Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
2h 47m
Distance
124.4 mi
200 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Chesapeake, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Bracey, VA
Andrea Piacquadio
Planning a trip from Chesapeake, VA, to Bracey, VA? This 124.4-mile drive takes about 2 hours and 47 minutes, making it a perfect one-day excursion. You'll navigate through the Southeast region of Virginia, sticking to a mix of main roads including Portsmouth Boulevard, Governor Harrison Parkway, and I-85. With a fuel cost estimated at $19, it's an economical option for a quick getaway. The route offers a mixed driving profile, so you won't be stuck on one type of road for the entire journey. Consider this a straightforward and efficient trip for a single day.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
62.2 miles from Chesapeake, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 24m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 47m. Total distance: 124.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 47m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (34%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile.
This route presents a mixed driving experience, with 34% of the journey on highways. You'll encounter stretches on local roads like Portsmouth Boulevard, including one segment that lasts for 62.1 miles, offering a more varied pace than a pure interstate cruise. The drive transitions between these more local thoroughfares and the faster speeds of I-85. Expect a blend of suburban navigation and open-road driving as you make your way south. This variety keeps the journey engaging without being overly demanding.
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. 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.
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 14 significant decision points across 124.4 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.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
At end of road, turn right onto US 460; VA 166 / Poindexter Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
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
Keep slight left at fork toward I 264 West Toll: Tunnel
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork toward I 664: Bowers Hill, Suffolk, Richmond
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward US 13, US 58, US 460, VA 191 North: Suffolk, Military Highway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Chesapeake, VA and Bracey, VA, road signs point toward Suffolk, Richmond and Military Highway.
Suffolk
Richmond
Military Highway
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Portsmouth Boulevard | 62.1 mi | 1h 21m |
| Governor Harrison Parkway | 22.5 mi | 30m |
| I 85 | 7.9 mi | 8m |
| I 264 | 6.7 mi | 9m |
| Pleasant Shade Drive | 6.3 mi | 8m |
| Courtland Road | 5.2 mi | 7m |
| Highway 58 | 3.5 mi | 5m |
| West Military Highway | 2.4 mi | 3m |
Step-by-step road directions between Chesapeake, VA and Bracey, VA.
Start on D Street
At end of road, turn right onto US 460; VA 166
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 464
Keep slight right at fork
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 264; US 460 ALT
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 664
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Continue on US 13; US 58; US 460
Continue on US 13; US 58; US 460
Continue on US 58
Continue on US 58
Continue on US 58
Continue on US 58
Continue on US 58
Continue on US 58
Take the exit
Merge onto I 85
Take the exit
Turn left onto SR 903
Continue on Bracey Drive
Arrive at destination
For this 2-hour, 47-minute drive, you have flexibility with your departure time. Leaving in the morning will allow you to reach Bracey, VA, with plenty of daylight remaining. Since it's a relatively short trip with only one recommended stop, you can easily complete it in a single day without feeling rushed. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially during the 62.1-mile stretch on Portsmouth Boulevard, as services might be less frequent than on the interstate. The estimated fuel cost of $19 suggests this is an affordable trip, so budget accordingly.
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.
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 27 miles or 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 62.2 miles or 1h 24m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 17m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bracey, VA than in the middle of the route.
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 124.4 miles and 2h 47m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 62.2 mi from Chesapeake, VA · 1h 24m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
62 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.
A short stop after about 27 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 62.2 miles from Chesapeake, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Portsmouth Boulevard if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 62.1 miles.
The final approach into Bracey, 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 Bracey, VA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$19.45 one way
$38.91 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $21.27 | $42.54 |
| premium | $4.70 | $23.02 | $46.05 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $27.47 | $54.93 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 43.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 37.3 | 0 | $13.06 | $5.97 |
| Efficient EV | 31.1 | 0 | $10.89 | $4.98 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 49.8 | 0 | $17.42 | $7.96 |
Gas CO2
44 kg
EV CO2
15 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Chesapeake on Thursday
Local time
6:01 PM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Mostly Clear
Destination
Evening in Bracey on Thursday
Local time
6:01 PM
EDT
Current temp
87°F
Unavailable
52°F
Waverly, VA
62 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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