Trip from Merrifield, VA to Chesapeake, VA

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 50m

Distance

192.8 mi

310 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$30

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min

4 AM

3h 38m ★

6 AM

3h 51m

8 AM

4h 16m

10 AM

3h 59m

12 PM

3h 57m

3 PM

4h 1m

5 PM

4h 15m

8 PM

3h 43m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Merrifield, VA

Zetong Li

Chesapeake, VA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Merrifield, VA to Chesapeake, VA covers 192.8 miles and takes about 3h 50m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 64, I 95, Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed highway & surface. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 66.8 miles on I 64. At current regular gas prices, budget about $30.15 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.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

96.4 miles from Merrifield, VA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 53m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 64	66.8 mi	1h 15m
I 95	48.6 mi	53m
Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway	35.7 mi	42m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway	13 mi	14m
Hampton Roads Beltway	6.8 mi	8m
Capital Beltway	5.4 mi	7m
Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel	3.5 mi	4m
Chesapeake Boulevard	2.1 mi	3m

Longest stretch: I 64 — 66.8 mi, about 1h 15m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Merrifield, VA and Chesapeake, VA.

Start on SR 650

93 ft · 4 sec · Gallows Road

Continue on SR 650

0.6 mi · 1 min · Gallows Road

Use the left lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto SR 650

114 ft · 2 sec · Gallows Road

Turn straight

0.2 mi · 48 sec

Toward US 50 East: Arlington Boulevard, Richmond

Keep slight right at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min

Toward I 495 South: Richmond Use the slight right lane.

Merge onto I 495

5.4 mi · 7 min · Capital Beltway

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min

Exit 57A Toward I 95 South: Richmond Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 39 sec

Toward I 95 South, SR 644 East: Richmond, Franconia Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 33 sec

Toward I 95 South: Richmond

Merge onto I 395

36 mi · 42 min · Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway

Use the straight / slight left lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 95

49 mi · 53 min · I 95

Use the straight lane.

Take the exit

1.9 mi · 2 min

Exit 84A Toward I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va Beach Use the slight left / straight lanes.

Merge onto I 295

13 mi · 14 min · Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

1.3 mi · 2 min

Exit 28A Toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 64

67 mi · 1 hr 15 min · I 64

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 64; US 60

342 ft · 5 sec · Hampton Roads Beltway

Continue on I 64; US 60

3.5 mi · 4 min · Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel

Continue on I 64; US 60

6.7 mi · 8 min · Hampton Roads Beltway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 32 sec

Exit 278 Toward VA 194 South: Chesapeake Boulevard Use the slight right lane.

Turn straight onto VA 194

2.1 mi · 3 min · Chesapeake Boulevard

Use the left lane.

Turn straight

135 ft · 7 sec

Turn left onto VA 247

1.1 mi · 1 min · Ballentine Boulevard

Turn right onto VA 166

0.9 mi · 1 min · East Princess Anne Road

Turn left onto VA 166

0.6 mi · 1 min · Park Avenue

Turn left onto US 460; VA 166; VA 168

0.3 mi · 57 sec · East Brambleton Avenue

Use the left / straight / right lanes.

Continue on US 460; VA 166; VA 168

0.7 mi · 1 min · Campostella Road

Turn right onto US 460; VA 166

0.7 mi · 1 min · Wilson Road

Use the right lane.

Continue on US 460; VA 166

0.3 mi · 27 sec · 22nd Street

Continue on US 460; VA 166

0.3 mi · 29 sec · Poindexter Street

Use the straight lane.

Turn right onto D Street

412 ft · 18 sec · D Street

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 96.4 miles from Merrifield, VA, or about 1h 53m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 66.8 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 42 miles or 53m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 96.4 miles or 1h 53m 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 3m

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 Merrifield, 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 Merrifield, VA

This is one driving day of about 192.8 miles and 3h 50m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 42 miles from Merrifield, 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 66.8 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

town in southeastern Virginia, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Windsor, VA

96 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.

Popular next leg

Windsor, VA to Chesapeake, VA

83.1 mi · 1h 45m

Pacing Suggestions

Manassas, VA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 42 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

East Highland Park, VA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 96.4 miles from Merrifield, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 64 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 66.8 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Pastry Xpo Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Falls Church, Virginia

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20

Hours: 7:30 am–8:30 pm

+15712824970

Visit website

Early Bird Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Quinton, Virginia

2.4 mi

Starline Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Springfield, Virginia

2.5 mi

Pastry Xpo Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20

Falls Church, Virginia

Hours: 7:30 am–8:30 pm

+15712824970

Visit website

Early Bird Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10 mile 110.2

Quinton, Virginia

Hours: 6 am–1 pm

+18042464145

Visit website

Starline Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 13.8

Springfield, Virginia

Hours: 6:30 am–4 pm

+17034554141

Visit website

Tropical Smoothie Cafe

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour Inexpensiv mile 165.3

Yorktown, Virginia

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+17578679004

Visit website

Tropical Smoothie Cafe

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour Inexpensiv mile 55.1

Fredericksburg, Virginia

Hours: 7 am–11 pm

+15407107025

Visit website

Tropical Smoothie Cafe

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 165.3

Newport News, Virginia

Hours: 10 am–7 pm

+17573695533

Visit website

Himalayan Heritage Restaurant & Bar VA

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour $20 to $30 mile 55.1

Fredericksburg, Virginia

Hours: 10:30 am–9:30 pm

+15409934252

Visit website

The Caboose Market & Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20 mile 82.6

