Trip from Abingdon, VA to Virginia Beach, VA

Drive Time

7h 48m

Distance

416.4 mi

670 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$67

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 28 min

4 AM

7h 39m ★

6 AM

7h 48m

8 AM

8h 7m

10 AM

7h 55m

12 PM

7h 53m

3 PM

7h 56m

5 PM

8h 6m

8 PM

7h 43m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Abingdon, VA

Mark Stebnicki

Trip Overview

Crossing the width of Virginia from Abingdon to Virginia Beach is a substantial journey covering 416.4 miles. You should plan for approximately 7 hours and 48 minutes of driving time, making this a long but manageable day trip if you are comfortable behind the wheel for a full day. With 90% of the route on highways, including I-81, I-64, and the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, you will primarily traverse the Southeast region from the mountains toward the coast. Budgeting about $67 for fuel is a smart way to prepare for the trip. While it can be done in a single day, breaking the journey into two segments can help you avoid fatigue as you transition from the western interior to the Atlantic coast.

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

2 planned breaks

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

208.2 miles from Abingdon, VA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 48m into the drive .

Drive Character

This trip is a highway-focused drive that prioritizes efficiency over local backroads. You will spend your longest uninterrupted stretch covering 196.9 miles on I-81, which sets the pace for the majority of your travel. Because 90% of the route consists of major interstates and the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, expect a consistent, high-speed experience rather than a winding scenic byway. The road's personality is defined by these long, straight corridors, allowing you to cover significant ground quickly. While the landscape changes as you move across the state, the mechanical nature of the drive remains steady and predictable for the duration of your 416.4-mile trek.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 21 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

I 81 is the longest continuous segment at about 196.9 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

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 65.3 miles in near I 81; US 11.

Route Complexity 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 416.4 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 65.3 miles (I 81; US 11): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 205.3 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 295.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 14 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

65.3 mi into trip | ~1h 11m 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

205.3 mi into trip | ~3h 45m 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 none lane. Toward I 64 East: Richmond

295.3 mi into trip | ~5h 23m 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

319.4 mi into trip | ~5h 50m 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

403 mi into trip | ~7h 28m 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...

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Abingdon, VA to Virginia Beach, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Norfolk along the way.

Norfolk

295.3 mi in | ~5h 23m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 81	196.9 mi	3h 35m
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
I 77	7.1 mi	7m
Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel	3.5 mi	4m
Cummings Street	0.8 mi	1m

Longest stretch: I 81 — 196.9 mi, about 3h 35m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Abingdon, VA and Virginia Beach, VA.

Start on VA 75

0.8 mi · 1 min · Cummings Street

Use the straight lane.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 31 sec

Merge onto I 81; US 58

57 mi · 1 hr 1 min · I 81; US 58

Use the none lane.

Continue on I 77; I 81; US 11; US 52

7.1 mi · 7 min · I 77; I 81; US 11; US 52

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: Roanoke Use the straight lane.

Continue on I 64; I 81

0.3 mi · 17 sec · I 64; I 81

Keep slight right at fork onto I 64

90 mi · 1 hr 38 min · I 64

Toward I 64 East: Richmond Use the none lane.

Take the exit

1.2 mi · 1 min

Exit 177 Toward I 295 North: Washington, Norfolk Use the slight right lane.

Continue on I 295

23 mi · 25 min · Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

1.3 mi · 2 min

Exit 28A Toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 64

67 mi · 1 hr 15 min · I 64

Use the none lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 64; US 60

342 ft · 5 sec · Hampton Roads Beltway

Continue on I 64; US 60

3.5 mi · 4 min · Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel

Continue on I 64; US 60

12 mi · 15 min · Hampton Roads Beltway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 14 sec

Exit 284A Toward I 264 East, I 264 West: Va Beach, Downtown Norfolk, Portsmouth Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight left at fork

0.6 mi · 1 min

Toward I 264 East: Va Beach Use the straight / slight left lanes.

Merge onto I 264

12 mi · 16 min · Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway

Use the none lane.

Continue on 21st Street

0.4 mi · 54 sec · 21st Street

Use the straight / right lanes.

Turn left onto Arctic Avenue

0.3 mi · 46 sec · Arctic Avenue

Use the left lane.

Turn right onto 25th Street

454 ft · 12 sec · 25th Street

Arrive at destination

25th Street

Trip Plan

To tackle this 7-hour and 48-minute drive effectively, aim for an early morning departure to get ahead of traffic. Plan for at least two stops along the way to stretch your legs and refresh, as the long, straight highway stretches can be mentally taxing. Since you are looking at a $67 fuel budget, topping off your tank before leaving Abingdon can save you from having to hunt for stations during the middle, more remote portions of your transit. Keep a close eye on your mileage during the 196.9-mile stretch on I-81, as consistent speeds will help you maintain your estimated arrival time. If you find the nearly eight-hour drive too demanding, consider splitting your trip into two days to keep your arrival in Virginia Beach stress-free.

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.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 208.2 miles from Abingdon, VA, or about 3h 48m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 196.9 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 92 miles or 1h 40m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 208.2 miles or 3h 48m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 6h 33m

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 Abingdon, 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.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Abingdon, VA

This is one driving day of about 416.4 miles and 7h 48m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 92 miles from Abingdon, VA.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on I 81 for about 196.9 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 208.2 mi from Abingdon, VA · 3h 48m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Adelphi, MD

208 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

Adwolf, VA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 92 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Adelphi, MD

Meal break

The midpoint is around 208.2 miles from Abingdon, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 81 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 196.9 miles.

Arriving in Virginia Beach, VA

The final approach into Virginia Beach, VA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Virginia Beach, VA.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$66.64 one way

$133.28 round trip

$4.07/gal 25.4 MPG avg 146 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.43	$72.61	$145.22
premium	$4.78	$78.33	$156.66
diesel	$5.64	$92.51	$185.02

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$67

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$92–$117

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 145.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $44 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	124.9	1	$43.72	$19.99
Efficient EV	104.1	1	$36.43	$16.66
EV Truck/SUV	166.6	2	$58.30	$26.65

Gas CO2

146 kg

EV CO2

49 kg (66% 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 data refreshed 2 days ago

Origin

Abingdon, VA

Evening in Abingdon on Sunday

Local time

5:16 PM

EDT

Current temp

59°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Virginia Beach, VA

Evening in Virginia Beach on Sunday

Local time

5:16 PM

EDT

Current temp

64°F

Unavailable

Live 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

5 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

7h 48m on the road

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Abingdon, VA to Virginia Beach, VA covers 416.4 miles and takes about 7h 48m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 81, I 64, Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 208.2 miles from Abingdon, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $66.64 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

Plan about 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

On the drive from Abingdon, VA to Virginia Beach, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Norfolk along the way.

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Return Trip

Virginia Beach, VA to Abingdon, VA

Plan the drive back the other way.

415.7 mi 7h 49m

Explore more options from Abingdon, VA or browse trips ending in Virginia Beach, VA.

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Trip from Abingdon, VA to Virginia Beach, VA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Virginia Beach, VA

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Abingdon, VA

Virginia Beach, VA

Same local time

5 degrees warmer at arrival

7h 48m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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