Virginia Beach to Big Stone Gap is 474.2 miles and takes about 9h 13m via I 64 and I 81, with a fuel budget near $73 and requires an overnight stop. This trip takes you across the state of Virginia, moving from the Southeast region's coastal plains to its mountainous western edge. Given the duration, it's definitely best split over two days. You'll spend most of your time on major interstates, making it a straightforward drive for covering significant distance.
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
237.1 miles from Virginia Beach, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 32m 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 209 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,248 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,733
Quietest
2 AM
~130 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
17.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 105 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 Big Stone Gap, 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
8.0 mi·11 min·Norton Coeburn Road
30
Take the exit onto US 58 ALT
0.3 mi·33 sec·US 58 ALT
Toward VA 23 South, VA 58 West Alternate
31
Merge onto US 23; US 58 ALT
8.5 mi·10 min·Orby Cantrell Highway
32
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Toward SR 610: Big Stone Gap
33
Turn right onto SR 610
0.2 mi·35 sec·Powell Valley Road
34
Enter roundabout onto SR 610
67 ft·1 sec·Powell Valley Road
35
Continue on SR 610
0.3 mi·32 sec·Powell Valley Road
36
Continue on SR 610
0.2 mi·29 sec·4th Avenue East
37
Arrive at destination
SR 610
Trip Plan
With a drive time of over 9 hours, planning for two days is essential. You'll want to leave Virginia Beach early on day one to maximize your driving time and reach a comfortable stopping point. Consider breaking the trip roughly in half, aiming for a midway town around the 4.5-hour mark. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially as you get further west, as services might become less frequent. The longest stretch without a significant break is over 181 miles on I 64, so plan your stops accordingly.
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 237.1 miles from Virginia Beach, VA, or about 4h 32m 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 104 miles or 2h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 237.1 miles or 4h 32m 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 237.1 miles or 4h 32m
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 46m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Big Stone Gap, 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 237 miles and 4.6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Big Stone Gap, VA
Aim for roughly 237 miles and 4.6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 104 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
$75.33 one way
$150.66 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg166 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$82.14
$164.29
premium
$4.78
$89.24
$178.48
diesel
$6.18
$115.36
$230.72
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$75
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$205–$315
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 165.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $50 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
142.3
1
$49.79
$22.76
Efficient EV
118.6
1
$41.49
$18.97
EV Truck/SUV
189.7
2
$66.39
$30.35
Gas CO2
166 kg
EV CO2
55 kg (67% 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 Oct 18, 2026
Origin
Virginia Beach, VA
Late night
in Virginia Beach on Monday
Local time
5:20 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Mostly Sunny
NE 26 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued October 18 at 10:07AM EDT until October 19 at 10:00PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Coastal Flood Watch
Coastal Flood Watch issued October 18 at 5:36AM EDT until October 21 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Destination
Big Stone Gap, VA
Late night
in Big Stone Gap on Monday
Local time
5:20 AM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Sunny
E 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued October 18 at 10:07AM EDT until October 19 at 10:00PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Coastal Flood Watch
Coastal Flood Watch issued October 18 at 5:36AM EDT until October 21 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
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
3 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
9h 13m 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
~8 min detour
$15
near mile 49.1
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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 32.7
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
~58 min detour
Free
near mile 294.3
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 98.1
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 81% of the drive on interstates. You'll experience a long stretch of 181.4 miles on I 64 before transitioning to I 81. Expect frequent exits and varying traffic density as you move across the state. The latter part of the drive may involve more rural cruising as you approach the Appalachian region.
81% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
37 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?
10/10
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 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 24 significant decision points across 474.2 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
Gently rolling terrain
2,530 ft9 ft
Total Climb
2,855 ft
Total Descent
1,325 ft
Highest Point
2,530 ft
~372.5 mi in
Elevation Range
2,521 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 Big Stone Gap, VA, road signs point toward Rocky Mount and Holston Dam.
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 237 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 Big Stone Gap, 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 9.2 hours each way, a round trip means 18.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Big Stone Gap, VA before the return drive.
