Origin
Merrifield, VA
Morning in Merrifield on Saturday
Local time
11:06 AM
EDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Merrifield, VA to Norfolk, VA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 24m
Distance
189.7 mi
305 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$30
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 12m
★
6 AM
3h 24m
8 AM
3h 48m
10 AM
3h 33m
12 PM
3h 30m
3 PM
3h 34m
5 PM
3h 47m
8 PM
3h 17m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Merrifield, VA
Zetong Li
Norfolk, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Merrifield, VA to Norfolk, VA covers 189.7 miles and takes about 3h 24m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Gallows Road, US 50 East, I 495 South for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $29.66 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
94.9 miles from Merrifield, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 42m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 24m. Total distance: 189.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a 3h 24m drive with frequent turns across 189.7 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 26 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Gallows Road is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Driving Effort
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Merrifield, VA to Norfolk, VA is easy. At 3h 24m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Merrifield, VA to Norfolk, VA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Gallows Road | — | — |
| US 50 East | — | — |
| I 495 South | — | — |
| Capital Beltway | — | — |
| I 95 South | — | — |
| Henry G | — | — |
| I 295 South | — | — |
| Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
Gallows Road
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Merrifield, VA and Norfolk, VA.
1
Start on Gallows Road
92 ft
·
4 sec
·
Gallows Road
2
Continue on Gallows Road
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Gallows Road
3
Keep slight left to continue on Gallows Road
115 ft
·
3 sec
·
Gallows Road
4
Turn straight onto US 50 East: Arlington Boulevard, Richmond
0.2 mi
·
48 sec
·
US 50 East: Arlington Boulevard, Richmond
5
Keep slight right to continue on I 495 South: Richmond
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
I 495 South: Richmond
6
Merge slight left onto Capital Beltway
5.4 mi
·
7 min
·
Capital Beltway
7
Take the exit slight right toward I 95 South: Richmond
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
I 95 South: Richmond
8
Keep slight left to continue on I 95 South, SR 644 East: Richmond, Franconia
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
I 95 South, SR 644 East: Richmond, Franconia
9
Keep slight left to continue on I 95 South: Richmond
0.4 mi
·
33 sec
·
I 95 South: Richmond
10
Merge slight left onto Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
36 mi
·
42 min
·
Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
11
Keep slight left
49 mi
·
53 min
12
Take the exit slight left toward I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va Beach
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va Beach
13
Merge slight right onto Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
13 mi
·
14 min
·
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
14
Take the exit slight right toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach
15
Merge slight left
67 mi
·
1 hr 15 min
16
Keep slight left to continue on Hampton Roads Beltway
341 ft
·
5 sec
·
Hampton Roads Beltway
17
Continue on Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
3.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
18
Continue on Hampton Roads Beltway
4.4 mi
·
6 min
·
Hampton Roads Beltway
19
Take the exit slight right toward I 564, US 460: Naval Base, Granby Street
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
I 564, US 460: Naval Base, Granby Street
20
Keep slight left to continue on US 460, VA 165: Granby Street, Little Creek Road
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
US 460, VA 165: Granby Street, Little Creek Road
21
Turn straight onto Granby Street
3.1 mi
·
7 min
·
Granby Street
22
Continue on Church Street
446 ft
·
10 sec
·
Church Street
23
Turn right onto Monticello Avenue
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Monticello Avenue
24
Continue on Saint Pauls Boulevard
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Saint Pauls Boulevard
25
Turn left onto East City Hall Avenue
157 ft
·
10 sec
·
East City Hall Avenue
26
Arrive at your destination
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 94.9 miles from Merrifield, VA, or about 1h 42m into the drive.
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 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 94.9 miles or 1h 42m 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 47m
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 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 189.7 miles and 3h 24m.
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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 94.9 mi from Merrifield, VA · 1h 42m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
95 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 42 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 94.9 miles from Merrifield, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.66 one way
$59.33 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
66 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $32.44 | $64.87 |
| premium | $4.70 | $35.11 | $70.22 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $41.88 | $83.77 |
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: 66.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 56.9 | 0 | $19.92 | $9.11 |
| Efficient EV | 47.4 | 0 | $16.60 | $7.59 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 75.9 | 0 | $26.56 | $12.14 |
Gas CO2
66 kg
EV CO2
22 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
Norfolk, VA
Morning in Norfolk on Saturday
Local time
11:06 AM
EDT
Current temp
84°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
8 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
3h 24m 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 Merrifield, VA to Norfolk, VA covers 189.7 miles and takes about 3h 24m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Gallows Road, US 50 East, I 495 South. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 94.9 miles from Merrifield, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $29.66 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
The drive from Merrifield, VA to Norfolk, VA is easy. At 3h 24m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Merrifield, VA to Norfolk, VA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Merrifield, VA to Norfolk, VA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Norfolk, VA
More from Merrifield, VA
More trips to Norfolk, VA
Explore more options from Merrifield, VA or browse trips ending in Norfolk, VA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse VA road trips.