Spanning 258.6 miles from Rocky Mount to Virginia Beach, this drive typically takes about 5 hours and 55 minutes to complete. Because the trip stays within the Southeast region of Virginia, you can comfortably manage the journey in a single day, though it requires a significant time commitment behind the wheel. You will navigate a mix of roads, including the Southampton Parkway, the Clarksville Bypass, and I-264 as you head toward the coast. Budgeting approximately $41 for fuel is a smart way to prepare for the trip. Since this is a mixed-profile drive, you should expect a variety of road conditions that require your full attention throughout the nearly six-hour duration.
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
129.3 miles from Rocky Mount, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Southampton Parkway
62.1 mi
1h 20m
I 264
24.5 mi
34m
Clarksville Bypass
22.9 mi
29m
Governor Harrison Parkway
22.5 mi
30m
Bill Tuck Highway
18.1 mi
22m
Old Franklin Turnpike
16.9 mi
24m
Halifax Road
16.4 mi
23m
West Gretna Road
13.5 mi
18m
Longest stretch:
Southampton Parkway
— 62.1 mi, about 1h 20m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rocky Mount, VA and Virginia Beach, VA.
1
Start on VA 40
0.4 mi·43 sec·Franklin Street
2
At end of road, turn right onto US 220 BUS; VA 40
184 ft·10 sec·North Main Street
3
Turn left onto VA 40
0.7 mi·1 min·Pell Avenue
4
At end of road, turn left onto VA 40
0.2 mi·28 sec·Pell Avenue
5
Continue on VA 40
17 mi·24 min·Old Franklin Turnpike
6
Continue on VA 40
14 mi·18 min·West Gretna Road
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·34 sec
Toward US 29 South
8
Merge onto US 29
9.8 mi·11 min·US 29
Toward US 29 South
9
Take the exit
0.1 mi·23 sec
Toward VA 57
10
Turn left onto VA 57
14 mi·19 min·Halifax Road
11
Continue on VA 57
13 mi·19 min·Chatham Road
12
Continue on VA 360
3.5 mi·5 min·Mountain Road
13
At end of road, turn right onto US 501
0.4 mi·1 min·South Main Street
14
Continue on US 501
1.9 mi·3 min·Halifax Road
15
Turn left onto VA 129
0.9 mi·1 min·Old Halifax Road
16
Continue on VA 129
1.8 mi·3 min·North Main Street
17
Turn left onto VA 34
0.5 mi·1 min·Hodges Street
18
Turn right onto US 360
0.4 mi·39 sec·John Randolph Boulevard
19
Continue on US 360
0.3 mi·31 sec·James D Hagood Highway
20
Continue on US 360
0.4 mi·43 sec·John Randolph Boulevard
21
Turn left onto US 58
18 mi·22 min·Bill Tuck Highway
Use the left / straight lanes.
22
Continue on US 58; VA 49
3.6 mi·4 min·Clarksville Bypass
Use the straight lane.
23
Keep slight right at fork onto US 58
19 mi·24 min·Clarksville Bypass
Toward US 58 East: Boydton, South Hill
24
Continue on US 1; US 58
3.5 mi·4 min·Highway 1
25
Continue on US 58
3.3 mi·4 min·South Hill Bypass
26
Continue on US 58
1.1 mi·1 min·East Atlantic Street
27
Continue on US 58
3.6 mi·5 min·Highway 58
28
Continue on US 58
1.2 mi·2 min·Piney Pond Road
29
Continue on US 58
23 mi·30 min·Governor Harrison Parkway
30
Continue on US 58
6.4 mi·8 min·Pleasant Shade Drive
31
Continue on US 58
5.1 mi·6 min·West Atlantic Street
32
Continue on US 58
62 mi·1 hr 20 min·Southampton Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Continue on US 13; US 58; US 460
1.7 mi·2 min·West Military Highway
34
Take the exit onto US 13; US 460
0.7 mi·1 min·US 13; US 460
Toward I 264 East, I 64, US 13 North: Portsmouth, Norfolk, Va Beach
35
Keep slight left at fork onto US 13; US 460
0.4 mi·56 sec·US 13; US 460
Toward I 264 East, I 64, US 13 North: Portsmouth, Norfolk, Va Beach
36
Merge onto I 664; US 13; US 460
0.6 mi·42 sec·Hampton Roads Beltway
37
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 15AToward I 264 East: Portsmouth, Norfolk
38
Continue on I 264
7.2 mi·11 min·I 264
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
39
Keep slight right at fork onto I 264; VA 337
17 mi·23 min·I 264; VA 337
Use the slight right lane.
