Virginia Beach, VA to Appalachia, VA is 476.3 miles and takes about 9 hours 20 minutes via I 64, I 81, and Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, with a fuel budget near $74 and best split over 2 days. This trip takes you from the Southeast region of Virginia to its western edge, offering a predominantly highway experience. Given the 9-hour drive time, planning for an overnight stop is highly recommended to avoid a very long day behind the wheel. You'll spend most of your time on major interstates, making it a straightforward, albeit lengthy, journey across the state.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
238.2 miles from Virginia Beach, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 33m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
181.4 mi
3h 18m
I 81
172.9 mi
3h 9m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
22.6 mi
24m
Hampton Roads Beltway
17.7 mi
24m
US Highway 58
14.7 mi
20m
Castlewood Drive
12.5 mi
17m
Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway
10.6 mi
14m
Porterfield Highway
10.3 mi
14m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 181.4 mi, about 3h 18m
Traffic on I-64
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 104 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,273 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,695
Quietest
2 AM
~129 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 Virginia Beach, VA and Appalachia, VA.
1
Start on 25th Street
121 ft·8 sec·25th Street
2
Turn right onto US 60
0.2 mi·33 sec·Pacific Avenue
Use the right lane.
3
Turn right onto 22nd Street
0.5 mi·46 sec·22nd Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Continue on I 264
11 mi·14 min·Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway
5
Take the exit
0.4 mi·52 sec
Exit 15-14-13Toward I 64 West, US 13: Newtown Road, Richmond, Military HighwayUse the slight right lane.
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 64 West, US 13: Richmond, Military Highway
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·49 sec
Exit 14BToward I 64 West: Norfolk International Airport, Hampton, RichmondUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 64
12 mi·17 min·Hampton Roads Beltway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
9
Continue on I 64; US 60
3.5 mi·4 min·Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
10
Continue on I 64; US 60
5.9 mi·7 min·Hampton Roads Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64
61 mi·1 hr 7 min·I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.5 mi·32 sec
Exit 200Toward I 295, US 60: Washington, Rocky Mount NCUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork
1.3 mi·2 min
Toward I 295 North: WashingtonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto I 295
23 mi·24 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·55 sec
Exit 53AToward I 64 West: Charlottesville
16
Merge onto I 64
120 mi·2 hr 10 min·I 64
Toward I 64 West: CharlottesvilleUse the slight right lane.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
117 mi·2 hr 9 min·I 81
Use the straight lane.
18
Continue on I 77; I 81; US 52
1.3 mi·1 min·I 77; I 81; US 52
Use the straight lane.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81; US 52
56 mi·59 min·I 81; US 52
Use the straight lane.
20
Take the exit onto US 58 ALT
0.2 mi·25 sec·US 58 ALT
Toward US 58 Alternate, VA 75: Abingdon, South Holston Dam
21
Turn right onto US 58 ALT; VA 75
0.8 mi·2 min·Cummings Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
22
At end of road, turn left onto Valley Street Northwest
0.3 mi·48 sec·Valley Street Northwest
Use the left lane.
23
At end of road, turn right onto US 58 ALT
0.9 mi·2 min·Russell Road Northwest
Use the right lane.
24
Turn slight right onto US 19; US 58 ALT
10 mi·14 min·Porterfield Highway
25
Continue on US 19; US 58 ALT
1.9 mi·2 min·US 19; US 58 ALT
26
Turn left onto US 58 ALT
15 mi·20 min·US Highway 58
Use the left lane.
27
Continue on US 58 ALT
348 ft·6 sec·Trail of the Lonesome Pine
28
Continue on US 58 ALT
13 mi·17 min·Castlewood Drive
29
Continue on US 58 ALT
6.5 mi·9 min·Norton Coeburn Road
30
Turn left onto VA 74
3.0 mi·5 min·Kentucky Avenue Southwest
Use the left lane.
