This 209.9-mile drive from Gretna, VA to Norfolk, VA is a feasible one-day trip, estimated to take about 4 hours and 49 minutes. You'll navigate using main roads like Southampton Parkway, Clarksville Bypass, and Governor Harrison Parkway, with highway driving making up 48% of the journey. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $33, and you'll encounter a mixed driving profile. Given the duration and distance, it’s a solid option for a single day's travel within the Southeast region, allowing for a relatively relaxed pace.
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
105 miles from Gretna, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 27m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 49m. Total distance: 209.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
Expect a mixed drive on this route, with a highway share of 48%. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 62.1 miles along Southampton Parkway, offering a period of consistent travel. The road's character likely shifts between more open highway sections and potentially more varied local road conditions as you progress towards Norfolk. This blend means you'll experience periods of steady cruising alongside stretches that might require more attention to local traffic and road changes.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 37 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Southampton Parkway is the longest continuous segment at about 62.1 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 69.9 miles in near US 58 / Clarksville Bypass.
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 17 significant decision points across 209.9 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 69.9 miles (US 58 / Clarksville Bypass): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 200.2 miles (US 13; US 460): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 201.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
6
69.9 mi into trip|~1h 39m in|US 58 / Clarksville Bypass
Keep slight right at fork onto US 58 / Clarksville Bypass toward US 58 East: Boydton, South Hill
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 58 East: Boydton, South Hill
6
200.2 mi into trip|~4h 33m in|US 13; US 460
Keep slight left at fork onto US 13; US 460 toward I 264 East, I 64, US 13 North: Portsmouth, Norfolk, Va Beach
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 264 East, I 64, US 13 North: Portsmout...
6
201.2 mi into trip|~4h 35m in
Take the exit toward I 264 East: Portsmouth, Norfolk
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 15A
Toward I 264 East: Portsmouth, Norfolk
9
209.2 mi into trip|~4h 47m in|US 460 ALT
Keep slight left at fork onto US 460 ALT toward Waterside Drive, St Paul's Boulevard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 9
Toward Waterside Drive, St Paul's Boulevard
8
209.4 mi into trip|~4h 48m in|US 460 ALT
Keep slight left at fork onto US 460 ALT toward Saint Paul's Boulevard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Saint Paul's Boulevard
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Gretna, VA to Norfolk, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Hill along the way.
Hill
69.9 mi in|~1h 39m|via US 58
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Southampton Parkway
62.1 mi
1h 20m
Clarksville Bypass
22.9 mi
29m
Governor Harrison Parkway
22.5 mi
30m
Bill Tuck Highway
18.1 mi
22m
Halifax Road
16.4 mi
23m
Chatham Road
12.9 mi
19m
Main Street
10.3 mi
14m
I 264
7.2 mi
11m
Longest stretch:
Southampton Parkway
— 62.1 mi, about 1h 20m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gretna, VA and Norfolk, VA.
1
Start on SR 792
0.1 mi·25 sec·Northside Drive
2
Turn left onto US 29 BUS
10 mi·14 min·Main Street
3
Take the exit
0.1 mi·23 sec
Toward VA 57
4
Turn left onto VA 57
14 mi·19 min·Halifax Road
5
Continue on VA 57
13 mi·19 min·Chatham Road
6
Continue on VA 360
3.5 mi·5 min·Mountain Road
7
At end of road, turn right onto US 501
0.4 mi·1 min·South Main Street
8
Continue on US 501
1.9 mi·3 min·Halifax Road
9
Turn left onto VA 129
0.9 mi·1 min·Old Halifax Road
10
Continue on VA 129
1.8 mi·3 min·North Main Street
11
Turn left onto VA 34
0.5 mi·1 min·Hodges Street
12
Turn right onto US 360
0.4 mi·39 sec·John Randolph Boulevard
13
Continue on US 360
0.3 mi·31 sec·James D Hagood Highway
14
Continue on US 360
0.4 mi·43 sec·John Randolph Boulevard
15
Turn left onto US 58
18 mi·22 min·Bill Tuck Highway
Use the left / straight lanes.
