Trip from Buchanan, VA to Norfolk, VA

Drive Time

4h 46m

Distance

251 mi

404 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$40

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

4h 33m ★

6 AM

4h 46m

8 AM

5h 13m

10 AM

4h 55m

12 PM

4h 53m

3 PM

4h 57m

5 PM

5h 12m

8 PM

4h 38m

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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Buchanan, VA

Photography Maghradze PH

Norfolk, VA

Music HQ

Trip Overview

The drive from Buchanan, VA to Norfolk, VA covers 251 miles and takes about 4h 46m 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 $40.17 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

125.5 miles from Buchanan, VA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 16m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 4h 46m highway drive covering 251 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 21 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 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 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 251 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 11 key points

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

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 none lane. Toward I 64 East: Richmond

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

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

245.5 mi into trip | ~4h 34m in

Take the exit toward I 564, US 460: Naval Base, Granby Street

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 276 Toward I 564, US 460: Naval Base, Granby Street

245.7 mi into trip | ~4h 34m in

Keep slight left at fork toward US 460, VA 165: Granby Street, Little Creek Road

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward US 460, VA 165: Granby Street, Little Cr...

Towns Along This Route

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

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	4.5 mi	6m
Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel	3.5 mi	4m
Granby Street	3.1 mi	7m
Monticello Avenue	1.2 mi	2m
Main Street	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 Norfolk, VA.

Start on this road

110 ft · 10 sec · this road

Turn right onto US 11

1.1 mi · 1 min · Main Street

Continue on US 11

0.3 mi · 27 sec · Lee Highway

Take the ramp onto US 11

54 mi · 57 min · US 11

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

4.4 mi · 5 min · Hampton Roads Beltway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 21 sec

Exit 276 Toward I 564, US 460: Naval Base, Granby Street Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 18 sec

Toward US 460, VA 165: Granby Street, Little Creek Road Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Turn straight onto US 460

3.1 mi · 7 min · Granby Street

Use the left / none lanes.

Continue on US 460

446 ft · 9 sec · Church Street

Use the none lane.

Turn right onto US 460

1.2 mi · 2 min · Monticello Avenue

Use the right lane.

Continue on US 460

0.7 mi · 1 min · Saint Pauls Boulevard

Use the none lane.

Turn left onto East City Hall Avenue

158 ft · 9 sec · East City Hall Avenue

Use the left lane.

Arrive at destination

East City Hall Avenue

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 125.5 miles from Buchanan, VA, or about 2h 16m 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 125.5 miles or 2h 16m 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 47m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Norfolk, 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 251 miles and 4h 46m.

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 125.5 mi from Buchanan, VA · 2h 16m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Middletown, MD

126 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

Cumberland, MD

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Middletown, MD

Meal break

The midpoint is around 125.5 miles from Buchanan, 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 Norfolk, VA

The final approach into Norfolk, 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 Norfolk, 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

$40.17 one way

$80.34 round trip

$4.07/gal 25.4 MPG avg 88 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.43	$43.77	$87.53
premium	$4.78	$47.22	$94.43
diesel	$5.64	$55.76	$111.53

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$40

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$65–$90

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 87.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	75.3	0	$26.35	$12.05
Efficient EV	62.8	0	$21.96	$10.04
EV Truck/SUV	100.4	1	$35.14	$16.06

Gas CO2

88 kg

EV CO2

29 kg (67% 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.

Forecast data refreshed 2 days ago

Origin

Buchanan, VA

Afternoon in Buchanan on Sunday

Local time

3:58 PM

EDT

Current temp

65°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Norfolk, VA

Afternoon in Norfolk on Sunday

Local time

3:58 PM

EDT

Current temp

66°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

86°F

Middletown, MD

126 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

1 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 46m 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 Norfolk, VA covers 251 miles and takes about 4h 46m 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 125.5 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 $40.17 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.

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

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Return Trip

Norfolk, VA to Buchanan, VA

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251.9 mi 4h 48m

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Trip from Buchanan, VA to Norfolk, 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 Norfolk, VA

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Buchanan, VA

Norfolk, VA

Same local time

1 degrees warmer at arrival

4h 46m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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