The drive from Highland Springs, VA to Norfolk, VA covers 86 miles and takes about 1h 46m 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, Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 70.8 miles on I 64.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $13.45 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
43 miles from Highland Springs, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 49m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 46m. Total distance: 86 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 46m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (82%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 1h 46m highway drive covering 86 miles, with most of the trip on I 64 and Hampton Roads Beltway. The longest continuous stretch is about 70.8 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 16 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 70.8 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 early in the drive near VA 33 / East Nine Mile Road.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 86 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (VA 33 / East Nine Mile Road): Navigation decision point; at 1.8 miles (I 64): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 80.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0 mi into trip|~0m in|VA 33 / East Nine Mile Road
Turn right onto VA 33 / East Nine Mile Road
Navigation decision point
5
1.8 mi into trip|~3m in|I 64
Merge onto I 64
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
80.5 mi into trip|~1h 34m in
Take the exit toward I 564, US 460: Naval Base, Granby 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 276
Toward I 564, US 460: Naval Base, Granby Street
9
80.7 mi into trip|~1h 34m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 460, VA 165: Granby Street, Little Creek Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward US 460, VA 165: Granby Street, Little Cr...
5
84.1 mi into trip|~1h 42m in|US 460 / Monticello Avenue
Turn right onto US 460 / Monticello Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
70.8 mi
1h 19m
Hampton Roads Beltway
4.5 mi
6m
Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
3.5 mi
4m
Granby Street
3.1 mi
7m
Monticello Avenue
1.2 mi
2m
South Airport Drive
0.7 mi
1m
East Nine Mile Road
0.7 mi
1m
Saint Pauls Boulevard
0.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 70.8 mi, about 1h 19m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Highland Springs, VA and Norfolk, VA.
1
Start on South Holly Avenue
30 ft·4 sec·South Holly Avenue
2
Turn right onto VA 33
0.7 mi·1 min·East Nine Mile Road
3
Turn right onto VA 156
0.7 mi·1 min·South Airport Drive
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·34 sec
Toward I 64 East: Norfolk
5
Merge onto I 64
71 mi·1 hr 19 min·I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64; US 60
342 ft·5 sec·Hampton Roads Beltway
7
Continue on I 64; US 60
3.5 mi·4 min·Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
8
Continue on I 64; US 60
4.4 mi·5 min·Hampton Roads Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
Exit 276Toward I 564, US 460: Naval Base, Granby StreetUse the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·18 sec
Toward US 460, VA 165: Granby Street, Little Creek RoadUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
11
Turn straight onto US 460
3.1 mi·7 min·Granby Street
Use the left lane.
12
Continue on US 460
446 ft·9 sec·Church Street
13
Turn right onto US 460
1.2 mi·2 min·Monticello Avenue
Use the right lane.
14
Continue on US 460
0.7 mi·1 min·Saint Pauls Boulevard
Use the left lane.
15
Turn left onto East City Hall Avenue
158 ft·9 sec·East City Hall Avenue
Use the left lane.
16
Arrive at destination
East City Hall Avenue
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 43 miles from Highland Springs, VA, or about 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 70.8 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 19 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 43 miles or 49m 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 24m
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 Highland Springs, VA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Highland Springs, VA
This is one driving day of about 86 miles and 1h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Highland Springs, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 64 for about 70.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 43 mi from Highland Springs, VA
· 49m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
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 47.5
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 $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
25.8
0
$9.03
$4.13
Efficient EV
21.5
0
$7.52
$3.44
EV Truck/SUV
34.4
0
$12.04
$5.50
Gas CO2
30 kg
EV CO2
10 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
Highland Springs, VA
Night
in Highland Springs on Friday
Local time
11:57 PM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Norfolk, VA
Night
in Norfolk on Friday
Local time
11:57 PM
EDT
Current temp
79°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
7 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
1h 46m 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 Highland Springs, VA to Norfolk, VA covers 86 miles and takes about 1h 46m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 64, Hampton Roads Beltway, Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 43 miles from Highland Springs, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $13.45 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 86 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (VA 33 / East Nine Mile Road): Navigation decision point; at 1.8 miles (I 64): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 80.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Highland Springs, VA to Norfolk, VA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Colonial National Historical Park, Fort Monroe National Monument and Petersburg National Battlefield.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