31
Turn right onto US 58 Alternate Business
0.1 mi·24 sec·11th Street Southwest
32
Turn left onto Main Avenue Southwest
1.1 mi·2 min·Main Avenue Southwest
33
Turn right onto SR 621
0.2 mi·32 sec·Junction Road
34
Turn left onto US 23 BUS
7.8 mi·11 min·Kent Junction Road
35
Continue on US 23 BUS
1.0 mi·1 min·East Main Street
36
Continue on VA 78
490 ft·13 sec·West Main Street
37
Turn straight onto East Main Street
104 ft·4 sec·East Main Street
38
Arrive at destination
East Main Street
Trip Plan
With a total duration of over 9 hours, this drive is best tackled over 2 days. Aim to depart in the morning to maximize your daylight hours on the first day. Consider breaking up the journey around the halfway point, allowing for a more relaxed pace and reducing driving fatigue. While fuel costs are estimated at $74, it's always wise to monitor your fuel gauge, especially on longer interstate stretches where services can sometimes be spaced out. Keep an eye on road conditions as you head further west, particularly if traveling during inclement weather seasons.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 238.2 miles from Virginia Beach, VA, or about 4h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 181.4 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 105 miles or 2h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 238.2 miles or 4h 33m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 238.2 miles or 4h 33m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 7h 51m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Appalachia, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Virginia Beach, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Virginia Beach, VA
Aim for roughly 238 miles and 4.7 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Appalachia, VA
Aim for roughly 238 miles and 4.7 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 105 miles from Virginia Beach, VA.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 64 for about 181.4 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 24
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 95.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
0 mi into trip|~0m in|US 60 / Pacific Avenue
Turn right onto US 60 / Pacific Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
8
11.4 mi into trip|~15m in
Take the exit toward I 64 West, US 13: Newtown Road, Richmond, Military Highway
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 15-14-13
Toward I 64 West, US 13: Newtown Road, Richmond...
9
12.7 mi into trip|~18m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 64 West: Norfolk International Airport, Hampton, Richmond
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 14B
Toward I 64 West: Norfolk International Airport...
8
95.4 mi into trip|~1h 56m in
Take the exit toward I 295, US 60: Washington, Rocky Mount NC
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 200
Toward I 295, US 60: Washington, Rocky Mount NC
7
95.8 mi into trip|~1h 57m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 295 North: Washington
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 295 North: Washington
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$75.76 one way
$151.52 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg167 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.41
$82.60
$165.20
premium
$4.78
$89.62
$179.23
diesel
$5.35
$100.32
$200.65
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$76
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$206–$316
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 166.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $50 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
142.9
1
$50.01
$22.86
Efficient EV
119.1
1
$41.68
$19.05
EV Truck/SUV
190.5
2
$66.68
$30.48
Gas CO2
167 kg
EV CO2
56 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Virginia Beach, VA
Afternoon
in Virginia Beach on Wednesday
Local time
3:00 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Partly Cloudy
SW 12 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Appalachia, VA
Afternoon
in Appalachia on Wednesday
Local time
3:00 PM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Mostly Cloudy
0 mph7% chanceLive 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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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
5 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
9h 20m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
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 49.3
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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 32.9
Booker T. Washington was born a slave in April 1856 on the 207-acre farm of James Burroughs. After the Civil War, Washington became the first principal of Tuskegee Normal and Industrial School. Later...
23 mi from route
~57 min detour
Free
near mile 279.2
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
~68 min detour
Free
near mile 98.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 80% of the route utilizing major interstates like I 64 and I 81. You'll encounter a significant uninterrupted stretch of 181.4 miles on I 64, which will likely be your longest single driving segment. The character of the road is predominantly fast-paced interstate travel, allowing for consistent progress. As you move westward, the landscape will gradually change, but the primary driving experience remains on these efficient, high-speed roadways.
80% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
38 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 181.4 mi on I 64.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and I 81. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 60 / Pacific Avenue.
Driving Effort9/10
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 24 significant decision points across 476.3 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: near the start (US 60 / Pacific Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 11.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
2,605 ft9 ft
Total Climb
3,001 ft
Total Descent
1,369 ft
Highest Point
2,605 ft
~374.3 mi in
Elevation Range
2,597 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Virginia Beach, VA and Appalachia, VA, road signs point toward Rocky Mount and Holston Dam.
Appalachia is a broad term with many meanings. The Appalachian Mountains extend from Labrador in Canada to Alabama in the southern United States.
In the United States, the Appalachian Region (capitalized) refers to a region of thirteen states from New York to Mississippi designated by the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC). ARC's definition includes parts of Mississippi lowland and excludes parts of the Virginian highlands, for various political and economic reasons. Appalachian culture is most often associated with Southern Appalachia, from Georgia to West Virginia. West Virginia is the only state entirely within the Appalachian Region.
Top landmarks
•Stonega Historic District — historic district in Virginia, United States
The longest stretch is about 181.4 miles on I 64. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 238 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 34 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Appalachia, 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 34 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 60 / Pacific Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 11.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Colonial National Historical Park, Fort Monroe National Monument and Booker T Washington National Monument (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 9.3 hours each way, a round trip means 18.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Appalachia, VA before the return drive.
