This 143.8-mile journey from Virginia Beach to Bracey, Virginia, is a manageable one-day trip taking approximately 3 hours and 9 minutes. You'll navigate through the Southeast region of Virginia, primarily using roads like Portsmouth Boulevard and the Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway. With a projected fuel cost of around $22 and just one recommended stop, this drive offers a straightforward experience. Its relatively short duration makes it ideal for a day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. The mixed drive profile means you'll encounter a variety of road types, keeping things interesting.
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
71.9 miles from Virginia Beach, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 33m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Portsmouth Boulevard
62.1 mi
1h 21m
Governor Harrison Parkway
22.5 mi
30m
Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway
12.1 mi
16m
I 85
7.9 mi
8m
Pleasant Shade Drive
6.3 mi
8m
Courtland Road
5.2 mi
7m
Hampton Roads Beltway
4.2 mi
5m
Highway 58
3.5 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
Portsmouth Boulevard
— 62.1 mi, about 1h 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Virginia Beach, VA and Bracey, 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
12 mi·16 min·Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.4 mi·53 sec
Toward I 64 East: Chesapeake, SuffolkUse the slight left lane.
6
Merge onto I 64
1.4 mi·1 min·Hampton Roads Beltway
7
Keep slight left at fork
2.0 mi·2 min
8
Merge onto I 64
0.3 mi·21 sec·Hampton Roads Beltway
9
Keep slight left at fork
4.5 mi·4 min
10
Merge onto I 64; US 17
0.4 mi·33 sec·Hampton Roads Beltway
11
Keep slight left at fork
5.7 mi·6 min
12
Merge onto I 64
1.1 mi·1 min·Hampton Roads Beltway
13
Continue on I 664
1.0 mi·1 min·Hampton Roads Beltway
Exit 299BToward I 664, US 13, US 58, US 460: Suffolk, Newport News, Richmond
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·54 sec
Exit 13A-BToward US 13, US 58, US 460, VA 191 North: Suffolk, Military HighwayUse the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
16
Continue on US 13; US 58; US 460
2.4 mi·3 min·West Military Highway
17
Continue on US 13; US 58; US 460
62 mi·1 hr 21 min·Portsmouth Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Continue on US 58
5.2 mi·7 min·Courtland Road
19
Continue on US 58
6.3 mi·8 min·Pleasant Shade Drive
20
Continue on US 58
23 mi·30 min·Governor Harrison Parkway
21
Continue on US 58
1.2 mi·2 min·Piney Pond Road
22
Continue on US 58
3.5 mi·5 min·Highway 58
23
Continue on US 58
0.9 mi·1 min·East Atlantic Street
24
Take the exit
0.3 mi·34 sec
Toward I 85 South: Durham
25
Merge onto I 85
7.9 mi·8 min·I 85
26
Take the exit
0.2 mi·35 sec
Toward SR 903: Bracey, Lake Gaston
27
Turn left onto SR 903
0.6 mi·1 min·SR 903
28
Continue on Bracey Drive
0.2 mi·36 sec·Bracey Drive
29
Arrive at destination
Bracey Drive
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour duration, leaving Virginia Beach in the morning allows ample time to reach Bracey without feeling rushed. Plan for one stop to break up the 143.8 miles, perhaps around the halfway point, to stretch your legs and refuel if needed. The estimated fuel cost of $22 is quite reasonable for this distance. A practical tip for this route is to be mindful of traffic on Portsmouth Boulevard, especially during peak commuting hours, as it can extend your travel time beyond the estimated 3 hours and 9 minutes. This flexibility makes it easy to adjust your schedule.
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 71.9 miles from Virginia Beach, VA, or about 1h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 62.1 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 32 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 71.9 miles or 1h 33m 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 34m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bracey, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Virginia Beach, VA
This is one driving day of about 143.8 miles and 3h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from Virginia Beach, 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 Portsmouth Boulevard for about 62.1 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 142.8 — 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.
6
0.3 mi into trip|~0m in|22nd Street
Turn right onto 22nd Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
12.9 mi into trip|~18m in
Take the exit toward I 64 East: Chesapeake, Suffolk
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 64 East: Chesapeake, Suffolk
8
29.7 mi into trip|~37m in
Take the exit toward US 13, US 58, US 460, VA 191 North: Suffolk, 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 13A-B
Toward US 13, US 58, US 460, VA 191 North: Suff...
5
142.8 mi into trip|~3h 7m in
Take the exit toward SR 903: Bracey, Lake Gaston
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward SR 903: Bracey, Lake Gaston
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.49 one way
$44.97 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg50 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$24.59
$49.18
premium
$4.70
$26.61
$53.23
diesel
$5.61
$31.75
$63.50
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 50.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
43.1
0
$15.10
$6.90
Efficient EV
36
0
$12.58
$5.75
EV Truck/SUV
57.5
0
$20.13
$9.20
Gas CO2
50 kg
EV CO2
17 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.
Forecast as of Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Virginia Beach, VA
Morning
in Virginia Beach on Tuesday
Local time
6:43 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Bracey, VA
Morning
in Bracey on Tuesday
Local time
6:43 AM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
52°F
Waverly, VA
72 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 9m 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...
15 mi from route
~37 min detour
Free
near mile 14.9
Park Closure: Road Closure and Fishing Pier Impact
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a mixed drive on this route, with 32% of the journey on highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 62.1 miles along Portsmouth Boulevard, offering a consistent pace. As you progress, the road character will shift between faster highway sections and more localized routes. This blend means you'll experience both efficient travel and moments where you'll be more attuned to your surroundings on the less direct segments. It's not a pure interstate cruise, nor is it exclusively backroads, presenting a balanced driving experience.
32% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 62.1 mi on Portsmouth Boulevard.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. 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 17 significant decision points across 143.8 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 0.3 miles (22nd Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 12.9 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 Virginia Beach, VA and Bracey, VA, road signs point toward Suffolk, Newport News, Richmond and Military Highway.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 9m. Total distance: 143.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 62.1 miles on Portsmouth Boulevard. 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 Bracey, 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 (US 60 / Pacific Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.3 miles (22nd Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 12.9 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. 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 6.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Bracey, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
