Trip from Norfolk, VA to Lexington, VA

Q: What are the main roads on this route?

The main roads are I 64, Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, Hampton Roads Beltway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

Q: Is this a good same-day trip?

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Q: Where should I stop halfway?

The midpoint is about 114.9 miles from Norfolk, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

Q: How much does gas cost for this trip?

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $35.94 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

Q: What is the best time to leave?

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.

Q: How many breaks should I plan?

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Data updated 4 hours ago

Drive Time

4h 26m

Distance

229.8 mi

370 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$36

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

32 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

4h 13m ★

6 AM

4h 26m

8 AM

4h 53m

10 AM

4h 36m

12 PM

4h 33m

3 PM

4h 37m

5 PM

4h 52m

8 PM

4h 18m

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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Norfolk, VA

Wikimedia Commons

Lexington, VA

Lee Salem

Trip Overview

The drive from Norfolk, VA to Lexington, VA covers 229.8 miles and takes about 4h 26m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 64, Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, Hampton Roads Beltway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 182.2 miles on I 64. At current regular gas prices, budget about $35.94 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

114.9 miles from Norfolk, VA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 18m into the drive .

Loading map...

Drive Character

This is a 4h 26m highway drive covering 229.8 miles, with most of the trip on I 64 and Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway. The longest continuous stretch is about 182.2 miles on I 64.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

I 64 is the longest continuous segment at about 182.2 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 20.2 miles in near I 64.

Route Complexity 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 229.8 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 20.2 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 81.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 81.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 12 key points

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

20.2 mi into trip | ~32m in | I 64

Keep slight left at fork onto I 64

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

81.3 mi into trip | ~1h 39m in

Take the exit toward I 295, US 60: Washington, Rocky Mount NC

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 200 Toward I 295, US 60: Washington, Rocky Mount NC

81.8 mi into trip | ~1h 40m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 295 North: Washington

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 295 North: Washington

105.7 mi into trip | ~2h 7m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 64 West: Charlottesville

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Exit 53A Toward I 64 West: Charlottesville

106.2 mi into trip | ~2h 8m in | I 64

Merge onto I 64 toward I 64 West: Charlottesville

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 64 West: Charlottesville

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

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

On the drive from Norfolk, VA to Lexington, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Rocky Mount along the way.

Rocky Mount

81.3 mi in | ~1h 39m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 64	182.2 mi	3h 19m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway	22.6 mi	24m
Hampton Roads Beltway	11.4 mi	15m
Tidewater Drive	4.6 mi	10m
Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel	3.5 mi	4m
North Lee Highway	1.1 mi	1m
North Main Street	0.8 mi	2m
East City Hall Avenue	0.4 mi	<1m

Longest stretch: I 64 — 182.2 mi, about 3h 19m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on East City Hall Avenue

0.4 mi · 42 sec · East City Hall Avenue

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 28 sec

Toward VA 337: Tidewater Drive

Merge onto VA 337

4.6 mi · 10 min · Tidewater Drive

Use the left lane.

Turn left

0.2 mi · 28 sec

Merge onto I 64

5.6 mi · 7 min · Hampton Roads Beltway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 64; US 60

3.5 mi · 4 min · Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel

Continue on I 64; US 60

5.9 mi · 7 min · Hampton Roads Beltway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 64

61 mi · 1 hr 7 min · I 64

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 32 sec

Exit 200 Toward I 295, US 60: Washington, Rocky Mount NC Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork

1.3 mi · 2 min

Toward I 295 North: Washington Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 295

23 mi · 24 min · Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway

Use the straight lane.

Keep slight right at fork

0.6 mi · 55 sec

Exit 53A Toward I 64 West: Charlottesville

Merge onto I 64

120 mi · 2 hr 10 min · I 64

Toward I 64 West: Charlottesville Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 64

0.8 mi · 1 min · I 64

Toward I 64 West: Lexington, Charleston

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 40 sec

Toward US 11: Lexington, Goshen

Turn left onto US 11

1.1 mi · 1 min · North Lee Highway

Turn straight onto US 11 BUS

0.8 mi · 2 min · North Main Street

Continue on US 11 BUS

0.3 mi · 35 sec · North Jefferson Street

Turn left onto US 60

366 ft · 14 sec · West Nelson Street

Arrive at destination

US 60

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 114.9 miles from Norfolk, VA, or about 2h 18m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 182.2 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 80 miles or 1h 38m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 114.9 miles or 2h 18m 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 38m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lexington, 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 229.8 miles and 4h 26m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 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 I 64 for about 182.2 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 114.9 mi from Norfolk, VA · 2h 18m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Middletown, MD

115 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

Middletown, MD

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Middletown, MD

Meal break

The midpoint is around 114.9 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 I 64 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 182.2 miles.

Arriving in Lexington, VA

The final approach into Lexington, 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 Lexington, VA.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

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

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...

2 mi from route ~4 min detour $15 near mile 39.6

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...

2 mi from route ~5 min detour Free near mile 15.8

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...

27 mi from route ~66 min detour Free near mile 79.2

View on nps.gov

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$35.94 one way

$71.87 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 80 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.34	$39.29	$78.58
premium	$4.70	$42.53	$85.06
diesel	$5.61	$50.74	$101.47

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$36

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$61–$86

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 80.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

EV Charging Along Route

32 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

Base Portsmouth

Portsmouth, VA

Non-Networked

14 DCFC

Royal Farms - Tesla Supercharger

Norfolk, VA

Tesla

12 DCFC

Wawa - Tesla Supercharger

Newport News, VA

Tesla

12 DCFC

Wawa - Tesla Supercharger

Portsmouth, VA

Tesla

8 DCFC

Wawa - Tesla Supercharger

Norfolk, VA

Tesla

8 DCFC

Wawa - Tesla Supercharger

Norfolk, VA

Tesla

8 DCFC

JANAF Shopping Yard - Tesla Supercharger

Norfolk, VA

Tesla

6 DCFC

IKEA Store 569 (Norfolk, VA)

Norfolk, VA

Electrify America

6 DCFC

Non-Networked: 7 ChargePoint Network: 7 Tesla: 6 FORD_CHARGE: 4 eVgo Network: 4 CHARGESMART_EV: 2 Electrify America: 1 RIVIAN_ADVENTURE: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	68.9	0	$24.13	$11.03
Efficient EV	57.5	0	$20.11	$9.19
EV Truck/SUV	91.9	1	$32.17	$14.71

Gas CO2

80 kg

EV CO2

27 kg (66% 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.

Forecast data refreshed 4 hours ago

Origin

Norfolk, VA

Night in Norfolk on Tuesday

Local time

11:25 PM

EDT

Current temp

85°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Lexington, VA

Night in Lexington on Tuesday

Local time

11:25 PM

EDT

Current temp

59°F

Mostly Clear

W 1 to 7 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued April 14 at 9:10AM EDT by NWS Blacksburg VA

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued April 14 at 8:55AM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA

86°F

Middletown, MD

115 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

26 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

4h 26m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

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 Lexington, VA covers 229.8 miles and takes about 4h 26m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 64, Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, Hampton Roads Beltway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 114.9 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 $35.94 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.