Purcellville, VA to Norfolk, VA is 217.3 miles and takes about 4h 33m via I 64, I 95, and Dumfries Road, with a fuel budget near $33 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Virginia, moving from the Southeast region to the Southeast region. Given its mostly highway profile, this drive is efficient for getting from point A to point B. It's a straightforward, single-day trip that should be manageable for most drivers.
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
108.6 miles from Purcellville, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 23m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
66.8 mi
1h 15m
I 95
66.8 mi
1h 14m
Dumfries Road
13.6 mi
19m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
13 mi
14m
James Monroe Highway
10.4 mi
14m
Prince William Parkway
8.3 mi
11m
James Madison Highway
8.1 mi
11m
Harmony Church Road
5.5 mi
9m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 66.8 mi, about 1h 15m
Traffic on I-95
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 45 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,112 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,853
Quietest
2 AM
~490 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.4×
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 Purcellville, VA and Norfolk, VA.
1
Start on VA 7 BUS
1.2 mi·3 min·West Main Street
2
Enter roundabout onto VA 7 BUS
65 ft·1 sec·West Colonial Highway
3
Continue on VA 7 BUS
2.1 mi·4 min·West Colonial Highway
4
Turn right onto SR 704
5.5 mi·9 min·Harmony Church Road
5
At end of road, turn right onto US 15
7.8 mi·10 min·James Monroe Highway
6
Enter roundabout onto US 15
166 ft·2 sec·James Monroe Highway
7
Continue on US 15
0.3 mi·38 sec·James Monroe Highway
8
Enter roundabout onto US 15
82 ft·1 sec·James Monroe Highway
9
Continue on US 15
2.3 mi·3 min·James Monroe Highway
10
Continue on US 15
8.1 mi·11 min·James Madison Highway
Use the left lane.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·34 sec
Toward I 66 East: WashingtonUse the slight left / straight lanes.
12
Merge onto I 66
2.4 mi·2 min·I 66
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 66
1.1 mi·1 min·I 66
Use the straight lane.
14
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 44Toward US 234 South: Prince William Parkway, Manassas, DumfriesUse the slight right lane.
15
Continue on VA 234
8.3 mi·11 min·Prince William Parkway
Use the left lane.
16
Continue on VA 234
14 mi·19 min·Dumfries Road
17
Take the exit
0.4 mi·58 sec
18
Merge onto I 95
18 mi·20 min·I 95
Use the straight lane.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
49 mi·53 min·I 95
Use the straight lane.
20
Take the exit
1.9 mi·2 min
Exit 84AToward I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va BeachUse the slight left / straight lanes.
21
Merge onto I 295
13 mi·14 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
4.4 mi·5 min·Hampton Roads Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
Exit 276Toward I 564, US 460: Naval Base, Granby StreetUse the slight right lane.
28
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·18 sec
Toward US 460, VA 165: Granby Street, Little Creek RoadUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
29
Turn straight onto US 460
3.1 mi·7 min·Granby Street
Use the left lane.
30
Continue on US 460
446 ft·9 sec·Church Street
31
Turn right onto US 460
1.2 mi·2 min·Monticello Avenue
Use the right lane.
32
Continue on US 460
0.7 mi·1 min·Saint Pauls Boulevard
Use the left lane.
33
Turn left onto East City Hall Avenue
158 ft·9 sec·East City Hall Avenue
Use the left lane.
34
Arrive at destination
East City Hall Avenue
Trip Plan
With a total duration of under 5 hours, this is a trip best suited for a single day. Aim to leave Purcellville in the morning to maximize daylight and avoid peak traffic. You'll have one recommended stop, so plan for a break about halfway through. Given the $33 fuel cost estimate, check your fuel levels before departing and consider topping off before you hit longer highway stretches. The longest stretch without a major exit is 66.8 miles on I 64, so ensure you're comfortable with that distance between services.
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 108.6 miles from Purcellville, VA, or about 2h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 66.8 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 48 miles or 1h 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 108.6 miles or 2h 23m 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 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Norfolk, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Purcellville, 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 Purcellville, VA
This is one driving day of about 217.3 miles and 4h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 miles from Purcellville, 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 66.8 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 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 31.1 and 211.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
31.1 mi into trip|~48m in
Take the exit toward US 234 South: Prince William Parkway, Manassas, Dumfries
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 44
Toward US 234 South: Prince William Parkway, Ma...
8
120.7 mi into trip|~2h 36m in
Take the exit toward I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va Beach
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 84A
Toward I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va B...
8
135.6 mi into trip|~2h 52m 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
211.7 mi into trip|~4h 21m in
Take the exit toward I 564, US 460: Naval Base, Granby Street
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 276
Toward I 564, US 460: Naval Base, Granby Street
9
211.9 mi into trip|~4h 21m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 460, VA 165: Granby Street, Little Creek Road
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, VA 165: Granby Street, Little Cr...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.08 one way
$64.16 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg76 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$35.26
$70.51
premium
$4.49
$38.43
$76.86
diesel
$4.80
$41.03
$82.06
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 76 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
65.2
0
$22.82
$10.43
Efficient EV
54.3
0
$19.01
$8.69
EV Truck/SUV
86.9
1
$30.42
$13.91
Gas CO2
76 kg
EV CO2
25 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 18, 2026
Origin
Purcellville, VA
Morning
in Purcellville on Sunday
Local time
6:54 AM
EDT
Current temp
71°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy
W 9 mph51% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 5:57PM EDT by NWS Blacksburg VA
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued July 18 at 5:54PM EDT until July 18 at 9:00PM EDT by NWS Blacksburg VA
Destination
Norfolk, VA
Morning
in Norfolk on Sunday
Local time
6:54 AM
EDT
Current temp
78°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 14 mph50% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 5:57PM EDT by NWS Blacksburg VA
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued July 18 at 5:54PM EDT until July 18 at 9:00PM EDT by NWS Blacksburg 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
4h 33m 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.
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...
0 mi from route
~1 min detour
$15
near mile 179.8
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...
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Free
near mile 202.3
The Potomac River corridor is rich in both history and recreation, offering a chance to both explore your heritage and choose your adventure along the way. Start your journey here!
At the confluence of the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers, on the ancestral home of the Tuscarora and Shawnee people, lies Harpers Ferry. Here you can explore John Brown's Raid against slavery. Find your...
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 134.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
About 67% of this route is highway, meaning you'll spend a good chunk of time on major interstates like I 64 and I 95. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 66.8 miles on I 64. You'll encounter a mostly highway profile, but expect to transition to surface roads like Dumfries Road at some point. Be prepared for a higher density of exits and potential merging traffic as you navigate these sections.
67% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 66.8 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 95. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 31.1 miles in.
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 22 significant decision points across 217.3 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 31.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 120.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 135.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
559 ft7 ft
Total Climb
238 ft
Total Descent
790 ft
Highest Point
559 ft
Elevation Range
552 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Purcellville, VA and Norfolk, VA, road signs point toward Manassas, Dumfries, Va Beach and Virginia Beach.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 33m. Total distance: 217.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 33m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 66.8 miles on I 64. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 17 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 Norfolk, 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 17 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 31.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 120.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 135.6 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 Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail (5 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Norfolk, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
