Virginia Beach to Gordonsville is 172.3 miles and takes about 3 hours 26 minutes via I 64 and Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, with a fuel budget near $26 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Virginia's Southeast region, making it a straightforward drive. You'll spend a good portion of your time on the highway, so if you're looking for a quick connection between these two points without much fuss, this route will get you there efficiently. It's designed for a single day of travel, allowing you to reach your destination with plenty of time left.
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
86.2 miles from Virginia Beach, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 46m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
101.3 mi
1h 50m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
22.6 mi
24m
Hampton Roads Beltway
17.7 mi
24m
James Madison Highway
10.8 mi
15m
Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway
10.6 mi
14m
Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
3.5 mi
4m
22nd Street
0.5 mi
<1m
Martinsburg Avenue
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 101.3 mi, about 1h 50m
Traffic on I-64
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 135 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,520 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,037
Quietest
2 AM
~148 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
17×
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 Gordonsville, 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
40 mi·43 min·I 64
Toward I 64 West: CharlottesvilleUse the slight right lane.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
Toward US 15: Gordonsville, PalmyraUse the slight right lane.
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward US 15: Gordonsville, Palmyra
19
Turn straight onto US 15
11 mi·15 min·James Madison Highway
20
Continue on US 15; US 33
0.4 mi·34 sec·Martinsburg Avenue
21
Continue on US 15; US 33
0.3 mi·33 sec·South Main Street
22
Turn left onto West King Street
45 ft·2 sec·West King Street
23
Arrive at destination
West King Street
Trip Plan
For this 1-day trip, departing in the morning is your best bet to maximize daylight. With a driving time of just over 3.5 hours, you can easily complete this route in one go. The estimated fuel cost is around $26, so be sure to fill up before you leave or at a convenient point along I 64. Since the drive is relatively short, you have the flexibility to make a brief stop if needed, but there's no need to plan for an overnight stay.
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 86.2 miles from Virginia Beach, VA, or about 1h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 101.3 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 38 miles or 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 86.2 miles or 1h 46m 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 48m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gordonsville, 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 172.3 miles and 3h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 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 64 for about 101.3 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 15
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
$27.37 one way
$54.74 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg60 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$29.85
$59.69
premium
$4.78
$32.42
$64.85
diesel
$6.18
$41.92
$83.83
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 60.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
51.7
0
$18.09
$8.27
Efficient EV
43.1
0
$15.08
$6.89
EV Truck/SUV
68.9
0
$24.12
$11.03
Gas CO2
60 kg
EV CO2
20 kg (67% 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 Oct 18, 2026
Origin
Virginia Beach, VA
Morning
in Virginia Beach on Monday
Local time
10:07 AM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Mostly Cloudy
N 28 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 18 at 3:26AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Charleston WV
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued October 18 at 2:56AM EDT until October 19 at 10:00PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Destination
Gordonsville, VA
Morning
in Gordonsville on Monday
Local time
10:07 AM
EDT
Current temp
36°F
Clear
N 6 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 18 at 3:26AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Charleston WV
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued October 18 at 2:56AM EDT until October 19 at 10:00PM 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.
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
15 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
3h 26m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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...
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
$15
near mile 53.5
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...
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
~64 min detour
Free
near mile 95.1
Just 75 miles from the bustle of Washington, D.C., Shenandoah National Park is a land bursting with cascading waterfalls, spectacular vistas, fields of wildflowers, and quiet wooded hollows. With over...
29 mi from route
~72 min detour
$30
near mile 172.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is 65% highway, meaning you'll be on major interstates for a significant part of the drive. The longest continuous stretch on I 64 spans 101.3 miles, offering a good period of uninterrupted cruising. After the highway portions, you'll transition to surface roads. Expect frequent exits and merging traffic as you navigate the initial and final segments of your trip.
65% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 101.3 mi on I 64.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway. 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 15 significant decision points across 172.3 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
482 ft9 ft
Total Climb
523 ft
Total Descent
50 ft
Highest Point
482 ft
~172.3 mi in
Elevation Range
473 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 Gordonsville, VA, road signs point toward Richmond, Military Highway, Hampton, Rocky Mount and Palmyra.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 26m. Total distance: 172.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 26m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 101.3 miles on I 64. 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 Gordonsville, 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 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 Petersburg National Battlefield (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Gordonsville, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
