Virginia Beach to Coeburn is 455.8 miles and takes about 8h 48m via I 64 and I 81, with a fuel budget near $77 and enough daylight to finish in a day, though it's best split over two days. This route takes you from the Southeast region of Virginia to the Southeast region of Virginia, covering a significant portion of the state. With an 84% highway share, expect much of your travel to be on interstates, making for efficient driving. This trip is a solid choice if you're looking for a straightforward drive across Virginia, primarily using major highways.
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
227.9 miles from Virginia Beach, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 22m 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
11.1 mi
15m
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 Coeburn, 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
11 mi·15 min·Castlewood Drive
29
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward VA 72 South
30
Turn right onto VA 72
483 ft·16 sec·VA 72
31
Turn left onto VA 72; VA 158
0.3 mi·36 sec·Front Street East
32
Turn right onto High Avenue Northeast
289 ft·14 sec·High Avenue Northeast
33
Turn right onto 2nd Street Northeast
121 ft·5 sec·2nd Street Northeast
34
Turn right
86 ft·6 sec
35
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
With an estimated drive time of 8 hours and 48 minutes, it's highly recommended to split this trip over two days to avoid fatigue. Aim to leave Virginia Beach early in the morning to maximize your first day's driving, perhaps covering around 200-250 miles. The fuel cost is estimated at $77, so factor that into your budget. You'll have two recommended stops along the way, which are good opportunities to refuel and stretch your legs. Pay attention to your fuel gauge, especially as you get further from the major interstate hubs on I 81.
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 227.9 miles from Virginia Beach, VA, or about 4h 22m 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 100 miles or 2h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 227.9 miles or 4h 22m 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 227.9 miles or 4h 22m
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 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Coeburn, 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 228 miles and 4.4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Coeburn, VA
Aim for roughly 228 miles and 4.4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 100 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 25
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
$72.50 one way
$144.99 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg160 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.41
$79.05
$158.09
premium
$4.78
$85.76
$171.52
diesel
$5.35
$96.01
$192.01
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$73
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$203–$313
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 159.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $48 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
136.7
1
$47.86
$21.88
Efficient EV
114
1
$39.88
$18.23
EV Truck/SUV
182.3
2
$63.81
$29.17
Gas CO2
159 kg
EV CO2
53 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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Virginia Beach, VA
Afternoon
in Virginia Beach on Wednesday
Local time
2:59 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Partly Cloudy
SW 12 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Coeburn, VA
Afternoon
in Coeburn on Wednesday
Local time
2:59 PM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Partly Cloudy
0 mph8% 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
8h 48m 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.
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...
4 mi from route
~9 min detour
Free
near mile 31.4
Park Closure: Road Closure and Fishing Pier Impact
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...
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...
21 mi from route
~51 min detour
Free
near mile 282.9
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...
26 mi from route
~65 min detour
Free
near mile 94.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway, with 84% of the 455.8 miles on interstates like I 64 and I 81. You'll encounter your longest continuous stretch of highway driving for 181.4 miles on I 64. The transition to surface roads will occur later in the trip, as you move away from the main interstate corridors. Expect a mix of efficient interstate cruising and potentially more local traffic as you approach your destination.
84% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
35 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 25 significant decision points across 455.8 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 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
2,184 ft9 ft
Total Climb
3,311 ft
Total Descent
1,331 ft
Highest Point
2,184 ft
~358.1 mi in
Elevation Range
2,175 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 Coeburn, 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 228 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 Coeburn, 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 — Fort Monroe National Monument, Colonial National Historical Park 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 8.8 hours each way, a round trip means 17.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Coeburn, VA before the return drive.
