Origin
Lake Monticello, VA
Evening in Lake Monticello on Wednesday
Local time
7:06 PM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lake Monticello, VA to Newport News, VA
Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
2h 45m
Distance
136.4 mi
219 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 35m
★
6 AM
2h 45m
8 AM
3h 7m
10 AM
2h 53m
12 PM
2h 51m
3 PM
2h 54m
5 PM
3h 6m
8 PM
2h 39m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lake Monticello, VA
Connor Scott McManus
Newport News, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Spanning 136.4 miles, this trip from Lake Monticello to Newport News is a straightforward journey through Virginia. You can expect to spend about 2 hours and 45 minutes on the road, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day excursion. Budgeting approximately $22 for fuel will cover your transit across the state. Because the route remains entirely within the Southeast region, you won't encounter major climate or terrain shifts. It is a highly practical drive that avoids the need for an overnight stay, giving you plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your own schedule.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
68.2 miles from Lake Monticello, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 27m into the drive .
Drive Character
This is a highway-focused drive, with 71% of your time spent on major thoroughfares like I-64, the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, and the James Madison Highway. You will settle into a rhythm quickly, as the route features a longest uninterrupted stretch of 96.7 miles on I-64. The experience is primarily defined by high-speed transit rather than technical local roads, allowing for a consistent pace throughout the journey. Expect the road to feel efficient and functional, prioritizing speed and directness as you transition from the inland areas toward the coast.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 25 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 96.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.1 miles in near Brougham Road.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 136.4 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 1.1 miles (Brougham Road): Navigation decision point; at 53.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 77.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 19 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
1.1 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
Brougham Road
At end of road, turn left onto Brougham Road
Navigation decision point
8
53.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 10m 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
77.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 37m 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
7
135.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 42m 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
6
136.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 45m in
At end of road, turn right
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Lake Monticello, VA and Newport News, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk and Virginia Beach.
Norfolk
53.1 mi in
|
~1h 10m
Virginia Beach
77.2 mi in
|
~1h 37m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 64 | 96.7 mi | 1h 45m |
| Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway | 22.9 mi | 25m |
| James Madison Highway | 4.1 mi | 6m |
| South Boston Road | 3.4 mi | 6m |
| Union Mills Road | 2.3 mi | 4m |
| Jefferson Drive | 1.5 mi | 4m |
| Diligence Drive | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Nahor Drive | 0.4 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 96.7 mi, about 1h 45m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lake Monticello, VA and Newport News, VA.
1
Start on Sherwood Drive
260 ft
·
10 sec
·
Sherwood Drive
2
Turn right onto Smokewood Drive
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Smokewood Drive
3
At end of road, turn left onto Jefferson Drive
180 ft
·
7 sec
·
Jefferson Drive
4
Turn left onto Nahor Drive
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Nahor Drive
5
Turn left onto Ashton Road
0.2 mi
·
43 sec
·
Ashton Road
6
At end of road, turn left onto Brougham Road
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
Brougham Road
7
Turn right onto Rassawek Court
349 ft
·
17 sec
·
Rassawek Court
8
Turn left onto Jefferson Drive
1.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Jefferson Drive
9
Turn right onto Slice Road
0.2 mi
·
43 sec
·
Slice Road
10
Turn left onto SR 600
3.4 mi
·
6 min
·
South Boston Road
11
Turn sharp right onto SR 616
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Union Mills Road
12
At end of road, turn left onto US 15
4.1 mi
·
6 min
·
James Madison Highway
13
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
14
Merge onto I 64
40 mi
·
43 min
·
I 64
Use the straight lane.
15
Take the exit
1.2 mi
·
1 min
Exit 177
Toward I 295 North: Washington, Norfolk
Use the slight right lane.
16
Continue on I 295
23 mi
·
25 min
·
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
1.3 mi
·
2 min
Exit 28A
Toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Merge onto I 64
57 mi
·
1 hr 2 min
·
I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
Exit 258A
Toward US 17 South: J Clyde Morris Boulevard
Use the slight right lane.
20
Turn straight onto US 17
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
·
J Clyde Morris Boulevard
21
Turn right onto Diligence Drive
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Diligence Drive
22
At end of road, turn right onto Thimble Shoals Boulevard
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
Thimble Shoals Boulevard
23
Turn left
413 ft
·
33 sec
24
At end of road, turn right
82 ft
·
6 sec
25
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since the total duration is under three hours, you have the advantage of being able to leave whenever it suits your plans without worrying about an overnight split. Incorporating one planned stop will help you stay refreshed, especially given the lengthy primary stretch on the interstate. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before hitting the highway, as the estimated $22 cost is a baseline that can fluctuate with local prices. If you want to avoid peak traffic congestion, try to time your departure to miss typical commuter rush hours on the major interstates. Flexibility is your best asset here, so use that extra time to enjoy your destination once you arrive.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 68.2 miles from Lake Monticello, VA, or about 1h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 96.7 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 30 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 68.2 miles or 1h 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 2h 16m
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 Lake Monticello, 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 Lake Monticello, VA
This is one driving day of about 136.4 miles and 2h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 miles from Lake Monticello, 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 96.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 68.2 mi from Lake Monticello, VA · 1h 27m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
68 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 30 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 68.2 miles from Lake Monticello, 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 96.7 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
$21.33 one way
$42.66 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
48 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $23.32 | $46.64 |
| premium | $4.70 | $25.24 | $50.49 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $30.12 | $60.23 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 47.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 40.9 | 0 | $14.32 | $6.55 |
| Efficient EV | 34.1 | 0 | $11.94 | $5.46 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 54.6 | 0 | $19.10 | $8.73 |
Gas CO2
48 kg
EV CO2
16 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.
Destination
Newport News, VA
Evening in Newport News on Wednesday
Local time
7:06 PM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
53°F
Ashland, VA
68 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
21 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 45m 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 Lake Monticello, VA to Newport News, VA covers 136.4 miles and takes about 2h 45m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 64, Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, James Madison 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 68.2 miles from Lake Monticello, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $21.33 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 136.4 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 1.1 miles (Brougham Road): Navigation decision point; at 53.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 77.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Lake Monticello, VA and Newport News, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk and Virginia Beach.
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