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Trip from Clintwood, VA to Newport News, VA

Data updated 0 seconds ago

Drive Time

8h 27m

Distance

438.3 mi

705 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

2-day trip

Fuel Cost

$69

one way

EV Charging

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station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 23 min
4 AM
8h 20m ★
6 AM
8h 28m
8 AM
8h 43m
10 AM
8h 33m
12 PM
8h 32m
3 PM
8h 34m
5 PM
8h 42m
8 PM
8h 23m

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

town in Dickenson County, Virginia, United States

Clintwood, VA

Wikimedia Commons

independent city in Virginia, United States

Newport News, VA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Clintwood, VA to Newport News, VA covers 438.3 miles and takes about 8h 27m behind the wheel. It usually feels better as a 2-day road trip than as one long push.

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 196.9 miles on I 81. At current regular gas prices, budget about $68.54 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

219.1 miles from Clintwood, VA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 24m into the drive .

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Drive Character

This is a 8h 27m highway drive covering 438.3 miles, with most of the trip on I 81 and I 64. The longest continuous stretch is about 196.9 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 34 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 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 438.3 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 20 key points

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

7
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.
8
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
7
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 straight lane. Toward I 64 East: Richmond
8
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
8
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 Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Clintwood, VA and Newport News, 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 64 147 mi 2h 40m
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 Newport News, VA.

1

Start on Skeens Avenue

58 ft · 9 sec · Skeens Avenue
2

Turn left onto SR 607

0.2 mi · 23 sec · Clintwood Main Street
3

Enter roundabout onto VA 83

207 ft · 3 sec · Dickenson Highway
4

Continue on VA 83

6.4 mi · 9 min · Dickenson Highway
5

Turn sharp right onto VA 63

14 mi · 20 min · Dante Mountain Road
6

Continue on VA 63

8.9 mi · 13 min · Dante Road
7

Continue on VA 63

1.1 mi · 1 min · Wise Street
8

Turn left onto VA 270

0.3 mi · 50 sec · 4th Avenue
9

At end of road, turn left onto US 58 ALT

0.2 mi · 24 sec · Castlewood Drive
10

Continue on US 58 ALT

365 ft · 6 sec · Trail of the Lonesome Pine
11

Continue on US 58 ALT

6.9 mi · 9 min · US Highway 58 Alternate
12

Continue on US 58 ALT; VA 71

7.8 mi · 10 min · Trail of the Lonesome Pine
13

Turn right onto US 19

13 mi · 18 min · US 19
14

Turn left onto US 11

0.5 mi · 1 min · West Main Street
15

Turn right onto Preston Street Southwest

0.2 mi · 33 sec · Preston Street Southwest
16

At end of road, turn left onto Bradley Street Southwest

0.5 mi · 1 min · Bradley Street Southwest
17

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

0.6 mi · 1 min · Cummings Street
Use the straight lane.
18

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 31 sec
19

Merge onto I 81; US 58

57 mi · 1 hr 1 min · I 81; US 58
Use the straight lane.
20

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

7.1 mi · 7 min · I 77; I 81; US 11; US 52
21

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.
22

Continue on I 64; I 81

0.3 mi · 17 sec · I 64; I 81
23

Keep slight right at fork onto I 64

90 mi · 1 hr 38 min · I 64
Toward I 64 East: Richmond Use the straight lane.
24

Take the exit

1.2 mi · 1 min
Exit 177 Toward I 295 North: Washington, Norfolk Use the slight right lane.
25

Continue on I 295

23 mi · 25 min · Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26

Take the exit

1.3 mi · 2 min
Exit 28A Toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27

Merge onto I 64

57 mi · 1 hr 2 min · I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 51 sec
Exit 258A Toward US 17 South: J Clyde Morris Boulevard Use the slight right lane.
29

Turn straight onto US 17

0.1 mi · 10 sec · J Clyde Morris Boulevard
30

Turn right onto Diligence Drive

0.5 mi · 1 min · Diligence Drive
31

At end of road, turn right onto Thimble Shoals Boulevard

0.1 mi · 19 sec · Thimble Shoals Boulevard
32

Turn left

413 ft · 33 sec
33

At end of road, turn right

82 ft · 6 sec
34

Arrive at destination

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.

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 219.1 miles from Clintwood, VA, or about 4h 24m 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 96 miles or 2h 9m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 219.1 miles or 4h 24m 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 219.1 miles or 4h 24m

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 18m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Newport News, 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 219 miles and 4.2 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 2

Finish the approach into Newport News, VA

Aim for roughly 219 miles and 4.2 hours of wheel time on this day.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 96 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 219.1 mi from Clintwood, VA · 4h 24m into the drive

Mid-route town

Overnight candidate

Winston-Salem, NC

219 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

219 mi · about 4.2h in

A practical overnight split lands near Winston-Salem, NC after about 219 miles or 4.2 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Pacing Suggestions

Johnson City, TN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 96 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Oakland, MD

Meal break

The midpoint is around 219.1 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 219 miles or 4.2 hours on the road.

Arriving in Newport News, VA

The final approach into Newport News, 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 Newport News, VA.

On a multi-day trip, keep the last day a little lighter so you reach Newport News, 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

$68.54 one way

$137.08 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 153 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $74.94 $149.88
premium $4.70 $81.12 $162.24
diesel $5.61 $96.77 $193.54

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$69

Hotel (1n)

$80–$140

Meals

$50–$100

Total

$199–$309

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 153.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $46 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 131.5 1 $46.02 $21.04
Efficient EV 109.6 1 $38.35 $17.53
EV Truck/SUV 175.3 2 $61.36 $28.05

Gas CO2

153 kg

EV CO2

51 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 1 day ago

Origin

Clintwood, VA

Morning in Clintwood on Wednesday

Local time

6:16 AM

EDT

Current temp

71°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Newport News, VA

Morning in Newport News on Wednesday

Local time

6:16 AM

EDT

Current temp

85°F

Mostly Sunny

SW 13 to 17 mph 3% chance 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

14 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

8h 27m 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 Newport News, VA covers 438.3 miles and takes about 8h 27m 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 219 miles on day one.
The midpoint is about 219.1 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 $68.54 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 438.3 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 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.
Between Clintwood, VA and Newport News, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk and Virginia Beach.

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