The drive from Glasgow, VA to Chesapeake, VA covers 246.1 miles and takes about 4h 43m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 64, I 81, Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 156.9 miles on I 64.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $38.48 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
123.1 miles from Glasgow, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 16m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 43m. Total distance: 246.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 43m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (77%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 4h 43m highway drive covering 246.1 miles, with most of the trip on I 64 and I 81. The longest continuous stretch is about 156.9 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 33 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 46.2 miles in near I 64.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 246.1 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 46.2 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 136.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 160.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 21 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
46.2 mi into trip|~52m 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
136.2 mi into trip|~2h 30m 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
160.3 mi into trip|~2h 57m 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
5
161.6 mi into trip|~2h 59m in|I 64
Merge onto I 64
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
238.7 mi into trip|~4h 28m 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 Glasgow, VA and Chesapeake, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk and Virginia Beach.
Norfolk
136.2 mi in|~2h 30m
Virginia Beach
160.3 mi in|~2h 57m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
156.9 mi
2h 53m
I 81
32.4 mi
34m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
22.9 mi
25m
Hampton Roads Beltway
6.8 mi
8m
Glasgow Highway
6.1 mi
6m
Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
3.5 mi
4m
East Midland Trail
2.7 mi
3m
South Magnolia Avenue
2.1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 156.9 mi, about 2h 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Glasgow, VA and Chesapeake, VA.
1
Start on this road
248 ft·20 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto Anderson Street
213 ft·9 sec·Anderson Street
3
Turn left onto SR 684
0.2 mi·32 sec·Blue Ridge Road
4
Turn left onto VA 130
0.5 mi·59 sec·Rockbridge Road
5
At end of road, turn left onto US 501
6.1 mi·6 min·Glasgow Highway
6
Continue on US 501
2.1 mi·2 min·South Magnolia Avenue
7
Turn straight onto US 501
0.6 mi·43 sec·US 501
8
Turn straight onto US 501
0.5 mi·42 sec·Beech Avenue
9
Turn left onto US 60
0.6 mi·42 sec·West 29th Street
10
Continue on US 60
2.7 mi·3 min·East Midland Trail
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·43 sec
12
Merge onto I 81
32 mi·34 min·I 81
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 64
90 mi·1 hr 38 min·I 64
Toward I 64 East: RichmondUse the straight lane.
14
Take the exit
1.2 mi·1 min
Exit 177Toward I 295 North: Washington, NorfolkUse the slight right lane.
15
Continue on I 295
23 mi·25 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
1.3 mi·2 min
Exit 28AToward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia BeachUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Merge onto I 64
67 mi·1 hr 15 min·I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64; US 60
342 ft·5 sec·Hampton Roads Beltway
19
Continue on I 64; US 60
3.5 mi·4 min·Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
20
Continue on I 64; US 60
6.7 mi·8 min·Hampton Roads Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Exit 278Toward VA 194 South: Chesapeake BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
22
Turn straight onto VA 194
2.1 mi·3 min·Chesapeake Boulevard
Use the left lane.
23
Turn straight
135 ft·7 sec
24
Turn left onto VA 247
1.1 mi·1 min·Ballentine Boulevard
25
Turn right onto VA 166
0.9 mi·1 min·East Princess Anne Road
26
Turn left onto VA 166
0.6 mi·1 min·Park Avenue
27
Turn left onto US 460; VA 166; VA 168
0.3 mi·57 sec·East Brambleton Avenue
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
28
Continue on US 460; VA 166; VA 168
0.7 mi·1 min·Campostella Road
29
Turn right onto US 460; VA 166
0.7 mi·1 min·Wilson Road
Use the right lane.
30
Continue on US 460; VA 166
0.3 mi·27 sec·22nd Street
31
Continue on US 460; VA 166
0.3 mi·29 sec·Poindexter Street
Use the straight lane.
32
Turn right onto D Street
412 ft·18 sec·D Street
33
Arrive at destination
D Street
Trip Plan
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 123.1 miles from Glasgow, VA, or about 2h 16m 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 54 miles or 1h in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 123.1 miles or 2h 16m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 45m
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 Glasgow, 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 Glasgow, VA
This is one driving day of about 246.1 miles and 4h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 miles from Glasgow, 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 123.1 mi from Glasgow, VA
· 2h 16m into the drive
The midpoint is around 122.4 miles from Glasgow, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
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...
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
$15
near mile 203.7
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...
1 mi from route
~4 min detour
Free
near mile 229.2
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...
25 mi from route
~64 min detour
Free
near mile 161.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.48 one way
$76.97 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg86 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$42.08
$84.16
premium
$4.70
$45.55
$91.10
diesel
$5.61
$54.34
$108.67
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 86.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
73.8
0
$25.84
$11.81
Efficient EV
61.5
0
$21.53
$9.84
EV Truck/SUV
98.4
1
$34.45
$15.75
Gas CO2
86 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Glasgow, VA
Evening
in Glasgow on Thursday
Local time
7:13 PM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Chesapeake, VA
Evening
in Chesapeake on Thursday
Local time
7:13 PM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
53°F
Ashland, VA
123 mi in
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
5 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
4h 43m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Glasgow, VA to Chesapeake, VA covers 246.1 miles and takes about 4h 43m 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 123.1 miles from Glasgow, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $38.48 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 246.1 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 46.2 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 136.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 160.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Glasgow, VA and Chesapeake, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk and Virginia Beach.
