Origin
Waynesboro, VA
Morning in Waynesboro on Sunday
Local time
9:28 AM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Waynesboro, VA to Newport News, VA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 7m
Distance
165 mi
266 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 56m
★
6 AM
3h 7m
8 AM
3h 31m
10 AM
3h 16m
12 PM
3h 13m
3 PM
3h 17m
5 PM
3h 29m
8 PM
3h 0m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Waynesboro, VA
Eric Joseph
Newport News, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 165-mile drive from Waynesboro, VA to Newport News, VA is easily manageable in a single day, taking approximately 3 hours and 7 minutes. The route is primarily highway-focused, with 81% of the journey on major roads like I-64 and the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway. Given the relatively short duration and straightforward path, it's an ideal day trip, avoiding the need for an overnight stop. Expect a fuel cost of around $26 for this journey. Both your origin and destination are within the Southeast region, so you'll be staying within familiar territory for the entire trip.
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
82.5 miles from Waynesboro, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 33m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 64 | 134.2 mi | 2h 26m |
| Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway | 22.9 mi | 25m |
| West Main Street | 2.1 mi | 4m |
| Three Notched Mountain Highway | 1.7 mi | 2m |
| Diligence Drive | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Thimble Shoals Boulevard | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| J Clyde Morris Boulevard | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| South Wayne Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 134.2 mi, about 2h 26m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waynesboro, VA and Newport News, VA.
1
Start on South Wayne Avenue
42 ft
·
5 sec
·
South Wayne Avenue
2
Turn right onto US 340
2.1 mi
·
4 min
·
West Main Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
3
Continue on US 250
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Three Notched Mountain Highway
4
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
Use the right lane.
5
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Toward I-64 East: Charlottesville
6
Merge onto I 64
77 mi
·
1 hr 24 min
·
I 64
Use the straight lane.
7
Take the exit
1.2 mi
·
1 min
Exit 177
Toward I 295 North: Washington, Norfolk
Use the slight right lane.
8
Continue on I 295
23 mi
·
25 min
·
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
1.3 mi
·
2 min
Exit 28A
Toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 64
57 mi
·
1 hr 2 min
·
I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
Exit 258A
Toward US 17 South: J Clyde Morris Boulevard
Use the slight right lane.
12
Turn straight onto US 17
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
·
J Clyde Morris Boulevard
13
Turn right onto Diligence Drive
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Diligence Drive
14
At end of road, turn right onto Thimble Shoals Boulevard
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
Thimble Shoals Boulevard
15
Turn left
413 ft
·
33 sec
16
At end of road, turn right
82 ft
·
6 sec
17
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
With a total duration of just over 3 hours, this trip offers great flexibility. You can depart anytime and complete it within a single day, so consider leaving in the morning to maximize your time at your destination. The longest stretch without needing to exit is over 134 miles on I-64, so plan your fuel stops accordingly, keeping the approximate $26 fuel cost in mind. While there's only one designated stop mentioned, you'll find plenty of service areas along I-64 for rest breaks. A good tip is to check traffic conditions on I-64 before you depart, as this is a major corridor.
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 82.5 miles from Waynesboro, VA, or about 1h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 134.2 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 36 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 82.5 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 32m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Newport News, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Waynesboro, 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 Waynesboro, VA
This is one driving day of about 165 miles and 3h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 miles from Waynesboro, 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 134.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
83 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 36 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 82.5 miles from Waynesboro, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 64 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 134.2 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 115 decision points cluster between mile 4 and 165 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
4 mi into trip
|
~7m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I-64 East: Charlottesville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I-64 East: Charlottesville
8
81.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 32m in
Take the exit toward I 295 North: Washington, Norfolk
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 177
Toward I 295 North: Washington, Norfolk
8
105.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 59m in
Take the exit toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach
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 28A
Toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach
7
163.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 4m in
Take the exit toward US 17 South: J Clyde Morris Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 258A
Toward US 17 South: J Clyde Morris Boulevard
6
165 mi into trip
|
~3h 7m in
At end of road, turn right
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.80 one way
$51.60 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
58 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $28.21 | $56.42 |
| premium | $4.70 | $30.54 | $61.08 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $36.43 | $72.86 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 57.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 49.5 | 0 | $17.33 | $7.92 |
| Efficient EV | 41.3 | 0 | $14.44 | $6.60 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 66 | 0 | $23.10 | $10.56 |
Gas CO2
58 kg
EV CO2
19 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.
Destination
Newport News, VA
Morning in Newport News on Sunday
Local time
9:28 AM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Mostly Clear
SW 6 to 13 mph
3% chance
Live forecast
53°F
Ashland, VA
83 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
16 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 7m 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...
2 mi from route
~6 min detour
$15
near mile 147.9
Park Closure: Rehabilitation of Colonial Parkway Continues
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...
10 mi from route
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 165
View on nps.gov
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...
26 mi from route
~64 min detour
Free
near mile 108.1
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 a highway-focused drive, with a significant 81% of your travel time spent on major interstates and highways. You'll experience a long, uninterrupted stretch of 134.2 miles primarily on I-64, offering a consistent pace. The journey begins on local roads like West Main Street before transitioning to the faster Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway and then I-64. Expect a steady, efficient drive for the majority of your trip, with minimal interruptions from local traffic once you're on the main thoroughfares.
81% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 134.2 mi on I 64.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
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 around 4 miles in.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 165 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 4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 81.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 105.9 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Waynesboro, VA and Newport News, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk and Virginia Beach.
Norfolk
81.8 mi in
|
~1h 32m
Virginia Beach
105.9 mi in
|
~1h 59m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 7m. Total distance: 165 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (81%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 134.2 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 Newport News, 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: at 4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 81.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 105.9 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 Petersburg National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Newport News, 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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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