Tappahannock, VA to Newport News, VA is 70.2 miles and takes about 1h 40m via US 17, with a fuel budget near $11 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Virginia's Southeast region, offering a straightforward journey. You'll find it's primarily a highway-focused trip, making it a quick and efficient way to get from point A to point B. If you're looking for a simple, no-fuss drive that gets you there without much complication, this route fits the bill.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
35.1 miles from Tappahannock, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 50m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 17
67.2 mi
1h 33m
Tappahannock Boulevard
2.1 mi
4m
Diligence Drive
0.5 mi
1m
J Clyde Morris Boulevard
0.3 mi
<1m
Thimble Shoals Boulevard
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
US 17
— 67.2 mi, about 1h 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tappahannock, VA and Newport News, VA.
1
Start on US 17; US 360
2.1 mi·4 min·Tappahannock Boulevard
2
Keep slight left at fork onto US 17
67 mi·1 hr 33 min·US 17
3
Continue on US 17
0.3 mi·30 sec·J Clyde Morris Boulevard
4
Turn right onto Diligence Drive
0.5 mi·1 min·Diligence Drive
5
At end of road, turn right onto Thimble Shoals Boulevard
0.1 mi·19 sec·Thimble Shoals Boulevard
6
Turn left
413 ft·33 sec
7
At end of road, turn right
82 ft·6 sec
8
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the short duration of 1 hour and 40 minutes, this trip is easily completed in a single day, so you have flexibility with your departure time. There are no specific stops recommended, but it's always wise to stretch your legs and refuel if needed, especially since the longest stretch is over 67 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is around $11. The primary roads are US 17 and Tappahannock Boulevard, which are generally straightforward to navigate, but ensure you're following signs for US 17 South as you approach Newport News to stay on track.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 35.1 miles from Tappahannock, VA, or about 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 67.2 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 15 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 35.1 miles or 50m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 24m
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 Tappahannock, VA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Tappahannock, VA
This is one driving day of about 70.2 miles and 1h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 15 miles from Tappahannock, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 17 for about 67.2 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
4 of 4
4 decision points cluster between mile 2.1 and 70.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
2.1 mi into trip|~4m in|US 17
Keep slight left at fork onto US 17
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
4
70 mi into trip|~1h 39m in|Thimble Shoals Boulevard
At end of road, turn right onto Thimble Shoals Boulevard
Navigation decision point
4
70.1 mi into trip|~1h 39m in
Turn left
Navigation decision point
6
70.2 mi into trip|~1h 40m in
At end of road, turn right
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$10.98 one way
$21.96 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg25 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$12.00
$24.01
premium
$4.70
$12.99
$25.99
diesel
$5.61
$15.50
$31.00
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$11
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$36–$61
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 24.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
21.1
0
$7.37
$3.37
Efficient EV
17.6
0
$6.14
$2.81
EV Truck/SUV
28.1
0
$9.83
$4.49
Gas CO2
25 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (68% 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 21, 2026
Origin
Tappahannock, VA
Morning
in Tappahannock on Tuesday
Local time
7:07 AM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Newport News, VA
Morning
in Newport News on Tuesday
Local time
7:07 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°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
14 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 40m 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...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
$15
near mile 58.1
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 70.2
George Washington Birthplace National Monument is located in the Northern Neck of Virginia. It encompasses 551 acres of land where seven generations of the Washington family lived and where George Was...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive with 96% of the route utilizing major roads. For the most part, you'll be on US 17, which forms the longest uninterrupted stretch of 67.2 miles. This means you'll experience a consistent pace for the majority of your trip. The character of the drive is largely defined by this main highway, offering a predictable and efficient travel experience rather than winding scenic byways. You'll spend most of your time on well-maintained roads built for speed and direct travel.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
8 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 67.2 mi on US 17.
How Hard Is This Drive?
2/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 17 and Tappahannock Boulevard. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 2.1 miles in near US 17.
Driving Effort2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Tappahannock, VA to Newport News, VA is easy. At 1h 40m with 96% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 2.1 miles (US 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 70 miles (Thimble Shoals Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 70.1 miles: Navigation decision point.
Newport News is a city in Virginia in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area. It's on the James River, and much of the area has been developed into a city starting in the late 19th century.
The longest stretch is about 67.2 miles on US 17. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.1 miles (US 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 70 miles (Thimble Shoals Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 70.1 miles: Navigation decision point.
Yes — Colonial National Historical Park, Fort Monroe National Monument and George Washington Birthplace National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Newport News, VA before heading back.
