Origin
Chesapeake, VA
Morning in Chesapeake on Friday
Local time
11:17 AM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Chesapeake, VA to Bellwood, VA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 3m
Distance
90.9 mi
146 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 55m
★
6 AM
2h 4m
8 AM
2h 21m
10 AM
2h 10m
12 PM
2h 8m
3 PM
2h 11m
5 PM
2h 21m
8 PM
1h 58m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Chesapeake, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Bellwood, VA
Francesco Ungaro
Trip Overview
This 90.9-mile drive from Chesapeake to Bellwood, Virginia, is estimated to take about 2 hours and 3 minutes, making it a perfect single-day road trip. You'll primarily navigate via James River Drive, Colonial Trail West, and Benns Church Boulevard. With an estimated fuel cost of $14, this journey offers an affordable way to travel within the Southeast region. The route is characterized by a turn-heavy local feel, suggesting a more engaging drive than a simple interstate cruise. Given its manageable length and duration, no overnight stay is necessary, allowing for flexibility in your schedule.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
45.5 miles from Chesapeake, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 3m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 3m. Total distance: 90.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 3m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive for this 90.9-mile trip, with only 18% of the journey on highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 14.6 miles along James River Drive. This profile suggests a route that weaves through local communities, potentially offering a more varied driving experience than a high-speed interstate. As you progress, be prepared for frequent changes in direction and speed as you transition between different local roads like Colonial Trail West and Benns Church Boulevard.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 27 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
James River Drive is the longest continuous segment at about 14.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near US 460; VA 166 / Poindexter Street.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 15 significant decision points across 90.9 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 0.1 miles (US 460; VA 166 / Poindexter Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 1.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 460; VA 166 / Poindexter Street
At end of road, turn right onto US 460; VA 166 / Poindexter Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
9
1.8 mi into trip
|
~2m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 264 West Toll: Downtown Tunnel, Portsmouth
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 6A
Toward I 264 West Toll: Downtown Tunnel, Portsm...
7
1.9 mi into trip
|
~2m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 264 West Toll: Tunnel
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 264 West Toll: Tunnel
8
4.3 mi into trip
|
~7m in
Take the exit toward VA 164 West: Martin Luther King Jr Expressway, Norfolk
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 6
Toward VA 164 West: Martin Luther King Jr Expre...
7
88.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 59m in
Take the exit toward SR 613: Willis Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 64
Toward SR 613: Willis Road
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| James River Drive | 14.6 mi | 19m |
| Colonial Trail West | 13.3 mi | 15m |
| Benns Church Boulevard | 12.1 mi | 15m |
| Colonial Trail East | 9.9 mi | 11m |
| Western Freeway | 7.4 mi | 9m |
| East Hundred Road | 6.6 mi | 9m |
| Bridge Road | 6.5 mi | 11m |
| Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike | 3.2 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
James River Drive
— 14.6 mi, about 19m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chesapeake, VA and Bellwood, VA.
1
Start on D Street
412 ft
·
20 sec
·
D Street
2
At end of road, turn right onto US 460; VA 166
0.3 mi
·
29 sec
·
Poindexter Street
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
Toward I 464 North
4
Merge onto I 464
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
I 464
5
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
Exit 6A
Toward I 264 West Toll: Downtown Tunnel, Portsmouth
Use the slight right lane.
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 264 West Toll: Tunnel
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 264; US 460 ALT
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
I 264; US 460 ALT
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
37 sec
Exit 6
Toward VA 164 West: Martin Luther King Jr Expressway, Norfolk
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on VA 164
0.5 mi
·
48 sec
·
Martin Luther King Jr Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on US 58; VA 164
0.6 mi
·
55 sec
·
Martin Luther King Freeway
11
Continue on VA 164
7.4 mi
·
9 min
·
Western Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on US 17
6.5 mi
·
11 min
·
Bridge Road
Use the straight lane.
13
Continue on US 17
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Carrollton Boulevard
14
Turn left onto Brewers Neck Boulevard
2.9 mi
·
4 min
·
Brewers Neck Boulevard
15
Merge onto US 258; VA 10
12 mi
·
15 min
·
Benns Church Boulevard
16
Continue on VA 10
9.9 mi
·
11 min
·
Colonial Trail East
17
Turn left onto VA 10; VA 31
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Rolfe Highway
18
Turn right onto VA 10
13 mi
·
15 min
·
Colonial Trail West
19
Continue on VA 10
15 mi
·
19 min
·
James River Drive
20
Continue on VA 10; VA 156 BUS
2.9 mi
·
4 min
·
East Randolph Road
21
Continue on VA 10
6.6 mi
·
9 min
·
East Hundred Road
Use the left lane.
22
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Toward I 95 North: Richmond
Use the right lane.
23
Merge onto I 95
3.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
24
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
25 sec
Exit 64
Toward SR 613: Willis Road
Use the slight right lane.
25
Turn left onto SR 613
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
·
Willis Road
26
Turn right onto US 1; US 301
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Route 1
Use the right lane.
27
Arrive at destination
US 1; US 301
Trip Plan
For this 2-hour, 3-minute drive covering 90.9 miles, starting your trip earlier in the day is advisable to avoid potential local traffic. Since this is a single-day trip with a low fuel cost of $14, you have the flexibility to depart when it's most convenient. Keep an eye on your navigation as the route involves many turns, especially on segments like James River Drive. While there are no specific stops recommended, being mindful of the 14.6-mile longest stretch without significant turns can help you plan any brief pauses for stretching or checking directions.
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 45.5 miles from Chesapeake, VA, or about 1h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 14.6 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 20 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 45.5 miles or 1h 3m 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 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bellwood, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Chesapeake, 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 Chesapeake, VA
This is one driving day of about 90.9 miles and 2h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from Chesapeake, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on James River Drive for about 14.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 45.5 mi from Chesapeake, VA · 1h 3m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
45 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 20 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 45.5 miles from Chesapeake, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Bellwood, VA
The final approach into Bellwood, 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 Bellwood, VA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.21 one way
$28.43 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
32 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $15.54 | $31.08 |
| premium | $4.70 | $16.82 | $33.65 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $20.07 | $40.14 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.22
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
(3.2 mi)
$0.22
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 31.8 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 | 27.3 | 0 | $9.54 | $4.36 |
| Efficient EV | 22.7 | 0 | $7.95 | $3.64 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 36.4 | 0 | $12.73 | $5.82 |
Gas CO2
32 kg
EV CO2
11 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.
Destination
Bellwood, VA
Morning in Bellwood on Friday
Local time
11:17 AM
EDT
Current temp
87°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
71°F
Williamsburg, VA
45 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
35 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
2h 3m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Chesapeake, VA to Bellwood, VA covers 90.9 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 James River Drive, Colonial Trail West, Benns Church Boulevard. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 45.5 miles from Chesapeake, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $14.21 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 15 significant decision points across 90.9 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 0.1 miles (US 460; VA 166 / Poindexter Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 1.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Chesapeake, VA to Bellwood, VA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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