The drive from Christiansburg, VA to Virginia Beach, VA covers 319.5 miles and takes about 6h 4m 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 156.9 miles on I 64.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $49.96 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
159.8 miles from Christiansburg, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 58m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 4m. Total distance: 319.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 4m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Drive Character
This is a 6h 4m highway drive covering 319.5 miles, with most of the trip on I 64 and I 81. The longest continuous stretch is about 156.9 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 20 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 156.9 miles.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,087 ft8 ft
Total Climb
677 ft
Total Descent
2,756 ft
Highest Point
2,087 ft
Elevation Range
2,079 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 1.3 miles in.
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 13 significant decision points across 319.5 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 1.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 108.4 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 198.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
1.3 mi into trip|~2m in
Turn left toward I 81 North: Roanoke
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 81 North: Roanoke
7
108.4 mi into trip|~2h 2m in|I 64
Keep slight right at fork onto I 64 toward I 64 East: Richmond
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 64 East: Richmond
8
198.4 mi into trip|~3h 40m in
Take the exit toward I 295 North: Washington, Norfolk
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 177
Toward I 295 North: Washington, Norfolk
8
222.5 mi into trip|~4h 7m in
Take the exit toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach
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 28A
Toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach
8
306.2 mi into trip|~5h 45m in
Take the exit toward I 264 East, I 264 West: Va Beach, Downtown Norfolk, Portsmouth
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 284A
Toward I 264 East, I 264 West: Va Beach, Downto...
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 Christiansburg, VA to Virginia Beach, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Norfolk along the way.
Norfolk
198.4 mi in|~3h 40m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
156.9 mi
2h 53m
I 81
106.9 mi
1h 58m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
22.9 mi
25m
Hampton Roads Beltway
12 mi
15m
Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway
11.8 mi
16m
Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
3.5 mi
4m
West Main Street
1.1 mi
2m
21st Street
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 156.9 mi, about 2h 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Christiansburg, VA and Virginia Beach, VA.
1
Start on US 460 BUS
27 ft·4 sec·North Franklin Street
2
Turn right onto US 11
1.1 mi·2 min·West Main Street
3
Continue on VA 8
0.2 mi·37 sec·Riner Road
4
Turn left
0.2 mi·33 sec
Toward I 81 North: RoanokeUse the left lane.
5
Merge onto I 81
107 mi·1 hr 58 min·I 81
Use the straight lane.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 64
90 mi·1 hr 38 min·I 64
Toward I 64 East: RichmondUse the straight lane.
7
Take the exit
1.2 mi·1 min
Exit 177Toward I 295 North: Washington, NorfolkUse the slight right lane.
8
Continue on I 295
23 mi·25 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
1.3 mi·2 min
Exit 28AToward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia BeachUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 64
67 mi·1 hr 15 min·I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64; US 60
342 ft·5 sec·Hampton Roads Beltway
12
Continue on I 64; US 60
3.5 mi·4 min·Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
13
Continue on I 64; US 60
12 mi·15 min·Hampton Roads Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·14 sec
Exit 284AToward I 264 East, I 264 West: Va Beach, Downtown Norfolk, PortsmouthUse the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 264 East: Va BeachUse the straight / slight left lanes.
16
Merge onto I 264
12 mi·16 min·Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway
17
Continue on 21st Street
0.4 mi·54 sec·21st Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Turn left onto Arctic Avenue
0.3 mi·46 sec·Arctic Avenue
Use the left lane.
19
Turn right onto 25th Street
454 ft·12 sec·25th Street
20
Arrive at destination
25th Street
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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 159.8 miles from Christiansburg, VA, or about 2h 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 156.9 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 70 miles or 1h 19m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 159.8 miles or 2h 58m 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 52m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Virginia Beach, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Christiansburg, 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 Christiansburg, VA
This is one driving day of about 319.5 miles and 6h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 70 miles from Christiansburg, 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 156.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 159.8 mi from Christiansburg, VA
· 2h 58m into the drive
The midpoint is around 159.8 miles from Christiansburg, 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 156.9 miles.
Arriving in Virginia Beach, VA
The final approach into Virginia 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 Virginia Beach, 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Colonial National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
3 mi from route
~6 min detour
$15
near mile 264.4
Park Closure: Rehabilitation of Colonial Parkway Continues
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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 286.5
Booker T. Washington was born a slave in April 1856 on the 207-acre farm of James Burroughs. After the Civil War, Washington became the first principal of Tuskegee Normal and Industrial School. Later...
21 mi from route
~53 min detour
Free
near mile 33.1
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...
27 mi from route
~68 min detour
Free
near mile 220.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$49.96 one way
$99.93 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg112 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$54.63
$109.26
premium
$4.70
$59.13
$118.27
diesel
$5.61
$70.54
$141.08
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$50
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$75–$100
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 111.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
15 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
Tesla Supercharger
Norfolk, Virginia
Tesla
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Salem, Virginia
Tesla
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Newport News, Virginia
Tesla
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Salem, Virginia
Tesla
1 DCFC
EV Connect Charging Station
Newport News, Virginia
EV Connect
1 DCFC
Electrify America Charging Station
Fincastle, Virginia
Electrify America
1 DCFC
Electrify America Charging Station
Newport News, Virginia
Electrify America
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Newport News, Virginia
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
ChargePoint: 5
Tesla: 4
EV Connect: 2
Electrify America: 2
Tesla Destination: 1
InCharge: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
95.9
1
$33.55
$15.34
Efficient EV
79.9
0
$27.96
$12.78
EV Truck/SUV
127.8
1
$44.73
$20.45
Gas CO2
112 kg
EV CO2
37 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 as of Apr 14, 2026
Origin
Christiansburg, VA
Morning
in Christiansburg on Saturday
Local time
6:45 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Virginia Beach, VA
Morning
in Virginia Beach on Saturday
Local time
6:45 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Partly Cloudy
SW 13 mph3% chanceLive 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
7 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
6h 4m 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 Christiansburg, VA to Virginia Beach, VA covers 319.5 miles and takes about 6h 4m 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 159.8 miles from Christiansburg, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $49.96 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 1 meaningful break 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 13 significant decision points across 319.5 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 1.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 108.4 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 198.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Christiansburg, VA to Virginia Beach, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Norfolk along the way.
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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
