Trip from Chesapeake, VA to Bellwood, VA

Data updated 1 hour ago

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

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 26 min

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.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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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.

Break Rhythm

0 planned breaks

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

45.5 miles from Chesapeake, VA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 3m into the drive .

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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.

Route Complexity 10/10

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

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 points

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

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

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...

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

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...

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.

Start on D Street

412 ft · 20 sec · D Street

At end of road, turn right onto US 460; VA 166

0.3 mi · 29 sec · Poindexter Street

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 18 sec

Toward I 464 North

Merge onto I 464

1.2 mi · 1 min · I 464

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.

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min

Toward I 264 West Toll: Tunnel Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 264; US 460 ALT

1.9 mi · 3 min · I 264; US 460 ALT

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.

Continue on VA 164

0.5 mi · 48 sec · Martin Luther King Jr Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on US 58; VA 164

0.6 mi · 55 sec · Martin Luther King Freeway

Continue on VA 164

7.4 mi · 9 min · Western Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on US 17

6.5 mi · 11 min · Bridge Road

Use the straight lane.

Continue on US 17

2.4 mi · 3 min · Carrollton Boulevard

Turn left onto Brewers Neck Boulevard

2.9 mi · 4 min · Brewers Neck Boulevard

Merge onto US 258; VA 10

12 mi · 15 min · Benns Church Boulevard

Continue on VA 10

9.9 mi · 11 min · Colonial Trail East

Turn left onto VA 10; VA 31

1.0 mi · 1 min · Rolfe Highway

Turn right onto VA 10

13 mi · 15 min · Colonial Trail West

Continue on VA 10

15 mi · 19 min · James River Drive

Continue on VA 10; VA 156 BUS

2.9 mi · 4 min · East Randolph Road

Continue on VA 10

6.6 mi · 9 min · East Hundred Road

Use the left lane.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 42 sec

Toward I 95 North: Richmond Use the right lane.

Merge onto I 95

3.2 mi · 3 min · Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 25 sec

Exit 64 Toward SR 613: Willis Road Use the slight right lane.

Turn left onto SR 613

0.4 mi · 51 sec · Willis Road

Turn right onto US 1; US 301

1.5 mi · 2 min · Route 1

Use the right lane.

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 80 miles or 1h 47m 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 80 miles from Chesapeake, VA.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.

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

Middletown, MD

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

Middletown, 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 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.

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...

10 mi from route ~26 min detour $15 near mile 40.8

Park Closure: Rehabilitation of Colonial Parkway Continues

View on nps.gov

Fort Monroe National Monument

National Monument

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...

11 mi from route ~27 min detour Free near mile 9.4

View on nps.gov

Petersburg National Battlefield

National Battlefield

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...

12 mi from route ~30 min detour Free near mile 84.7

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

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

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	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	27.3	$9.54	$4.36
Efficient EV	22.7	$7.95	$3.64
EV Truck/SUV	36.4	$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.

Forecast data refreshed 1 day ago

Origin

Chesapeake, VA

Late night in Chesapeake on Wednesday

Local time

5:18 AM

EDT

Current temp

85°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Bellwood, VA

Late night in Bellwood on Wednesday

Local time

5:18 AM

EDT

Current temp

87°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

86°F

Middletown, MD

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

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

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.

The route from Chesapeake, VA to Bellwood, VA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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