The drive from Chesapeake, VA to Colonial Beach, VA covers 129.3 miles and takes about 3h 14m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on George Washington Memorial Highway, Tidewater Trail, Newland Road for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 38.5 miles on George Washington Memorial Highway.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $20.22 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
64.7 miles from Chesapeake, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 38m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 14m. Total distance: 129.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
Expect a 3h 14m drive with frequent turns across 129.3 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 32 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
George Washington Memorial Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 38.5 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 Effort9/10
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 19 significant decision points across 129.3 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 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 2.5 miles (US 460 ALT): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 19 key points
These 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 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...
9
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
8
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
8
26.2 mi into trip|~40m in
Take the exit toward US 17 North: J Clyde Morris Boulevard, Yorktown
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 258B
Toward US 17 North: J Clyde Morris Boulevard, Y...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Chesapeake, VA to Colonial Beach, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Yorktown along the way.
Yorktown
26.2 mi in|~40m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
George Washington Memorial Highway
38.5 mi
56m
Tidewater Trail
29.8 mi
39m
Newland Road
13.9 mi
24m
Hampton Roads Beltway
9.6 mi
12m
James Monroe Highway
5.4 mi
7m
Kings Highway
5.2 mi
7m
Queen Street
4.1 mi
5m
I 64
4 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
George Washington Memorial Highway
— 38.5 mi, about 56m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chesapeake, VA and Colonial Beach, 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 left at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 6BToward I 264 East: Waterside Drive, Saint Paul Boulevard, Downtown, NorfolkUse the slight left lane.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto US 460 ALT
0.2 mi·26 sec·US 460 ALT
Exit 9Toward Waterside Drive, St Paul's BoulevardUse the slight left lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto US 460 ALT
0.3 mi·53 sec·US 460 ALT
Toward Saint Paul's BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Turn right onto US 460 ALT
0.6 mi·1 min·Saint Pauls Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Continue on US 460
1.2 mi·2 min·Monticello Avenue
10
Turn left onto US 460
486 ft·13 sec·Church Street
11
Continue on US 460
4.0 mi·9 min·Granby Street
Use the left lane.
12
Turn left
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward I 64
13
Merge onto I 64
3.8 mi·5 min·Hampton Roads Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on I 64; US 60
3.5 mi·4 min·Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
15
Continue on I 64; US 60
5.9 mi·7 min·Hampton Roads Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64
4.0 mi·4 min·I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Exit 258BToward US 17 North: J Clyde Morris Boulevard, YorktownUse the slight right lane.
18
Merge onto US 17
0.6 mi·1 min·J Clyde Morris Boulevard
19
Continue on US 17
39 mi·56 min·George Washington Memorial Highway
20
Continue on US 17; VA 33
30 mi·39 min·Tidewater Trail
21
Turn right onto Wright Street
0.2 mi·34 sec·Wright Street
22
At end of road, turn left onto South Water Lane
0.4 mi·56 sec·South Water Lane
23
Turn right onto US 360
4.1 mi·5 min·Queen Street
24
Turn left onto SR 624
14 mi·24 min·Newland Road
25
Continue on SR 624
3.9 mi·6 min·Flat Iron Road
26
At end of road, turn left onto VA 3
5.2 mi·7 min·Kings Highway
27
Turn right onto VA 205
5.4 mi·7 min·James Monroe Highway
28
Continue on VA 205
0.3 mi·27 sec·McKinney Boulevard
29
Turn straight
202 ft·8 sec
30
Turn straight onto VA 205Y
0.6 mi·1 min·Colonial Avenue
31
Turn right onto Washington Avenue
32 ft·0 sec·Washington Avenue
32
Arrive at destination
Washington Avenue
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 64.7 miles from Chesapeake, VA, or about 1h 38m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 38.5 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 28 miles or 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 64.7 miles or 1h 38m 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 36m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Colonial Beach, 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 129.3 miles and 3h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 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 George Washington Memorial Highway for about 38.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 64.7 mi from Chesapeake, VA
· 1h 38m into the drive
The midpoint is around 64.7 miles from Chesapeake, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Colonial Beach, VA
The final approach into Colonial 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 Colonial Beach, VA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Nearby Places
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Top Restaurant
Tropical Smoothie Cafe
4.2
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Yorktown, Virginia
Early in the drive, right off the route
1 mi from route
~2 min detour
Inexpensiv
mile 27.7
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Free
near mile 17.8
Park Closure: Road Closure and Fishing Pier Impact
George Washington Birthplace National Monument is located in the Northern Neck of Virginia. It encompasses 551 acres of land where seven generations of the Washington family lived and where George Was...
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Free
near mile 120.4
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...
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
38.8
0
$13.58
$6.21
Efficient EV
32.3
0
$11.31
$5.17
EV Truck/SUV
51.7
0
$18.10
$8.28
Gas CO2
45 kg
EV CO2
15 kg (67% 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 as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Chesapeake, VA
Late night
in Chesapeake on Friday
Local time
4:28 AM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Colonial Beach, VA
Late night
in Colonial Beach on Friday
Local time
4:28 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
17 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
3h 14m 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 Colonial Beach, VA covers 129.3 miles and takes about 3h 14m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are George Washington Memorial Highway, Tidewater Trail, Newland Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 64.7 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 $20.22 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 129.3 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.
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 2.5 miles (US 460 ALT): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Chesapeake, VA to Colonial Beach, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Yorktown along the way.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from
OSRM
over
OpenStreetMap.
Fuel cost uses
EIA
weekly regional averages.
EV charging comes from the
NREL Alternative Fuels
dataset.
National park proximity is from the
NPS API.
Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our
methodology page
documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