Ashland, Virginia

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+18047982933

Visit website

Cafe Stella

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20 mile 192.8

Norfolk, Virginia

Hours: 7:30 am–10 pm

+17576250461

Visit website

Tous les Jours Bakery & Cafe - Newport News

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 165.3

Newport News, Virginia

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+17577553134

Visit website

Dubai Girls Cafe

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 96.4

Glen Allen, Virginia

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+18044001505

EVgo Charging Station

3.3 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 165.3

Newport News, Virginia

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 192.8

Portsmouth, Virginia

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 165.3

Newport News, Virginia

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 68.9

Ruther Glen, Virginia

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 165.3

Hampton, Virginia

+17578254657

Visit website

Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 192.8

Portsmouth, Virginia

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+17573938591

Visit website

Occoquan Regional Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 13.8

Lorton, Virginia

Hours: 6:30 am–7 pm

+17036902121

Visit website

Colonial Escape Room

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 151.5

Williamsburg, Virginia

Hours: 2–9 pm

+17576032594

Visit website

Ocean View Beach Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 179.1

Norfolk, Virginia

Hours: 6 am–7 pm

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 23

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.8 and 107 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

0.8 mi into trip | ~2m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 495 South: Richmond

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 495 South: Richmond

6.7 mi into trip | ~10m in

Take the exit toward I 95 South: Richmond

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 57A Toward I 95 South: Richmond

7.2 mi into trip | ~11m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 South, SR 644 East: Richmond, Franconia

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 95 South, SR 644 East: Richmond, Franc...

92.1 mi into trip | ~1h 48m in

Take the exit toward I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va Beach

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left / straight lanes. Exit 84A Toward I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va B...

107 mi into trip | ~2h 4m 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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$30.15 one way

$60.30 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 68 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.34	$32.97	$65.93
premium	$4.70	$35.68	$71.37
diesel	$5.61	$42.57	$85.14

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$30

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$55–$80

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 67.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	57.8	$20.24	$9.25
Efficient EV	48.2	$16.87	$7.71
EV Truck/SUV	77.1	$26.99	$12.34

Gas CO2

67 kg

EV CO2

23 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 14, 2026

Origin

Merrifield, VA

Afternoon in Merrifield on Saturday

Local time

3:58 PM

EDT

Current temp

63°F

Partly Cloudy

SW 3 to 8 mph 6% chance Live forecast

Destination

Chesapeake, VA

Afternoon in Chesapeake on Saturday

Local time

3:58 PM

EDT

Current temp

63°F

Partly Cloudy

SW 9 mph 3% chance 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

Very similar conditions

Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.

Road read

3h 50m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

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 152.9

Park Closure: Rehabilitation of Colonial Parkway Continues

View on nps.gov

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...

3 mi from route ~7 min detour Free near mile 172.9

View on nps.gov

Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail

National Scenic Trail

The Potomac River corridor is rich in both history and recreation, offering a chance to both explore your heritage and choose your adventure along the way. Start your journey here!

25 mi from route ~62 min detour Free

View on nps.gov

Petersburg National Battlefield

National Battlefield

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...

26 mi from route ~65 min detour Free near mile 106.4

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

192.8 mi in 3h 50m — 60% highway, the rest on surface roads. Biggest road: I 64.

60% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 66.8 mi on I 64.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

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 0.8 miles in.

Driving Effort 10/10

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 23 significant decision points across 192.8 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 0.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 6.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 7.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Merrifield, VA and Chesapeake, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk, Va Beach and Virginia Beach.

Norfolk

92.1 mi in | ~1h 48m

Va Beach

92.1 mi in | ~1h 48m

Virginia Beach

107 mi in | ~2h 4m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 50m. Total distance: 192.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 66.8 miles on I 64. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — we found about 1 rest area or service plaza within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.

It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Chesapeake, VA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 1 rest area along the route for bathroom stops.

Yes — Colonial National Historical Park, Fort Monroe National Monument and Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Possible but tiring. At 3.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Chesapeake, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.

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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Explore more options from Merrifield, VA or browse trips ending in Chesapeake, VA.

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Trip from Merrifield, VA to Chesapeake, VA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Nearby Places

Pastry Xpo Cafe

Pastry Xpo Cafe

Early Bird Cafe

Starline Restaurant

Tropical Smoothie Cafe

Tropical Smoothie Cafe

Tropical Smoothie Cafe

Himalayan Heritage Restaurant & Bar VA

The Caboose Market & Cafe

Cafe Stella

Tous les Jours Bakery & Cafe - Newport News

Dubai Girls Cafe

EVgo Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

Tesla Supercharger

ChargePoint Charging Station

Electrify America Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

Tesla Supercharger

EVgo Charging Station

Virginia Welcome Center at Fredericksburg

2 stars hotel

National Museum of the Marine Corps

Virginia Living Museum

Loch Ness Monster

Sandy Bottom Nature Park

Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum

Occoquan Regional Park

Colonial Escape Room

Ocean View Beach Park

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Merrifield, VA

Chesapeake, VA

Same local time

Very similar conditions

3h 50m on the road

National Parks Near This Route

Colonial National Historical Park

Fort Monroe National Monument

Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail

Petersburg National Battlefield

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Are there national parks near this route?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

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