Drive Time
1h 56m
Distance
85 mi
137 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
Photo: Pavan Sai .D
The drive from Norfolk, VA to Colonial Heights, VA covers 85 miles and takes about 1h 56m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 460 West, VA 164 West, Martin Luther King Jr Freeway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $13.26 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
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
42.5 miles from Norfolk, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 58m into the drive .
Expect a 1h 56m drive with frequent turns across 85 miles of local and secondary roads.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 460 West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| VA 164 West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Martin Luther King Jr Freeway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Martin Luther King Freeway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Western Freeway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Bridge Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Carrollton Boulevard | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Brewers Neck Boulevard | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Norfolk, VA and Colonial Heights, VA.
Start on East City Hall Avenue
Take the ramp slight right toward US 460 West, I 264 Toll West, I 464: Portsmouth
Merge slight left
Take the exit slight right toward VA 164 West: Martin Luther King Jr Expressway, Norfolk
Continue on Martin Luther King Jr Freeway
Continue on Martin Luther King Freeway
Continue on Western Freeway
Continue on Bridge Road
Continue on Carrollton Boulevard
Turn left onto Brewers Neck Boulevard
Merge slight left onto Benns Church Boulevard
Continue on Colonial Trail East
Turn left onto Rolfe Highway
Turn right onto Colonial Trail West
Continue on James River Drive
Continue on East Randolph Road
Turn left onto Winston Churchill Drive
Continue on Oaklawn Boulevard
Continue on Woodlawn Street
Continue on Oaklawn Boulevard
Continue on East Washington Street
Turn right
Turn right onto Conduit Road
Turn left onto East Ellerslie Avenue
Turn left
Arrive at your destination
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.
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 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 42.5 miles or 58m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Colonial Heights, 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 85 miles and 1h 56m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 42.5 mi from Norfolk, VA · 58m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
43 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 42.5 miles from Norfolk, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Colonial Heights, 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 Colonial Heights, VA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$13.26 one way
$26.51 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $14.82 | $29.64 |
| premium | $4.78 | $15.99 | $31.98 |
| diesel | $5.62 | $18.82 | $37.64 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 29.7 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 25.5 | 0 | $8.92 | $4.08 |
| Efficient EV | 21.3 | 0 | $7.44 | $3.40 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 34 | 0 | $11.90 | $5.44 |
Gas CO2
30 kg
EV CO2
10 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Morning in Norfolk on Saturday
Local time
11:38 AM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Morning in Colonial Heights on Saturday
Local time
11:38 AM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
88°F
Middletown, MD
43 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
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Norfolk, VA or browse trips ending in Colonial Heights, VA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse VA road trips.
Explore maps for Norfolk, VA or Colonial Heights, VA on MapSof.net.
