Trip from Norfolk, VA to Rustburg, VA

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 16m

Distance

188.1 mi

303 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$29

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min

4 AM

4h 3m ★

6 AM

4h 16m

8 AM

4h 42m

10 AM

4h 25m

12 PM

4h 23m

3 PM

4h 27m

5 PM

4h 41m

8 PM

4h 8m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Norfolk, VA

Wikimedia Commons

Rustburg, VA

Vladimir Srajber

Trip Overview

This 188.1-mile journey from Norfolk, VA, to Rustburg, VA, is designed for a single day of travel, taking approximately 4 hours and 16 minutes. You'll navigate primarily on US 460, New Cox Road, and West Colonial Trail Highway, making it a mixed drive experience. With a fuel cost estimated at $29, this route offers an economical option for exploring the Southeast region of Virginia. The drive is manageable enough to complete in one go, allowing for flexibility in your schedule without needing an overnight stop. It's a straightforward trip for those looking for a direct route between these two points.

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

94.1 miles from Norfolk, VA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 14m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
US 460	79.8 mi	1h 51m
New Cox Road	23 mi	26m
West Colonial Trail Highway	13.1 mi	16m
Richmond Highway	10.8 mi	12m
Village Highway	9.6 mi	17m
Portsmouth Boulevard	8.2 mi	10m
East Colonial Trail	7.5 mi	11m
I 264	7.4 mi	11m

Longest stretch: US 460 — 79.8 mi, about 1h 51m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Norfolk, VA and Rustburg, VA.

Start on East City Hall Avenue

122 ft · 2 sec · East City Hall Avenue

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 31 sec

Toward US 460 West, I 264 Toll West, I 464: Portsmouth

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.

Keep slight right at fork

0.6 mi · 47 sec

Toward I 664: Bowers Hill, Suffolk, Richmond Use the slight right lane.

Merge onto I 664

0.4 mi · 31 sec · Hampton Roads Beltway

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 54 sec

Exit 13A-B Toward US 13, US 58, US 460, VA 191 North: Suffolk, Military Highway Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight left at fork

0.6 mi · 1 min

Continue on US 13; US 58; US 460

2.4 mi · 3 min · West Military Highway

Continue on US 13; US 58; US 460

8.2 mi · 10 min · Portsmouth Boulevard

Use the straight / right lanes.

Take the exit onto US 460

0.2 mi · 29 sec · US 460

Toward US 460: Petersburg Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto US 460

50 mi · 1 hr 14 min · US 460

Toward US 460 West: Petersburg, Albert G Horton Junior Memorial, Veterans Cemetery Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Turn left onto SR 630

1.9 mi · 3 min · Rives Road

Use the left lane.

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 28 sec

Toward I 95 North

Merge onto I 95

3.7 mi · 4 min · I 95

Take the exit onto US 460

0.6 mi · 1 min · US 460

Toward I 85 South, US 460 West: Durham, Blackstone Use the right lane.

Merge onto I 85; US 460

6.0 mi · 7 min · Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike

Take the exit onto US 460

0.2 mi · 25 sec · US 460

Exit 61 Toward US 460 West: Blackstone, Lynchburg Use the slight right lane.

Continue on US 460

1.1 mi · 1 min · Airport Street

Continue on US 460

23 mi · 26 min · New Cox Road

Continue on US 460

4.3 mi · 5 min · East Colonial Trail Highway

Continue on US 460

6.9 mi · 7 min · East Colonial Trail Road

Continue on US 460

7.5 mi · 11 min · East Colonial Trail

Merge onto US 360; US 460

1.5 mi · 2 min · West Colonial Trail Highway

Keep slight right at fork onto US 460

12 mi · 14 min · West Colonial Trail Highway

Keep slight left at fork onto US 460

29 mi · 34 min · US 460

Keep slight right at fork onto US 460

11 mi · 12 min · Richmond Highway

Toward US 460 West: Lynchburg

Turn left onto VA 24

1.2 mi · 2 min · Village Highway

Enter roundabout onto VA 24

112 ft · 2 sec · Village Highway

Continue on VA 24

8.4 mi · 14 min · Village Highway

Turn left onto SR 838

21 ft · 0 sec · Kabler Lane

Arrive at destination

SR 838

Trip Plan

For this 4-hour and 16-minute drive, departing in the morning is recommended to maximize daylight and allow ample time for any unexpected delays. With only one recommended stop, you have the flexibility to decide when and where to take a break based on your needs. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 79.8-mile stretch on US 460, as services might be more spaced out. Given the relatively short duration, you can easily complete this trip in a single day, but planning for a brief stop around the halfway point can make the journey more comfortable.

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 94.1 miles from Norfolk, VA, or about 2h 14m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 79.8 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 41 miles or 1h in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 94.1 miles or 2h 14m 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 30m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Rustburg, 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 188.1 miles and 4h 16m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 41 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 US 460 for about 79.8 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Kenbridge, VA

94 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

Waverly, VA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 41 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Colonial Heights, VA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 94.1 miles from Norfolk, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 460 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 79.8 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · final third

Sundae's Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Crewe, Virginia

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third · 1h 31m to go 2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+14346457900

Visit website

Best coffee break

Cafe Stella

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Norfolk, Virginia

Near the start, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 7:30 am–10 pm

