Stuarts Draft to Newport News is 171.6 miles and takes about 3h 14m via I 64 and Stuarts Draft Highway, with a fuel budget near $27 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward, one-day trip primarily within Virginia, connecting two points in the Southeast region. Expect a highway-focused experience for the majority of your journey. With a manageable distance and duration, it's a convenient option for a single-day drive, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
85.8 miles from Stuarts Draft, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 36m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
139 mi
2h 32m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
22.9 mi
25m
Stuarts Draft Highway
5 mi
7m
Diligence Drive
0.5 mi
1m
Rosser Avenue
0.3 mi
<1m
Draft Avenue
0.3 mi
<1m
Thimble Shoals Boulevard
0.1 mi
<1m
J Clyde Morris Boulevard
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 139 mi, about 2h 32m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Stuarts Draft, VA and Newport News, VA.
1
Start on SR 1502
136 ft·7 sec·Cambridge Drive
2
Turn right onto SR 608
0.3 mi·41 sec·Draft Avenue
3
Turn right onto US 340
5.0 mi·7 min·Stuarts Draft Highway
4
Continue on US 340
0.3 mi·32 sec·Rosser Avenue
5
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·59 sec
6
Merge onto I 64
82 mi·1 hr 29 min·I 64
Use the straight lane.
7
Take the exit
1.2 mi·1 min
Exit 177Toward I 295 North: Washington, NorfolkUse the slight right lane.
8
Continue on I 295
23 mi·25 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
1.3 mi·2 min
Exit 28AToward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia BeachUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 64
57 mi·1 hr 2 min·I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi·51 sec
Exit 258AToward US 17 South: J Clyde Morris BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
12
Turn straight onto US 17
0.1 mi·10 sec·J Clyde Morris Boulevard
13
Turn right onto Diligence Drive
0.5 mi·1 min·Diligence Drive
14
At end of road, turn right onto Thimble Shoals Boulevard
0.1 mi·19 sec·Thimble Shoals Boulevard
15
Turn left
413 ft·33 sec
16
At end of road, turn right
82 ft·6 sec
17
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 14m duration, leaving Stuarts Draft in the morning will allow you to comfortably reach Newport News within daylight hours. Plan for one stop to break up the 171.6 miles, perhaps around the halfway point, though the longest stretch of 139 miles on I 64 means you might not need to stop for fuel immediately. The $27 fuel cost is an estimate, so check current prices before you depart. Since this is a single-day drive, you have flexibility; consider departing slightly earlier if you prefer a more relaxed pace or want to avoid potential afternoon traffic.
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 85.8 miles from Stuarts Draft, VA, or about 1h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 139 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 38 miles or 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 85.8 miles or 1h 36m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 38m
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 Stuarts Draft, 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 Stuarts Draft, VA
This is one driving day of about 171.6 miles and 3h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 miles from Stuarts Draft, 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 I 64 for about 139 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 171.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|SR 608 / Draft Avenue
Turn right onto SR 608 / Draft Avenue
Navigation decision point
8
88.4 mi into trip|~1h 39m in
Take the exit toward I 295 North: Washington, Norfolk
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 177
Toward I 295 North: Washington, Norfolk
8
112.5 mi into trip|~2h 6m 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
170.5 mi into trip|~3h 11m 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
6
171.6 mi into trip|~3h 14m in
At end of road, turn right
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.83 one way
$53.67 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg60 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$29.34
$58.68
premium
$4.70
$31.76
$63.52
diesel
$5.61
$37.89
$75.77
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 60 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
51.5
0
$18.02
$8.24
Efficient EV
42.9
0
$15.01
$6.86
EV Truck/SUV
68.6
0
$24.02
$10.98
Gas CO2
60 kg
EV CO2
20 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 15, 2026
Origin
Stuarts Draft, VA
Morning
in Stuarts Draft on Sunday
Local time
6:29 AM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Newport News, VA
Morning
in Newport News on Sunday
Local time
6:29 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
53°F
Ashland, VA
86 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
12 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
3h 14m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
$15
near mile 159.8
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...
10 mi from route
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 171.6
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
~64 min detour
Free
near mile 112.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway-focused, with 81% of the drive utilizing major roadways like I 64 and Stuarts Draft Highway. You'll encounter a significant uninterrupted stretch of 139 miles on I 64, meaning you can maintain a consistent speed for a large portion of the trip. The Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway also contributes to the fast-paced nature of this drive. Expect a driving experience characterized by efficiency and minimal local traffic delays for most of the 171.6 miles.
81% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 139 mi on I 64.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near SR 608 / Draft Avenue.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 171.6 miles you will encounter 10 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: near the start (SR 608 / Draft Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 88.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 112.5 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.
Between Stuarts Draft, VA and Newport News, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk and Virginia Beach.
Norfolk
88.4 mi in|~1h 39m
Virginia Beach
112.5 mi in|~2h 6m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 14m. Total distance: 171.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (81%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 139 miles on I 64. 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: near the start (SR 608 / Draft Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 88.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 112.5 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.
Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Newport News, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
