Trip from Dublin, VA to Chesapeake, VA

Data updated 0 seconds ago

Drive Time

6h 11m

Distance

325.2 mi

523 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$51

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min

4 AM

5h 59m ★

6 AM

6h 12m

8 AM

6h 37m

10 AM

6h 21m

12 PM

6h 18m

3 PM

6h 22m

5 PM

6h 36m

8 PM

6h 4m

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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Dublin, VA

Wikimedia Commons

Chesapeake, VA

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Trip Overview

This 325-mile drive from Dublin, Virginia, to Chesapeake, Virginia, is a solid day trip, estimated to take about 6 hours and 11 minutes. You'll be spending most of your time on major highways, with 86% of the route being on interstates like I-81 and I-64, also known as the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway. With a projected fuel cost of around $51, this is a straightforward journey across the Southeast region of Virginia. It's a highway-focused trip that's perfectly manageable in a single day, making it a convenient option for getting from point A to point B efficiently.

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

162.6 miles from Dublin, VA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 1m into the drive .

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Drive Character

Expect a highway-centric experience for the majority of this 325-mile journey. With 86% of the route on interstates, you'll largely be on fast-paced roads like I-81 and I-64. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is a significant 156.9 miles along I-64, meaning you can cover a lot of ground without frequent exits. This profile suggests a drive where maintaining speed is possible for extended periods, with fewer opportunities for leisurely exploration on local roads.

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

There are about 26 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.

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 2.7 miles in near I 81.

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 325.2 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 2.7 miles (I 81): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 125.2 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 215.2 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 points

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

2.7 mi into trip | ~5m in | I 81

Merge onto I 81

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.

125.2 mi into trip | ~2h 20m 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

215.2 mi into trip | ~3h 58m 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

239.3 mi into trip | ~4h 25m 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

317.8 mi into trip | ~5h 57m in

Take the exit toward VA 194 South: Chesapeake Boulevard

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

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

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

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

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

Norfolk

215.2 mi in | ~3h 58m

Virginia Beach

239.3 mi in | ~4h 25m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 64	156.9 mi	2h 53m
I 81	122.5 mi	2h 15m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway	22.9 mi	25m
Hampton Roads Beltway	6.8 mi	8m
Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel	3.5 mi	4m
Chesapeake Boulevard	2.1 mi	3m
Cleburne Boulevard	1.8 mi	3m
Ballentine Boulevard	1.1 mi	1m

Longest stretch: I 64 — 156.9 mi, about 2h 53m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on US 11

0.4 mi · 52 sec · Broad Street

Turn slight right

0.2 mi · 29 sec

Toward VA 100 South: Hillsville, Bristol

Turn straight onto VA 100

1.8 mi · 3 min · Cleburne Boulevard

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 45 sec

Merge onto I 81

123 mi · 2 hr 15 min · I 81

Use the straight lane.

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.

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 straight / slight right lanes.

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 straight / slight right lanes.

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 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 left lane.

Turn straight

135 ft · 7 sec

Turn left onto VA 247

1.1 mi · 1 min · Ballentine Boulevard

Turn right onto VA 166

0.9 mi · 1 min · East Princess Anne Road

Turn left onto VA 166

0.6 mi · 1 min · Park Avenue

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

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

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

Given the 6-hour duration, starting your trip from Dublin, VA, early in the morning is your best bet to arrive in Chesapeake, VA, with daylight to spare. While this route is designed for a single day, plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs and refuel; the longest stretch without major exits is 156.9 miles on I-64. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during that longer segment, and remember that the estimated fuel cost is $51. Given it's a highway-focused drive, you'll have flexibility in timing your stops.

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 162.6 miles from Dublin, VA, or about 3h 1m 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 80 miles or 1h 30m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 162.6 miles or 3h 1m 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 57m

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 Dublin, 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 Dublin, VA

This is one driving day of about 325.2 miles and 6h 11m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Dublin, 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 162.6 mi from Dublin, VA · 3h 1m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Poolesville, MD

163 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Oakland, MD

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Poolesville, MD

Meal break

The midpoint is around 162.6 miles from Dublin, 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 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.

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

$50.85 one way

$101.71 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 114 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.34	$55.60	$111.21
premium	$4.70	$60.19	$120.38
diesel	$5.61	$71.80	$143.60

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$51

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$76–$101

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 113.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $34 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	97.6	1	$34.15	$15.61
Efficient EV	81.3	0	$28.46	$13.01
EV Truck/SUV	130.1	1	$45.53	$20.81

Gas CO2

114 kg

EV CO2

38 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 5 days ago

Origin

Dublin, VA

Late night in Dublin on Wednesday

Local time

1:31 AM

EDT

Current temp

59°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Chesapeake, VA

Late night in Chesapeake on Wednesday

Local time

1:31 AM

EDT

Current temp

85°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.

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

26 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

6h 11m 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 Dublin, VA to Chesapeake, VA covers 325.2 miles and takes about 6h 11m 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 162.6 miles from Dublin, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $50.85 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.

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

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Trip from Dublin, VA to Chesapeake, VA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Chesapeake, VA

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Dublin, VA

Chesapeake, VA

Same local time

26 degrees warmer at arrival

6h 11m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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