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Trip from Virginia Beach, VA to Centreville, VA

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jun 3, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 10m

Distance

202.3 mi

326 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$32

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
3h 57m ★
6 AM
4h 10m
8 AM
4h 36m
10 AM
4h 19m
12 PM
4h 17m
3 PM
4h 21m
5 PM
4h 35m
8 PM
4h 2m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Virginia Beach, VA, VA

Virginia Beach, VA

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Centreville, VA, VA

Centreville, VA

Mario Spencer

Trip Overview

Virginia Beach to Centreville is 202 miles and takes about 4 hours 10 minutes via I-95 and I-64, with a fuel budget near $34 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Virginia, connecting two points in the Southeast region. You'll be mostly on major interstates, making for a straightforward drive. With a recommended single day, this route is ideal for a quick transition between these two locations. Consider this a practical hop rather than a scenic exploration.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

101.1 miles from Virginia Beach, VA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 4m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 95 66 mi 1h 13m
I 64 61.1 mi 1h 7m
Hampton Roads Beltway 17.7 mi 24m
Dumfries Road 13.9 mi 20m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway 11.9 mi 12m
Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway 10.6 mi 14m
Centreville Road 5.4 mi 10m
Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel 3.5 mi 4m
Longest stretch: I 95 — 66 mi, about 1h 13m

Traffic on I-95

Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 45 FHWA count stations on your route.

Peak

4 PM

~3,112 veh/hr typical · worst 3,853

Quietest

2 AM

~490 veh/hr

Peak-to-quiet ratio

6.4×

busier at peak than in the quiet hours

12a 6a noon 6p 11p

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 Centreville, 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 15-14-13 Toward I 64 West, US 13: Newtown Road, Richmond, Military Highway Use 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 14B Toward I 64 West: Norfolk International Airport, Hampton, Richmond Use 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 200 Toward I 295, US 60: Washington, Rocky Mount NC Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Keep slight right at fork

1.3 mi · 2 min
Toward I 295 North: Washington Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Merge onto I 295

12 mi · 12 min · Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
15

Take the exit

2.4 mi · 2 min
Exit 43A Toward I 95 North: Washington Use the slight left lane.
16

Merge onto I 95

46 mi · 49 min · I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Keep slight right at fork onto I 95; US 17

1.6 mi · 1 min · I 95; US 17
18

Keep slight left at fork

1.0 mi · 1 min
19

Merge onto I 95

19 mi · 21 min · I 95
Use the slight left lane.
20

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 41 sec
Exit 152B Toward VA 234 North: Manassas Use the right lane.
21

Continue on VA 234

14 mi · 20 min · Dumfries Road
22

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 45 sec
23

Merge onto VA 294

1.7 mi · 2 min · Prince William Parkway
24

Continue on Liberia Avenue

1.7 mi · 4 min · Liberia Avenue
25

Turn right onto VA 28

5.4 mi · 10 min · Centreville Road
Use the left lane.
26

Turn right onto SR 898

0.4 mi · 1 min · Old Centreville Road
27

Continue on SR 620

0.1 mi · 23 sec · Braddock Road
28

Turn right onto SR 670

18 ft · 0 sec · Mount Gilead Road
29

Arrive at destination

SR 670

Trip Plan

Given the 4 hour 10 minute duration, leaving Virginia Beach in the morning is your best bet to avoid heavier traffic, especially as you approach the Washington D.C. metro area near Centreville. Plan for one stop to break up the drive, perhaps around the halfway mark. The fuel cost is estimated at $34, so ensure your tank is full before departing. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility; however, be mindful of the 66-mile stretch on I-95 to manage your fuel levels accordingly.

