Trip from Norfolk, VA to Richlands, VA

Data updated 3 hours ago

Drive Time

7h 58m

Distance

416.5 mi

670 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$65

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 26 min

4 AM

7h 50m ★

6 AM

7h 59m

8 AM

8h 16m

10 AM

8h 5m

12 PM

8h 3m

3 PM

8h 6m

5 PM

8h 15m

8 PM

7h 54m

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

Richlands, VA

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Trip Overview

Embark on a significant journey from Norfolk, Virginia, to Richlands, Virginia, covering 416.5 miles and taking approximately 7 hours and 58 minutes. This drive is best tackled in a single day, though you might appreciate a mid-drive break. The route is primarily highway-focused, with 79% of your travel on major interstates, making it a straightforward trek. Expect a fuel cost of around $65 for this adventure. As you travel within the Southeast region, the landscape offers a consistent, though not overly varied, driving experience. This is a practical route for reaching your destination efficiently.

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

2 planned breaks

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

208.2 miles from Norfolk, VA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 59m into the drive .

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Drive Character

This drive leans heavily into its highway profile, with 79% of the journey utilizing major interstates like I-64, I-81, and I-77. You'll experience long, uninterrupted stretches, including the longest segment of 181.4 miles on I-64. While efficient, this highway-focused nature means much of the drive will involve consistent speeds and a predictable road surface. The character is less about winding country lanes and more about covering ground effectively on well-maintained arteries. Prepare for a steady pace as you make your way across Virginia.

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

There are about 29 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 181.4 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and I 81. 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 10/10

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

This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 416.5 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 21 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

344.9 mi into trip | ~6h 30m in | I 77

Keep slight right at fork onto I 77 toward I 77 North: Bluefield, Charleston W. Va.

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

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 77 North: Bluefield, Charleston W. Va.

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 Richlands, VA, road signs point toward Rocky Mount and Charleston W. Va..

Rocky Mount

81.3 mi in | ~1h 39m

Charleston W. Va.

344.9 mi in | ~6h 30m | via I 77

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 64	181.4 mi	3h 18m
I 81	117.1 mi	2h 9m
I 77	28.4 mi	31m
Governor G C Peery Highway	27.2 mi	34m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway	22.6 mi	24m
Hampton Roads Beltway	11.4 mi	15m
Big Laurel Highway	9.9 mi	11m
Tidewater Drive	4.6 mi	10m

Longest stretch: I 64 — 181.4 mi, about 3h 18m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Norfolk, VA and Richlands, 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 left at fork onto I 81

117 mi · 2 hr 9 min · I 81

Use the straight lane.

Continue on I 77; I 81; US 52

1.3 mi · 1 min · I 77; I 81; US 52

Use the straight lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 77

27 mi · 30 min · I 77

Toward I 77 North: Bluefield, Charleston W. Va. Use the slight right lane.

Take the exit onto US 52

0.3 mi · 1 min · US 52

Exit 1 Toward US 52 North: Bluefield

Turn right onto US 52

2.5 mi · 2 min · John Nash Boulevard

Take the exit onto US 52

0.3 mi · 37 sec · US 52

Toward US 460 West: Bluefield

Merge onto US 52; US 460; US 52 Truck

9.9 mi · 11 min · Big Laurel Highway

Use the left / straight lanes.

Continue on US 19; US 460

27 mi · 34 min · Governor G C Peery Highway

Take the exit onto US 460

386 ft · 10 sec · US 460

Merge onto US 460

2.4 mi · 4 min · Governor George C Peery Highway

Take the exit

156 ft · 4 sec

Toward US 460 BUS: Cedar Bluff, Richlands

Turn right onto SR F608

0.1 mi · 12 sec · SR F608

At end of road, turn right onto US 460 BUS

0.5 mi · 51 sec · Cedar Valley Drive

Continue on US 460 BUS

1.2 mi · 1 min · West Front Street

Turn left onto Virginia Avenue

88 ft · 2 sec · Virginia Avenue

Arrive at destination

Virginia Avenue

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 7-hour, 58-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Norfolk to maximize daylight and minimize traffic. With 416.5 miles to cover, planning for two stops is sensible; perhaps one around the halfway point for a meal and stretch, and a shorter one later. The longest stretch, 181.4 miles on I-64, means you'll want to ensure you have adequate fuel before embarking on it. Budgeting $65 for fuel is a good estimate for this highway-heavy route. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before entering longer interstate segments.

Morning Departure

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Evening Departure

This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 208.2 miles from Norfolk, VA, or about 3h 59m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 181.4 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 92 miles or 1h 52m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 208.2 miles or 3h 59m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 6h 43m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Richlands, 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.

Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Norfolk, VA

This is one driving day of about 416.5 miles and 7h 58m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 92 miles from Norfolk, VA.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on I 64 for about 181.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 208.2 mi from Norfolk, VA · 3h 59m into the drive

town in the west-central part of Garrett County, Maryland, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Oakland, MD

208 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 92 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Oakland, MD

Meal break

The midpoint is around 208.2 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 181.4 miles.

Arriving in Richlands, VA

The final approach into Richlands, 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 Richlands, 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.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$65.13 one way

$130.26 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 146 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.34	$71.21	$142.43
premium	$4.70	$77.09	$154.17
diesel	$5.61	$91.96	$183.92

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$65

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$90–$115

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 145.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $44 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	124.9	1	$43.73	$19.99
Efficient EV	104.1	1	$36.44	$16.66
EV Truck/SUV	166.6	2	$58.31	$26.66

Gas CO2

146 kg

EV CO2

49 kg (66% less)

Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.

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 1 day ago

Origin

Norfolk, VA

Night in Norfolk on Tuesday

Local time

11:22 PM

EDT

Current temp

85°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Richlands, VA

Night in Richlands on Tuesday

Local time

11:22 PM

EDT

Current temp

60°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

76°F

Oakland, MD

208 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

25 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

7h 58m on the road

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

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 Richlands, VA covers 416.5 miles and takes about 7h 58m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 64, I 81, I 77. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 208.2 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 $65.13 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

Plan about 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Between Norfolk, VA and Richlands, VA, road signs point toward Rocky Mount and Charleston W. Va..

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Trip from Norfolk, VA to Richlands, VA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Richlands, VA

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Norfolk, VA

Richlands, VA

Same local time

25 degrees cooler at arrival

7h 58m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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