Origin
Chesapeake, VA
Morning in Chesapeake on Wednesday
Local time
6:44 AM
EDT
Current temp
85°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Chesapeake, VA to Colonial Heights, VA
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
7h 45m
Distance
412.8 mi
664 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$65
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
7h 36m
★
6 AM
7h 46m
8 AM
8h 4m
10 AM
7h 52m
12 PM
7h 50m
3 PM
7h 53m
5 PM
8h 3m
8 PM
7h 40m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Chesapeake, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Colonial Heights, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Chesapeake, VA to Colonial Heights, VA covers 412.8 miles and takes about 7h 45m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 81, I 64, Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 182.4 miles on I 81. At current regular gas prices, budget about $64.55 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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
206.4 miles from Chesapeake, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 59m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
This is a 7h 45m highway drive covering 412.8 miles, with most of the trip on I 81 and I 64. The longest continuous stretch is about 182.4 miles on I 81.
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 81 is the longest continuous segment at about 182.4 miles.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,354 ft
11 ft
Total Climb
2,986 ft
Total Descent
1,192 ft
Highest Point
2,354 ft
~353.9 mi in
Elevation Range
2,343 ft
Notable High Points
1,582 ft at ~206.4 miles
+636 ft prominence
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and I 64. 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
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 412.8 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 pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
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
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
7
83.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 44m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 295 North: Washington
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 295 North: Washington
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 Heights, 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 81 | 182.4 mi | 3h 19m |
| I 64 | 181.4 mi | 3h 18m |
| Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway | 22.6 mi | 24m |
| Hampton Roads Beltway | 9.6 mi | 12m |
| Granby Street | 4 mi | 9m |
| Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel | 3.5 mi | 4m |
| I 77 | 1.3 mi | 1m |
| Monticello Avenue | 1.2 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 182.4 mi, about 3h 19m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chesapeake, VA and Colonial Heights, 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 6B
Toward I 264 East: Waterside Drive, Saint Paul Boulevard, Downtown, Norfolk
Use the slight left lane.
6
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.
7
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.
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
61 mi
·
1 hr 7 min
·
I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
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.
18
Keep slight right at fork
1.3 mi
·
2 min
Toward I 295 North: Washington
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Merge onto I 295
23 mi
·
24 min
·
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
20
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi
·
55 sec
Exit 53A
Toward I 64 West: Charlottesville
21
Merge onto I 64
120 mi
·
2 hr 10 min
·
I 64
Toward I 64 West: Charlottesville
Use the slight right lane.
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
117 mi
·
2 hr 9 min
·
I 81
Use the straight lane.
23
Continue on I 77; I 81; US 52
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
I 77; I 81; US 52
Use the straight lane.
24
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81; US 52
65 mi
·
1 hr 9 min
·
I 81; US 52
Use the straight lane.
25
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
Toward Old Airport Road, Bonham Road
26
Turn right onto Old Airport Road
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
Old Airport Road
27
Turn right onto US 11; US 19
506 ft
·
12 sec
·
Lee Highway
28
Arrive at destination
US 11; US 19
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 206.4 miles from Chesapeake, VA, or about 3h 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 182.4 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 91 miles or 1h 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 206.4 miles or 3h 59m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 40m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Colonial Heights, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Chesapeake, VA
This is one driving day of about 412.8 miles and 7h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 91 miles from Chesapeake, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 81 for about 182.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 206.4 mi from Chesapeake, VA · 3h 59m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
206 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 91 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 206.4 miles from Chesapeake, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 81 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 182.4 miles.
Arriving in Colonial Heights, VA
The final approach into Colonial Heights, 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 Heights, 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
$64.55 one way
$129.11 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
144 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $70.58 | $141.16 |
| premium | $4.70 | $76.40 | $152.80 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $91.14 | $182.28 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$65
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$90–$115
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 144.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $43 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 123.8 | 1 | $43.34 | $19.81 |
| Efficient EV | 103.2 | 1 | $36.12 | $16.51 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 165.1 | 2 | $57.79 | $26.42 |
Gas CO2
144 kg
EV CO2
48 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.
Destination
Colonial Heights, VA
Morning in Colonial Heights on Wednesday
Local time
6:44 AM
EDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
76°F
Oakland, MD
206 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
44 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
7h 45m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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 Heights, VA covers 412.8 miles and takes about 7h 45m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 81, I 64, 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 206.4 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 $64.55 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 412.8 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 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.
On the drive from Chesapeake, VA to Colonial Heights, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Rocky Mount along the way.
Gently rolling terrain. The route ranges from 11 ft to 2,354 ft elevation with about 2,986 ft of total climbing. There is 1 notable high point along the way.
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