Crossing the entirety of Virginia from Weber City to Virginia Beach is a significant undertaking, covering 454.5 miles of diverse terrain. Expect to spend approximately 8 hours and 33 minutes behind the wheel, making this a journey best suited for a two-day itinerary rather than a single push. You will primarily utilize I-81, I-64, and the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway to navigate from the Southeast corner of the state toward the coast. Budgeting around $73 for fuel is a smart way to prepare for the trip ahead. While the drive is manageable, breaking it into two days will help you maintain your energy as you transition from the mountainous western region to the coastal plains.
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
227.2 miles from Weber City, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 13m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 81
222.1 mi
4h 2m
I 64
157.1 mi
2h 53m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
22.9 mi
25m
Hampton Roads Beltway
12 mi
15m
Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway
11.8 mi
16m
East Stone Drive
9.7 mi
11m
Bloomingdale Pike
5.1 mi
9m
Wadlow Gap Highway
4.7 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 222.1 mi, about 4h 2m
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 Weber City, VA and Virginia Beach, VA.
1
Start on US 23
0.2 mi·16 sec·Main Street
2
Continue on US 23
1.0 mi·1 min·Main Street
3
Turn right onto US 58; US 421
4.7 mi·5 min·Wadlow Gap Highway
4
Continue on SR 93
0.1 mi·14 sec·North John B Dennis Highway
5
Turn left onto Bloomingdale Pike
5.1 mi·9 min·Bloomingdale Pike
6
Turn right onto Ollis Bowers Hill Road
357 ft·15 sec·Ollis Bowers Hill Road
7
Turn left onto US 11W
9.7 mi·11 min·East Stone Drive
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
9
Merge onto I 81
82 mi·1 hr 28 min·I 81
Use the straight lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81; US 11
140 mi·2 hr 33 min·I 81; US 11
Toward I 81 North, US 11 North: RoanokeUse the straight lane.
11
Continue on I 64; I 81
0.3 mi·17 sec·I 64; I 81
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 64
90 mi·1 hr 38 min·I 64
Toward I 64 East: RichmondUse the straight lane.
13
Take the exit
1.2 mi·1 min
Exit 177Toward I 295 North: Washington, NorfolkUse the slight right lane.
14
Continue on I 295
23 mi·25 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
1.3 mi·2 min
Exit 28AToward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia BeachUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto I 64
67 mi·1 hr 15 min·I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64; US 60
342 ft·5 sec·Hampton Roads Beltway
18
Continue on I 64; US 60
3.5 mi·4 min·Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
19
Continue on I 64; US 60
12 mi·15 min·Hampton Roads Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
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.
21
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 264 East: Va BeachUse the straight / slight left lanes.
22
Merge onto I 264
12 mi·16 min·Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway
23
Continue on 21st Street
0.4 mi·54 sec·21st Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
24
Turn left onto Arctic Avenue
0.3 mi·46 sec·Arctic Avenue
Use the left lane.
25
Turn right onto 25th Street
454 ft·12 sec·25th Street
26
Arrive at destination
25th Street
Trip Plan
To make this 454.5-mile trek more comfortable, plan for at least two intentional stops to stretch your legs and refuel. Since the longest uninterrupted stretch covers over 220 miles, monitor your fuel gauge closely before committing to those long segments on I-81. Leaving early in the morning is your best strategy to avoid fatigue and better manage the 8-hour and 33-minute travel time. If you opt to split the journey over two days, look for lodging options near the midpoint of the route to balance your driving hours. Keeping a small reserve of your $73 fuel budget is also a wise precaution for any unexpected detours or traffic delays you might encounter along the way.
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 227.2 miles from Weber City, VA, or about 4h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 222.1 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 1h 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 227.2 miles or 4h 13m 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 227.2 miles or 4h 13m
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 18m
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 Weber City, 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 Weber City, VA
Aim for roughly 227 miles and 4.3 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Virginia Beach, VA
Aim for roughly 227 miles and 4.3 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 100 miles from Weber City, 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 81 for about 222.1 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 103.4 and 441.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
103.4 mi into trip|~1h 56m in|I 81; US 11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81; US 11 toward I 81 North, US 11 North: Roanoke
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 81 North, US 11 North: Roanoke
7
243.4 mi into trip|~4h 30m in|I 64
Keep slight right at fork onto I 64 toward I 64 East: Richmond
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 64 East: Richmond
8
333.4 mi into trip|~6h 8m 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
357.5 mi into trip|~6h 35m 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
441.1 mi into trip|~8h 13m 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...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$67.10 one way
$134.20 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg159 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$73.74
$147.48
premium
$4.49
$80.38
$160.76
diesel
$4.80
$85.82
$171.64
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$67
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$197–$307
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 159 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $48 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
136.4
1
$47.72
$21.82
Efficient EV
113.6
1
$39.77
$18.18
EV Truck/SUV
181.8
2
$63.63
$29.09
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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Weber City, VA
Night
in Weber City on Saturday
Local time
9:33 PM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Partly Cloudy
NW 0 to 5 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Virginia Beach, VA
Night
in Virginia Beach on Saturday
Local time
9:33 PM
EDT
Current temp
78°F
Mostly Clear
SW 6 to 9 mph1% chanceLive forecast
63°F
Bedford, VA
227 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.
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
8 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
8h 33m 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...
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Free
near mile 423.1
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...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
$15
near mile 407.5
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
~53 min detour
Free
near mile 172.4
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 360.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is a highway-focused drive, with 86% of your route spent on major interstates. You will face a significant stretch of 222.1 miles along I-81, which serves as the backbone of your journey through the state. Because the route relies so heavily on high-speed thoroughfares, the character of the drive is consistent and efficient rather than technical or winding. You should prepare for a steady rhythm behind the wheel as you move from the inland corridor toward the eastern shore. Staying alert is essential during these long interstate segments, as the transition between these major highway systems defines the pacing of your day.
86% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 222.1 mi on I 81.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and I 64. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 103.4 miles in near I 81; US 11.
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 16 significant decision points across 454.5 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 103.4 miles (I 81; US 11): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 243.4 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 333.4 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
2,151 ft9 ft
Total Climb
1,503 ft
Total Descent
2,799 ft
Highest Point
2,151 ft
~64.9 mi in
Elevation Range
2,142 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Weber City, VA to Virginia Beach, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Norfolk along the way.
The longest stretch is about 222.1 miles on I 81. 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 227 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 36 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 36 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 103.4 miles (I 81; US 11): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 243.4 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 333.4 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 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 8.6 hours each way, a round trip means 17.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Virginia Beach, VA before the return drive.
