Origin
Buchanan, VA
Afternoon in Buchanan on Sunday
Local time
3:58 PM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Buchanan, VA to Chesapeake, VA
Drive Time
4h 51m
Distance
255.2 mi
411 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$41
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 38m
★
6 AM
4h 51m
8 AM
5h 18m
10 AM
5h 1m
12 PM
4h 58m
3 PM
5h 2m
5 PM
5h 17m
8 PM
4h 43m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Buchanan, VA
Photography Maghradze PH
Chesapeake, VA
Willians Huerta
Trip Overview
The drive from Buchanan, VA to Chesapeake, VA covers 255.2 miles and takes about 4h 51m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 64, US 11, 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 $40.84 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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
127.6 miles from Buchanan, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 19m into the drive .
Drive Character
This is a 4h 51m highway drive covering 255.2 miles, with most of the trip on I 64 and US 11. 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 26 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.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,725 ft
9 ft
Total Climb
1,071 ft
Total Descent
1,916 ft
Highest Point
1,725 ft
~42.5 mi in
Elevation Range
1,716 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and US 11. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 55.2 miles in near I 64.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 255.2 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 55.2 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 145.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 169.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
55.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 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
145.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 38m 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
169.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 5m 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
5
170.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 7m in
|
I 64
Merge onto I 64
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
247.8 mi into trip
|
~4h 36m 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 Along This Route
Between Buchanan, VA and Chesapeake, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk and Virginia Beach.
Norfolk
145.3 mi in
|
~2h 38m
Virginia Beach
169.4 mi in
|
~3h 5m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 64 | 157.1 mi | 2h 53m |
| US 11 | 53.5 mi | 57m |
| Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway | 22.9 mi | 25m |
| Hampton Roads Beltway | 6.8 mi | 8m |
| Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel | 3.5 mi | 4m |
| Chesapeake Boulevard | 2.1 mi | 3m |
| Main Street | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| Ballentine Boulevard | 1.1 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 157.1 mi, about 2h 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Buchanan, VA and Chesapeake, VA.
1
Start on this road
110 ft
·
10 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto US 11
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
3
Continue on US 11
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
·
Lee Highway
4
Take the ramp onto US 11
54 mi
·
57 min
·
US 11
5
Continue on I 64; I 81
0.3 mi
·
17 sec
·
I 64; I 81
6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 64
90 mi
·
1 hr 38 min
·
I 64
Toward I 64 East: Richmond
Use the straight lane.
7
Take the exit
1.2 mi
·
1 min
Exit 177
Toward I 295 North: Washington, Norfolk
Use 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 28A
Toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach
Use 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
6.7 mi
·
8 min
·
Hampton Roads Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 278
Toward VA 194 South: Chesapeake Boulevard
Use the slight right lane.
15
Turn straight onto VA 194
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Chesapeake Boulevard
Use the left lane.
16
Turn straight
135 ft
·
7 sec
17
Turn left onto VA 247
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Ballentine Boulevard
18
Turn right onto VA 166
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
East Princess Anne Road
19
Turn left onto VA 166
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Park Avenue
20
Turn left onto US 460; VA 166; VA 168
0.3 mi
·
57 sec
·
East Brambleton Avenue
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
21
Continue on US 460; VA 166; VA 168
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Campostella Road
22
Turn right onto US 460; VA 166
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Wilson Road
Use the right lane.
23
Continue on US 460; VA 166
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
·
22nd Street
24
Continue on US 460; VA 166
0.3 mi
·
29 sec
·
Poindexter Street
Use the straight lane.
25
Turn right onto D Street
412 ft
·
18 sec
·
D Street
26
Arrive at destination
D Street
Trip Plan
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 127.6 miles from Buchanan, VA, or about 2h 19m 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 80 miles or 1h 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 127.6 miles or 2h 19m 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 51m
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 Buchanan, 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 Buchanan, VA
This is one driving day of about 255.2 miles and 4h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Buchanan, 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 157.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 127.6 mi from Buchanan, VA · 2h 19m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
128 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 127.6 miles from Buchanan, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.84 one way
$81.68 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
89 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $44.50 | $89.00 |
| premium | $4.78 | $48.01 | $96.01 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $56.70 | $113.39 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 89.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 76.6 | 0 | $26.80 | $12.25 |
| Efficient EV | 63.8 | 0 | $22.33 | $10.21 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 102.1 | 1 | $35.73 | $16.33 |
Gas CO2
89 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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.
Destination
Chesapeake, VA
Afternoon in Chesapeake on Sunday
Local time
3:58 PM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
86°F
Middletown, MD
128 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
2 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
4h 51m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Buchanan, VA to Chesapeake, VA covers 255.2 miles and takes about 4h 51m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 64, US 11, 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 127.6 miles from Buchanan, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $40.84 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break 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 15 significant decision points across 255.2 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 55.2 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 145.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 169.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Buchanan, VA and Chesapeake, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk and Virginia Beach.
Gently rolling terrain. The route ranges from 9 ft to 1,725 ft elevation with about 1,071 ft of total climbing.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Chesapeake, VA
More trips to Chesapeake, VA
Explore more options from Buchanan, VA or browse trips ending in Chesapeake, VA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse VA road trips.
Explore maps for Buchanan, VA or Chesapeake, VA on MapSof.net.