Crossing the entire state of Virginia from Norton to Virginia Beach is a significant undertaking, covering 466.5 miles. While the drive takes approximately 9 hours and 2 minutes, attempting this in a single day can be exhausting. I recommend splitting this journey over two days to make the transit more manageable. With a fuel budget of roughly $75, you will spend the majority of your time on major interstates. The route transitions from the mountainous Southwest region toward the coastal Southeast, offering a complete cross-section of the state's geography. Planning for an overnight stay allows you to arrive at the coast refreshed rather than drained by a lengthy stint behind the wheel.
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
233.3 miles from Norton, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 35m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 81
196.9 mi
3h 35m
I 64
157.1 mi
2h 53m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
22.9 mi
25m
US 19
12.7 mi
18m
Bull Run Road
12.5 mi
17m
Hampton Roads Beltway
12 mi
15m
Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway
11.8 mi
16m
Norton Coeburn Road
8.3 mi
12m
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 196.9 mi, about 3h 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Norton, VA and Virginia Beach, VA.
1
Start on this road
145 ft·11 sec·this road
2
At end of road, turn right onto 8th Street Southwest
130 ft·10 sec·8th Street Southwest
3
Turn right onto US 23 BUS
0.6 mi·1 min·Park Avenue Northwest
Use the straight lane.
4
Continue on US 58 ALT
8.3 mi·12 min·Norton Coeburn Road
Use the straight lane.
5
Continue on US 58 ALT
13 mi·17 min·Bull Run Road
6
Continue on US 58 ALT
365 ft·6 sec·Trail of the Lonesome Pine
7
Continue on US 58 ALT
6.9 mi·9 min·US Highway 58 Alternate
8
Continue on US 58 ALT; VA 71
7.8 mi·10 min·Trail of the Lonesome Pine
9
Turn right onto US 19
13 mi·18 min·US 19
10
Turn left onto US 11
0.5 mi·1 min·West Main Street
11
Turn right onto Preston Street Southwest
0.2 mi·33 sec·Preston Street Southwest
12
At end of road, turn left onto Bradley Street Southwest
0.5 mi·1 min·Bradley Street Southwest
13
At end of road, turn right onto US 58 ALT; VA 75
0.6 mi·1 min·Cummings Street
Use the straight lane.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
15
Merge onto I 81; US 58
57 mi·1 hr 1 min·I 81; US 58
Use the straight lane.
16
Continue on I 77; I 81; US 11; US 52
7.1 mi·7 min·I 77; I 81; US 11; US 52
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81; US 11
140 mi·2 hr 33 min·I 81; US 11
Toward I 81 North, US 11 North: RoanokeUse the straight lane.
18
Continue on I 64; I 81
0.3 mi·17 sec·I 64; I 81
19
Keep slight right at fork onto I 64
90 mi·1 hr 38 min·I 64
Toward I 64 East: RichmondUse the straight lane.
20
Take the exit
1.2 mi·1 min
Exit 177Toward I 295 North: Washington, NorfolkUse the slight right lane.
21
Continue on I 295
23 mi·25 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
1.3 mi·2 min
Exit 28AToward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia BeachUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Merge onto I 64
67 mi·1 hr 15 min·I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64; US 60
342 ft·5 sec·Hampton Roads Beltway
25
Continue on I 64; US 60
3.5 mi·4 min·Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
26
Continue on I 64; US 60
12 mi·15 min·Hampton Roads Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Take the exit
0.2 mi·14 sec
Exit 284AToward I 264 East, I 264 West: Va Beach, Downtown Norfolk, PortsmouthUse the slight right lane.
28
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 264 East: Va BeachUse the straight / slight left lanes.
29
Merge onto I 264
12 mi·16 min·Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway
30
Continue on 21st Street
0.4 mi·54 sec·21st Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
31
Turn left onto Arctic Avenue
0.3 mi·46 sec·Arctic Avenue
Use the left lane.
