Pearisburg, VA to Chesapeake, VA is 327.7 miles and takes about 6h 30m via I 81 and I 64, with a fuel budget near $50 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Virginia, moving from the Appalachian region to the Southeast coast. Given its mostly highway profile and single-day duration, it's a straightforward trip. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on major interstates, making it a practical option for getting across the state efficiently.
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
163.8 miles from Pearisburg, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 19m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
156.9 mi
2h 53m
I 81
79.8 mi
1h 27m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
22.9 mi
25m
Virginia Avenue
13.5 mi
17m
Mount Tabor Road
9.1 mi
15m
Catawba Valley Drive
9 mi
12m
Newport Road
7.7 mi
12m
Hampton Roads Beltway
6.8 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 156.9 mi, about 2h 53m
Traffic on I-64
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 99 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,119 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,533
Quietest
2 AM
~122 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
17.4×
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 Pearisburg, VA and Chesapeake, VA.
1
Start on Montgomery Street
329 ft·19 sec·Montgomery Street
2
Turn left onto Wenonah Avenue
2.4 mi·4 min·Wenonah Avenue
3
Take the ramp onto US 460 BUS
0.3 mi·41 sec·US 460 BUS
Toward US 460 East
4
Merge onto US 460
14 mi·17 min·Virginia Avenue
5
Continue on US 460
3.4 mi·4 min·Pandapas Pond Road
6
Turn left onto SR 649
392 ft·8 sec·Coal Bank Hollow Road
7
Continue on SR 649
1.4 mi·2 min·Coal Bank Hollow Road
8
At end of road, turn left onto SR 624
9.1 mi·15 min·Mount Tabor Road
9
Continue on SR 624
7.7 mi·12 min·Newport Road
10
At end of road, turn right onto VA 311
9.0 mi·12 min·Catawba Valley Drive
11
Enter roundabout onto VA 419
163 ft·2 sec·North Electric Road
12
Continue on VA 419
0.6 mi·1 min·North Electric Road
Use the straight lane.
13
Turn left
0.3 mi·38 sec
Use the left lane.
14
Merge onto I 81
80 mi·1 hr 27 min·I 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 64
90 mi·1 hr 38 min·I 64
Toward I 64 East: RichmondUse the straight lane.
16
Take the exit
1.2 mi·1 min
Exit 177Toward I 295 North: Washington, NorfolkUse the slight right lane.
17
Continue on I 295
23 mi·25 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
1.3 mi·2 min
Exit 28AToward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia BeachUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Merge onto I 64
67 mi·1 hr 15 min·I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64; US 60
342 ft·5 sec·Hampton Roads Beltway
21
Continue on I 64; US 60
3.5 mi·4 min·Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
22
Continue on I 64; US 60
6.7 mi·8 min·Hampton Roads Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Exit 278Toward VA 194 South: Chesapeake BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
24
Turn straight onto VA 194
2.1 mi·3 min·Chesapeake Boulevard
Use the left lane.
25
Turn straight
135 ft·7 sec
26
Turn left onto VA 247
1.1 mi·1 min·Ballentine Boulevard
27
Turn right onto VA 166
0.9 mi·1 min·East Princess Anne Road
28
Turn left onto VA 166
0.6 mi·1 min·Park Avenue
29
Turn left onto US 460; VA 166; VA 168
0.3 mi·57 sec·East Brambleton Avenue
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
30
Continue on US 460; VA 166; VA 168
0.7 mi·1 min·Campostella Road
31
Turn right onto US 460; VA 166
0.7 mi·1 min·Wilson Road
Use the right lane.
32
Continue on US 460; VA 166
0.3 mi·27 sec·22nd Street
33
Continue on US 460; VA 166
0.3 mi·29 sec·Poindexter Street
Use the straight lane.
34
Turn right onto D Street
412 ft·18 sec·D Street
35
Arrive at destination
D Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 6h 30m drive, consider leaving Pearisburg in the morning to avoid potential afternoon traffic. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $50, you have flexibility in pacing. The longest continuous stretch is nearly 157 miles on I 64, so plan a break before or during that segment. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially if you plan to drive through any less populated stretches on I 81 before merging onto I 64.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 163.8 miles from Pearisburg, VA, or about 3h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 156.9 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 72 miles or 1h 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 163.8 miles or 3h 19m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 16m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Chesapeake, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Pearisburg, 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 Pearisburg, VA
This is one driving day of about 327.7 miles and 6h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 72 miles from Pearisburg, 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 156.9 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 24
5 decision points cluster between mile 47.6 and 320.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
47.6 mi into trip|~1h 12m in
Turn left
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
127.7 mi into trip|~2h 40m in|I 64
Keep slight right at fork onto I 64 toward I 64 East: Richmond
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 64 East: Richmond
8
217.7 mi into trip|~4h 18m 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
241.8 mi into trip|~4h 44m 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
7
320.3 mi into trip|~6h 16m in
Take the exit toward VA 194 South: Chesapeake Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 278
Toward VA 194 South: Chesapeake Boulevard
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$48.38 one way
$96.76 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg115 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$53.17
$106.33
premium
$4.49
$57.95
$115.91
diesel
$4.80
$61.88
$123.75
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$48
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 114.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
98.3
1
$34.41
$15.73
Efficient EV
81.9
0
$28.67
$13.11
EV Truck/SUV
131.1
1
$45.88
$20.97
Gas CO2
115 kg
EV CO2
38 kg (67% 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Pearisburg, VA
Late night
in Pearisburg on Sunday
Local time
3:00 AM
EDT
Current temp
91°F
Mostly Sunny then Patchy Smoke
W 2 mph14% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Chesapeake, VA
Late night
in Chesapeake on Sunday
Local time
3:00 AM
EDT
Current temp
90°F
Smoke
NE 8 mph7% 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.
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
1 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
6h 30m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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 282.5
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...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 305.1
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...
21 mi from route
~53 min detour
Free
near mile 56.5
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...
28 mi from route
~70 min detour
Free
near mile 237.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly highway, with 72% of the 327.7 miles on interstates. You'll experience a long stretch of 156.9 miles on I 64. Expect a consistent cruising experience on the interstates, with a higher density of exits as you approach the Hampton Roads area. The transition from rural interstate to more developed areas will be noticeable as you get closer to Chesapeake.
72% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
35 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 156.9 mi on I 64.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 47.6 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 24 significant decision points across 327.7 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 47.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 127.7 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 217.7 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
2,025 ft-1 ft
Total Climb
1,213 ft
Total Descent
3,051 ft
Highest Point
2,025 ft
~23.4 mi in
Elevation Range
2,026 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Pearisburg, VA and Chesapeake, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk and Virginia Beach.
Chesapeake is a town of 245,000 people (2019) in the Hampton Roads region of Eastern Virginia. Chesapeake is a diverse city in which a few urban areas are located; it also has many square miles of protected farmland, forests, and wetlands, including a substantial portion of the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge.
Top landmarks
•Dismal Swamp Canal — canal in Virginia, United States of America
•Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal — canal in Chesapeake, Virginia
•South Norfolk Historic District — historic district in Virginia, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 30m. Total distance: 327.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 30m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 156.9 miles on I 64. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 18 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 Chesapeake, 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 18 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 47.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 127.7 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 217.7 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 6.5 hours each way, a round trip means 13.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Chesapeake, VA before the return drive.
