Origin
Stephens City, VA
Morning in Stephens City on Sunday
Local time
11:11 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Stephens City, VA to Newport News, VA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 2m
Distance
203.2 mi
327 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$32
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 50m
★
6 AM
4h 3m
8 AM
4h 29m
10 AM
4h 12m
12 PM
4h 9m
3 PM
4h 13m
5 PM
4h 27m
8 PM
3h 55m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Stephens City, VA
Kelly
Newport News, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 203.5-mile journey from Stephens City, VA to Newport News, VA is designed for a single day of travel, with an estimated driving time of 3 hours and 18 minutes. Given its relatively short duration, it's an ideal day trip, allowing for a flexible schedule. You can expect a fuel cost of around $33 for this drive. The profile suggests a turn-heavy local drive, so be prepared for a more involved navigation experience rather than a straightforward interstate cruise. Both your origin and destination are located within the Southeast region, so you'll remain in familiar territory throughout this trip.
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
101.6 miles from Stephens City, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 7m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 17 | 75 mi | 1h 33m |
| I 64 | 56.7 mi | 1h 2m |
| I 66 | 28.1 mi | 30m |
| Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway | 13 mi | 14m |
| James Madison Highway | 11.6 mi | 16m |
| I 81 | 6.1 mi | 6m |
| Eastern Bypass | 4.9 mi | 6m |
| Winchester Road | 2.4 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
US 17
— 75 mi, about 1h 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Stephens City, VA and Newport News, VA.
1
Start on US 11
136 ft
·
12 sec
·
Main Street
2
Turn left onto VA 277
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
Fairfax Street
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
23 sec
4
Merge onto I 81
6.1 mi
·
6 min
·
I 81
Use the straight lane.
5
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 66 East: Front Royal, Washington
6
Continue on I 66
28 mi
·
30 min
·
I 66
7
Take the exit onto US 17
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
·
US 17
Toward US 17: Warrenton, Fredericksburg
8
Keep slight right at fork onto US 17
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
·
US 17
9
Merge onto US 17
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Winchester Road
10
Continue on US 17
6.5 mi
·
8 min
·
James Madison Highway
11
Keep slight right at fork onto US 17
4.9 mi
·
6 min
·
Eastern Bypass
Toward US 17 South: Fredericksburg
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on US 15; US 17; US 29
5.1 mi
·
7 min
·
James Madison Highway
13
Keep slight right at fork onto US 17
27 mi
·
39 min
·
US 17
Toward US 17 South
14
Take the exit onto US 17
48 mi
·
53 min
·
US 17
Toward I 95 South, US 17 South: Richmond
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
1.9 mi
·
2 min
Exit 84A
Toward I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va Beach
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
16
Merge onto I 295
13 mi
·
14 min
·
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
1.3 mi
·
2 min
Exit 28A
Toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Merge onto I 64
57 mi
·
1 hr 2 min
·
I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
Exit 258A
Toward US 17 South: J Clyde Morris Boulevard
Use the slight right lane.
20
Turn straight onto US 17
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
·
J Clyde Morris Boulevard
21
Turn right onto Diligence Drive
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Diligence Drive
22
At end of road, turn right onto Thimble Shoals Boulevard
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
Thimble Shoals Boulevard
23
Turn left
413 ft
·
33 sec
24
At end of road, turn right
82 ft
·
6 sec
25
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
With a manageable 3 hours and 18 minutes of driving time, this 203.5-mile trip from Stephens City to Newport News offers plenty of flexibility. You can easily complete this in one day, perhaps leaving mid-morning to avoid rush hour and enjoy a relaxed pace. Since it's a 'turn-heavy local drive,' pay close attention to your GPS or navigation system; a good tip is to ensure your device is fully charged or has a reliable power source. With an estimated fuel cost of $33, budgeting is straightforward, and you'll likely only need one significant stop for fuel and a break along the way.
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 101.6 miles from Stephens City, VA, or about 2h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 75 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 45 miles or 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 101.6 miles or 2h 7m 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 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Newport News, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Stephens City, 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 Stephens City, VA
This is one driving day of about 203.2 miles and 4h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from Stephens City, 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 US 17 for about 75 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
102 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 45 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 101.6 miles from Stephens City, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 17 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 75 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 175 decision points cluster between mile 44.5 and 202.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
44.5 mi into trip
|
~51m in
|
US 17 / Eastern Bypass
Keep slight right at fork onto US 17 / Eastern Bypass toward US 17 South: Fredericksburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 17 South: Fredericksburg
7
81.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 45m in
|
US 17
Take the exit onto US 17 toward I 95 South, US 17 South: Richmond
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.
Toward I 95 South, US 17 South: Richmond
8
129.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 38m 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
144.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 54m 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
7
202.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 59m in
Take the exit toward US 17 South: J Clyde Morris Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 258A
Toward US 17 South: J Clyde Morris Boulevard
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.78 one way
$63.55 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
71 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $34.74 | $69.49 |
| premium | $4.70 | $37.61 | $75.22 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $44.86 | $89.73 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 71.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 61 | 0 | $21.34 | $9.75 |
| Efficient EV | 50.8 | 0 | $17.78 | $8.13 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 81.3 | 1 | $28.45 | $13.00 |
Gas CO2
71 kg
EV CO2
24 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Newport News, VA
Morning in Newport News on Sunday
Local time
11:11 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°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
13 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 2m 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.
Cedar Creek & Belle Grove National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley has a long and rich heritage that still inspires today. Native Americans first shaped the land, followed by colonists and settlers. The fertile valley became an important...
1 mi from route
~1 min detour
Free
near mile 7
View on nps.gov
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
~2 min detour
$15
near mile 189.5
View on nps.gov
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...
10 mi from route
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 203.5
View on nps.gov
Petersburg National Battlefield
National Battlefield
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
~66 min detour
Free
near mile 147.4
View on nps.gov
Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail
National Scenic Trail
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!
27 mi from route
~67 min detour
Free
near mile 35.1
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' for this 203.5-mile route, meaning you'll likely encounter numerous intersections and potentially slower speeds compared to highway travel. With a 0% highway share, this trip emphasizes local roads, offering a more intimate connection with the landscape as you navigate. The longest uninterrupted stretch isn't specified, but the 'turn-heavy' nature suggests frequent changes in direction and pace. This drive will feel more like navigating through towns and communities rather than a continuous, high-speed transit.
82% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 75 mi on US 17.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 17 and I 64. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 44.5 miles in near US 17 / Eastern Bypass.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 17 significant decision points across 203.2 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 44.5 miles (US 17 / Eastern Bypass): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 81.3 miles (US 17): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 129.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Stephens City, VA and Newport News, VA, road signs point toward Fredericksburg, Norfolk, Va Beach and Virginia Beach.
Fredericksburg
35.3 mi in
|
~38m
|
via US 17
Norfolk
129.2 mi in
|
~2h 38m
Va Beach
129.2 mi in
|
~2h 38m
Virginia Beach
144.1 mi in
|
~2h 54m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 2m. Total distance: 203.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (82%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 75 miles on US 17. 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 Newport News, 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 44.5 miles (US 17 / Eastern Bypass): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 81.3 miles (US 17): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 129.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Cedar Creek & Belle Grove National Historical Park, Colonial National Historical Park and Fort Monroe National Monument (5 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.0 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 Newport News, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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