32
Turn right onto 25th Street
454 ft·12 sec·25th Street
33
Arrive at destination
25th Street
Trip Plan
To keep your energy levels high, plan for at least two intentional stops throughout the 466.5-mile trek. Departing early in the morning is your best strategy for avoiding traffic congestion, especially when navigating the transition between major interstate corridors. Since the fuel cost is estimated at $75, keep an eye on your gauge during the longer stretches on I-81 to ensure you aren't caught off guard in less populated areas. If you decide to split the trip into two days, look for lodging options near the halfway point to break up the drive. Keep your navigation tools updated, as the shift from mountainous terrain to coastal highways can involve complex interchanges.
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 233.3 miles from Norton, VA, or about 4h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 196.9 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 103 miles or 2h 12m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 233.3 miles or 4h 35m 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 233.3 miles or 4h 35m
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 47m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Virginia Beach, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Norton, 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 Norton, VA
Aim for roughly 233 miles and 4.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Virginia Beach, VA
Aim for roughly 233 miles and 4.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 103 miles from Norton, 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 81 for about 196.9 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 50.2 and 453.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
50.2 mi into trip|~1h 14m in|US 58 ALT; VA 75 / Cummings Street
At end of road, turn right onto US 58 ALT; VA 75 / Cummings Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
115.5 mi into trip|~2h 25m in|I 81; US 11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81; US 11 toward I 81 North, US 11 North: Roanoke
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 81 North, US 11 North: Roanoke
8
345.4 mi into trip|~6h 37m in
Take the exit toward I 295 North: Washington, Norfolk
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 177
Toward I 295 North: Washington, Norfolk
8
369.5 mi into trip|~7h 4m in
Take the exit toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach
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 28A
Toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach
8
453.1 mi into trip|~8h 42m in
Take the exit toward I 264 East, I 264 West: Va Beach, Downtown Norfolk, Portsmouth
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 284A
Toward I 264 East, I 264 West: Va Beach, Downto...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$72.95 one way
$145.90 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg163 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$79.76
$159.53
premium
$4.70
$86.34
$172.68
diesel
$5.61
$103.00
$205.99
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$73
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$203–$313
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 163.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $49 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
140
1
$48.98
$22.39
Efficient EV
116.6
1
$40.82
$18.66
EV Truck/SUV
186.6
2
$65.31
$29.86
Gas CO2
163 kg
EV CO2
55 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 Apr 13, 2026
Origin
Norton, VA
Night
in Norton on Saturday
Local time
9:29 PM
EDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Virginia Beach, VA
Night
in Virginia Beach on Saturday
Local time
9:29 PM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Partly Cloudy
S 10 mph0% chanceLive 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.
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
13 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
9h 2m 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.
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...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
$15
near mile 418.3
Park Closure: Rehabilitation of Colonial Parkway Continues
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...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 434.3
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...
22 mi from route
~54 min detour
Free
near mile 177
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...
25 mi from route
~63 min detour
Free
near mile 370
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 84% of this trip is spent on high-speed roads. You will rely heavily on I-81, I-64, and the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway to cover the distance efficiently. The drive features a substantial 196.9-mile stretch on I-81, which serves as the longest uninterrupted segment of your journey. Because this is primarily an interstate route, the pace is brisk and steady rather than technical or winding. You should prepare for a consistent, straightforward transit that prioritizes speed and directness over local backroads.
84% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 196.9 mi on I 81.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and I 64. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 50.2 miles in near US 58 ALT; VA 75 / Cummings Street.
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 466.5 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: at 50.2 miles (US 58 ALT; VA 75 / Cummings Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 115.5 miles (I 81; US 11): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 345.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,357 ft8 ft
Total Climb
1,046 ft
Total Descent
3,171 ft
Highest Point
2,357 ft
~100 mi in
Elevation Range
2,349 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Norton, VA to Virginia Beach, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Norfolk along the way.
Norfolk
345.4 mi in|~6h 37m
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 196.9 miles on I 81. 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 233 miles on day one.
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 Virginia Beach, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 50.2 miles (US 58 ALT; VA 75 / Cummings Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 115.5 miles (I 81; US 11): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 345.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Colonial National Historical Park, Fort Monroe National Monument 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 9.0 hours each way, a round trip means 18.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Virginia Beach, VA before the return drive.