40
Continue on 21st Street
0.4 mi·54 sec·21st Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
41
Turn left onto Arctic Avenue
0.3 mi·46 sec·Arctic Avenue
Use the left lane.
42
Turn right onto 25th Street
454 ft·12 sec·25th Street
43
Arrive at destination
25th Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 258.6-mile trek, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh. Since the drive is under six hours, you have the flexibility to leave early in the morning to beat the worst of the coastal traffic or depart later if you prefer a more relaxed pace. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you move through the different road segments, ensuring you have enough to cover the $41 estimated cost. Given that the Southampton Parkway accounts for your longest stretch, try to time your breaks around the conclusion of this segment to maintain your momentum. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, so adjust your departure time based on your personal comfort with longer stints on the road.
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 129.3 miles from Rocky Mount, VA, or about 3h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 62.1 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 57 miles or 1h 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 129.3 miles or 3h in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 50m
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 Rocky Mount, 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 Rocky Mount, VA
This is one driving day of about 258.6 miles and 5h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 57 miles from Rocky Mount, 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 Southampton Parkway for about 62.1 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 101.2 and 258.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
101.2 mi into trip|~2h 22m in|US 58 / Clarksville Bypass
Keep slight right at fork onto US 58 / Clarksville Bypass toward US 58 East: Boydton, South Hill
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 58 East: Boydton, South Hill
6
231.5 mi into trip|~5h 16m in|US 13; US 460
Keep slight left at fork onto US 13; US 460 toward I 264 East, I 64, US 13 North: Portsmouth, Norfolk, Va Beach
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 264 East, I 64, US 13 North: Portsmout...
6
232.5 mi into trip|~5h 18m in
Take the exit toward I 264 East: Portsmouth, Norfolk
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 15A
Toward I 264 East: Portsmouth, Norfolk
6
240.5 mi into trip|~5h 30m in|I 264; VA 337
Keep slight right at fork onto I 264; VA 337
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
6
258.2 mi into trip|~5h 55m in|Arctic Avenue
Turn left onto Arctic Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.44 one way
$80.88 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg91 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$44.22
$88.43
premium
$4.70
$47.86
$95.72
diesel
$5.61
$57.10
$114.19
Estimated Tolls: $1.18
Old Franklin Turnpike
(16.9 mi)$1.18
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
$40
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 90.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
77.6
0
$27.15
$12.41
Efficient EV
64.7
0
$22.63
$10.34
EV Truck/SUV
103.4
1
$36.20
$16.55
Gas CO2
90 kg
EV CO2
30 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Rocky Mount, VA
Morning
in Rocky Mount on Sunday
Local time
6:03 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Virginia Beach, VA
Morning
in Virginia Beach on Sunday
Local time
6:03 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
56°F
Henderson, NC
129 mi in
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
11 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
5h 55m 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.
Booker T Washington National Monument
National Monument
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...
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...
12 mi from route
~30 min detour
Free
near mile 240.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip offers a diverse driving experience, shifting between highway efficiency and more localized road travel. With a highway share of 56%, you will encounter stretches where you can maintain steady speeds, balanced by segments that demand more active navigation. The longest uninterrupted portion of your journey takes place on the Southampton Parkway, covering 62.1 miles of the total distance. As you transition from the inland areas of Rocky Mount toward the coastal environment of Virginia Beach, the rhythm of the drive changes significantly. Expect the road to feel like a standard transition from rural terrain to the high-traffic corridors near the coast.
56% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
43 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 62.1 mi on Southampton Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 101.2 miles in near US 58 / Clarksville Bypass.
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 20 significant decision points across 258.6 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 101.2 miles (US 58 / Clarksville Bypass): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 231.5 miles (US 13; US 460): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 232.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Rocky Mount, VA and Virginia Beach, VA, road signs point toward Hill, Norfolk and Va Beach.
Hill
101.2 mi in|~2h 22m|via US 58
Norfolk
230.8 mi in|~5h 14m|via US 13; US 460
Va Beach
230.8 mi in|~5h 14m|via US 13; US 460
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 55m. Total distance: 258.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 62.1 miles on Southampton Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.18 in tolls one way, starting with Old Franklin Turnpike. 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.
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 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 101.2 miles (US 58 / Clarksville Bypass): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 231.5 miles (US 13; US 460): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 232.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Booker T Washington National Monument and Fort Monroe National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.9 hours each way, a round trip means 11.9 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.
