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Trip from Norfolk, VA to Concord, VA

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

3h 59m

Distance

179.1 mi

288 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$28

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
3h 47m ★
6 AM
4h 0m
8 AM
4h 26m
10 AM
4h 9m
12 PM
4h 6m
3 PM
4h 10m
5 PM
4h 25m
8 PM
3h 52m

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

Downtown Norfolk, VA, VA

Norfolk, VA

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Concord, VA, VA

Concord, VA

César O'neill

Trip Overview

This 179.1-mile drive from Norfolk, VA, to Concord, VA, is a manageable one-day trip, estimated to take just under 4 hours. You'll primarily travel along US 460, with portions on New Cox Road and West Colonial Trail Highway. With a fuel cost estimated at $28 and only one recommended stop, this route offers a straightforward journey through Virginia's Southeast region. It's a practical option for a day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. The mixed drive profile suggests a varied experience, not a monotonous interstate crawl.

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

89.5 miles from Norfolk, 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 3h 59m. Total distance: 179.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Drive Character

The road's character is a mix, with 54% of the journey on highways. You'll experience a significant stretch of 79.8 miles on US 460, which forms the backbone of this drive. Expect a blend of faster highway driving and potentially more local road sections as you progress. This isn't a purely scenic byway, nor is it a constant interstate grind; it's a practical route designed for efficient travel between these two Virginia locations.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 29 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 460 is the longest continuous segment at about 79.8 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

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 7.6 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 20 significant decision points across 179.1 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 7.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 20.4 miles (US 460): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 20 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

8
7.6 mi into trip | ~11m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 664: Bowers Hill, Suffolk, Richmond

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

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 664: Bowers Hill, Suffolk, Richmond
8
8.7 mi into trip | ~13m in

Take the exit toward US 13, US 58, US 460, VA 191 North: Suffolk, Military Highway

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 13A-B Toward US 13, US 58, US 460, VA 191 North: Suff...
8
20.4 mi into trip | ~29m in | US 460

Keep slight right at fork onto US 460 toward US 460 West: Petersburg, Albert G Horton Junior Memorial, Veterans Cemetery

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

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward US 460 West: Petersburg, Albert G Horton...
7
75.9 mi into trip | ~1h 52m in | US 460

Take the exit onto US 460 toward I 85 South, US 460 West: Durham, Blackstone

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

Use the right lane. Toward I 85 South, US 460 West: Durham, Blackst...
8
82.5 mi into trip | ~2h 1m in | US 460

Take the exit onto US 460 toward US 460 West: Blackstone, Lynchburg

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 61 Toward US 460 West: Blackstone, Lynchburg

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

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

Between Norfolk, VA and Concord, VA, road signs point toward Albert G Horton Junior Memorial, Veterans Cemetery, Blackstone and Lynchburg.

Albert G Horton Junior Memorial

20.4 mi in | ~29m | via US 460

Veterans Cemetery

20.4 mi in | ~29m | via US 460

Blackstone

75.9 mi in | ~1h 52m | via US 460

Lynchburg

82.5 mi in | ~2h 1m | via US 460

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 460 79.8 mi 1h 51m
New Cox Road 23 mi 26m
West Colonial Trail Highway 13.1 mi 16m
Richmond Highway 10.8 mi 12m
Portsmouth Boulevard 8.2 mi 10m
East Colonial Trail 7.5 mi 11m
I 264 7.4 mi 11m
East Colonial Trail Road 6.9 mi 7m
Longest stretch: US 460 — 79.8 mi, about 1h 51m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Norfolk, VA and Concord, VA.

1

Start on East City Hall Avenue

122 ft · 2 sec · East City Hall Avenue
2

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 31 sec
Toward US 460 West, I 264 Toll West, I 464: Portsmouth
3

Merge onto I 264; US 460 ALT; VA 337

7.4 mi · 11 min · I 264; US 460 ALT; VA 337
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4

Keep slight right at fork

0.6 mi · 47 sec
Toward I 664: Bowers Hill, Suffolk, Richmond Use the slight right lane.
5

Merge onto I 664

0.4 mi · 31 sec · Hampton Roads Beltway
6

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 54 sec
Exit 13A-B Toward US 13, US 58, US 460, VA 191 North: Suffolk, Military Highway Use the slight right lane.
7

