The drive from Bellwood, VA to Chesapeake, VA covers 99 miles and takes about 2h 3m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 64, Pocahontas Parkway, Hampton Roads Beltway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 66.8 miles on I 64.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $15.48 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
49.5 miles from Bellwood, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 59m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 3m. Total distance: 99 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 3m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (77%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 2h 3m highway drive covering 99 miles, with most of the trip on I 64 and Pocahontas Parkway. The longest continuous stretch is about 66.8 miles on I 64.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 27 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 64 is the longest continuous segment at about 66.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and Pocahontas Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 9.6 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 19 significant decision points across 99 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 9.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 19 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
9.6 mi into trip|~11m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 295 North: Washington
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 295 North: Washington
8
12.5 mi into trip|~15m in
Take the exit toward I 64, US 60: Norfolk, Richmond, Richmond International Airport
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 28
Toward I 64, US 60: Norfolk, Richmond, Richmond...
6
12.8 mi into trip|~16m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 64, US 60 West: Norfolk, Richmond, Seven Pines
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 64, US 60 West: Norfolk, Richmond, Sev...
7
13.6 mi into trip|~18m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 64 East: Norfolk
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 64 East: Norfolk
7
91.6 mi into trip|~1h 48m in
Take the exit toward VA 194 South: Chesapeake Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 278
Toward VA 194 South: Chesapeake Boulevard
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Bellwood, VA and Chesapeake, VA, road signs point toward Richmond, Richmond International Airport, Seven Pines and Norfolk.
Richmond
12.5 mi in|~15m
Richmond International Airport
12.5 mi in|~15m
Seven Pines
12.8 mi in|~16m
Norfolk
13.2 mi in|~17m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
66.8 mi
1h 15m
Pocahontas Parkway
8 mi
9m
Hampton Roads Beltway
6.8 mi
8m
Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
3.5 mi
4m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
2.1 mi
2m
Chesapeake Boulevard
2.1 mi
3m
Route 1
1.4 mi
2m
Ballentine Boulevard
1.1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 66.8 mi, about 1h 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bellwood, VA and Chesapeake, VA.
1
Start on US 1; US 301
1.4 mi·2 min·Route 1
2
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward VA 150 South
3
Merge onto VA 150
8.0 mi·9 min·Pocahontas Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·55 sec
Toward I 295 North: WashingtonUse the slight left lane.
5
Continue on this road
0.4 mi·45 sec·this road
6
Merge onto I 295
2.1 mi·2 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·43 sec
Exit 28Toward I 64, US 60: Norfolk, Richmond, Richmond International AirportUse the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·47 sec
Toward I 64, US 60 West: Norfolk, Richmond, Seven Pines
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·50 sec
Toward I 64: Richmond, Norfolk
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 64 East: NorfolkUse the slight right lane.
11
Merge onto I 64
67 mi·1 hr 15 min·I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64; US 60
342 ft·5 sec·Hampton Roads Beltway
13
Continue on I 64; US 60
3.5 mi·4 min·Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
14
Continue on I 64; US 60
6.7 mi·8 min·Hampton Roads Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Exit 278Toward VA 194 South: Chesapeake BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
16
Turn straight onto VA 194
2.1 mi·3 min·Chesapeake Boulevard
Use the left lane.
17
Turn straight
135 ft·7 sec
18
Turn left onto VA 247
1.1 mi·1 min·Ballentine Boulevard
19
Turn right onto VA 166
0.9 mi·1 min·East Princess Anne Road
20
Turn left onto VA 166
0.6 mi·1 min·Park Avenue
21
Turn left onto US 460; VA 166; VA 168
0.3 mi·57 sec·East Brambleton Avenue
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
22
Continue on US 460; VA 166; VA 168
0.7 mi·1 min·Campostella Road
23
Turn right onto US 460; VA 166
0.7 mi·1 min·Wilson Road
Use the right lane.
24
Continue on US 460; VA 166
0.3 mi·27 sec·22nd Street
25
Continue on US 460; VA 166
0.3 mi·29 sec·Poindexter Street
Use the straight lane.
26
Turn right onto D Street
412 ft·18 sec·D Street
27
Arrive at destination
D Street
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 49.5 miles from Bellwood, VA, or about 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 66.8 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 22 miles or 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 49.5 miles or 59m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Chesapeake, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Bellwood, 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 Bellwood, VA
This is one driving day of about 99 miles and 2h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Bellwood, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 64 for about 66.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 49.5 mi from Bellwood, VA
· 59m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
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...
0 mi from route
~1 min detour
$15
near mile 58
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...
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.48 one way
$30.96 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg35 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$16.93
$33.85
premium
$4.70
$18.32
$36.65
diesel
$5.61
$21.86
$43.72
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 34.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
29.7
0
$10.40
$4.75
Efficient EV
24.8
0
$8.66
$3.96
EV Truck/SUV
39.6
0
$13.86
$6.34
Gas CO2
35 kg
EV CO2
12 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 Apr 14, 2026
Origin
Bellwood, VA
Morning
in Bellwood on Saturday
Local time
7:37 AM
EDT
Current temp
87°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Chesapeake, VA
Morning
in Chesapeake on Saturday
Local time
7:37 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Partly Cloudy
SW 9 mph3% 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
23 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
2h 3m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Bellwood, VA to Chesapeake, VA covers 99 miles and takes about 2h 3m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 64, Pocahontas Parkway, Hampton Roads Beltway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 49.5 miles from Bellwood, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $15.48 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 99 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 9.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Bellwood, VA and Chesapeake, VA, road signs point toward Richmond, Richmond International Airport, Seven Pines and Norfolk.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Colonial National Historical Park, Fort Monroe National Monument and Petersburg National Battlefield.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh 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.
