This 180.6-mile drive from South Boston, VA to Virginia Beach, VA is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can comfortably be completed in about 4 hours. With a projected fuel cost of $28, this route is an economical choice for a single-day trip, especially since it only requires one planned stop. You'll primarily be on Southampton Parkway and I-264, with a brief section on the Clarksville Bypass. Given its manageable length and highway profile, it's ideal for a day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight break. This trip keeps you within the Southeast region of Virginia for its entirety.
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
90.3 miles from South Boston, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 1m 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
Pleasant Shade Drive
6.4 mi
8m
West Atlantic Street
5.1 mi
6m
Highway 58
3.6 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
Southampton Parkway
— 62.1 mi, about 1h 20m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between South Boston, VA and Virginia Beach, VA.
1
Start on VA 129
91 ft·5 sec·North Main Street
2
Continue on US 501
0.2 mi·39 sec·Main Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
3
Turn left onto VA 304
0.7 mi·1 min·Seymour Drive
4
Turn right onto US 360
0.2 mi·19 sec·James D Hagood Highway
5
Continue on US 360
0.4 mi·43 sec·John Randolph Boulevard
6
Turn left onto US 58
18 mi·22 min·Bill Tuck Highway
Use the left / straight lanes.
7
Continue on US 58; VA 49
3.6 mi·4 min·Clarksville Bypass
Use the straight lane.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto US 58
19 mi·24 min·Clarksville Bypass
Toward US 58 East: Boydton, South Hill
9
Continue on US 1; US 58
3.5 mi·4 min·Highway 1
10
Continue on US 58
3.3 mi·4 min·South Hill Bypass
11
Continue on US 58
1.1 mi·1 min·East Atlantic Street
12
Continue on US 58
3.6 mi·5 min·Highway 58
13
Continue on US 58
1.2 mi·2 min·Piney Pond Road
14
Continue on US 58
23 mi·30 min·Governor Harrison Parkway
15
Continue on US 58
6.4 mi·8 min·Pleasant Shade Drive
16
Continue on US 58
5.1 mi·6 min·West Atlantic Street
17
Continue on US 58
62 mi·1 hr 20 min·Southampton Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on US 13; US 58; US 460
1.7 mi·2 min·West Military Highway
19
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
20
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
21
Merge onto I 664; US 13; US 460
0.6 mi·42 sec·Hampton Roads Beltway
22
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 15AToward I 264 East: Portsmouth, Norfolk
23
Continue on I 264
7.2 mi·11 min·I 264
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight right at fork onto I 264; VA 337
17 mi·23 min·I 264; VA 337
Use the slight right lane.
25
Continue on 21st Street
0.4 mi·54 sec·21st Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
26
Turn left onto Arctic Avenue
0.3 mi·46 sec·Arctic Avenue
Use the left lane.
27
Turn right onto 25th Street
454 ft·12 sec·25th Street
28
Arrive at destination
25th Street
Trip Plan
Starting your 4-hour journey from South Boston early in the morning will give you ample daylight and allow you to reach Virginia Beach with plenty of time to settle in. With only one recommended stop and a 65% highway share, you can easily cover long distances between breaks. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially before embarking on the 62.1-mile stretch on Southampton Parkway, as it's the longest uninterrupted segment. The estimated $28 fuel cost is a good benchmark for budgeting this 180.6-mile trip.
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 90.3 miles from South Boston, VA, or about 2h 1m 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 40 miles or 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 90.3 miles or 2h 1m 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 16m
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 South Boston, 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 South Boston, VA
This is one driving day of about 180.6 miles and 4h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 40 miles from South Boston, 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 23.2 and 180.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
23.2 mi into trip|~30m 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
153.6 mi into trip|~3h 24m 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
154.6 mi into trip|~3h 26m 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
162.6 mi into trip|~3h 38m 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
180.2 mi into trip|~4h 3m in|Arctic Avenue
Turn left onto Arctic Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.24 one way
$56.48 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg63 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$30.88
$61.76
premium
$4.70
$33.43
$66.85
diesel
$5.61
$39.87
$79.75
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 63.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
54.2
0
$18.96
$8.67
Efficient EV
45.2
0
$15.80
$7.22
EV Truck/SUV
72.2
0
$25.28
$11.56
Gas CO2
63 kg
EV CO2
21 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
South Boston, VA
Morning
in South Boston on Sunday
Local time
7:34 AM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Virginia Beach, VA
Morning
in Virginia Beach on Sunday
Local time
7:34 AM
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.
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
1 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 3m 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.
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...
13 mi from route
~32 min detour
Free
near mile 161.9
Park Closure: Road Closure and Fishing Pier Impact
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway experience on this route, with 65% of the drive taking place on faster roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 62.1 miles on Southampton Parkway, offering a good opportunity to maintain steady progress. While largely highway-focused, the inclusion of sections like the Clarksville Bypass suggests you might experience some variations in road type. Overall, this drive is designed for efficient travel, minimizing time spent on slower, local roads.
65% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 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?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Southampton Parkway and I 264. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 23.2 miles in near US 58 / Clarksville Bypass.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 180.6 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 23.2 miles (US 58 / Clarksville Bypass): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 153.6 miles (US 13; US 460): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 154.6 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 South Boston, VA and Virginia Beach, VA, road signs point toward Hill, Norfolk and Va Beach.
Hill
23.2 mi in|~30m|via US 58
Norfolk
152.8 mi in|~3h 22m|via US 13; US 460
Va Beach
152.8 mi in|~3h 22m|via US 13; US 460
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 3m. Total distance: 180.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 3m drive, comfortable solo distance.
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.
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 23.2 miles (US 58 / Clarksville Bypass): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 153.6 miles (US 13; US 460): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 154.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Fort Monroe National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Virginia Beach, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
