This 216.4-mile drive from Reston, VA to Virginia Beach, VA is a straightforward journey within the Southeast region, easily manageable as a single-day trip. Expect to spend about 4 hours and 19 minutes on the road, with a fuel cost estimated at $34. The route is primarily composed of interstate highways, making it a consistent and predictable drive. You'll spend a good portion of your time on major arteries like I-64, I-95, and the Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway. With only one recommended stop, this trip is ideal for those looking to get to their destination 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
108.2 miles from Reston, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 9m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
66.8 mi
1h 15m
I 95
48.6 mi
53m
Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
35.7 mi
42m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
13 mi
14m
Hampton Roads Beltway
12 mi
15m
Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway
11.8 mi
16m
Capital Beltway
10.1 mi
12m
Leesburg Pike
4.9 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 66.8 mi, about 1h 15m
Traffic on I-95
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 52 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,046 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,734
Quietest
2 AM
~462 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.6×
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 Reston, VA and Virginia Beach, VA.
1
Start on Washington Plaza North
228 ft·19 sec·Washington Plaza North
2
Turn right onto SR 4726
516 ft·19 sec·North Shore Drive
3
Turn left onto Village Road
196 ft·11 sec·Village Road
4
Turn right onto SR 606
1.5 mi·2 min·Baron Cameron Avenue
Use the left lane.
5
Turn right onto VA 7
4.9 mi·7 min·Leesburg Pike
Use the left lane.
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward VA 267 Toll East: WashingtonUse the slight right lane.
7
Merge onto VA 267
0.2 mi·14 sec·Dulles Toll Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto VA 267
1.2 mi·1 min·Dulles Toll Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit 18AToward I 495 South: RichmondUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 18AToward I 495 South: Richmond
11
Merge onto I 495
10 mi·12 min·Capital Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 57AToward I 95 South: RichmondUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward I 95 South, SR 644 East: Richmond, FranconiaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·33 sec
Toward I 95 South: Richmond
15
Merge onto I 395
36 mi·42 min·Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
49 mi·53 min·I 95
Use the straight lane.
17
Take the exit
1.9 mi·2 min
Exit 84AToward I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va BeachUse the slight left / straight lanes.
18
Merge onto I 295
13 mi·14 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
1.3 mi·2 min
Exit 28AToward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia BeachUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Merge onto I 64
67 mi·1 hr 15 min·I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64; US 60
342 ft·5 sec·Hampton Roads Beltway
22
Continue on I 64; US 60
3.5 mi·4 min·Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
23
Continue on I 64; US 60
12 mi·15 min·Hampton Roads Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
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.
25
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 264 East: Va BeachUse the straight / slight left lanes.
26
Merge onto I 264
12 mi·16 min·Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway
27
Continue on 21st Street
0.4 mi·54 sec·21st Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
28
Turn left onto Arctic Avenue
0.3 mi·46 sec·Arctic Avenue
Use the left lane.
29
Turn right onto 25th Street
454 ft·12 sec·25th Street
30
Arrive at destination
25th Street
Trip Plan
For this 4-hour and 19-minute trip, an early morning departure from Reston is recommended to bypass potential traffic, especially as you approach the Northern Virginia corridor. With a total distance of 216.4 miles, you'll likely want to plan for one fuel and rest stop, perhaps around the halfway point. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 66.8 miles on I-64, so ensure you're comfortable before embarking on that segment. Given the relatively short duration, flexibility is your advantage; however, factor in potential delays on I-95.
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 108.2 miles from Reston, VA, or about 2h 9m 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 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 108.2 miles or 2h 9m 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 28m
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 Reston, 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 Reston, VA
This is one driving day of about 216.4 miles and 4h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 miles from Reston, 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 25
5 decision points cluster between mile 8.3 and 203 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
8.3 mi into trip|~13m in
Take the exit toward I 495 South: Richmond
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 18A
Toward I 495 South: Richmond
8
19.6 mi into trip|~29m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 South, SR 644 East: Richmond, Franconia
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 95 South, SR 644 East: Richmond, Franc...
8
104.6 mi into trip|~2h 5m 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
119.4 mi into trip|~2h 21m 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
203 mi into trip|~4h 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
$31.95 one way
$63.90 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg76 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$35.11
$70.22
premium
$4.49
$38.27
$76.54
diesel
$4.80
$40.86
$81.72
Estimated Tolls: $0.28
Dulles Toll Road
(1.4 mi)$0.28
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 75.7 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
64.9
0
$22.72
$10.39
Efficient EV
54.1
0
$18.94
$8.66
EV Truck/SUV
86.6
1
$30.30
$13.85
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
Reston, VA
Afternoon
in Reston on Sunday
Local time
1:40 PM
EDT
Current temp
85°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Virginia Beach, VA
Afternoon
in Virginia Beach on Sunday
Local time
1:40 PM
EDT
Current temp
79°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 15 mph47% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 6:29PM EDT until July 18 at 7:30PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 6:13PM 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
6 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
4h 19m 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 164.2
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
~4 min detour
Free
near mile 186.6
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!
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
~65 min detour
Free
near mile 119.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
The character of this drive is predominantly a mixed highway experience, with 59% of the journey taking place on interstates. You'll encounter stretches like the 66.8-mile segment on I-64, which offers consistent speed and straightforward navigation. The Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway and I-95 are also significant parts of the drive, generally characterized by higher speeds and multiple lanes. While not overly technical, the road does involve transitions between these major highways, so staying alert is key to a smooth progression.
59% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
30 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 route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 8.3 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 25 significant decision points across 216.4 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 8.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 19.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 104.6 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
347 ft9 ft
Total Climb
188 ft
Total Descent
527 ft
Highest Point
347 ft
Elevation Range
339 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Reston, VA and Virginia Beach, VA, road signs point toward Franconia, Norfolk, Va Beach and Portsmouth.
Franconia
19.6 mi in|~29m
Norfolk
104.6 mi in|~2h 5m
Va Beach
104.6 mi in|~2h 5m
Portsmouth
203 mi in|~4h
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Reston is in Virginia, United States of America) and is 20 miles (32 km) west of Washington, D.C. The population of Reston is approximately 58,000 people (2010).
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 19m. Total distance: 216.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
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.
Expect about $0.28 in tolls one way, starting with Dulles Toll Road. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
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 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 18 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 8.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 19.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 104.6 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 (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Virginia Beach, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
