Trip from Clintwood, VA to Chesapeake, VA

Drive Time

9h 5m

Distance

464.9 mi

748 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

2-day trip

Fuel Cost

$74

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 24 min

4 AM

8h 58m ★

6 AM

9h 6m

8 AM

9h 22m

10 AM

9h 11m

12 PM

9h 10m

3 PM

9h 12m

5 PM

9h 21m

8 PM

9h 1m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Clintwood, VA

Eric Joseph

Chesapeake, VA

Willians Huerta

Trip Overview

Crossing the Commonwealth from Clintwood to Chesapeake is a significant 464.9-mile journey that spans the state from the Appalachian mountains to the coast. You should budget approximately 9 hours and 5 minutes of driving time, making this a trek that is best split over two days to avoid fatigue. With a projected fuel cost of $74, the trip is manageable but requires careful planning. You will primarily utilize I-81, I-64, and the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway to make your way across the Southeast. Because the route crosses the entire width of Virginia, an overnight stay allows you to enjoy the transition between regions rather than rushing through the interstate segments.

Trip Pace

Best split across 2 days

Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.

Break Rhythm

2 planned breaks

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

232.5 miles from Clintwood, VA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 39m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a highway-focused drive, as 82% of your journey takes place on high-speed roads. The character of the trip is defined by a significant 196.9-mile stretch on I-81, which serves as the backbone of your travel. While the interstate segments prioritize efficiency and speed, the transition between these major arteries keeps the drive from feeling entirely monotonous. You will find that the road demands steady attention as you navigate the heavy traffic often associated with these major corridors. Ultimately, the route is designed for getting from point A to point B reliably rather than for winding, low-speed sightseeing.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 43 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 196.9 miles.

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 59.8 miles in near US 58 ALT; VA 75 / Cummings Street.

Route Complexity 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 26 significant decision points across 464.9 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 59.8 miles (US 58 ALT; VA 75 / Cummings Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 125 miles (I 81; US 11): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 265 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 26 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

59.8 mi into trip | ~1h 29m in | US 58 ALT; VA 75 / Cummings Street

At end of road, turn right onto US 58 ALT; VA 75 / Cummings Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.

125 mi into trip | ~2h 40m in | I 81; US 11

Keep slight left at fork onto I 81; US 11 toward I 81 North, US 11 North: Roanoke

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight lane. Toward I 81 North, US 11 North: Roanoke

265 mi into trip | ~5h 15m 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 none lane. Toward I 64 East: Richmond

355 mi into trip | ~6h 53m 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

379.1 mi into trip | ~7h 19m 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

Towns Along This Route

Between Clintwood, VA and Chesapeake, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk and Virginia Beach.

Norfolk

355 mi in | ~6h 53m

Virginia Beach

379.1 mi in | ~7h 19m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 81	196.9 mi	3h 35m
I 64	157.1 mi	2h 53m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway	22.9 mi	25m
Dante Mountain Road	13.9 mi	20m
US 19	12.7 mi	18m
Dante Road	8.9 mi	13m
Trail of the Lonesome Pine	7.9 mi	10m
I 77	7.1 mi	7m

Longest stretch: I 81 — 196.9 mi, about 3h 35m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Clintwood, VA and Chesapeake, VA.

Start on Skeens Avenue

58 ft · 9 sec · Skeens Avenue

Turn left onto SR 607

0.2 mi · 23 sec · Clintwood Main Street

Enter roundabout onto VA 83

207 ft · 3 sec · Dickenson Highway

Continue on VA 83

6.4 mi · 9 min · Dickenson Highway

Turn sharp right onto VA 63

14 mi · 20 min · Dante Mountain Road

Continue on VA 63

8.9 mi · 13 min · Dante Road

Continue on VA 63

1.1 mi · 1 min · Wise Street

Turn left onto VA 270

0.3 mi · 50 sec · 4th Avenue

At end of road, turn left onto US 58 ALT

0.2 mi · 24 sec · Castlewood Drive

Continue on US 58 ALT

365 ft · 6 sec · Trail of the Lonesome Pine

Continue on US 58 ALT

6.9 mi · 9 min · US Highway 58 Alternate

Use the none lane.

Continue on US 58 ALT; VA 71

7.8 mi · 10 min · Trail of the Lonesome Pine

Use the none lane.

Turn right onto US 19

13 mi · 18 min · US 19

Use the none lane.

Turn left onto US 11

0.5 mi · 1 min · West Main Street

Turn right onto Preston Street Southwest

0.2 mi · 33 sec · Preston Street Southwest

At end of road, turn left onto Bradley Street Southwest

0.5 mi · 1 min · Bradley Street Southwest

At end of road, turn right onto US 58 ALT; VA 75

0.6 mi · 1 min · Cummings Street

Use the straight lane.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 31 sec

Merge onto I 81; US 58

57 mi · 1 hr 1 min · I 81; US 58

Use the none lane.

Continue on I 77; I 81; US 11; US 52

7.1 mi · 7 min · I 77; I 81; US 11; US 52

Keep slight left at fork onto I 81; US 11

140 mi · 2 hr 33 min · I 81; US 11

Toward I 81 North, US 11 North: Roanoke Use the straight lane.

