Spanning 430.1 miles across Virginia, this cross-state journey takes you from the mountainous landscape of Richlands to the coastal environment of Virginia Beach. Expect an estimated travel time of 8 hours and 12 minutes, making it a demanding trek that is best broken up over two days to avoid fatigue. You will primarily rely on I-64, I-81, and the Governor G. C. Peery Highway to navigate the Commonwealth. With a fuel budget of approximately $69, this trip is a significant commitment. While it is technically possible to power through in one long day, planning for an overnight stay allows you to manage the distance more comfortably as you transition from the Southeast's interior highlands to the Atlantic coast.
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
215 miles from Richlands, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 5m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
157.1 mi
2h 53m
I 81
139.7 mi
2h 33m
Governor G C Peery Highway
27.3 mi
35m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
22.9 mi
25m
US 52
19.7 mi
22m
I 77
16 mi
17m
Hampton Roads Beltway
12 mi
15m
Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway
11.8 mi
16m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 157.1 mi, about 2h 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Richlands, VA and Virginia Beach, VA.
1
Start on Virginia Avenue
88 ft·6 sec·Virginia Avenue
2
Turn right onto US 460 BUS
1.2 mi·1 min·Front Street
3
Continue on US 460 BUS
0.3 mi·33 sec·Cedar Valley Drive
4
Take the ramp
250 ft·7 sec
Toward US 460 East: Claypool Hill
5
Merge onto US 460
2.4 mi·4 min·Governor George C Peery Highway
6
Turn left onto US 19; US 460
27 mi·35 min·Governor G C Peery Highway
7
Continue on US 19; US 460
9.8 mi·11 min·Trail of the Lonesome Pine
Use the straight lane.
8
Take the exit onto US 52 Truck
2.3 mi·2 min·US 52 Truck
9
Take the exit onto US 52
20 mi·22 min·US 52
10
Continue on I 77
16 mi·17 min·I 77
Use the straight lane.
11
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.
12
Continue on I 64; I 81
0.3 mi·17 sec·I 64; I 81
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 64
90 mi·1 hr 38 min·I 64
Toward I 64 East: RichmondUse the straight lane.
14
Take the exit
1.2 mi·1 min
Exit 177Toward I 295 North: Washington, NorfolkUse the slight right lane.
15
Continue on I 295
23 mi·25 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
1.3 mi·2 min
Exit 28AToward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia BeachUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Merge onto I 64
67 mi·1 hr 15 min·I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64; US 60
342 ft·5 sec·Hampton Roads Beltway
19
Continue on I 64; US 60
3.5 mi·4 min·Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
20
Continue on I 64; US 60
12 mi·15 min·Hampton Roads Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
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.
22
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 264 East: Va BeachUse the straight / slight left lanes.
23
Merge onto I 264
12 mi·16 min·Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway
24
Continue on 21st Street
0.4 mi·54 sec·21st Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
25
Turn left onto Arctic Avenue
0.3 mi·46 sec·Arctic Avenue
Use the left lane.
26
Turn right onto 25th Street
454 ft·12 sec·25th Street
27
Arrive at destination
25th Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 430-mile trek, aim for an early departure to beat peak congestion on the interstate segments. Since the route requires two days, plan your two designated stops strategically to break up the longest interstate stretches. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, especially when transitioning off the major interstates, to ensure you stay within your $69 budget. Because this drive covers a vast stretch of Virginia, checking real-time traffic reports for I-64 and I-81 before you head out is a smart way to avoid unexpected delays. Flexibility is your best asset here, so consider splitting your travel time evenly to ensure you arrive in Virginia Beach feeling refreshed rather than exhausted.
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 215 miles from Richlands, VA, or about 4h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 157.1 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 95 miles or 1h 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 215 miles or 4h 5m 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 215 miles or 4h 5m
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 6h 57m
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 Richlands, 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 Richlands, VA
Aim for roughly 215 miles and 4.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Virginia Beach, VA
Aim for roughly 215 miles and 4.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 95 miles from Richlands, 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 64 for about 157.1 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 79 and 416.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
79 mi into trip|~1h 35m 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
7
219 mi into trip|~4h 10m 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
309 mi into trip|~5h 48m 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
333.1 mi into trip|~6h 14m 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
416.7 mi into trip|~7h 52m 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
$67.26 one way
$134.52 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg151 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$73.54
$147.08
premium
$4.70
$79.60
$159.20
diesel
$5.61
$94.96
$189.92
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$67
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$197–$307
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 150.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $45 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
129
1
$45.16
$20.64
Efficient EV
107.5
1
$37.63
$17.20
EV Truck/SUV
172
2
$60.21
$27.53
Gas CO2
150 kg
EV CO2
50 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Richlands, VA
Night
in Richlands on Saturday
Local time
9:29 PM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Virginia Beach, VA
Night
in Virginia Beach on Saturday
Local time
9:29 PM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live 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
10 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
8h 12m 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.
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...
2 mi from route
~4 min detour
Free
near mile 400.4
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...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
$15
near mile 370.8
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...
21 mi from route
~54 min detour
Free
near mile 148.3
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...
29 mi from route
~72 min detour
Free
near mile 341.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This highway-focused route is defined by its efficiency, with 81% of the journey spent on high-speed roads. You will find yourself settling into a steady rhythm, particularly during the longest stretch of 157.1 miles along I-64. The character of the drive shifts from the winding, localized feel of the Governor G. C. Peery Highway to the more uniform, high-traffic environment of the major interstate corridors. Expect a consistent, fast-paced experience that prioritizes speed over winding backroads. Staying alert is essential, as the transition between these major arteries keeps the drive moving quickly but requires constant attention to changing traffic patterns.
81% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 157.1 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 79 miles in near I 81; US 11.
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 16 significant decision points across 430.1 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 79 miles (I 81; US 11): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 219 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 309 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
2,425 ft8 ft
Total Climb
498 ft
Total Descent
2,915 ft
Highest Point
2,425 ft
~17.9 mi in
Elevation Range
2,416 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 Richlands, VA to Virginia Beach, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Norfolk along the way.
Norfolk
309 mi in|~5h 48m
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 157.1 miles on I 64. 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 215 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 79 miles (I 81; US 11): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 219 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 309 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 8.2 hours each way, a round trip means 16.4 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.
