Origin
Tappahannock, VA
Morning in Tappahannock on Tuesday
Local time
7:04 AM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Tappahannock, VA to Virginia Beach, VA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 30m
Distance
108.4 mi
174 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$17
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 20m
★
6 AM
2h 31m
8 AM
2h 51m
10 AM
2h 38m
12 PM
2h 36m
3 PM
2h 39m
5 PM
2h 50m
8 PM
2h 25m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Tappahannock, VA
Nguyễn Hiếu
Virginia Beach, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 108.4-mile drive from Tappahannock, VA to Virginia Beach, VA is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes. The route is predominantly highway-focused, with 82% of the journey on major roads like US 17 and the Hampton Roads Beltway. With an estimated fuel cost of $17, this trip offers an efficient way to travel between these two locations within the Southeast region. You'll find the drive straightforward, making it a practical choice for a quick getaway or efficient transit.
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
54.2 miles from Tappahannock, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 16m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 17 | 67.2 mi | 1h 33m |
| Hampton Roads Beltway | 12 mi | 15m |
| Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway | 11.8 mi | 16m |
| I 64 | 10 mi | 12m |
| Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel | 3.5 mi | 4m |
| Tappahannock Boulevard | 2.1 mi | 4m |
| 21st Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Arctic Avenue | 0.3 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 Virginia Beach, 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
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
Toward US 64 East: Hampton, Norfolk
4
Merge onto I 64
10.0 mi
·
12 min
·
I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64; US 60
342 ft
·
5 sec
·
Hampton Roads Beltway
6
Continue on I 64; US 60
3.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
7
Continue on I 64; US 60
12 mi
·
15 min
·
Hampton Roads Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
Exit 284A
Toward I 264 East, I 264 West: Va Beach, Downtown Norfolk, Portsmouth
Use the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 264 East: Va Beach
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
10
Merge onto I 264
12 mi
·
16 min
·
Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway
11
Continue on 21st Street
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
·
21st Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Turn left onto Arctic Avenue
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
·
Arctic Avenue
Use the left lane.
13
Turn right onto 25th Street
454 ft
·
12 sec
·
25th Street
14
Arrive at destination
25th Street
Trip Plan
Given the 2-hour and 30-minute duration for this 108.4-mile trip, you can comfortably complete it in a single day. Leaving Tappahannock in the morning will allow you to reach Virginia Beach with ample time to enjoy your destination. There's one primary stretch of 67.2 miles on US 17, so plan your fuel stops accordingly before embarking on that segment, as it represents a significant portion of the drive. The estimated fuel cost is around $17, so factor that into your budget. This route is straightforward enough that you won't need extensive planning for stops.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 54.2 miles from Tappahannock, VA, or about 1h 16m 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 24 miles or 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 54.2 miles or 1h 16m 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 3m
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 Tappahannock, 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 Tappahannock, VA
This is one driving day of about 108.4 miles and 2h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 miles from Tappahannock, 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 67.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
54 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 24 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 54.2 miles from Tappahannock, 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 67.2 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 95 decision points cluster between mile 69.2 and 108 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
69.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 37m in
Take the exit toward US 64 East: Hampton, Norfolk
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 64 East: Hampton, Norfolk
5
69.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 38m in
|
I 64
Merge onto I 64
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
95 mi into trip
|
~2h 11m in
Take the exit toward I 264 East, I 264 West: Va Beach, Downtown Norfolk, Portsmouth
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 284A
Toward I 264 East, I 264 West: Va Beach, Downto...
7
95.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 11m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 264 East: Va Beach
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward I 264 East: Va Beach
6
108 mi into trip
|
~2h 29m in
|
Arctic Avenue
Turn left onto Arctic Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.95 one way
$33.90 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
38 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $18.53 | $37.07 |
| premium | $4.70 | $20.06 | $40.13 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $23.93 | $47.87 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 37.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 32.5 | 0 | $11.38 | $5.20 |
| Efficient EV | 27.1 | 0 | $9.49 | $4.34 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 43.4 | 0 | $15.18 | $6.94 |
Gas CO2
38 kg
EV CO2
13 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
Virginia Beach, VA
Morning in Virginia Beach on Tuesday
Local time
7:04 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°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
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
2h 30m 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.
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...
2 mi from route
~4 min detour
Free
near mile 78.5
Park Closure: Road Closure and Fishing Pier Impact
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 59.8
View on nps.gov
George Washington Birthplace National Monument
National Monument
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...
19 mi from route
~47 min detour
Free
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 largely highway-focused experience on this 108.4-mile journey, with 82% of the drive utilizing major thoroughfares. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 67.2 miles along US 17, offering a consistent pace for a significant portion of the trip. While primarily on the faster roads, the transition onto the Hampton Roads Beltway and Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway means you'll experience the typical flow of traffic associated with these types of routes. This drive is characterized by its efficiency rather than winding scenic byways.
82% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 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?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 17 and Hampton Roads Beltway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 69.2 miles in.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 9 significant decision points across 108.4 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 69.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 69.6 miles (I 64): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 95 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 Tappahannock, VA and Virginia Beach, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk and Portsmouth.
Norfolk
69.2 mi in
|
~1h 37m
Portsmouth
95 mi in
|
~2h 11m
About the Cities
Arriving in Virginia Beach, VA
Full guide →Virginia Beach is a resort city in southeast Virginia on the shores of the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 30m. Total distance: 108.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 30m 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 67.2 miles on US 17. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 69.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 69.6 miles (I 64): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 95 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Fort Monroe National Monument, Colonial National Historical Park 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 Virginia Beach, VA before heading back.
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.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Virginia Beach, VA
More from Tappahannock, VA
More trips to Virginia Beach, VA
Explore more options from Tappahannock, VA or browse trips ending in Virginia Beach, VA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse VA road trips.