The drive from Madison Heights, VA to Chesapeake, VA covers 198.1 miles and takes about 4h 23m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Richmond Highway, Prince Edward Highway, Patrick Henry Highway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 27.4 miles on Richmond Highway.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $30.98 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
99.1 miles from Madison Heights, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 9m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 23m. Total distance: 198.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
Expect a 4h 23m drive with frequent turns across 198.1 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 42 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Richmond Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 27.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 97.1 miles in near SR 754 / Commonwealth Centre Parkway.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 27 significant decision points across 198.1 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 97.1 miles (SR 754 / Commonwealth Centre Parkway): Lane positioning matters here; at 98 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 110.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 27 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
97.1 mi into trip|~2h 6m in|SR 754 / Commonwealth Centre Parkway
Turn right onto SR 754 / Commonwealth Centre Parkway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
8
98 mi into trip|~2h 8m in
Keep slight right at fork toward VA 288 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward VA 288 South
7
110.4 mi into trip|~2h 23m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 95 South: Petersburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 95 South: Petersburg
7
112.2 mi into trip|~2h 25m in
Take the exit toward VA 10 East: Hopewell
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 61A
Toward VA 10 East: Hopewell
6
184.6 mi into trip|~4h 2m in|VA 164 / Western Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto VA 164 / Western Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Richmond Highway
27.4 mi
34m
Prince Edward Highway
24.1 mi
29m
Patrick Henry Highway
17.2 mi
21m
James River Drive
14.6 mi
19m
Hull Street Road
13.7 mi
19m
Colonial Trail West
13.3 mi
15m
World War II Veterans Memorial Highway
12.1 mi
14m
Old Stage Highway
12 mi
15m
Longest stretch:
Richmond Highway
— 27.4 mi, about 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Madison Heights, VA and Chesapeake, VA.
1
Start on Phelps Road
134 ft·5 sec·Phelps Road
2
Turn left onto VA 163
429 ft·20 sec·South Amherst Highway
3
Turn left
0.2 mi·22 sec
4
Merge onto US 29 BUS
0.3 mi·23 sec·Amherst Highway
5
Take the exit
0.1 mi·18 sec
Toward VA 210
6
Turn left onto VA 210
2.3 mi·3 min·Old Town Connector
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward US 29 South
8
Merge onto US 29
1.0 mi·1 min·Monacan Parkway
9
Keep slight left at fork
1.1 mi·1 min
Toward US 460 East: Appomattox
10
Merge onto US 460
27 mi·34 min·Richmond Highway
Toward US 460 East: Appomattox
11
Continue on US 460
24 mi·29 min·Prince Edward Highway
12
Turn left onto VA 307
9.3 mi·12 min·Holly Farms Road
13
Turn left onto US 360
17 mi·21 min·Patrick Henry Highway
14
Continue on US 360
14 mi·19 min·Hull Street Road
Use the straight lane.
15
Turn right onto SR 754
0.9 mi·1 min·Commonwealth Centre Parkway
Use the right lane.
16
Take the ramp
62 ft·1 sec
17
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward VA 288 SouthUse the slight right lane.
18
Merge onto VA 288
12 mi·14 min·World War II Veterans Memorial Highway
19
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward I 95 South: PetersburgUse the slight right lane.
20
Merge onto I 95
1.5 mi·1 min·Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 61AToward VA 10 East: HopewellUse the right lane.
22
Continue on VA 10
6.8 mi·10 min·West Hundred Road
Use the left / uturn lanes.
23
Continue on VA 10
2.9 mi·4 min·West Randolph Road
24
Continue on VA 10; VA 156 BUS
15 mi·19 min·James River Drive
25
Continue on VA 10
13 mi·15 min·Colonial Trail West
26
At end of road, turn left onto VA 10; VA 31
1.0 mi·1 min·Rolfe Highway
27
Take the exit
149 ft·6 sec
28
Merge onto VA 10
9.8 mi·11 min·Colonial Trail East
29
Continue on VA 10
12 mi·15 min·Old Stage Highway
Use the left lane.
30
Keep slight left at fork onto US 258
2.8 mi·3 min·Brewers Neck Boulevard
31
Take the exit
0.1 mi·19 sec
32
Merge onto US 17
2.3 mi·3 min·Carrollton Boulevard
33
Continue on US 17
6.2 mi·10 min·Bridge Road
Use the left lane.
34
Keep slight right at fork onto VA 164
7.4 mi·9 min·Western Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
35
Merge onto US 58; VA 164
0.7 mi·46 sec·Martin Luther King Freeway
36
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward VA 141 South: Downtown PortsmouthUse the right lane.
37
Turn straight onto US 58
0.9 mi·1 min·London Boulevard
38
Turn right onto Elm Avenue
2.4 mi·4 min·Elm Avenue
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
39
Continue on VA 337
1.1 mi·2 min·South Norfolk Jordan Bridge
40
Turn straight onto VA 337
0.7 mi·1 min·Poindexter Street
Use the straight lane.
41
Turn left onto D Street
412 ft·18 sec·D Street
42
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 99.1 miles from Madison Heights, VA, or about 2h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 27.4 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 44 miles or 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 99.1 miles or 2h 9m 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 30m
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 Madison Heights, 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 Madison Heights, VA
This is one driving day of about 198.1 miles and 4h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 miles from Madison Heights, 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 Richmond Highway for about 27.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 99.1 mi from Madison Heights, VA
· 2h 9m into the drive
The midpoint is around 99.1 miles from Madison Heights, 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.
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.
Appomattox Court House National Historical Park
National Historical Park
On April 9, 1865, the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia in the McLean House in the village of Appomattox Court House, Virginia signaled the effective end of the nation's largest war. Question...
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...
10 mi from route
~26 min detour
$15
near mile 153.3
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...
11 mi from route
~28 min detour
Free
near mile 186.7
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...
13 mi from route
~33 min detour
Free
near mile 113.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.98 one way
$61.96 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg69 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$33.87
$67.74
premium
$4.70
$36.66
$73.33
diesel
$5.61
$43.74
$87.48
Estimated Tolls: $0.10
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
(1.5 mi)$0.10
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
$31
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 69.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
59.4
0
$20.80
$9.51
Efficient EV
49.5
0
$17.33
$7.92
EV Truck/SUV
79.2
0
$27.73
$12.68
Gas CO2
69 kg
EV CO2
23 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 16, 2026
Origin
Madison Heights, VA
Morning
in Madison Heights on Friday
Local time
6:54 AM
EDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Chesapeake, VA
Morning
in Chesapeake on Friday
Local time
6:54 AM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
79°F
Colonial Heights, VA
99 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
28 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 23m 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 Madison Heights, VA to Chesapeake, VA covers 198.1 miles and takes about 4h 23m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Richmond Highway, Prince Edward Highway, Patrick Henry Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 99.1 miles from Madison Heights, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $30.98 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 27 significant decision points across 198.1 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 97.1 miles (SR 754 / Commonwealth Centre Parkway): Lane positioning matters here; at 98 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 110.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Madison Heights, VA to Chesapeake, VA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Appomattox Court House National Historical Park, Colonial National Historical Park and Fort Monroe National Monument. There are 4 parks within detour distance of this route.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from
OSRM
over
OpenStreetMap.
Fuel cost uses
EIA
weekly regional averages.
National park proximity is from the
NPS API.
Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our
methodology page
documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
