This 141.5-mile drive from Clarksville to Chesapeake, Virginia, is a straightforward trip that can comfortably be completed in about 3 hours and 13 minutes. With a fuel cost estimated at $22, it's an economical option for a single day trip, so you won't need to worry about overnight accommodations. The route is predominantly highway, making it a quick transit, and it stays within the Southeast region of Virginia throughout. Given its manageable length and highway focus, this journey is well-suited for a day trip, allowing for flexibility in your departure and arrival times.
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
70.7 miles from Clarksville, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 37m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 13m. Total distance: 141.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive for about 68% of this journey, offering a consistent pace. You'll primarily travel on roads like Southampton Parkway and Governor Harrison Parkway, with Virginia Avenue also playing a role. The longest uninterrupted stretch measures 62.1 miles on Southampton Parkway, providing a solid block of driving without frequent interruptions. While largely a highway experience, be prepared for potential shifts in road character as you navigate between these main thoroughfares as the drive progresses.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 25 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Southampton Parkway is the longest continuous segment at about 62.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Southampton Parkway and Governor Harrison Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 130.7 miles in near US 13; US 460.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 141.5 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 130.7 miles (US 13; US 460): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 131.4 miles (US 13; US 460): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 132.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
5
130.7 mi into trip|~2h 54m in|US 13; US 460
Take the exit onto US 13; US 460 toward I 264 East, I 64, US 13 North: Portsmouth, Norfolk, Va Beach
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 264 East, I 64, US 13 North: Portsmout...
6
131.4 mi into trip|~2h 56m in|US 13; US 460
Keep slight left at fork onto US 13; US 460 toward I 264 East, I 64, US 13 North: Portsmouth, Norfolk, Va Beach
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 264 East, I 64, US 13 North: Portsmout...
6
132.4 mi into trip|~2h 58m in
Take the exit toward I 264 East: Portsmouth, Norfolk
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 15A
Toward I 264 East: Portsmouth, Norfolk
8
136.8 mi into trip|~3h 4m in
Take the exit toward VA 164 West, US 17: Martin Luther King Jr Expressway, Norfolk, Frederick Boulevard
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 6; 5
Toward VA 164 West, US 17: Martin Luther King J...
9
137 mi into trip|~3h 4m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 17: Frederick Boulevard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 5
Toward US 17: Frederick Boulevard
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Clarksville, VA and Chesapeake, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk and Va Beach.
Norfolk
130.7 mi in|~2h 54m|via US 13; US 460
Va Beach
130.7 mi in|~2h 54m|via US 13; US 460
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Southampton Parkway
62.1 mi
1h 20m
Governor Harrison Parkway
22.5 mi
30m
Virginia Avenue
20.3 mi
27m
Pleasant Shade Drive
6.4 mi
8m
West Atlantic Street
5.1 mi
6m
I 264
3.7 mi
4m
Highway 58
3.6 mi
5m
Highway 1
3.5 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
Southampton Parkway
— 62.1 mi, about 1h 20m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clarksville, VA and Chesapeake, VA.
1
Start on US 15; US 58 BUS
20 mi·27 min·Virginia Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
2
Continue on US 1; US 58
3.5 mi·4 min·Highway 1
3
Continue on US 58
3.3 mi·4 min·South Hill Bypass
4
Continue on US 58
1.1 mi·1 min·East Atlantic Street
5
Continue on US 58
3.6 mi·5 min·Highway 58
6
Continue on US 58
1.2 mi·2 min·Piney Pond Road
7
Continue on US 58
23 mi·30 min·Governor Harrison Parkway
8
Continue on US 58
6.4 mi·8 min·Pleasant Shade Drive
9
Continue on US 58
5.1 mi·6 min·West Atlantic Street
10
Continue on US 58
62 mi·1 hr 20 min·Southampton Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on US 13; US 58; US 460
1.7 mi·2 min·West Military Highway
12
Take the exit onto US 13; US 460
0.7 mi·1 min·US 13; US 460
Toward I 264 East, I 64, US 13 North: Portsmouth, Norfolk, Va Beach
13
Keep slight left at fork onto US 13; US 460
0.4 mi·56 sec·US 13; US 460
Toward I 264 East, I 64, US 13 North: Portsmouth, Norfolk, Va Beach
14
Merge onto I 664; US 13; US 460
0.6 mi·42 sec·Hampton Roads Beltway
15
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 15AToward I 264 East: Portsmouth, Norfolk
16
Continue on I 264
3.7 mi·4 min·I 264
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Exit 6; 5Toward VA 164 West, US 17: Martin Luther King Jr Expressway, Norfolk, Frederick BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 5Toward US 17: Frederick BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
19
Turn right onto US 17
1.2 mi·1 min·Frederick Boulevard
Use the right lane.
20
At end of road, turn left onto VA 141
0.4 mi·50 sec·George Washington Highway
21
Turn right onto VA 337
0.8 mi·1 min·Elm Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
22
Continue on VA 337
1.1 mi·2 min·South Norfolk Jordan Bridge
23
Turn straight onto VA 337
0.7 mi·1 min·Poindexter Street
Use the straight lane.
24
Turn left onto D Street
412 ft·18 sec·D Street
25
Arrive at destination
D Street
Trip Plan
For this relatively short 3-hour trip, leaving Clarksville at any time that suits you is feasible, but an early start can give you a full day at your destination in Chesapeake. You'll encounter just one main stop indicated, so plan your breaks accordingly, perhaps around the halfway point or when you feel the need to stretch. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated $22 cost suggests a steady consumption on the highway stretches. A practical tip for this route is to be aware of the 62.1-mile stretch on Southampton Parkway – ensuring you have enough fuel before entering this longer segment will prevent any unnecessary detours.
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 70.7 miles from Clarksville, VA, or about 1h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 62.1 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 31 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 70.7 miles or 1h 37m 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 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Chesapeake, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Clarksville, 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 Clarksville, VA
This is one driving day of about 141.5 miles and 3h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 miles from Clarksville, 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 Southampton Parkway for about 62.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 70.7 mi from Clarksville, VA
· 1h 37m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.13 one way
$44.25 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg50 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$24.19
$48.39
premium
$4.70
$26.19
$52.38
diesel
$5.61
$31.24
$62.48
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 49.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
42.4
0
$14.86
$6.79
Efficient EV
35.4
0
$12.38
$5.66
EV Truck/SUV
56.6
0
$19.81
$9.06
Gas CO2
50 kg
EV CO2
17 kg (66% 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 17, 2026
Origin
Clarksville, VA
Night
in Clarksville on Friday
Local time
9:30 PM
EDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Chesapeake, VA
Night
in Chesapeake on Friday
Local time
9:30 PM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny
NW 7 mph18% chanceLive forecast
80°F
Emporia, VA
71 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
5 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 13m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Clarksville, VA to Chesapeake, VA covers 141.5 miles and takes about 3h 13m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Southampton Parkway, Governor Harrison Parkway, Virginia Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 70.7 miles from Clarksville, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $22.13 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 12 significant decision points across 141.5 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 130.7 miles (US 13; US 460): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 131.4 miles (US 13; US 460): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 132.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Clarksville, VA and Chesapeake, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk and Va Beach.
