continue on US 58
6.3 mi·8 min·Pleasant Shade Drive
12
Continue on US 58
23 mi·30 min·Governor Harrison Parkway
13
Continue on US 58
1.2 mi·2 min·Piney Pond Road
14
Continue on US 58
3.5 mi·5 min·Highway 58
15
Continue on US 58
1.1 mi·1 min·East Atlantic Street
16
Continue on US 58
3.5 mi·4 min·South Hill Bypass
17
Continue on US 1; US 58
3.2 mi·4 min·Highway 1
18
Continue on US 58
19 mi·24 min·Highway 58
19
Turn straight onto US 58
4.0 mi·5 min·Clarksville Bypass
Toward US 58 West, US 15 South, VA 49 South: South Boston, DanvilleUse the straight lane.
20
Continue on US 58; VA 49
19 mi·24 min·Highway 58
Use the left lane.
21
Continue on US 58; US 360
20 mi·25 min·Philpott Road
22
Continue on US 58; US 360
5.3 mi·7 min·South Boston Highway
23
Continue on US 58; US 360
3.1 mi·5 min·South Boston Road
24
Take the ramp onto US 58
0.3 mi·39 sec·US 58
Toward US 29 South, US 58 West: Greesboro, Martinsville
25
Merge onto US 29; US 58
14 mi·16 min·Danville Expressway
26
Keep slight left at fork onto US 58
15 mi·20 min·US 58
27
Continue on US 58 BUS
3.6 mi·5 min·A L Philpott Highway
Toward US 58 West: Business, Martinsville
28
Continue on US 58 BUS; VA 57
0.9 mi·1 min·East Church Street
29
Turn right onto Hooker Street
0.3 mi·45 sec·Hooker Street
30
Turn right onto Fairy Street
116 ft·4 sec·Fairy Street
31
Turn left onto VA 457
2.3 mi·3 min·Commonwealth Boulevard East
32
Turn right onto US 220 BUS
3.9 mi·6 min·Virginia Avenue
33
Take the ramp onto US 220 BUS
0.2 mi·29 sec·US 220 BUS
Toward US 220 North: Roanoke
34
Merge onto US 220
5.6 mi·7 min·Virginia Avenue
Toward US 220 North: Roanoke
35
Continue on US 220
1.9 mi·2 min·Virgil H Goode Highway
36
Turn left onto SR 605
9.2 mi·12 min·Henry Road
37
Turn right onto SR 778
2.9 mi·4 min·Republican Church Road
38
At end of road, turn right onto SR 623
2.5 mi·3 min·Ingramville Road
39
Turn slight left onto SR 805
0.2 mi·31 sec·Fieldcrest Road
40
At end of road, turn left onto VA 40
0.2 mi·22 sec·Franklin Street
41
Arrive at destination
VA 40
Trip Plan
Starting your drive from Norfolk in the morning will give you ample time to reach Ferrum before evening, especially since it's a single-day trip. With a duration of under six hours, you might only need one stop for fuel or a quick break, though you have flexibility. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $39, and plan your stops accordingly. A good tip for this route is to be aware of the transition points between highway and surface roads, as these can sometimes involve unexpected traffic patterns.
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 126.8 miles from Norfolk, VA, or about 2h 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 62.1 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 56 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 126.8 miles or 2h 52m 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 37m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ferrum, 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 253.5 miles and 5h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 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 Portsmouth Boulevard for about 62.1 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 139.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in
Take the ramp toward US 460 West, I 264 Toll West, I 464: Portsmouth
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 460 West, I 264 Toll West, I 464: Por...
5
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|I 264; US 460 ALT; VA 337
Merge onto I 264; US 460 ALT; VA 337
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
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...
5
139.5 mi into trip|~3h 8m in|US 58 / Clarksville Bypass
Turn straight onto US 58 / Clarksville Bypass toward US 58 West, US 15 South, VA 49 South: South Boston, Danville
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward US 58 West, US 15 South, VA 49 South: So...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.27 one way
$80.54 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg89 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$43.91
$87.83
premium
$4.78
$47.71
$95.41
diesel
$6.18
$61.67
$123.34
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 88.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
76.1
0
$26.62
$12.17
Efficient EV
63.4
0
$22.18
$10.14
EV Truck/SUV
101.4
1
$35.49
$16.22
Gas CO2
89 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (66% 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.
Forecast as of Oct 17, 2026
Origin
Norfolk, VA
Morning
in Norfolk on Sunday
Local time
8:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Rain
N 17 to 22 mph96% chanceLive forecast
Coastal Flood Watch
Coastal Flood Watch issued October 17 at 5:51AM EDT until October 20 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Coastal Flood Watch
Coastal Flood Watch issued October 17 at 5:51AM EDT until October 20 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Destination
Ferrum, VA
Morning
in Ferrum on Sunday
Local time
8:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Rain Showers then Partly Sunny
N 12 to 15 mph77% chanceLive forecast
Coastal Flood Watch
Coastal Flood Watch issued October 17 at 5:51AM EDT until October 20 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Coastal Flood Watch
Coastal Flood Watch issued October 17 at 5:51AM EDT until October 20 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
46°F
South Boston, VA
127 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
5 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 43m 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.
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...
12 mi from route
~30 min detour
Free
Park Closure: Road Closure and Fishing Pier Impact
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...
20 mi from route
~51 min detour
Free
near mile 253.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive features a 41% highway share, meaning you'll spend a good portion of your time on faster-paced roads. The longest continuous stretch on a single road is 62.1 miles on Portsmouth Boulevard. You'll transition from more urban-influenced driving with frequent exits to cruising on surface roads. Be prepared for merging traffic as you enter and exit highway sections.
41% 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: 62.1 mi on Portsmouth Boulevard.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 early in the drive.
Driving Effort9/10
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 253.5 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: near the start: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 0.2 miles (I 264; US 460 ALT; VA 337): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 7.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,209 ft-1 ft
Total Climb
1,429 ft
Total Descent
226 ft
Highest Point
1,209 ft
~235.4 mi in
Elevation Range
1,210 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 Ferrum, VA, road signs point toward Danville and Martinsville.
Norfolk is in the Hampton Roads region of Virginia. It is a port city with a large Navy and shipping presence. But it is also known as a major cultural center, with world-class museums, opera, symphony, ballet and a vibrant arts community. The downtown area has experienced a major resurgence, with gourmet restaurants, shopping and attractions. Norfolk is one of the top cruise ports in the country.
Top landmarks
•USS Wisconsin — 1943 Iowa-class battleship
•Chrysler Museum of Art — art museum in Norfolk, Virginia
•Basilica of Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Norfolk — church building in Norfolk, United States of America
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 43m. Total distance: 253.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 43m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 62.1 miles on Portsmouth Boulevard. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 10 rest areas or service plazas 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 Ferrum, 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. There are 10 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 0.2 miles (I 264; US 460 ALT; VA 337): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 7.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Fort Monroe National Monument and Booker T Washington National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.7 hours each way, a round trip means 11.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Ferrum, VA before the return drive.
