Origin
Dumfries, VA
Late night in Dumfries on Thursday
Local time
1:08 AM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Dumfries, VA to Virginia Beach, VA
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
3h 31m
Distance
178.9 mi
288 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$28
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 19m
★
6 AM
3h 31m
8 AM
3h 56m
10 AM
3h 40m
12 PM
3h 37m
3 PM
3h 41m
5 PM
3h 54m
8 PM
3h 24m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Dumfries, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Virginia Beach, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling from Dumfries to Virginia Beach covers 178.9 miles and typically takes about 3 hours and 31 minutes. Since the entire trip stays within the Southeast region of Virginia, it is a straightforward journey that works perfectly as a single-day excursion. You should budget approximately $29 for fuel to complete the trip. With 80% of the drive spent on major highways like I-95, I-64, and the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, you can expect a very efficient transit. Because the travel time is under four hours, you do not need to worry about booking an overnight stay unless you prefer a more leisurely pace.
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
89.4 miles from Dumfries, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 45m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience that prioritizes speed over winding backroads. You will spend the vast majority of your time on high-capacity interstates, which keeps the flow of traffic moving consistently. The route features a notable 66.8-mile stretch on I-64, which serves as the longest uninterrupted segment of your drive. While the road is largely a utilitarian interstate grind, the transition from the Northern Virginia area toward the coast provides a clear change in landscape. Prepare for a steady, predictable experience that is designed to get you to your destination with minimal navigation fuss.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 21 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Main Street is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Dumfries, VA to Virginia Beach, VA is easy. At 3h 31m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Dumfries, VA to Virginia Beach, VA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Main Street | — | — |
| Richmond Highway | — | — |
| Joplin Road | — | — |
| I 295 South | — | — |
| Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway | — | — |
| I 64 East | — | — |
| Hampton Roads Beltway | — | — |
| Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
Main Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dumfries, VA and Virginia Beach, VA.
1
Start on Liberty Lane
180 ft
·
10 sec
·
Liberty Lane
2
Turn right onto Main Street
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Main Street
3
Continue on Richmond Highway
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Richmond Highway
4
Turn right onto Joplin Road
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Joplin Road
5
Take the ramp left
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
6
Merge slight left
16 mi
·
18 min
7
Keep slight left
49 mi
·
53 min
8
Take the exit slight left toward I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va Beach
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va Beach
9
Merge slight right onto Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
13 mi
·
14 min
·
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
10
Take the exit slight right toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach
11
Merge slight left
67 mi
·
1 hr 15 min
12
Keep slight left to continue on Hampton Roads Beltway
341 ft
·
5 sec
·
Hampton Roads Beltway
13
Continue on Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
3.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
14
Continue on Hampton Roads Beltway
12 mi
·
15 min
·
Hampton Roads Beltway
15
Take the exit slight right toward I 264 East, I 264 West: Va Beach, Downtown Norfolk, Portsmouth
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
·
I 264 East, I 264 West: Va Beach, Downtown Norfolk, Portsmouth
16
Keep slight left to continue on I 264 East: Va Beach
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
I 264 East: Va Beach
17
Merge slight right onto Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway
12 mi
·
16 min
·
Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway
18
Continue on 21st Street
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
·
21st Street
19
Turn left onto Arctic Avenue
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
·
Arctic Avenue
20
Turn right onto 25th Street
456 ft
·
12 sec
·
25th Street
21
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 3-hour and 31-minute drive, plan for at least one strategic stop to break up the monotony of the highway. Since traffic on these major corridors can be unpredictable, checking real-time conditions before you head out is your best defense against unexpected delays. Given the $29 fuel estimate, topping off your tank before leaving Dumfries ensures you won't have to worry about finding a station during the long 66.8-mile stretch on I-64. Because this trip is short enough to handle in one go, you have the flexibility to depart whenever fits your schedule best, though leaving outside of peak commuting hours will significantly reduce your time on the road.
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 89.4 miles from Dumfries, VA, or about 1h 45m into the drive.
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 39 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 89.4 miles or 1h 45m 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 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Virginia Beach, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Dumfries, 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 Dumfries, VA
This is one driving day of about 178.9 miles and 3h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from Dumfries, 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 89.4 mi from Dumfries, VA · 1h 45m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
89 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 39 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 89.4 miles from Dumfries, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Virginia Beach, VA
The final approach into Virginia Beach, 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 Virginia Beach, VA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.98 one way
$55.95 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
63 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $30.59 | $61.18 |
| premium | $4.70 | $33.11 | $66.22 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $39.50 | $79.00 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 62.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 53.7 | 0 | $18.78 | $8.59 |
| Efficient EV | 44.7 | 0 | $15.65 | $7.16 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 71.6 | 0 | $25.05 | $11.45 |
Gas CO2
63 kg
EV CO2
21 kg (67% 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.
Destination
Virginia Beach, VA
Late night in Virginia Beach on Thursday
Local time
1:08 AM
EDT
Current temp
66°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
16 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 31m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Dumfries, VA to Virginia Beach, VA covers 178.9 miles and takes about 3h 31m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Main Street, Richmond Highway, Joplin Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 89.4 miles from Dumfries, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $27.98 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.
The drive from Dumfries, VA to Virginia Beach, VA is easy. At 3h 31m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Dumfries, VA to Virginia Beach, VA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Dumfries, VA to Virginia Beach, VA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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