Origin
Dryden, VA
Morning in Dryden on Wednesday
Local time
8:22 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Dryden, VA to Newport News, VA
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
8h 34m
Distance
453.8 mi
730 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$71
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
8h 27m
★
6 AM
8h 35m
8 AM
8h 50m
10 AM
8h 40m
12 PM
8h 39m
3 PM
8h 41m
5 PM
8h 49m
8 PM
8h 30m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Dryden, VA
Eric Joseph
Newport News, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Dryden, VA to Newport News, VA covers 453.8 miles and takes about 8h 34m 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 222.1 miles on I 81. At current regular gas prices, budget about $70.96 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
226.9 miles from Dryden, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 22m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
This is a 8h 34m highway drive covering 453.8 miles, with most of the trip on I 81 and I 64. The longest continuous stretch is about 222.1 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 31 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 222.1 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 140.6 miles in near I 81; US 11.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 453.8 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 140.6 miles (I 81; US 11): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 280.5 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 370.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
140.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 47m 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
280.5 mi into trip
|
~5h 21m 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
370.5 mi into trip
|
~6h 59m 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
394.6 mi into trip
|
~7h 26m 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
7
452.6 mi into trip
|
~8h 31m in
Take the exit toward US 17 South: J Clyde Morris Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 258A
Toward US 17 South: J Clyde Morris Boulevard
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Dryden, VA and Newport News, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk and Virginia Beach.
Norfolk
370.5 mi in
|
~6h 59m
Virginia Beach
394.6 mi in
|
~7h 26m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 81 | 222.1 mi | 4h 2m |
| I 64 | 147 mi | 2h 40m |
| Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway | 22.9 mi | 25m |
| US Highway 23 | 15.6 mi | 20m |
| East Stone Drive | 9.7 mi | 11m |
| Wilderness Road | 6 mi | 8m |
| Woodway Road | 5.2 mi | 7m |
| Bloomingdale Pike | 5.1 mi | 9m |
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 222.1 mi, about 4h 2m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dryden, VA and Newport News, VA.
1
Start on US 58 Business
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Dryden Loop
2
Turn right onto US 58 ALT
3.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Veterans Memorial Highway
3
Continue on US 58 ALT
0.2 mi
·
43 sec
·
East Morgan Avenue
4
Turn left onto US 421
5.2 mi
·
7 min
·
Woodway Road
5
At end of road, turn left onto US 58
6.0 mi
·
8 min
·
Wilderness Road
6
Continue on US 58; US 421
4.7 mi
·
6 min
·
Duff Patt Highway
7
Turn right onto US 23; US 58; US 421
4.2 mi
·
5 min
·
US Highway 23
8
Continue on US 23; US 58; US 421
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Orby Cantrell Highway
9
Continue on US 23; US 58; US 421
11 mi
·
14 min
·
US Highway 23
10
Continue on US 23; US 58; US 421
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
Main Street
11
Turn left onto US 58; US 421
4.7 mi
·
5 min
·
Wadlow Gap Highway
12
Continue on SR 93
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
North John B Dennis Highway
13
Turn left onto Bloomingdale Pike
5.1 mi
·
9 min
·
Bloomingdale Pike
14
Turn right onto Ollis Bowers Hill Road
357 ft
·
15 sec
·
Ollis Bowers Hill Road
15
Turn left onto US 11W
9.7 mi
·
11 min
·
East Stone Drive
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
17
Merge onto I 81
82 mi
·
1 hr 28 min
·
I 81
Use the straight lane.
18
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.
19
Continue on I 64; I 81
0.3 mi
·
17 sec
·
I 64; I 81
20
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.
21
Take the exit
1.2 mi
·
1 min
Exit 177
Toward I 295 North: Washington, Norfolk
Use the slight right lane.
22
Continue on I 295
23 mi
·
25 min
·
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
1.3 mi
·
2 min
Exit 28A
Toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Merge onto I 64
57 mi
·
1 hr 2 min
·
I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
Exit 258A
Toward US 17 South: J Clyde Morris Boulevard
Use the slight right lane.
26
Turn straight onto US 17
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
·
J Clyde Morris Boulevard
27
Turn right onto Diligence Drive
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Diligence Drive
28
At end of road, turn right onto Thimble Shoals Boulevard
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
Thimble Shoals Boulevard
29
Turn left
413 ft
·
33 sec
30
At end of road, turn right
82 ft
·
6 sec
31
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 226.9 miles from Dryden, VA, or about 4h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 222.1 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 100 miles or 2h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 226.9 miles or 4h 22m 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 226.9 miles or 4h 22m
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 25m
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 Dryden, 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 Dryden, VA
Aim for roughly 227 miles and 4.3 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Newport News, VA
Aim for roughly 227 miles and 4.3 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 100 miles from Dryden, 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 222.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 226.9 mi from Dryden, VA · 4h 22m into the drive
Mid-route town
Overnight candidate
227 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, NCOvernight Options
Night 1
227 mi · about 4.3h in
A practical overnight split lands near Winston-Salem, NC after about 227 miles or 4.3 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 100 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 226.9 miles from Dryden, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 81 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 222.1 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 227 miles or 4.3 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
$70.96 one way
$141.93 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
159 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $77.59 | $155.19 |
| premium | $4.70 | $83.99 | $167.98 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $100.19 | $200.39 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$71
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$201–$311
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 158.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $48 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 136.1 | 1 | $47.65 | $21.78 |
| Efficient EV | 113.5 | 1 | $39.71 | $18.15 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 181.5 | 2 | $63.53 | $29.04 |
Gas CO2
159 kg
EV CO2
53 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.
Destination
Newport News, VA
Morning in Newport News on Wednesday
Local time
8:22 AM
EDT
Current temp
85°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 13 to 17 mph
3% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 13 at 5:52AM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 13 at 4:18AM EDT by NWS Baltimore MD/Washington DC
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
23 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 34m 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 Dryden, VA to Newport News, VA covers 453.8 miles and takes about 8h 34m 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 227 miles on day one.
The midpoint is about 226.9 miles from Dryden, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $70.96 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 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 17 significant decision points across 453.8 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 140.6 miles (I 81; US 11): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 280.5 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 370.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Dryden, VA and Newport News, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk and Virginia Beach.
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