Origin
Gretna, VA
Evening in Gretna on Sunday
Local time
6:40 PM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Gretna, VA to Newport News, VA
Drive Time
4h 32m
Distance
212 mi
341 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$34
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 19m
★
6 AM
4h 32m
8 AM
4h 59m
10 AM
4h 42m
12 PM
4h 39m
3 PM
4h 43m
5 PM
4h 58m
8 PM
4h 24m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Newport News, VA
Kelly
Trip Overview
Spanning 212 miles across Virginia, this trip from Gretna to Newport News typically takes about 4 hours and 32 minutes of drive time. Because it is a manageable distance, you can easily complete the journey in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to budget roughly $34 for fuel, depending on your vehicle's efficiency. You will transition from the interior southeast region toward the coast, utilizing a combination of Anderson Highway, Main Street, and I-64. Whether you are traveling for business or a change of scenery, this route offers a straightforward connection between these two points in the Commonwealth.
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
106 miles from Gretna, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 22m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip offers a mixed driving profile, balancing local roads with significant interstate travel. About 49% of your total mileage is spent on highways, providing a nice contrast to the slower pace of local corridors. You will encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 67.3 miles on I-64, which allows for consistent highway speeds before you transition back to local surface streets. The personality of the drive shifts as you move from the initial stretches of Main Street and Anderson Highway onto the broader interstate system. Be prepared for this rhythm change as you navigate through different zones of the Virginia landscape.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
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 67.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 121.7 miles in near SR 652 / Old Hundred Road.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 212 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 121.7 miles (SR 652 / Old Hundred Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 142.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 143.1 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 pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
121.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 42m in
|
SR 652 / Old Hundred Road
Turn right onto SR 652 / Old Hundred Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
142.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 11m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 North: Washington, Charlottesville, Norfolk, Richmond International Airport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 95 North: Washington, Charlottesville,...
8
143.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 13m in
Take the exit toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach, 7th Street
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 75
Toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach, 7th...
9
143.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 13m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach
7
210.8 mi into trip
|
~4h 29m 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 Along This Route
Between Gretna, VA and Newport News, VA, road signs point toward Appomattox, Charlottesville, Norfolk, Richmond International Airport and Virginia Beach.
Appomattox
49.3 mi in
|
~1h 12m
|
via VA 24
Charlottesville
142.1 mi in
|
~3h 11m
Norfolk
142.1 mi in
|
~3h 11m
Richmond International Airport
142.1 mi in
|
~3h 11m
Virginia Beach
143.1 mi in
|
~3h 13m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 64 | 67.3 mi | 1h 15m |
| Anderson Highway | 36.7 mi | 48m |
| Main Street | 25.9 mi | 33m |
| VA 24 | 18.9 mi | 21m |
| Powhite Parkway | 11.5 mi | 15m |
| Village Highway | 10.4 mi | 19m |
| Richmond Highway | 8.5 mi | 11m |
| East James Anderson Highway | 8.1 mi | 9m |
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 67.3 mi, about 1h 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gretna, VA and Newport News, VA.
1
Start on SR 792
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
Northside Drive
2
Turn right onto US 29 BUS
26 mi
·
33 min
·
Main Street
3
Turn right onto VA 24
4.3 mi
·
7 min
·
Colonial Highway
4
At end of road, turn left onto US 501; VA 24
340 ft
·
8 sec
·
Brookneal Highway
5
Continue on US 501; VA 24
9.2 mi
·
17 min
·
Village Highway
6
Enter roundabout onto VA 24
113 ft
·
2 sec
·
Village Highway
7
Continue on VA 24
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Village Highway
8
Turn right onto US 460; VA 24
8.5 mi
·
11 min
·
Richmond Highway
9
Take the exit onto VA 24
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
VA 24
Toward VA 24 East, VA 131 South: To Route 60, Appomattox
10
Turn slight left onto VA 24
19 mi
·
21 min
·
VA 24
11
Continue on US 60
7.7 mi
·
9 min
·
West James Anderson Highway
12
Continue on US 60
8.1 mi
·
9 min
·
East James Anderson Highway
13
Continue on US 60
37 mi
·
48 min
·
Anderson Highway
14
Continue on US 60
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Midlothian Turnpike
15
Turn right onto SR 652
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Old Hundred Road
Use the straight lane.
16
Enter roundabout onto SR 652
147 ft
·
5 sec
·
Old Hundred Road
17
Continue on SR 652
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Old Hundred Road
Use the straight lane.
18
Continue on VA 76
9.7 mi
·
12 min
·
Powhite Parkway
Use the left / straight lanes.
19
Keep slight right at fork onto VA 76
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Powhite Parkway
Use the slight right lane.
20
Keep slight right at fork onto VA 146
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
VA 146
Use the slight right lane.
21
Merge onto VA 195
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Downtown Expressway
Use the straight lane.
22
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Toward I 95 North: Washington, Charlottesville, Norfolk, Richmond International Airport
Use the slight left lane.
23
Merge onto I 95
0.7 mi
·
54 sec
·
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
Exit 75
Toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach, 7th Street
Use the slight right lane.
25
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
23 sec
Toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Merge onto I 64
67 mi
·
1 hr 15 min
·
I 64
Use the straight lane.
27
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
Exit 258A
Toward US 17 South: J Clyde Morris Boulevard
Use the slight right lane.
28
Turn straight onto US 17
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
·
J Clyde Morris Boulevard
29
Turn right onto Diligence Drive
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Diligence Drive
30
At end of road, turn right onto Thimble Shoals Boulevard
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
Thimble Shoals Boulevard
31
Turn left
413 ft
·
33 sec
32
At end of road, turn right
82 ft
·
6 sec
33
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since the total duration is under five hours, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure time to avoid local traffic bottlenecks. You should plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refuel, keeping your $34 fuel budget in mind as you map out your service stations. Because nearly half of your journey takes place on highways, keep a close watch on merge points when transitioning from local roads to I-64. If you prefer a relaxed pace, treat the 212-mile trek as a steady cruise rather than a race to the finish line. Prioritize your comfort by timing your single stop to occur after you have cleared the initial stretch of Anderson Highway.
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 106 miles from Gretna, VA, or about 2h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 67.3 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 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 106 miles or 2h 22m 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 47m
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 Gretna, 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 Gretna, VA
This is one driving day of about 212 miles and 4h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Gretna, 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 67.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 106 mi from Gretna, VA · 2h 22m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
106 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 106 miles from Gretna, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 64 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 67.3 miles.
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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.93 one way
$67.86 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
74 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $36.97 | $73.93 |
| premium | $4.78 | $39.88 | $79.76 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $47.10 | $94.20 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.12
Midlothian Turnpike
(0.9 mi)
$0.07
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
(0.7 mi)
$0.05
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 74.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 63.6 | 0 | $22.26 | $10.18 |
| Efficient EV | 53 | 0 | $18.55 | $8.48 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 84.8 | 1 | $29.68 | $13.57 |
Gas CO2
74 kg
EV CO2
25 kg (66% 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
Newport News, VA
Evening in Newport News on Sunday
Local time
6:40 PM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
86°F
Middletown, MD
106 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
2 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 32m 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 Gretna, VA to Newport News, VA covers 212 miles and takes about 4h 32m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 64, Anderson Highway, Main Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 106 miles from Gretna, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $33.93 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 212 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 121.7 miles (SR 652 / Old Hundred Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 142.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 143.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Gretna, VA and Newport News, VA, road signs point toward Appomattox, Charlottesville, Norfolk, Richmond International Airport and Virginia Beach.
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