+17576250461

Visit website

Sundae's Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Crewe, Virginia

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+14346457900

Visit website

NuVegan Cafe Petersburg

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

Halfway reset 3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20

Petersburg, Virginia

Hours: 11:30 am–8 pm

+18045045580

Rinkeydink Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

Halfway reset 4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20

Petersburg, Virginia

Hours: 10:30 am–8:45 pm

+18048610230

Cafe Stella

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Norfolk, Virginia

Hours: 7:30 am–10 pm

+17576250461

Visit website

CooL BeanZ Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

Halfway reset 3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20

Petersburg, Virginia

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+18045908876

Visit website

Rams Cafe

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

Early stretch 4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20

Petersburg, Virginia

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18045045821

Visit website

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour

Norfolk, Virginia

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

1 mi from route ~2 min detour

Portsmouth, Virginia

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+17573938591

Visit website

Virginia Zoo

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour

Norfolk, Virginia

Hours: 9:30 am–4 pm

+17574412374

Visit website

Wishing Tree

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour

Norfolk, Virginia

Hours: Open 24 hours

Historic Old Towne Petersburg

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

Halfway reset 3.8 mi from route ~9 min detour

Petersburg, Virginia

Visit website

The Exchange Building and Petersburg Visitors Center

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

Halfway reset 3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour

Petersburg, Virginia

+18048359630

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 21

5 decision points cluster between mile 7.6 and 82.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

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

8.7 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...

20.4 mi into trip | ~29m in | US 460

Keep slight right at fork onto US 460 toward US 460 West: Petersburg, Albert G Horton Junior Memorial, Veterans Cemetery

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward US 460 West: Petersburg, Albert G Horton...

75.9 mi into trip | ~1h 52m in | US 460

Take the exit onto US 460 toward I 85 South, US 460 West: Durham, Blackstone

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the right lane. Toward I 85 South, US 460 West: Durham, Blackst...

82.5 mi into trip | ~2h 1m in | US 460

Take the exit onto US 460 toward US 460 West: Blackstone, Lynchburg

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 61 Toward US 460 West: Blackstone, Lynchburg

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$29.41 one way

$58.83 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 66 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.34	$32.16	$64.32
premium	$4.70	$34.81	$69.63
diesel	$5.61	$41.53	$83.06

Estimated Tolls: $0.42

Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike (6 mi) $0.42

Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$29

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$55–$80

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 65.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	56.4	$19.75	$9.03
Efficient EV	47	$16.46	$7.52
EV Truck/SUV	75.2	$26.33	$12.04

Gas CO2

66 kg

EV CO2

22 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.

Forecast as of Apr 21, 2026

Origin

Norfolk, VA

Morning in Norfolk on Tuesday

Local time

8:13 AM

EDT

Current temp

55°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Rustburg, VA

Morning in Rustburg on Tuesday

Local time

8:13 AM

EDT

Current temp

51°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

4 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

4h 16m 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.

Appomattox Court House National Historical Park

National Historical Park

On April 9, 1865, the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia in the McLean House in the village of Appomattox Court House, Virginia signaled the effective end of the nation's largest war. Question...

2 mi from route ~4 min detour Free near mile 168.7

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...

2 mi from route ~6 min detour Free near mile 84.3

View on nps.gov

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

View on nps.gov

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...

27 mi from route ~67 min detour $15 near mile 45.4

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 features a 52% highway share, indicating a blend of faster-paced travel and more local road navigation. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 79.8 miles on US 460, which suggests a significant portion of your journey will be on this main artery. The 'mixed drive' profile means you can expect the character of the road to evolve, transitioning between more open highway conditions and potentially more winding or varied terrain as you progress towards Rustburg. This variety keeps the driving experience engaging.

52% 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: 79.8 mi on US 460.

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 7.6 miles in.

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 21 significant decision points across 188.1 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 7.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 20.4 miles (US 460): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

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 Rustburg, VA, road signs point toward Albert G Horton Junior Memorial, Veterans Cemetery, Blackstone and Lynchburg.

Albert G Horton Junior Memorial

20.4 mi in | ~29m | via US 460

Veterans Cemetery

20.4 mi in | ~29m | via US 460

Blackstone

75.9 mi in | ~1h 52m | via US 460

Lynchburg

82.5 mi in | ~2h 1m | via US 460

About the Cities

Starting in Norfolk, VA

Full guide →

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.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 16m. Total distance: 188.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 16m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 79.8 miles on US 460. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $0.42 in tolls one way, starting with Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.

Yes — we found about 4 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 Rustburg, 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 4 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

Yes — Appomattox Court House National Historical Park, Petersburg National Battlefield and Fort Monroe National Monument (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Rustburg, 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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Explore more options from Norfolk, VA or browse trips ending in Rustburg, VA.

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Trip from Norfolk, VA to Rustburg, VA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Stops Along Your Drive

Sundae's Restaurant

Cafe Stella

Sundae's Restaurant

NuVegan Cafe Petersburg

Rinkeydink Cafe

Cafe Stella

CooL BeanZ Cafe

Rams Cafe

Gather Cafe

Tesla Supercharger

Pilot Flying J Charging Station

EVgo Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

Tesla Supercharger

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargeSmart EV Charging Station

bp pulse Charging Station

Pilot Travel Center

Love's Travel Stop

Service Plaza

Roady's Truck Stops

Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum

Virginia Zoo

Wishing Tree

Historic Old Towne Petersburg

The Exchange Building and Petersburg Visitors Center

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Norfolk, VA

Rustburg, VA

Same local time

4 degrees cooler at arrival

4h 16m on the road

National Parks Near This Route

Appomattox Court House National Historical Park

Petersburg National Battlefield

Fort Monroe National Monument

Colonial National Historical Park

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

About the Cities

Starting in Norfolk, VA

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

How do I pay the tolls on this route?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Are there national parks near this route?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

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