Connecting Richmond to Norfolk, this 93.2-mile trek is a straightforward journey across Southeast Virginia that typically takes about 1 hour and 55 minutes. Because the drive is relatively short, you can easily complete it as a day trip without needing an overnight stay. You should expect to spend roughly $15 on fuel for the one-way transit. The route relies heavily on major infrastructure, making it a functional connection between the state capital and the coast. Whether you are heading out for business or a coastal getaway, this drive offers a reliable and efficient way to traverse the region.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
46.6 miles from Richmond, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 55m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
78.1 mi
1h 29m
Hampton Roads Beltway
4.5 mi
6m
Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
3.5 mi
4m
Granby Street
3.1 mi
7m
Monticello Avenue
1.2 mi
2m
Saint Pauls Boulevard
0.7 mi
1m
West Leigh Street
0.6 mi
1m
North Lombardy Street
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 78.1 mi, about 1h 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Richmond, VA and Norfolk, VA.
1
Start on Marcus-David Peters Circle
139 ft·4 sec·Marcus-David Peters Circle
2
Continue on Monument Avenue
0.2 mi·25 sec·Monument Avenue
3
Turn right onto North Lombardy Street
0.4 mi·49 sec·North Lombardy Street
4
Turn right onto West Leigh Street
0.6 mi·1 min·West Leigh Street
5
Turn left onto US 1; US 301
187 ft·10 sec·North Belvidere Street
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward I 95 South, I 64 East: Petersburg, Norfolk
7
Merge onto I 64; I 95
511 ft·8 sec·Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 64
78 mi·1 hr 29 min·I 64
Exit 75Toward I 64 East: Williamsburg, NorfolkUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64; US 60
342 ft·5 sec·Hampton Roads Beltway
10
Continue on I 64; US 60
3.5 mi·4 min·Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
11
Continue on I 64; US 60
4.4 mi·5 min·Hampton Roads Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
Exit 276Toward I 564, US 460: Naval Base, Granby StreetUse the slight right lane.
13
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.
14
Turn straight onto US 460
3.1 mi·7 min·Granby Street
Use the left lane.
15
Continue on US 460
446 ft·9 sec·Church Street
16
Turn right onto US 460
1.2 mi·2 min·Monticello Avenue
Use the right lane.
17
Continue on US 460
0.7 mi·1 min·Saint Pauls Boulevard
Use the left lane.
18
Turn left onto East City Hall Avenue
158 ft·9 sec·East City Hall Avenue
Use the left lane.
19
Arrive at destination
East City Hall Avenue
Trip Plan
Since this is a quick sub-two-hour trip, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure schedule. However, given that the route utilizes the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel, it is wise to check local traffic reports before you leave to avoid peak congestion times. You will not need to plan for any formal stops along the 93.2-mile path, allowing you to drive straight through if you prefer. Keep your fuel budget around $15 to ensure you are covered for the duration of the trip. Always stay alert when merging onto the Hampton Roads Beltway, as this area requires extra attention due to the high volume of regional commuter traffic.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 46.6 miles from Richmond, VA, or about 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 78.1 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 21 miles or 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 46.6 miles or 55m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 29m
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 Richmond, VA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Richmond, VA
This is one driving day of about 93.2 miles and 1h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Richmond, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 64 for about 78.1 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.2 and 91.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
1.2 mi into trip|~3m in
Take the ramp toward I 95 South, I 64 East: Petersburg, Norfolk
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 95 South, I 64 East: Petersburg, Norfo...
9
1.6 mi into trip|~3m in|I 64
Keep slight right at fork onto I 64 toward I 64 East: Williamsburg, Norfolk
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 75
Toward I 64 East: Williamsburg, Norfolk
8
87.6 mi into trip|~1h 43m 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
87.8 mi into trip|~1h 44m 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...
5
91.2 mi into trip|~1h 52m in|US 460 / Monticello Avenue
Turn right onto US 460 / Monticello Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.57 one way
$29.15 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg33 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$15.94
$31.87
premium
$4.70
$17.25
$34.50
diesel
$5.61
$20.58
$41.15
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 32.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
28
0
$9.79
$4.47
Efficient EV
23.3
0
$8.16
$3.73
EV Truck/SUV
37.3
0
$13.05
$5.96
Gas CO2
33 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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 18, 2026
Origin
Richmond, VA
Late night
in Richmond on Tuesday
Local time
4:57 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Norfolk, VA
Late night
in Norfolk on Tuesday
Local time
4:57 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Mostly Clear
SE 2 mph1% 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
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
1h 55m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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...
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
$15
near mile 54.6
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...
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...
24 mi from route
~60 min detour
Free
near mile 6.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a focused interstate experience, as 84% of this drive is spent on highways. You will spend the vast majority of your time on I-64, including a significant 78.1-mile uninterrupted stretch that defines the character of the trip. The journey transitions from the inland environment of Richmond toward the coastal geography of the Hampton Roads area. Navigating the Hampton Roads Beltway and the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel serves as the primary technical challenge of the route. Prepare for a consistent, high-speed pace that shifts from open highway travel to the more complex traffic patterns found near the tunnel.
84% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 78.1 mi on I 64.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and Hampton Roads Beltway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.2 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 93.2 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.2 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.6 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 87.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Richmond is the capital of Virginia. Richmond has a population of 227,000 (2020) and the adjacent counties of Henrico and Chesterfield combine to create a local population of more than 1.3 million people.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 55m. Total distance: 93.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (84%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 78.1 miles on I 64. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.2 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.6 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 87.6 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 Petersburg National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Norfolk, VA before heading back.
