Norfolk, VA to Patrick Springs, VA is 249.6 miles and takes about 5h 31m via US 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 another part of the Southeast. Expect a mix of highway cruising and surface roads as you make your way across the state. With a single recommended day, this route is perfectly doable in one go, making it a straightforward option for getting from point A to point B.
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
124.8 miles from Norfolk, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 49m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Portsmouth Boulevard
62.1 mi
1h 21m
US 58
44.7 mi
57m
Highway 58
41.2 mi
53m
Governor Harrison Parkway
22.5 mi
30m
Philpott Road
19.7 mi
25m
Danville Expressway
13.9 mi
16m
I 264
7.4 mi
11m
Pleasant Shade Drive
6.3 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
Portsmouth Boulevard
— 62.1 mi, about 1h 21m
Traffic on I-264
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 6 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,452 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,835
Quietest
2 AM
~162 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
15.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Patrick Springs, 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
Take the exit onto US 58
10 mi·12 min·US 58
Toward US 58 West: Stuart, Roanoke
28
Take the exit onto US 58
19 mi·24 min·US 58
Toward US 58 West: Stuart
29
Turn right onto SR 692
0.6 mi·1 min·Spring Road
30
Turn right onto SR 694
100 ft·2 sec·Dogwood Road
31
Arrive at destination
SR 694
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5.5-hour drive, consider departing Norfolk in the morning to ensure you have ample daylight. The route is manageable in a single day, so you won't need to plan an overnight stop. Keep an eye on your fuel level, especially before heading into longer stretches like the 62.1 miles on Portsmouth Boulevard, as services can be spaced out. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility to pause when needed, but planning your fuel stops around the transition from Portsmouth Boulevard to US 58 could be wise.
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 124.8 miles from Norfolk, VA, or about 2h 49m 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 55 miles or 1h 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 124.8 miles or 2h 49m 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 33m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Patrick Springs, 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 249.6 miles and 5h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 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 14
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
$36.85 one way
$73.70 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg87 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$40.50
$80.99
premium
$4.49
$44.14
$88.28
diesel
$4.80
$47.13
$94.26
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 87.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
74.9
0
$26.21
$11.98
Efficient EV
62.4
0
$21.84
$9.98
EV Truck/SUV
99.8
1
$34.94
$15.97
Gas CO2
87 kg
EV CO2
29 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.
Forecast as of Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Norfolk, VA
Late night
in Norfolk on Sunday
Local time
4:14 AM
EDT
Current temp
97°F
Patchy Smoke then Mostly Sunny
SW 6 to 14 mph14% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 2:31AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 2:16AM EDT until July 18 at 7:00PM EDT by NWS Baltimore MD/Washington DC
Destination
Patrick Springs, VA
Late night
in Patrick Springs on Sunday
Local time
4:14 AM
EDT
Current temp
90°F
Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 0 to 9 mph65% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 2:31AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 2:16AM EDT until July 18 at 7:00PM EDT by NWS Baltimore MD/Washington DC
86°F
South Boston, VA
125 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
7 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 31m 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
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
About 53% of this drive is on highways, with the remaining portion on surface roads. You'll experience a 62.1-mile stretch on Portsmouth Boulevard before transitioning to US 58. Expect some merging and exit activity as you navigate these primary roadways. The profile indicates a mixed highway and surface road experience, so be prepared for varying traffic conditions.
53% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
31 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 14 significant decision points across 249.6 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
1,252 ft7 ft
Total Climb
1,301 ft
Total Descent
56 ft
Highest Point
1,252 ft
~249.6 mi in
Elevation Range
1,245 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 Patrick Springs, VA, road signs point toward Danville, Martinsville and Roanoke.
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 31m. Total distance: 249.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 31m 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 Patrick Springs, 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. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 11.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Patrick Springs, VA before the return drive.
