Drive Time
4h 48m
Distance
251.9 mi
405 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$39
one way
Photo: Photography Maghradze PH
The drive from Norfolk, VA to Buchanan, VA covers 251.9 miles and takes about 4h 48m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on VA 337, Tidewater Drive, Hampton Roads Beltway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $39.28 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
126 miles from Norfolk, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 24m into the drive .
Expect a 4h 48m drive with frequent turns across 251.9 miles of local and secondary roads.
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.
Very easy — mostly straight driving
Navigation is easy, but the length (4h 48m) means fatigue is the real challenge. The route is 0% highway with very few tricky spots.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Norfolk, VA to Buchanan, VA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| VA 337 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Tidewater Drive | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Hampton Roads Beltway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 295 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 295 North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 64 West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Norfolk, VA and Buchanan, VA.
Start on East City Hall Avenue
Keep slight left to continue on VA 337: Tidewater Drive
Merge slight left onto Tidewater Drive
Turn left
Merge slight left onto Hampton Roads Beltway
Continue on Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
Continue on Hampton Roads Beltway
Keep slight left
Take the exit slight right toward I 295, US 60: Washington, Rocky Mount NC
Keep slight right to continue on I 295 North: Washington
Merge slight left onto Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Keep slight right to continue on I 64 West: Charlottesville
Merge slight left onto I 64 West: Charlottesville
Keep slight left
Take the exit slight right toward SR 614: Arcadia
Turn right onto Arcadia Road
Turn left onto Lee Highway
Continue on Main Street
Turn left
Arrive at your destination
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.
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 80 miles or 1h 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 126 miles or 2h 24m 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 56m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Buchanan, VA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Norfolk, 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 Norfolk, VA
This is one driving day of about 251.9 miles and 4h 48m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 126 mi from Norfolk, VA · 2h 24m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
126 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 126 miles from Norfolk, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Buchanan, 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 Buchanan, VA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$39.28 one way
$78.57 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $43.92 | $87.85 |
| premium | $4.78 | $47.38 | $94.77 |
| diesel | $5.62 | $55.78 | $111.55 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 88.1 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 75.6 | 0 | $26.45 | $12.09 |
| Efficient EV | 63 | 0 | $22.04 | $10.08 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 100.8 | 1 | $35.27 | $16.12 |
Gas CO2
88 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Afternoon in Norfolk on Saturday
Local time
1:57 PM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Afternoon in Buchanan on Saturday
Local time
1:57 PM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
88°F
Middletown, MD
126 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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