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 101.1 miles from Virginia Beach, VA, or about 2h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 66 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 45 miles or 1h 1m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 101.1 miles or 2h 4m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 15m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Centreville, 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 202.3 miles and 4h 10m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 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 I 95 for about 66 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Richmond, VA, VA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Richmond, VA

101 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

Poquoson, VA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 45 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Richmond, VA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 101.1 miles from Virginia Beach, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 95 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 66 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

Ladysmith Safety Rest Area North

0.1 mi from route

Ladysmith Safety Rest Area south

0.1 mi from route

TA

0.1 mi from route

Virginia Welcome Center

0.1 mi from route

Flying J Travel Center

0.2 mi from route

TA

0.2 mi from route

Love's Travel Stop

0.3 mi from route

Flying J Travel Center

0.3 mi from route

Mr. Fuel Travel Center

0.3 mi from route

Love's Travel Stop

0.3 mi from route

Pilot Travel Center

0.4 mi from route

Dale City Car-Only Safety Rest Area South

1 mi from route

Dale City Car-Only Safety Rest Area North

1.1 mi from route

Service Plaza

1.6 mi from route

Manassas Safety/Rest Area West

2.4 mi from route

Manassas Safety/Rest Area East

2.4 mi from route

Rest Area

2.5 mi from route

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 21

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

$32.18 one way

$64.35 round trip

$4.04/gal 25.4 MPG avg 71 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.41 $35.08 $70.17
premium $4.78 $38.06 $76.13
diesel $5.35 $42.61 $85.22

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$32

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$57–$82

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 70.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.

Driving Electric?

About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 60.7 0 $21.24 $9.71
Efficient EV 50.6 0 $17.70 $8.09
EV Truck/SUV 80.9 1 $28.32 $12.95

Gas CO2

71 kg

EV CO2

24 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 Jun 1, 2026

Origin

Virginia Beach, VA

Afternoon in Virginia Beach on Wednesday

Local time

4:38 PM

EDT

Current temp

76°F

Partly Sunny

NE 9 mph 11% chance Live forecast

Destination

Centreville, VA

Afternoon in Centreville on Wednesday

Local time

4:38 PM

EDT

Current temp

79°F

Partly Sunny

N 8 mph 1% chance 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

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

4h 10m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

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

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...

1 mi from route ~3 min detour Free near mile 27.9
Park Closure: Road Closure and Fishing Pier Impact
View on nps.gov
Colonial National Historical Park

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 48.8
View on nps.gov
Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail

Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail

National Scenic Trail

The Potomac River corridor is rich in both history and recreation, offering a chance to both explore your heritage and choose your adventure along the way. Start your journey here!

22 mi from route ~55 min detour Free near mile 202.3
View on nps.gov
Petersburg National Battlefield

Petersburg National Battlefield

National Battlefield

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 97.7
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

This route is predominantly highway driving, with 69% of the trip on interstates. Expect a longest stretch of 66 miles on I-95 before needing to navigate exits or changes. The majority of your time will be spent on these high-speed corridors, so anticipate consistent cruising with frequent on- and off-ramps as you approach more populated areas. The profile is mostly highway, indicating minimal time on surface roads.

69% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 66 mi on I 95.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and I 64. 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 Effort 10/10

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 21 significant decision points across 202.3 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

Mostly flat terrain

416 ft 9 ft

Total Climb

623 ft

Total Descent

272 ft

Highest Point

416 ft

~187.8 mi in

Elevation Range

407 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 Centreville, VA, road signs point toward Richmond, Military Highway, Hampton and Rocky Mount.

Richmond

11.4 mi in | ~15m

Military Highway

11.4 mi in | ~15m

Hampton

12.7 mi in | ~18m

Rocky Mount

95.4 mi in | ~1h 56m

About the Cities

Starting in Virginia Beach, VA

Full guide →

“The Resort City” · Founded 1906

Virginia Beach is a resort city in southeast Virginia on the shores of the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean.

Top landmarks

  • Cavalier Hotel — historic hotel in Virginia Beach, Virginia, U.S.A.
  • Adam Thoroughgood House — historic house in Virginia, United States
  • Woodhouse House — architectural structure

Arriving in Centreville, VA

Full guide →

Centreville is an unincorporated city in Fairfax County. The population was 71,000 in 2010. This article also covers the nearby town of Clifton and its surrounding area.

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 4h 10m. Total distance: 202.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 10m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 66 miles on I 95. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — we found about 19 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 Centreville, 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. There are 19 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 — Fort Monroe National Monument, Colonial National Historical Park and Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Possible but tiring. At 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Centreville, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.

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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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