16
Continue on US 58; VA 49
3.6 mi·4 min·Clarksville Bypass
Use the straight lane.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto US 58
19 mi·24 min·Clarksville Bypass
Toward US 58 East: Boydton, South Hill
18
Continue on US 1; US 58
3.5 mi·4 min·Highway 1
19
Continue on US 58
3.3 mi·4 min·South Hill Bypass
20
Continue on US 58
1.1 mi·1 min·East Atlantic Street
21
Continue on US 58
3.6 mi·5 min·Highway 58
22
Continue on US 58
1.2 mi·2 min·Piney Pond Road
23
Continue on US 58
23 mi·30 min·Governor Harrison Parkway
24
Continue on US 58
6.4 mi·8 min·Pleasant Shade Drive
25
Continue on US 58
5.1 mi·6 min·West Atlantic Street
26
Continue on US 58
62 mi·1 hr 20 min·Southampton Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Continue on US 13; US 58; US 460
1.7 mi·2 min·West Military Highway
28
Take the exit onto US 13; US 460
0.7 mi·1 min·US 13; US 460
Toward I 264 East, I 64, US 13 North: Portsmouth, Norfolk, Va Beach
29
Keep slight left at fork onto US 13; US 460
0.4 mi·56 sec·US 13; US 460
Toward I 264 East, I 64, US 13 North: Portsmouth, Norfolk, Va Beach
30
Merge onto I 664; US 13; US 460
0.6 mi·42 sec·Hampton Roads Beltway
31
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 15AToward I 264 East: Portsmouth, Norfolk
32
Continue on I 264
7.2 mi·11 min·I 264
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Keep slight left at fork onto US 460 ALT
0.2 mi·26 sec·US 460 ALT
Exit 9Toward Waterside Drive, St Paul's BoulevardUse the slight left lane.
34
Keep slight left at fork onto US 460 ALT
0.3 mi·53 sec·US 460 ALT
Toward Saint Paul's BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
35
Turn left onto Saint Pauls Boulevard
0.1 mi·29 sec·Saint Pauls Boulevard
Use the left lane.
36
Turn left onto East City Hall Avenue
158 ft·9 sec·East City Hall Avenue
Use the left lane.
37
Arrive at destination
East City Hall Avenue
Trip Plan
For this 4-hour and 49-minute journey, consider an early morning departure from Gretna to maximize your daylight hours and avoid potential afternoon traffic as you near Norfolk. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 62.1-mile stretch on Southampton Parkway, ensuring you have enough to reach your next refueling opportunity. The $33 fuel estimate is a good starting point for your budget.
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 105 miles from Gretna, VA, or about 2h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 62.1 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 46 miles or 1h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 105 miles or 2h 27m 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 56m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Norfolk, 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 209.9 miles and 4h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 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 Southampton Parkway for about 62.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 105 mi from Gretna, VA
· 2h 27m into the drive
The midpoint is around 105 miles from Gretna, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before Southampton Parkway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 62.1 miles.
Arriving in Norfolk, VA
The final approach into Norfolk, 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 Norfolk, 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.
Fort Monroe National Monument
National Monument
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...
12 mi from route
~30 min detour
Free
near mile 209.9
Park Closure: Road Closure and Fishing Pier Impact
Booker T. Washington was born a slave in April 1856 on the 207-acre farm of James Burroughs. After the Civil War, Washington became the first principal of Tuskegee Normal and Industrial School. Later...
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
63
0
$22.04
$10.08
Efficient EV
52.5
0
$18.37
$8.40
EV Truck/SUV
84
1
$29.39
$13.43
Gas CO2
73 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.
Forecast as of Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Gretna, VA
Late night
in Gretna on Friday
Local time
3:26 AM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Chance Rain Showers
NW 9 mph33% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Norfolk, VA
Late night
in Norfolk on Friday
Local time
3:26 AM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Mostly Clear
SW 7 to 12 mph2% chanceLive forecast
81°F
Lawrenceville, VA
105 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
4 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 49m 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 Norfolk, VA covers 209.9 miles and takes about 4h 49m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Southampton Parkway, Clarksville Bypass, Governor Harrison Parkway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 105 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 $32.82 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 17 significant decision points across 209.9 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 69.9 miles (US 58 / Clarksville Bypass): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 200.2 miles (US 13; US 460): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 201.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Gretna, VA to Norfolk, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Hill along the way.
Data sources
The figures on this page are computed from open government and mapping datasets, not crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from
OSRM
over
OpenStreetMap.
Fuel cost uses
EIA
weekly regional averages.
EV charging comes from the
NREL Alternative Fuels
dataset.
National park proximity is from the
NPS API.
Full methodology, refresh cadence, and limitations are documented on the
methodology page.