Keep slight left at fork

0.6 mi · 1 min
8

Continue on US 13; US 58; US 460

2.4 mi · 3 min · West Military Highway
9

Continue on US 13; US 58; US 460

8.2 mi · 10 min · Portsmouth Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
10

Take the exit onto US 460

0.2 mi · 29 sec · US 460
Toward US 460: Petersburg Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Keep slight right at fork onto US 460

50 mi · 1 hr 14 min · US 460
Toward US 460 West: Petersburg, Albert G Horton Junior Memorial, Veterans Cemetery Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
12

Turn left onto SR 630

1.9 mi · 3 min · Rives Road
Use the left lane.
13

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 28 sec
Toward I 95 North
14

Merge onto I 95

3.7 mi · 4 min · I 95
15

Take the exit onto US 460

0.6 mi · 1 min · US 460
Toward I 85 South, US 460 West: Durham, Blackstone Use the right lane.
16

Merge onto I 85; US 460

6.0 mi · 7 min · Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
17

Take the exit onto US 460

0.2 mi · 25 sec · US 460
Exit 61 Toward US 460 West: Blackstone, Lynchburg Use the slight right lane.
18

Continue on US 460

1.1 mi · 1 min · Airport Street
19

Continue on US 460

23 mi · 26 min · New Cox Road
20

Continue on US 460

4.3 mi · 5 min · East Colonial Trail Highway
21

Continue on US 460

6.9 mi · 7 min · East Colonial Trail Road
22

Continue on US 460

7.5 mi · 11 min · East Colonial Trail
23

Merge onto US 360; US 460

1.5 mi · 2 min · West Colonial Trail Highway
24

Keep slight right at fork onto US 460

12 mi · 14 min · West Colonial Trail Highway
25

Keep slight left at fork onto US 460

29 mi · 34 min · US 460
26

Keep slight right at fork onto US 460

11 mi · 12 min · Richmond Highway
Toward US 460 West: Lynchburg
27

Turn left onto VA 24

0.5 mi · 59 sec · Village Highway
28

Turn left onto SR 609

73 ft · 2 sec · Phoebe Pond Road
29

Arrive at destination

SR 609

Trip Plan

Given the 3-hour and 59-minute duration, starting your trip in the morning will give you ample time to reach Concord, VA, without feeling rushed. While only one stop is suggested, consider breaking up the longest stretch of 79.8 miles on US 460 for a quick rest or to refuel, keeping your estimated $28 fuel cost in mind. This drive offers flexibility, so you can depart when it's most convenient for you. Pay attention to signage as you transition between US 460 and the other named roads to ensure you stay on track.

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 89.5 miles from Norfolk, VA, or about 2h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 79.8 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 39 miles or 57m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 89.5 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 21m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Concord, VA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

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 179.1 miles and 3h 59m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from Norfolk, 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 US 460 for about 79.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 89.5 mi from Norfolk, VA · 2h 9m into the drive

independent city in Virginia, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Colonial Heights, VA

90 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

Suffolk, VA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 39 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Colonial Heights, VA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 89.5 miles from Norfolk, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 460 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 79.8 miles.

Arriving in Concord, VA

The final approach into Concord, 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 Concord, 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

$28.01 one way

$56.01 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 63 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $30.62 $61.25
premium $4.70 $33.15 $66.30
diesel $5.61 $39.54 $79.09

Estimated Tolls: $0.42

Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike (6 mi) $0.42

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

$28

Tolls

$0

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$53–$78

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 62.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 53.7 0 $18.81 $8.60
Efficient EV 44.8 0 $15.67 $7.16
EV Truck/SUV 71.6 0 $25.07 $11.46

Gas CO2

63 kg

EV CO2

21 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

Norfolk, VA

Afternoon in Norfolk on Thursday

Local time

4:41 PM

EDT

Current temp

79°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Concord, VA

Afternoon in Concord on Thursday

Local time

4:41 PM

EDT

Current temp

50°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

79°F

Colonial Heights, VA

90 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

29 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

3h 59m 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 Norfolk, VA to Concord, VA covers 179.1 miles and takes about 3h 59m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 460, New Cox Road, West Colonial Trail Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 89.5 miles from Norfolk, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $28.01 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 179.1 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 7.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 20.4 miles (US 460): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Norfolk, VA and Concord, VA, road signs point toward Albert G Horton Junior Memorial, Veterans Cemetery, Blackstone and Lynchburg.

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