The drive from Fort Lee, VA to Virginia Beach, VA covers 102.3 miles and takes about 2h 4m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 64, Hampton Roads Beltway, Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 70.4 miles on I 64.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $16.00 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
51.1 miles from Fort Lee, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 59m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 4m. Total distance: 102.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (80%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 2h 4m highway drive covering 102.3 miles, with most of the trip on I 64 and Hampton Roads Beltway. The longest continuous stretch is about 70.4 miles on I 64.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 14 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 70.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and Hampton Roads Beltway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near SR 7581 / South Airport Drive.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 9 significant decision points across 102.3 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 0.3 miles (SR 7581 / South Airport Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 3 miles (I 64): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 88.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.3 mi into trip|~0m in|SR 7581 / South Airport Drive
Turn right onto SR 7581 / South Airport Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
3 mi into trip|~5m in|I 64
Merge onto I 64
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
88.9 mi into trip|~1h 44m in
Take the exit toward I 264 East, I 264 West: Va Beach, Downtown Norfolk, Portsmouth
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 284A
Toward I 264 East, I 264 West: Va Beach, Downto...
7
89.1 mi into trip|~1h 45m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 264 East: Va Beach
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward I 264 East: Va Beach
6
101.9 mi into trip|~2h 3m in|Arctic Avenue
Turn left onto Arctic Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Fort Lee, VA and Virginia Beach, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk and Portsmouth.
Norfolk
88.9 mi in|~1h 44m
Portsmouth
88.9 mi in|~1h 44m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
70.4 mi
1h 19m
Hampton Roads Beltway
12 mi
15m
Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway
11.8 mi
16m
Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
3.5 mi
4m
South Airport Drive
2.2 mi
3m
21st Street
0.4 mi
<1m
Charles City Road
0.3 mi
<1m
Arctic Avenue
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 70.4 mi, about 1h 19m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Lee, VA and Virginia Beach, VA.
1
Start on Charles City Road
0.3 mi·37 sec·Charles City Road
2
Turn right onto SR 7581
2.2 mi·3 min·South Airport Drive
Use the right lane.
3
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Rocky Mount NC
4
Merge onto I 64
70 mi·1 hr 19 min·I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64; US 60
342 ft·5 sec·Hampton Roads Beltway
6
Continue on I 64; US 60
3.5 mi·4 min·Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
7
Continue on I 64; US 60
12 mi·15 min·Hampton Roads Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·14 sec
Exit 284AToward I 264 East, I 264 West: Va Beach, Downtown Norfolk, PortsmouthUse the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 264 East: Va BeachUse the straight / slight left lanes.
10
Merge onto I 264
12 mi·16 min·Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway
11
Continue on 21st Street
0.4 mi·54 sec·21st Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Turn left onto Arctic Avenue
0.3 mi·46 sec·Arctic Avenue
Use the left lane.
13
Turn right onto 25th Street
454 ft·12 sec·25th Street
14
Arrive at destination
25th Street
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 51.1 miles from Fort Lee, VA, or about 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 70.4 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 23 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 51.1 miles or 59m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 38m
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 Fort Lee, 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 Fort Lee, VA
This is one driving day of about 102.3 miles and 2h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Fort Lee, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 64 for about 70.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 51.1 mi from Fort Lee, VA
· 59m into the drive
The midpoint is around 51.1 miles from Fort Lee, 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 70.4 miles.
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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Colonial National Historical Park
National Historical Park
On May 13, 1607, Jamestown was established as the first permanent English settlement in North America. Three cultures came together – European, Virginia Indian and African–to create a new society that...
0 mi from route
~1 min detour
$15
near mile 49.4
Park Closure: Rehabilitation of Colonial Parkway Continues
Fort Monroe's story spans from prehistory to the 2000s. Kecoughtan Indians occupied Old Point Comfort before the arrival of English colonists. The first enslaved Africans arrived in 1619. Those escapi...
Two hundred ninety-two days, eight offensives, over 70,000 casualties, U. S. Colored Troops, and the decline of Gen. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia all describe the Siege of Petersburg. U.S. forces c...
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
30.7
0
$10.74
$4.91
Efficient EV
25.6
0
$8.95
$4.09
EV Truck/SUV
40.9
0
$14.32
$6.55
Gas CO2
36 kg
EV CO2
12 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Fort Lee, VA
Night
in Fort Lee on Thursday
Local time
9:29 PM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Virginia Beach, VA
Night
in Virginia Beach on Thursday
Local time
9:29 PM
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
13 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
2h 4m 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 Fort Lee, VA to Virginia Beach, VA covers 102.3 miles and takes about 2h 4m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 64, Hampton Roads Beltway, Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 51.1 miles from Fort Lee, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $16.00 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a demanding drive. With 9 significant decision points across 102.3 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 0.3 miles (SR 7581 / South Airport Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 3 miles (I 64): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 88.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Fort Lee, VA and Virginia Beach, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk and Portsmouth.
