Origin
Norfolk, VA
Morning in Norfolk on Sunday
Local time
9:41 AM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Norfolk, VA to Ruckersville, VA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 28m
Distance
171.2 mi
276 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$27
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 17m
★
6 AM
3h 29m
8 AM
3h 53m
10 AM
3h 38m
12 PM
3h 35m
3 PM
3h 39m
5 PM
3h 52m
8 PM
3h 22m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Norfolk, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Ruckersville, VA
Eric Joseph
Trip Overview
Norfolk to Ruckersville is 171.2 miles and takes about 3h 28m via I 64 and Spotswood Trail, with a fuel budget near $27 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip takes you from the Southeast region of Virginia to the Southeast region of Virginia, offering a mixed drive experience. It’s a manageable journey, perfect for a single day if you're looking to cover ground efficiently. The majority of the drive is on well-maintained highways, making it a straightforward route for most travelers. Consider this if you want a direct path with minimal fuss.
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
85.6 miles from Norfolk, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 45m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 64 | 101.3 mi | 1h 50m |
| Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway | 22.6 mi | 24m |
| Spotswood Trail | 12.4 mi | 18m |
| Hampton Roads Beltway | 11.4 mi | 15m |
| James Madison Highway | 10.8 mi | 15m |
| Tidewater Drive | 4.6 mi | 10m |
| Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel | 3.5 mi | 4m |
| South Main Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 101.3 mi, about 1h 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Norfolk, VA and Ruckersville, 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
6.9 mi
·
10 min
·
Spotswood Trail
24
Continue on US 33
223 ft
·
19 sec
·
Spotswood Trail
25
Arrive at destination
US 33
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 28m duration, leaving Norfolk in the morning allows ample time to reach Ruckersville before evening. With only one planned stop likely needed, the 171.2-mile trip is easily completed in a single day. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longer 101.3-mile stretch on I 64, as services can be spaced out. The estimated fuel cost of $27 suggests planning your fill-up strategically. A good tip is to take advantage of the flexibility this shorter drive offers by departing a little later if morning traffic out of Norfolk is a concern.
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 85.6 miles from Norfolk, VA, or about 1h 45m 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 38 miles or 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 85.6 miles or 1h 45m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 45m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ruckersville, 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 171.2 miles and 3h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 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
86 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 38 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 85.6 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 135 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
$26.77 one way
$53.54 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
60 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $29.27 | $58.55 |
| premium | $4.70 | $31.69 | $63.37 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $37.80 | $75.60 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 59.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 51.4 | 0 | $17.98 | $8.22 |
| Efficient EV | 42.8 | 0 | $14.98 | $6.85 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 68.5 | 0 | $23.97 | $10.96 |
Gas CO2
60 kg
EV CO2
20 kg (67% 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.
Destination
Ruckersville, VA
Morning in Ruckersville on Sunday
Local time
9:41 AM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
53°F
Ashland, VA
86 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
36 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 28m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway driving, with 59% of the journey on major roads like I 64 and Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway. You'll experience a long, uninterrupted stretch of 101.3 miles on I 64, which offers consistent speed and straightforward navigation. As you move towards Ruckersville, the drive transitions to Spotswood Trail, introducing a more local feel. This mixed profile means you'll get both efficient highway travel and a taste of Virginia's scenic roadways as you approach your destination.
59% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
25 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?
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 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 13 significant decision points across 171.2 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 Ruckersville, 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 3h 28m. Total distance: 171.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 28m drive, comfortable solo distance.
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 Ruckersville, 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.
Possible but tiring. At 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Ruckersville, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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