The drive from Chesapeake, VA to Petersburg, VA covers 85.8 miles and takes about 1h 54m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on James River Drive, Colonial Trail West, Benns Church Boulevard for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 14.6 miles on James River Drive.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $13.42 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.
Midpoint
42.9 miles from Chesapeake, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 54m. Total distance: 85.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 54m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
Expect a 1h 54m drive with frequent turns across 85.8 miles of local and secondary roads.
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.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 85.8 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
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 0.4 miles: Navigation decision point; at 1.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 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
4
0.4 mi into trip|~0m in
Take the ramp toward I 464 North
Navigation decision point
Toward I 464 North
9
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...
7
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
8
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...
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 Petersburg, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Norfolk along the way.
Norfolk
4.3 mi in|~7m
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
Bridge Road
6.5 mi
11m
East Washington Street
4.6 mi
5m
Brewers Neck Boulevard
2.9 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
James River Drive
— 14.6 mi, about 19m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chesapeake, VA and Petersburg, 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 right at fork
0.1 mi·14 sec
Exit 6AToward I 264 West Toll: Downtown Tunnel, PortsmouthUse the slight right lane.
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 264 West Toll: TunnelUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 264; US 460 ALT
1.9 mi·3 min·I 264; US 460 ALT
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi·37 sec
Exit 6Toward VA 164 West: Martin Luther King Jr Expressway, NorfolkUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on VA 164
0.5 mi·48 sec·Martin Luther King Jr Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on US 58; VA 164
0.6 mi·55 sec·Martin Luther King Freeway
11
Continue on VA 164
7.4 mi·9 min·Western Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on US 17
6.5 mi·11 min·Bridge Road
Use the straight lane.
13
Continue on US 17
2.4 mi·3 min·Carrollton Boulevard
14
Turn left onto Brewers Neck Boulevard
2.9 mi·4 min·Brewers Neck Boulevard
15
Merge onto US 258; VA 10
12 mi·15 min·Benns Church Boulevard
16
Continue on VA 10
9.9 mi·11 min·Colonial Trail East
17
Turn left onto VA 10; VA 31
1.0 mi·1 min·Rolfe Highway
18
Turn right onto VA 10
13 mi·15 min·Colonial Trail West
19
Continue on VA 10
15 mi·19 min·James River Drive
20
Continue on VA 10; VA 156 BUS
1.2 mi·2 min·East Randolph Road
21
Turn left onto VA 156 Business
1.8 mi·2 min·Winston Churchill Drive
22
Continue on VA 36
0.4 mi·26 sec·Oaklawn Boulevard
23
Continue on VA 36
1.0 mi·1 min·Woodlawn Street
24
Continue on VA 36
1.0 mi·1 min·Oaklawn Boulevard
25
Continue on VA 36
4.6 mi·5 min·East Washington Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
26
Turn left
36 ft·2 sec
27
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
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 42.9 miles from Chesapeake, VA, or about 1h 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 19 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 42.9 miles or 1h 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 37m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Petersburg, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Chesapeake, VA
This is one driving day of about 85.8 miles and 1h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Chesapeake, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
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 42.9 mi from Chesapeake, VA
· 1h into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 85.8
Park Closure: Eastern Front Tour Road south of Route 36 - Closed
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...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
$15
near mile 41.4
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 8.9
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
25.7
0
$9.01
$4.12
Efficient EV
21.5
0
$7.51
$3.43
EV Truck/SUV
34.3
0
$12.01
$5.49
Gas CO2
30 kg
EV CO2
10 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
Afternoon
in Chesapeake on Friday
Local time
3:43 PM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Petersburg, VA
Afternoon
in Petersburg on Friday
Local time
3:43 PM
EDT
Current temp
82°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
71°F
Williamsburg, VA
43 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
30 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
1h 54m 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 Petersburg, VA covers 85.8 miles and takes about 1h 54m 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 42.9 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 $13.42 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.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 85.8 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
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 0.4 miles: Navigation decision point; at 1.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Chesapeake, VA to Petersburg, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Norfolk along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Petersburg National Battlefield, Colonial National Historical Park and Fort Monroe National Monument.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
