Virginia Beach to Purcellville is 232.6 miles and takes about 4h 52m via I-95, with a fuel budget near $36 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive takes you from the Southeast region of Virginia to another part of the same state, primarily utilizing major interstate highways for a straightforward trip. Expect a mostly highway experience for the majority of your travel time. This route is best suited for a single-day journey, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop.
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
116.3 miles from Virginia Beach, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 20m 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
14.2 mi
20m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
11.9 mi
12m
Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway
10.6 mi
14m
James Monroe Highway
10.4 mi
14m
James Madison Highway
8 mi
11m
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
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 Purcellville, 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
12 mi·12 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
15
Take the exit
2.4 mi·2 min
Exit 43AToward I 95 North: WashingtonUse 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 152BToward VA 234 North: ManassasUse the right lane.
21
Continue on VA 234
14 mi·20 min·Dumfries Road
22
Continue on VA 234
7.8 mi·10 min·Prince William Parkway
Use the left lane.
23
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward I 66 West: Front RoyalUse the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Continue on this road
0.9 mi·2 min·this road
Toward I 66 West: Front Royal
25
Merge onto I 66
3.3 mi·3 min·I 66
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
Exit 40Toward US 15: Haymarket, LeesburgUse the slight right lane.
27
Keep slight right at fork
255 ft·6 sec
Toward US 15 North, SR 2502: Leesburg, Heathcote BoulevardUse the right lane.
28
Turn right onto US 15
8.0 mi·11 min·James Madison Highway
Use the straight lane.
29
Continue on US 15
2.3 mi·3 min·James Monroe Highway
30
Enter roundabout onto US 15
115 ft·1 sec·James Monroe Highway
31
Continue on US 15
0.3 mi·38 sec·James Monroe Highway
32
Enter roundabout onto US 15
181 ft·2 sec·James Monroe Highway
33
Continue on US 15
7.8 mi·10 min·James Monroe Highway
34
Turn left onto SR 704
5.5 mi·9 min·Harmony Church Road
35
At end of road, turn left onto VA 7 BUS
2.1 mi·4 min·East Colonial Highway
36
Enter roundabout onto VA 7 BUS
67 ft·1 sec·East Main Street
37
Continue on VA 7 BUS
1.2 mi·3 min·East Main Street
38
Arrive at destination
VA 7 BUS
Trip Plan
For this 4h 52m drive, departing early in the morning, perhaps around 8 AM, should allow you to avoid the worst of any potential traffic, especially as you navigate around the Hampton Roads Beltway. With only one recommended stop and a total distance of 232.6 miles, you can easily complete this trip in a single day. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the estimated cost is $36, and plan your refueling before you get too low, particularly during the 66-mile stretch on I-95. The flexibility of a single-day drive means you can adjust your timing as needed.
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 116.3 miles from Virginia Beach, VA, or about 2h 20m 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 51 miles or 1h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 116.3 miles or 2h 20m 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 48m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Purcellville, 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 232.6 miles and 4h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 26
5 decision points cluster between mile 11.4 and 205.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
8
205.2 mi into trip|~4h 8m in
Take the exit toward US 15: Haymarket, Leesburg
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 40
Toward US 15: Haymarket, Leesburg
9
205.4 mi into trip|~4h 9m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 15 North, SR 2502: Leesburg, Heathcote Boulevard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward US 15 North, SR 2502: Leesburg, Heathcot...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.00 one way
$73.99 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg81 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.41
$40.34
$80.68
premium
$4.78
$43.76
$87.53
diesel
$5.35
$48.99
$97.99
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 81.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
69.8
0
$24.42
$11.16
Efficient EV
58.2
0
$20.35
$9.30
EV Truck/SUV
93
1
$32.56
$14.89
Gas CO2
81 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Purcellville, VA
Afternoon
in Purcellville on Wednesday
Local time
2:59 PM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Partly Cloudy
NW 3 mph0% chanceLive forecast
82°F
Bowling Green, VA
116 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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 52m 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.
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...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
$15
near mile 48.1
Park Closure: Jamestown Island Loop Drive to Temporarily Close to Vehicles
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...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 24.1
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!
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
Free
near mile 224.6
At the confluence of the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers, on the ancestral home of the Tuscarora and Shawnee people, lies Harpers Ferry. Here you can explore John Brown's Raid against slavery. Find your...
13 mi from route
~32 min detour
$20
near mile 232.6
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 96.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is mostly highway, with 64% of the 232.6 miles on interstates like I-95 and I-64. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 66 miles on I-95, which means extended periods of consistent highway cruising. The remaining 36% of the drive will be on surface roads, likely involving more frequent exits and potentially slower speeds as you approach your destination.
64% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
38 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 around 11.4 miles in.
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 26 significant decision points across 232.6 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: 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; at 95.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
559 ft9 ft
Total Climb
628 ft
Total Descent
78 ft
Highest Point
559 ft
~232.6 mi in
Elevation Range
550 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 Purcellville, VA, road signs point toward Military Highway, Hampton, Richmond, Rocky Mount and Leesburg.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 52m. Total distance: 232.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 52m 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 17 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 Purcellville, 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 17 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: 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; at 95.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Colonial National Historical Park, Fort Monroe National Monument and Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail (5 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Purcellville, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
