Waynesboro, VA to Virginia Beach, VA is 202.8 miles and takes about 3h 56m via I 64, with a fuel budget near $31 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Southeast region and entirely within Virginia, making it a straightforward drive. Expect a largely highway experience, which means getting to your destination efficiently. It's a common route for those heading to the coast, and with a driving time under four hours, it's easily manageable as a single-day 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
101.4 miles from Waynesboro, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 54m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
144.3 mi
2h 39m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
22.9 mi
25m
Hampton Roads Beltway
12 mi
15m
Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway
11.8 mi
16m
Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
3.5 mi
4m
West Main Street
2.1 mi
4m
Three Notched Mountain Highway
1.7 mi
2m
21st Street
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 144.3 mi, about 2h 39m
Traffic on I-64
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 95 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,384 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,820
Quietest
2 AM
~134 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
17.8×
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 Waynesboro, VA and Virginia Beach, 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 177Toward I 295 North: Washington, NorfolkUse 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 28AToward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia BeachUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 64
67 mi·1 hr 15 min·I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64; US 60
342 ft·5 sec·Hampton Roads Beltway
12
Continue on I 64; US 60
3.5 mi·4 min·Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
13
Continue on I 64; US 60
12 mi·15 min·Hampton Roads Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·14 sec
Exit 284AToward I 264 East, I 264 West: Va Beach, Downtown Norfolk, PortsmouthUse the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 264 East: Va BeachUse the straight / slight left lanes.
16
Merge onto I 264
12 mi·16 min·Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway
17
Continue on 21st Street
0.4 mi·54 sec·21st Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Turn left onto Arctic Avenue
0.3 mi·46 sec·Arctic Avenue
Use the left lane.
19
Turn right onto 25th Street
454 ft·12 sec·25th Street
20
Arrive at destination
25th Street
Trip Plan
Given the sub-four-hour drive time, leaving in the morning from Waynesboro will give you ample daylight to reach Virginia Beach. The 202.8-mile distance means you likely won't need more than one brief stop for fuel or a quick break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longest stretch of 144.3 miles on I 64, as services can be spaced out on interstates. The estimated fuel cost of $31 is a helpful budgeting tool for this trip.
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 101.4 miles from Waynesboro, VA, or about 1h 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 144.3 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 45 miles or 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 101.4 miles or 1h 54m 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 8m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Virginia Beach, 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 202.8 miles and 3h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 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 144.3 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 4 and 189.6 — 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
8
189.5 mi into trip|~3h 37m in
Take the exit toward I 264 East, I 264 West: Va Beach, Downtown Norfolk, Portsmouth
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 284A
Toward I 264 East, I 264 West: Va Beach, Downto...
7
189.6 mi into trip|~3h 37m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 264 East: Va Beach
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward I 264 East: Va Beach
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.94 one way
$59.88 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg71 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$32.90
$65.81
premium
$4.49
$35.87
$71.73
diesel
$4.80
$38.29
$76.58
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 71 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
60.8
0
$21.29
$9.73
Efficient EV
50.7
0
$17.75
$8.11
EV Truck/SUV
81.1
1
$28.39
$12.98
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 Jul 19, 2026
Origin
Waynesboro, VA
Morning
in Waynesboro on Sunday
Local time
7:13 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Mostly Cloudy
W 8 mph9% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Virginia Beach, VA
Morning
in Virginia Beach on Sunday
Local time
7:13 AM
EDT
Current temp
79°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 15 mph34% 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.
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
7 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 56m 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.
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...
2 mi from route
~4 min detour
Free
near mile 174.9
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...
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
~66 min detour
Free
near mile 104.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway, with 77% of the 202.8 miles on major roadways like I 64. You'll encounter a long stretch of 144.3 miles on I 64 before transitioning. Expect the highway driving to feel consistent for the majority of the trip, with fewer turns and more direct travel. The transition from highway to surface roads will likely involve a noticeable increase in local traffic and frequent exits as you approach your destination.
77% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 144.3 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 around 4 miles in.
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 13 significant decision points across 202.8 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: 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.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,294 ft-1 ft
Total Climb
66 ft
Total Descent
1,351 ft
Highest Point
1,294 ft
Elevation Range
1,295 ft
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 Virginia Beach, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk and Portsmouth.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 56m. Total distance: 202.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (77%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 144.3 miles on I 64. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 10 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 Virginia Beach, 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 10 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 — Fort Monroe National Monument, Colonial National Historical Park and Petersburg National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Virginia Beach, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