Continue on I 64; I 81

0.3 mi · 17 sec · I 64; I 81

Keep slight right at fork onto I 64

90 mi · 1 hr 38 min · I 64

Toward I 64 East: Richmond Use the none lane.

Take the exit

1.2 mi · 1 min

Exit 177 Toward I 295 North: Washington, Norfolk Use the slight right lane.

Continue on I 295

23 mi · 25 min · Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

1.3 mi · 2 min

Exit 28A Toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 64

67 mi · 1 hr 15 min · I 64

Use the none lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 64; US 60

342 ft · 5 sec · Hampton Roads Beltway

Continue on I 64; US 60

3.5 mi · 4 min · Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel

Continue on I 64; US 60

6.7 mi · 8 min · Hampton Roads Beltway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 32 sec

Exit 278 Toward VA 194 South: Chesapeake Boulevard Use the slight right lane.

Turn straight onto VA 194

2.1 mi · 3 min · Chesapeake Boulevard

Use the none lane.

Turn straight

135 ft · 7 sec

Turn left onto VA 247

1.1 mi · 1 min · Ballentine Boulevard

Use the none lane.

Turn right onto VA 166

0.9 mi · 1 min · East Princess Anne Road

Use the none lane.

Turn left onto VA 166

0.6 mi · 1 min · Park Avenue

Use the none lane.

Turn left onto US 460; VA 166; VA 168

0.3 mi · 57 sec · East Brambleton Avenue

Use the left / straight / right lanes.

Continue on US 460; VA 166; VA 168

0.7 mi · 1 min · Campostella Road

Use the none lane.

Turn right onto US 460; VA 166

0.7 mi · 1 min · Wilson Road

Use the right lane.

Continue on US 460; VA 166

0.3 mi · 27 sec · 22nd Street

Use the none lane.

Continue on US 460; VA 166

0.3 mi · 29 sec · Poindexter Street

Use the straight lane.

Turn right onto D Street

412 ft · 18 sec · D Street

Arrive at destination

D Street

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 464.9-mile haul, plan for at least two major stops to refresh yourself during the long hours behind the wheel. Departing early in the morning is your best strategy for navigating the high-traffic stretches of I-81 and I-64 more comfortably. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the long 196.9-mile interstate segment, to ensure you stay within your $74 budget without needing to hunt for stations in remote areas. Since this is a two-day trip, consider splitting your drive near the halfway point to balance your time on the road. Staying flexible with your departure time will help you avoid the worst congestion on the primary highways.

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.

This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.

Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 232.5 miles from Clintwood, VA, or about 4h 39m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 196.9 miles.

Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 102 miles or 2h 16m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 232.5 miles or 4h 39m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Overnight split

Day 1 wrap after about 232.5 miles or 4h 39m

Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 7h 50m

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 Clintwood, 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.

Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Clintwood, VA

Aim for roughly 232 miles and 4.5 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 2

Finish the approach into Chesapeake, VA

Aim for roughly 232 miles and 4.5 hours of wheel time on this day.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 102 miles from Clintwood, VA.

This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.

Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on I 81 for about 196.9 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 232.5 mi from Clintwood, VA · 4h 39m into the drive

Mid-route town

Overnight candidate

Winston-Salem, NC

232 mi into the route

Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start

This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.

Find hotels in Winston-Salem, NC

Overnight Options

Night 1

Winston-Salem, NC

232 mi · about 4.5h in

A practical overnight split lands near Winston-Salem, NC after about 232 miles or 4.5 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Pacing Suggestions

Johnson City, TN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 102 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Oakland, MD

Meal break

The midpoint is around 232.5 miles from Clintwood, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 81 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 196.9 miles.

Overnight split

Hotel stop

For a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 232 miles or 4.5 hours on the road.

Arriving in Chesapeake, VA

The final approach into Chesapeake, 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 Chesapeake, VA.

On a multi-day trip, keep the last day a little lighter so you reach Chesapeake, VA with some flexibility left in the schedule.

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

$74.40 one way

$148.80 round trip

$4.07/gal 25.4 MPG avg 163 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.43	$81.06	$162.13
premium	$4.78	$87.45	$174.90
diesel	$5.64	$103.28	$206.57

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$74

Hotel (1n)

$80–$140

Meals

$50–$100

Total

$204–$314

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 162.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $49 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	139.5	1	$48.81	$22.32
Efficient EV	116.2	1	$40.68	$18.60
EV Truck/SUV	186	2	$65.09	$29.75

Gas CO2

163 kg

EV CO2

54 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 data refreshed 2 days ago

Origin

Clintwood, VA

Evening in Clintwood on Sunday

Local time

5:11 PM

EDT

Current temp

58°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Chesapeake, VA

Evening in Chesapeake on Sunday

Local time

5:11 PM

EDT

Current temp

67°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.

For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.

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

9 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

9h 5m on the road

This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Clintwood, VA to Chesapeake, VA covers 464.9 miles and takes about 9h 5m 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.

Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.

Yes. This route is usually more comfortable as a 2-day drive. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 232 miles on day one.

The midpoint is about 232.5 miles from Clintwood, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $74.40 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.

Between Clintwood, VA and Chesapeake, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk and Virginia Beach.

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Trip from Clintwood, VA to Chesapeake, VA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Overnight Options

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Chesapeake, VA

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Clintwood, VA

Chesapeake, VA

Same local time

9 degrees warmer at arrival

9h 5m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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