The drive from Bluefield, VA to Chesapeake, VA covers 385.5 miles and takes about 7h 17m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 64, I 81, Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 157.1 miles on I 64.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $60.28 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
192.8 miles from Bluefield, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 34m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 17m. Total distance: 385.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 17m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Drive Character
This is a 7h 17m highway drive covering 385.5 miles, with most of the trip on I 64 and I 81. The longest continuous stretch is about 157.1 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 30 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 157.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and I 81. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 45.6 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 19 significant decision points across 385.5 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 45.6 miles (I 81; US 11): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 185.6 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 275.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. 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.
8
45.6 mi into trip|~52m 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
185.6 mi into trip|~3h 26m 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
275.6 mi into trip|~5h 4m 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
299.7 mi into trip|~5h 31m 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
378.1 mi into trip|~7h 3m 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 Bluefield, VA and Chesapeake, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk and Virginia Beach.
Norfolk
275.6 mi in|~5h 4m
Virginia Beach
299.7 mi in|~5h 31m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
157.1 mi
2h 53m
I 81
139.7 mi
2h 33m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
22.9 mi
25m
US 52
19.7 mi
22m
I 77
16 mi
17m
Hampton Roads Beltway
6.8 mi
8m
US 460
6.1 mi
7m
Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
3.5 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 157.1 mi, about 2h 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bluefield, VA and Chesapeake, VA.
1
Start on VA 102
1.2 mi·1 min·South College Avenue
2
Turn straight onto SR 720
0.3 mi·23 sec·SR 720
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·20 sec
4
Merge onto US 460
6.1 mi·7 min·US 460
Use the straight lane.
5
Take the exit onto US 52 Truck
2.3 mi·2 min·US 52 Truck
6
Take the exit onto US 52
20 mi·22 min·US 52
7
Continue on I 77
16 mi·17 min·I 77
Use the straight lane.
8
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.
9
Continue on I 64; I 81
0.3 mi·17 sec·I 64; I 81
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 64
90 mi·1 hr 38 min·I 64
Toward I 64 East: RichmondUse the straight lane.
11
Take the exit
1.2 mi·1 min
Exit 177Toward I 295 North: Washington, NorfolkUse the slight right lane.
12
Continue on I 295
23 mi·25 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
1.3 mi·2 min
Exit 28AToward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia BeachUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto I 64
67 mi·1 hr 15 min·I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64; US 60
342 ft·5 sec·Hampton Roads Beltway
16
Continue on I 64; US 60
3.5 mi·4 min·Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
17
Continue on I 64; US 60
6.7 mi·8 min·Hampton Roads Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Exit 278Toward VA 194 South: Chesapeake BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
19
Turn straight onto VA 194
2.1 mi·3 min·Chesapeake Boulevard
Use the left lane.
20
Turn straight
135 ft·7 sec
21
Turn left onto VA 247
1.1 mi·1 min·Ballentine Boulevard
22
Turn right onto VA 166
0.9 mi·1 min·East Princess Anne Road
23
Turn left onto VA 166
0.6 mi·1 min·Park Avenue
24
Turn left onto US 460; VA 166; VA 168
0.3 mi·57 sec·East Brambleton Avenue
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
25
Continue on US 460; VA 166; VA 168
0.7 mi·1 min·Campostella Road
26
Turn right onto US 460; VA 166
0.7 mi·1 min·Wilson Road
Use the right lane.
27
Continue on US 460; VA 166
0.3 mi·27 sec·22nd Street
28
Continue on US 460; VA 166
0.3 mi·29 sec·Poindexter Street
Use the straight lane.
29
Turn right onto D Street
412 ft·18 sec·D Street
30
Arrive at destination
D Street
Trip Plan
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 192.8 miles from Bluefield, VA, or about 3h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 157.1 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 85 miles or 1h 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 192.8 miles or 3h 34m 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 1m
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 Bluefield, 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 Bluefield, VA
This is one driving day of about 385.5 miles and 7h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 85 miles from Bluefield, 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 64 for about 157.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 192.8 mi from Bluefield, VA
· 3h 34m into the drive
The midpoint is around 192.8 miles from Bluefield, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before I 64 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 157.1 miles.
Arriving in Chesapeake, VA
The final approach into Chesapeake, 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 Chesapeake, 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.
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...
1 mi from route
~4 min detour
$15
near mile 345.7
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...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 372.2
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...
22 mi from route
~55 min detour
Free
near mile 106.4
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...
28 mi from route
~70 min detour
Free
near mile 305.8
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $40 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
115.6
1
$40.48
$18.50
Efficient EV
96.4
1
$33.73
$15.42
EV Truck/SUV
154.2
1
$53.97
$24.67
Gas CO2
135 kg
EV CO2
45 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Bluefield, VA
Afternoon
in Bluefield on Thursday
Local time
3:55 PM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Chesapeake, VA
Afternoon
in Chesapeake on Thursday
Local time
3:55 PM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
45°F
Oakland, MD
193 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
14 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
7h 17m 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 Bluefield, VA to Chesapeake, VA covers 385.5 miles and takes about 7h 17m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 64, I 81, 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 192.8 miles from Bluefield, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $60.28 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 385.5 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 45.6 miles (I 81; US 11): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 185.6 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 275.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Bluefield, VA and Chesapeake, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk and Virginia Beach.
