Pulaski, VA to Virginia Beach, VA is 339.7 miles and takes about 6h 31m via I 81 and I 64, with a fuel budget near $52 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Virginia, moving from the Southeast region of the state to another part of the Southeast region. It's a straightforward, mostly highway route that can easily be completed in a single day. Given the relatively short duration, you'll have flexibility in your departure time and how you structure your stops.
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
169.9 miles from Pulaski, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 13m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
156.9 mi
2h 53m
I 81
122.5 mi
2h 15m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
22.9 mi
25m
Hampton Roads Beltway
12 mi
15m
Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway
11.8 mi
16m
Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
3.5 mi
4m
Bob White Boulevard
2 mi
4m
Newbern Road
1.5 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 156.9 mi, about 2h 53m
Traffic on I-64
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 209 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,248 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,733
Quietest
2 AM
~130 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
17.3×
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 Pulaski, VA and Virginia Beach, VA.
1
Start on US 11
48 ft·8 sec·North Washington Avenue
2
Turn left onto VA 99
1.4 mi·3 min·East Main Street
3
Turn left onto SR 611
2.0 mi·4 min·Bob White Boulevard
Use the left lane.
4
Continue on SR 611
1.5 mi·2 min·Newbern Road
5
Turn left onto Cleburne Boulevard
0.7 mi·1 min·Cleburne Boulevard
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·44 sec
7
Merge onto I 81
123 mi·2 hr 15 min·I 81
Use the straight lane.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 64
90 mi·1 hr 38 min·I 64
Toward I 64 East: RichmondUse the straight lane.
9
Take the exit
1.2 mi·1 min
Exit 177Toward I 295 North: Washington, NorfolkUse the slight right lane.
10
Continue on I 295
23 mi·25 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
1.3 mi·2 min
Exit 28AToward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia BeachUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 64
67 mi·1 hr 15 min·I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64; US 60
342 ft·5 sec·Hampton Roads Beltway
14
Continue on I 64; US 60
3.5 mi·4 min·Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
15
Continue on I 64; US 60
12 mi·15 min·Hampton Roads Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
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.
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 264 East: Va BeachUse the straight / slight left lanes.
18
Merge onto I 264
12 mi·16 min·Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway
19
Continue on 21st Street
0.4 mi·54 sec·21st Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Turn left onto Arctic Avenue
0.3 mi·46 sec·Arctic Avenue
Use the left lane.
21
Turn right onto 25th Street
454 ft·12 sec·25th Street
22
Arrive at destination
25th Street
Trip Plan
For this 6.5-hour drive, leaving in the morning is recommended to ensure you arrive with plenty of daylight. With only one recommended stop and a manageable duration, you can choose to make just one quick break or stop more frequently if needed. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially since the longest stretch without an exit is quite long at 156.9 miles on I-64. The total fuel cost is estimated at $52, so plan accordingly. Since this is a single-day trip, you have the advantage of flexibility; however, be aware of potential traffic as you get closer to the coast.
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 169.9 miles from Pulaski, VA, or about 3h 13m 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 75 miles or 1h 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 169.9 miles or 3h 13m 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 Virginia Beach, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Pulaski, 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 Pulaski, VA
This is one driving day of about 339.7 miles and 6h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 75 miles from Pulaski, 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 128.6 and 326.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
128.6 mi into trip|~2h 28m 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
218.6 mi into trip|~4h 6m 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
242.7 mi into trip|~4h 33m 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
326.3 mi into trip|~6h 11m 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...
7
326.5 mi into trip|~6h 11m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 264 East: Va Beach
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward I 264 East: Va Beach
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$53.96 one way
$107.93 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg119 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$58.85
$117.69
premium
$4.78
$63.93
$127.86
diesel
$6.18
$82.64
$165.28
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$54
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$79–$104
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 118.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
101.9
1
$35.67
$16.31
Efficient EV
84.9
0
$29.72
$13.59
EV Truck/SUV
135.9
1
$47.56
$21.74
Gas CO2
119 kg
EV CO2
40 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 17, 2026
Origin
Pulaski, VA
Afternoon
in Pulaski on Saturday
Local time
1:27 PM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Rain Showers then Partly Sunny
N 14 mph98% chanceLive forecast
Coastal Flood Watch
Coastal Flood Watch issued October 17 at 5:51AM EDT until October 20 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Coastal Flood Watch
Coastal Flood Watch issued October 17 at 5:51AM EDT until October 20 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Destination
Virginia Beach, VA
Afternoon
in Virginia Beach on Saturday
Local time
1:27 PM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Chance Light Rain
N 21 mph50% chanceLive forecast
Coastal Flood Watch
Coastal Flood Watch issued October 17 at 5:51AM EDT until October 20 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Coastal Flood Watch
Coastal Flood Watch issued October 17 at 5:51AM EDT until October 20 at 9:00AM 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.
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
7 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
6h 31m 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.
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...
4 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 316.3
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...
5 mi from route
~14 min detour
$15
near mile 292.8
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
~55 min detour
Free
near mile 58.6
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...
26 mi from route
~66 min detour
Free
near mile 246
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is heavily dominated by highway driving, with 86% of the trip on interstates like I-81 and I-64. You'll experience a long stretch of 156.9 miles on I-64 without needing to exit. Expect to encounter a significant number of exits and potentially some merging traffic as you approach urban areas, especially closer to Virginia Beach. The initial part of the drive on I-81 will feel more like cruising through varied terrain before transitioning to the more continuous interstate experience.
86% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 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?
9/10
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 128.6 miles in near I 64.
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 14 significant decision points across 339.7 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 128.6 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 218.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 242.7 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
2,176 ft-2 ft
Total Climb
923 ft
Total Descent
2,825 ft
Highest Point
2,176 ft
~22.7 mi in
Elevation Range
2,178 ft
Notable High Points
1,600 ft at ~113.4 miles+579 ft prominence
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 Pulaski, VA to Virginia Beach, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Norfolk along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 31m. Total distance: 339.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 31m 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 23 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 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 1 meaningful breaks. There are 23 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 128.6 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 218.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 242.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 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 Virginia Beach, VA before the return drive.
