Trip from Chesapeake, VA to Cedar Bluff, VA

Drive Time

5h 26m

Distance

283.3 mi

456 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$45

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

5h 13m ★

6 AM

5h 26m

8 AM

5h 53m

10 AM

5h 36m

12 PM

5h 33m

3 PM

5h 37m

5 PM

5h 52m

8 PM

5h 18m

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

Willians Huerta

Cedar Bluff, VA

Jon Eliya

Trip Overview

The drive from Chesapeake, VA to Cedar Bluff, VA covers 283.3 miles and takes about 5h 26m 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 181.4 miles on I 64. At current regular gas prices, budget about $45.34 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

141.6 miles from Chesapeake, VA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 48m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 5h 26m highway drive covering 283.3 miles, with most of the trip on I 64 and I 81. The longest continuous stretch is about 181.4 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 28 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 181.4 miles.

Elevation Profile

Gently rolling terrain

1,811 ft 31 ft

Total Climb

1,780 ft

Total Descent

843 ft

Highest Point

1,811 ft

~212.4 mi in

Elevation Range

1,780 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 1.8 miles in.

Route Complexity 10/10

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

This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 283.3 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 1.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.5 miles (US 460 ALT): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.7 miles (US 460 ALT): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 20 key points

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

1.8 mi into trip | ~2m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 264 East: Waterside Drive, Saint Paul Boulevard, Downtown, Norfolk

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

Use the slight left lane. Exit 6B Toward I 264 East: Waterside Drive, Saint Paul...

2.5 mi into trip | ~3m in | US 460 ALT

Keep slight left at fork onto US 460 ALT toward Waterside Drive, St Paul's Boulevard

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

Use the slight left lane. Exit 9 Toward Waterside Drive, St Paul's Boulevard

2.7 mi into trip | ~4m in | US 460 ALT

Keep slight left at fork onto US 460 ALT toward Saint Paul's Boulevard

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward Saint Paul's Boulevard

83.3 mi into trip | ~1h 43m in

Take the exit toward I 295, US 60: Washington, Rocky Mount NC

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 200 Toward I 295, US 60: Washington, Rocky Mount NC

276.2 mi into trip | ~5h 15m in | US 220

Take the exit onto US 220 toward I 581, US 220 South: Airport, Roanoke

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left lane. Exit 143 Toward I 581, US 220 South: Airport, Roanoke

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Chesapeake, VA to Cedar Bluff, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Rocky Mount along the way.

Rocky Mount

83.3 mi in | ~1h 43m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 64	181.4 mi	3h 18m
I 81	47.7 mi	52m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway	22.6 mi	24m
Hampton Roads Beltway	9.6 mi	12m
US 220	6.6 mi	8m
Granby Street	4 mi	9m
Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel	3.5 mi	4m
Monticello Avenue	1.2 mi	2m

Longest stretch: I 64 — 181.4 mi, about 3h 18m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Chesapeake, VA and Cedar Bluff, 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 left at fork

0.7 mi · 1 min

Exit 6B Toward I 264 East: Waterside Drive, Saint Paul Boulevard, Downtown, Norfolk Use the slight left lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto US 460 ALT

0.2 mi · 26 sec · US 460 ALT

Exit 9 Toward Waterside Drive, St Paul's Boulevard Use the slight left lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto US 460 ALT

0.3 mi · 53 sec · US 460 ALT

Toward Saint Paul's Boulevard Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn right onto US 460 ALT

0.6 mi · 1 min · Saint Pauls Boulevard

Use the straight / right lanes.

Continue on US 460

1.2 mi · 2 min · Monticello Avenue

Turn left onto US 460

486 ft · 13 sec · Church Street

Continue on US 460

4.0 mi · 9 min · Granby Street

Use the left lane.

Turn left

0.2 mi · 26 sec

Toward I 64

Merge onto I 64

3.8 mi · 5 min · Hampton Roads Beltway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 64; US 60

3.5 mi · 4 min · Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel

Continue on I 64; US 60

5.9 mi · 7 min · Hampton Roads Beltway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 64

61 mi · 1 hr 7 min · I 64

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 32 sec

Exit 200 Toward I 295, US 60: Washington, Rocky Mount NC Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork

1.3 mi · 2 min

Toward I 295 North: Washington Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 295

23 mi · 24 min · Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway

Use the straight lane.

Keep slight right at fork

0.6 mi · 55 sec

Exit 53A Toward I 64 West: Charlottesville

Merge onto I 64

120 mi · 2 hr 10 min · I 64

Toward I 64 West: Charlottesville Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 81

48 mi · 52 min · I 81

Use the straight lane.

Take the exit onto US 220

6.6 mi · 8 min · US 220

Exit 143 Toward I 581, US 220 South: Airport, Roanoke Use the slight left lane.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 29 sec

Toward VA 24: Elm Avenue Use the slight right lane.

Turn left onto VA 24

0.1 mi · 19 sec · Elm Avenue Southeast

Use the straight lane.

Continue on Elm Avenue Southeast

258 ft · 12 sec · Elm Avenue Southeast

Turn right onto 5th Street Southeast

0.2 mi · 35 sec · 5th Street Southeast

Arrive at destination

5th Street Southeast

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 141.6 miles from Chesapeake, VA, or about 2h 48m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 181.4 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 39m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 141.6 miles or 2h 48m 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 27m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cedar Bluff, 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 283.3 miles and 5h 26m.

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.

Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on I 64 for about 181.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 141.6 mi from Chesapeake, VA · 2h 48m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Middletown, MD

142 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 141.6 miles from Chesapeake, 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 181.4 miles.

Arriving in Cedar Bluff, VA

The final approach into Cedar Bluff, 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 Cedar Bluff, 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

$45.34 one way

$90.68 round trip

$4.07/gal 25.4 MPG avg 99 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.43	$49.40	$98.80
premium	$4.78	$53.29	$106.58
diesel	$5.64	$62.94	$125.88

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$45

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$70–$95

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 99.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	85	1	$29.75	$13.60
Efficient EV	70.8	0	$24.79	$11.33
EV Truck/SUV	113.3	1	$39.66	$18.13

Gas CO2

99 kg

EV CO2

33 kg (67% 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 11 hours ago

Origin

Chesapeake, VA

Afternoon in Chesapeake on Sunday

Local time

4:00 PM

EDT

Current temp

67°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Cedar Bluff, VA

Afternoon in Cedar Bluff on Sunday

Local time

4:00 PM

EDT

Current temp

51°F

Partly Cloudy

E 3 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Along the Route

86°F

Middletown, MD

142 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

16 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

5h 26m 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 Chesapeake, VA to Cedar Bluff, VA covers 283.3 miles and takes about 5h 26m 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 141.6 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 $45.34 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 Chesapeake, VA to Cedar Bluff, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Rocky Mount along the way.

Gently rolling terrain. The route ranges from 31 ft to 1,811 ft elevation with about 1,780 ft of total climbing.

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Return Trip

Cedar Bluff, VA to Chesapeake, VA

Plan the drive back the other way.

284.3 mi 5h 25m

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

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Trip from Chesapeake, VA to Cedar Bluff, VA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

Elevation Profile

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 Cedar Bluff, VA

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Chesapeake, VA

Cedar Bluff, VA

Same local time

16 degrees cooler at arrival

5h 26m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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