Stephens City, VA to Norfolk, VA is 225.7 miles and takes about 4h 35m via US 17 and I-64, with a fuel budget near $35 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Virginia, moving from the Southeast region to the Southeast region. Expect a trip that's primarily highway cruising, making it a straightforward transit. It's a solid option if you need to get from the Shenandoah Valley area to the Hampton Roads region efficiently, with minimal fuss and a manageable travel time.
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
112.9 miles from Stephens City, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 20m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 17
75 mi
1h 33m
I 64
66.8 mi
1h 15m
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
Hampton Roads Beltway
4.5 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
US 17
— 75 mi, about 1h 33m
Traffic on I-295
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 34 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,876 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,445
Quietest
2 AM
~163 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
17.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Stephens City, VA and Norfolk, 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: FredericksburgUse 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: RichmondUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
1.9 mi·2 min
Exit 84AToward I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va BeachUse 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 28AToward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia BeachUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Merge onto I 64
67 mi·1 hr 15 min·I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64; US 60
342 ft·5 sec·Hampton Roads Beltway
20
Continue on I 64; US 60
3.5 mi·4 min·Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
21
Continue on I 64; US 60
4.4 mi·5 min·Hampton Roads Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
Exit 276Toward I 564, US 460: Naval Base, Granby StreetUse the slight right lane.
23
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.
24
Turn straight onto US 460
3.1 mi·7 min·Granby Street
Use the left lane.
25
Continue on US 460
446 ft·9 sec·Church Street
26
Turn right onto US 460
1.2 mi·2 min·Monticello Avenue
Use the right lane.
27
Continue on US 460
0.7 mi·1 min·Saint Pauls Boulevard
Use the left lane.
28
Turn left onto East City Hall Avenue
158 ft·9 sec·East City Hall Avenue
Use the left lane.
29
Arrive at destination
East City Hall Avenue
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 4h 35m drive, aim to depart Stephens City, VA in the morning to take advantage of daylight. With a total distance of 225.7 miles, it’s easily a one-day trip, so you have flexibility on when to start. The fuel cost is estimated at $35, so factor that into your budget. Since the longest stretch without a significant change in road type is 75 miles on US 17, plan for a brief stop around that point if needed for a stretch or to refuel. Keep an eye on your navigation as you transition from highway to surface roads near Norfolk.
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 112.9 miles from Stephens City, VA, or about 2h 20m 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 50 miles or 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 112.9 miles or 2h 20m 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 41m
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 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 225.7 miles and 4h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 44.5 and 220.4 — 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
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
8
220.2 mi into trip|~4h 23m 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
220.4 mi into trip|~4h 23m 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...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.32 one way
$66.64 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg79 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$36.62
$73.24
premium
$4.49
$39.92
$79.83
diesel
$4.80
$42.62
$85.23
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 79 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
67.7
0
$23.70
$10.83
Efficient EV
56.4
0
$19.75
$9.03
EV Truck/SUV
90.3
1
$31.60
$14.44
Gas CO2
79 kg
EV CO2
26 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Stephens City, VA
Morning
in Stephens City on Sunday
Local time
6:45 AM
EDT
Current temp
92°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 12 mph62% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 2:54PM EDT until July 18 at 3:30PM EDT by NWS Blacksburg VA
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 2:54PM EDT until July 18 at 3:45PM EDT by NWS Baltimore MD/Washington DC
Destination
Norfolk, VA
Morning
in Norfolk on Sunday
Local time
6:45 AM
EDT
Current temp
96°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 14 mph22% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 2:54PM EDT until July 18 at 3:30PM EDT by NWS Blacksburg VA
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 2:54PM EDT until July 18 at 3:45PM EDT by NWS Baltimore MD/Washington DC
64°F
Fredericksburg, VA
113 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
4 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 35m 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...
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...
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...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 210.2
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...
27 mi from route
~67 min detour
Free
near mile 147.9
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!
28 mi from route
~69 min detour
Free
near mile 31.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is mostly highway, with 78% of the 225.7 miles on high-speed roads. You'll encounter the longest stretch of continuous driving on US 17 for 75 miles. After the highway portion concludes, expect a shift to more surface roads for the remainder of the trip. Be prepared for a higher number of exits and potentially slower speeds as you approach your destination.
78% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 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 Effort10/10
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 19 significant decision points across 225.7 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 129.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 144.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
762 ft7 ft
Total Climb
60 ft
Total Descent
816 ft
Highest Point
762 ft
Elevation Range
755 ft
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 Norfolk, VA, road signs point toward Fredericksburg, Va Beach and Virginia Beach.
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.
Top landmarks
•USS Wisconsin — 1943 Iowa-class battleship
•Chrysler Museum of Art — art museum in Norfolk, Virginia
•Basilica of Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Norfolk — church building in Norfolk, United States of America
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 35m. Total distance: 225.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (78%). 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 Norfolk, 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 129.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 144.1 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 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Norfolk, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
