Trip from Cedar Bluff, VA to Virginia Beach, VA

Drive Time

5h 37m

Distance

295.5 mi

476 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$47

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
5h 24m ★
6 AM
5h 37m
8 AM
6h 4m
10 AM
5h 47m
12 PM
5h 44m
3 PM
5h 48m
5 PM
6h 3m
8 PM
5h 29m

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

Downtown Cedar Bluff, VA, VA

Cedar Bluff, VA

Jon Eliya

Trip Overview

The drive from Cedar Bluff, VA to Virginia Beach, VA covers 295.5 miles and takes about 5h 37m 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 156.9 miles on I 64. At current regular gas prices, budget about $47.29 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

147.7 miles from Cedar Bluff, VA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 43m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 5h 37m highway drive covering 295.5 miles, with most of the trip on I 64 and I 81. The longest continuous stretch is about 156.9 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 23 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 156.9 miles.

Elevation Profile

Gently rolling terrain

1,744 ft 58 ft

Total Climb

902 ft

Total Descent

1,812 ft

Highest Point

1,744 ft

~61.6 mi in

Elevation Range

1,686 ft

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 0.3 miles in.

Route Complexity 9/10

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

This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 295.5 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 0.3 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.6 miles (US 220): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 174.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 16 key points

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

7
0.3 mi into trip | ~1m in

Take the ramp toward I 581 North, US 220 North: Lexington, Salem

Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 581 North, US 220 North: Lexington, Sa...
9
6.6 mi into trip | ~9m in | US 220

Keep slight right at fork onto US 220 toward I 81 North, US 220 North: Lexington

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

Use the straight lane. Exit 1N Toward I 81 North, US 220 North: Lexington
8
174.4 mi into trip | ~3h 12m 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
198.5 mi into trip | ~3h 39m 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
8
282.1 mi into trip | ~5h 17m 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 Cedar Bluff, VA to Virginia Beach, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Norfolk along the way.

Norfolk

174.4 mi in | ~3h 12m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 64 156.9 mi 2h 53m
I 81 64.7 mi 1h 9m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway 22.9 mi 25m
US 220 13.1 mi 15m
Hampton Roads Beltway 12 mi 15m
Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway 11.8 mi 16m
I 581 6.1 mi 8m
Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel 3.5 mi 4m
Longest stretch: I 64 — 156.9 mi, about 2h 53m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on 5th Street Southeast

75 ft · 4 sec · 5th Street Southeast
2

Turn right onto Highland Avenue Southeast

423 ft · 18 sec · Highland Avenue Southeast
3

Turn right onto 4th Street Southeast

0.2 mi · 29 sec · 4th Street Southeast
4

Turn left onto VA 24

241 ft · 15 sec · Elm Avenue Southeast
5

Take the ramp

0.1 mi · 17 sec
Toward I 581 North, US 220 North: Lexington, Salem
6

Merge onto I 581; US 220

6.1 mi · 8 min · I 581; US 220
Use the straight lane.
7

Keep slight right at fork onto US 220

13 mi · 15 min · US 220
Exit 1N Toward I 81 North, US 220 North: Lexington Use the straight lane.
8

Continue on I 81

65 mi · 1 hr 9 min · I 81
9

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.
10

Take the exit

1.2 mi · 1 min
Exit 177 Toward I 295 North: Washington, Norfolk Use the slight right lane.
11

Continue on I 295

23 mi · 25 min · Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Take the exit

1.3 mi · 2 min
Exit 28A Toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Merge onto I 64

67 mi · 1 hr 15 min · I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Keep slight left at fork onto I 64; US 60

342 ft · 5 sec · Hampton Roads Beltway
15

Continue on I 64; US 60

3.5 mi · 4 min · Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
16

Continue on I 64; US 60

12 mi · 15 min · Hampton Roads Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

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.
18

Keep slight left at fork

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward I 264 East: Va Beach Use the straight / slight left lanes.
19

Merge onto I 264

12 mi · 16 min · Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway
20

Continue on 21st Street

0.4 mi · 54 sec · 21st Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
21

Turn left onto Arctic Avenue

0.3 mi · 46 sec · Arctic Avenue
Use the left lane.
22

Turn right onto 25th Street

454 ft · 12 sec · 25th Street
23

Arrive at destination

25th 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 147.7 miles from Cedar Bluff, VA, or about 2h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 156.9 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 80 miles or 1h 30m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 147.7 miles or 2h 43m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 30m

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 Cedar Bluff, 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 Cedar Bluff, VA

This is one driving day of about 295.5 miles and 5h 37m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Cedar Bluff, 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 156.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 147.7 mi from Cedar Bluff, VA · 2h 43m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Middletown, MD

148 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

Oakland, 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 147.7 miles from Cedar Bluff, 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 156.9 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

$47.29 one way

$94.58 round trip

$4.07/gal 25.4 MPG avg 103 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.43 $51.53 $103.05
premium $4.78 $55.59 $111.17
diesel $5.64 $65.65 $131.30

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$47

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$72–$97

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 103.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 88.6 1 $31.03 $14.18
Efficient EV 73.9 0 $25.86 $11.82
EV Truck/SUV 118.2 1 $41.37 $18.91

Gas CO2

103 kg

EV CO2

35 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 12 hours ago

Origin

Cedar Bluff, VA

Afternoon in Cedar Bluff on Sunday

Local time

4:01 PM

EDT

Current temp

51°F

Partly Cloudy

E 3 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Destination

Virginia Beach, VA

Afternoon in Virginia Beach on Sunday

Local time

4:01 PM

EDT

Current temp

64°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

86°F

Middletown, MD

148 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

13 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

5h 37m 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 Cedar Bluff, VA to Virginia Beach, VA covers 295.5 miles and takes about 5h 37m 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 147.7 miles from Cedar Bluff, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $47.29 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 16 significant decision points across 295.5 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 0.3 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.6 miles (US 220): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 174.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Cedar Bluff, VA to Virginia Beach, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Norfolk along the way.
Gently rolling terrain. The route ranges from 58 ft to 1,744 ft elevation with about 902 ft of total climbing.

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Explore More

Return Trip

Virginia Beach, VA to Cedar Bluff, VA

Plan the drive back the other way.

295.3 mi 5h 39m

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

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