Norfolk, VA to Wise, VA is 449.8 miles and takes about 8h 46m via I 64 and I 81, with a fuel budget near $69 and an overnight recommendation. This trip stays within Virginia, traversing from the Southeast region to its western mountains. With an 83% highway share, expect a largely efficient drive, but the total duration suggests breaking it up over two days for a more relaxed pace. Consider this route if you're looking for a straightforward, mostly highway path across the state.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
224.9 miles from Norfolk, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 17m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
181.4 mi
3h 18m
I 81
172.9 mi
3h 9m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
22.6 mi
24m
US Highway 58
14.7 mi
20m
Hampton Roads Beltway
11.4 mi
15m
Castlewood Drive
11.1 mi
15m
Porterfield Highway
10.3 mi
14m
Coeburn Mountain Road
5.3 mi
9m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 181.4 mi, about 3h 18m
Traffic on I-64
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 196 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,126 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,609
Quietest
2 AM
~124 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
17.1×
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 Wise, 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 200Toward I 295, US 60: Washington, Rocky Mount NCUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork
1.3 mi·2 min
Toward I 295 North: WashingtonUse 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 53AToward I 64 West: Charlottesville
13
Merge onto I 64
120 mi·2 hr 10 min·I 64
Toward I 64 West: CharlottesvilleUse the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
117 mi·2 hr 9 min·I 81
Use the straight lane.
15
Continue on I 77; I 81; US 52
1.3 mi·1 min·I 77; I 81; US 52
Use the straight lane.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81; US 52
56 mi·59 min·I 81; US 52
Use the straight lane.
17
Take the exit onto US 58 ALT
0.2 mi·25 sec·US 58 ALT
Toward US 58 Alternate, VA 75: Abingdon, South Holston Dam
18
Turn right onto US 58 ALT; VA 75
0.8 mi·2 min·Cummings Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
19
At end of road, turn left onto Valley Street Northwest
0.3 mi·48 sec·Valley Street Northwest
Use the left lane.
20
At end of road, turn right onto US 58 ALT
0.9 mi·2 min·Russell Road Northwest
Use the right lane.
21
Turn slight right onto US 19; US 58 ALT
10 mi·14 min·Porterfield Highway
22
Continue on US 19; US 58 ALT
1.9 mi·2 min·US 19; US 58 ALT
23
Turn left onto US 58 ALT
15 mi·20 min·US Highway 58
Use the left lane.
24
Continue on US 58 ALT
348 ft·6 sec·Trail of the Lonesome Pine
25
Continue on US 58 ALT
11 mi·15 min·Castlewood Drive
26
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward VA 72 South
27
Turn right onto VA 72
483 ft·16 sec·VA 72
28
Turn left onto VA 72; VA 158
0.7 mi·1 min·Front Street East
29
Turn sharp right onto VA 72
0.3 mi·31 sec·Laurel Avenue
30
Turn left onto SR 646
0.9 mi·1 min·Wise Mountain Road Northwest
31
Continue on SR 646
5.3 mi·9 min·Coeburn Mountain Road
32
Continue on SR 646
1.0 mi·2 min·Darden Drive
33
At end of road, turn left onto SR 640
174 ft·3 sec·Hurricane Road
Use the left lane.
34
Continue on Park Avenue Northeast
0.2 mi·36 sec·Park Avenue Northeast
35
Turn right onto SR 640
0.1 mi·19 sec·East Main Street
36
Arrive at destination
SR 640
Trip Plan
Given the 8h 46m estimated driving time, planning for an overnight stop is highly recommended to avoid fatigue. Aim to depart early on your first day to maximize daylight hours. With two recommended stops, you can break up the 449.8 miles into manageable segments. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you get closer to Wise, and budget around $69 for gas. The longest stretch without a major break is 181.4 miles on I 64, so plan your first stop accordingly.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 224.9 miles from Norfolk, VA, or about 4h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 181.4 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 99 miles or 2h in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 224.9 miles or 4h 17m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 224.9 miles or 4h 17m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 7h 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Wise, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Norfolk, VA
Aim for roughly 225 miles and 4.4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Wise, VA
Aim for roughly 225 miles and 4.4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 99 miles from Norfolk, VA.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 64 for about 181.4 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 23
5 decision points cluster between mile 20.2 and 401.7 — 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
6
105.7 mi into trip|~2h 7m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 64 West: Charlottesville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 53A
Toward I 64 West: Charlottesville
7
401.7 mi into trip|~7h 32m in|Valley Street Northwest
At end of road, turn left onto Valley Street Northwest
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$72.36 one way
$144.72 round trip
$4.09/gal25.4 MPG avg157 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.57
$81.00
$162.00
premium
$4.96
$87.83
$175.67
diesel
$6.27
$110.96
$221.92
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$72
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$202–$312
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 157.4 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $47 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
134.9
1
$47.23
$21.59
Efficient EV
112.5
1
$39.36
$17.99
EV Truck/SUV
179.9
2
$62.97
$28.79
Gas CO2
157 kg
EV CO2
53 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 18, 2026
Origin
Norfolk, VA
Afternoon
in Norfolk on Sunday
Local time
4:34 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Partly Cloudy
N 20 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 18 at 3:26AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Charleston WV
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued October 18 at 2:56AM EDT until October 19 at 10:00PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Destination
Wise, VA
Afternoon
in Wise on Sunday
Local time
4:34 PM
EDT
Current temp
31°F
Widespread Frost
NE 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 18 at 3:26AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Charleston WV
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued October 18 at 2:56AM EDT until October 19 at 10:00PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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
18 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
8h 46m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
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...
2 mi from route
~4 min detour
Free
near mile 15.5
Park Closure: Road Closure and Fishing Pier Impact
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...
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...
23 mi from route
~57 min detour
Free
near mile 279.2
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...
27 mi from route
~69 min detour
Free
near mile 77.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly on major highways, with 83% of the 449.8 miles on roads like I 64 and I 81. You'll encounter a significant stretch of 181.4 miles on I 64 before transitioning. Expect to see plenty of exits and highway cruising for the majority of your trip. The remaining portion will be on surface roads as you approach Wise.
83% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
36 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 181.4 mi on I 64.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and I 81. 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 Effort10/10
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 23 significant decision points across 449.8 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.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
2,435 ft7 ft
Total Climb
3,055 ft
Total Descent
627 ft
Highest Point
2,435 ft
~449.8 mi in
Elevation Range
2,428 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 Wise, VA, road signs point toward Rocky Mount and Holston Dam.
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
The longest stretch is about 181.4 miles on I 64. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 225 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 34 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 Wise, 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 34 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 — Fort Monroe National Monument, Colonial National Historical Park and Booker T Washington National Monument (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 8.8 hours each way, a round trip means 17.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Wise, VA before the return drive.
