Origin
Norfolk, VA
Late night in Norfolk on Saturday
Local time
4:20 AM
EDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Norfolk, VA to South Riding, VA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 5m
Distance
198.5 mi
319 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$31
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 53m
★
6 AM
4h 6m
8 AM
4h 32m
10 AM
4h 15m
12 PM
4h 12m
3 PM
4h 16m
5 PM
4h 31m
8 PM
3h 58m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Norfolk, VA
Wikimedia Commons
South Riding, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Norfolk, VA to South Riding, VA is 198.5 miles and takes about 4h 5m via I 95, I 64, and Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, with a fuel budget near $31 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This highway-focused drive stays within Virginia, moving you from the Southeast region to another part of the Southeast. It's a straightforward trip that should fit comfortably into a single day, making it a convenient option for moving between these two points. Consider this route if you're looking for efficiency and a direct path.
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
99.3 miles from Norfolk, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 5m. Total distance: 198.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 5m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (76%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This drive is predominantly highway, with 76% of the route utilizing major interstates. You'll experience a significant stretch of 73.7 miles on I 95 without needing to exit, offering a consistent pace. The overall profile is highway-focused, meaning you can expect smooth sailing for the majority of your journey. While the specific terrain isn't detailed, the primary roads suggest a typical interstate experience through various Virginia landscapes.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 30 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 95 is the longest continuous segment at about 73.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and I 64. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 81.3 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 21 significant decision points across 198.5 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 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; at 95 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 21 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
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
7
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
7
95 mi into trip
|
~1h 55m in
Take the exit toward I 95 North: Washington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 43A
Toward I 95 North: Washington
8
172.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 22m in
Take the exit toward VA 123 North: Occoquan, Lake Ridge
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 160B
Toward VA 123 North: Occoquan, Lake Ridge
7
172.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 23m in
Keep slight left at fork toward VA 123 North: Occoquan, Lake Ridge
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward VA 123 North: Occoquan, Lake Ridge
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 South Riding, VA, road signs point toward Rocky Mount and Lake Ridge.
Rocky Mount
81.3 mi in
|
~1h 39m
Lake Ridge
172.1 mi in
|
~3h 22m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 95 | 73.7 mi | 1h 22m |
| I 64 | 61.1 mi | 1h 7m |
| Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway | 11.9 mi | 12m |
| Hampton Roads Beltway | 11.4 mi | 15m |
| Ox Road | 8.9 mi | 13m |
| Fairfax County Parkway | 7.8 mi | 11m |
| Route 50 | 5.5 mi | 9m |
| Tidewater Drive | 4.6 mi | 10m |
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 73.7 mi, about 1h 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Norfolk, VA and South Riding, VA.
1
Start on East City Hall Avenue
0.4 mi
·
42 sec
·
East City Hall Avenue
2
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
28 sec
Toward VA 337: Tidewater Drive
3
Merge onto VA 337
4.6 mi
·
10 min
·
Tidewater Drive
Use the left lane.
4
Turn left
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
5
Merge onto I 64
5.6 mi
·
7 min
·
Hampton Roads Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on I 64; US 60
3.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
7
Continue on I 64; US 60
5.9 mi
·
7 min
·
Hampton Roads Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64
61 mi
·
1 hr 7 min
·
I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
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.
10
Keep slight right at fork
1.3 mi
·
2 min
Toward I 295 North: Washington
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 295
12 mi
·
12 min
·
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
12
Take the exit
2.4 mi
·
2 min
Exit 43A
Toward I 95 North: Washington
Use the slight left lane.
13
Merge onto I 95
46 mi
·
49 min
·
I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 95; US 17
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
I 95; US 17
15
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi
·
1 min
16
Merge onto I 95
26 mi
·
31 min
·
I 95
Use the slight left lane.
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Exit 160B
Toward VA 123 North: Occoquan, Lake Ridge
Use the right lane.
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
Toward VA 123 North: Occoquan, Lake Ridge
19
Continue on VA 123
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Gordon Boulevard
20
Continue on VA 123
8.9 mi
·
13 min
·
Ox Road
Use the left lane.
21
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
1 min
Toward VA 286 North: Fairfax County Parkway
22
Merge onto VA 286
7.8 mi
·
11 min
·
Fairfax County Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
41 sec
Toward US 50 West
24
Merge onto US 50
5.5 mi
·
9 min
·
Route 50
Use the left lane.
25
Continue on US 50
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Little River Turnpike
Use the left lane.
26
Turn left onto SR 2201
97 ft
·
4 sec
·
South Riding Boulevard
Use the left lane.
27
Continue on SR 2201
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
·
South Riding Boulevard
28
Turn left onto Defender Drive
0.1 mi
·
31 sec
·
Defender Drive
29
Turn right
34 ft
·
2 sec
30
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour drive time, departing in the morning from Norfolk will allow ample time to reach South Riding before evening. With only one recommended stop and a longest stretch of 73.7 miles on I 95, you can easily complete this trip in one day. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is around $31, and plan your refueling accordingly, especially before longer stretches. The flexibility of a single-day drive means you can adjust your departure time based on traffic or personal preference.
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 99.3 miles from Norfolk, VA, or about 2h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 73.7 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 44 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 99.3 miles or 2h 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 11m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near South Riding, 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 198.5 miles and 4h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 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 95 for about 73.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 99.3 mi from Norfolk, VA · 2h into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
99 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 44 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 99.3 miles from Norfolk, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 95 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 73.7 miles.
Arriving in South Riding, VA
The final approach into South Riding, 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 South Riding, 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
$31.04 one way
$62.08 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
70 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $33.94 | $67.88 |
| premium | $4.70 | $36.74 | $73.48 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $43.83 | $87.65 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.13
Little River Turnpike
(1.9 mi)
$0.13
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
$31
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 69.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 59.6 | 0 | $20.84 | $9.53 |
| Efficient EV | 49.6 | 0 | $17.37 | $7.94 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 79.4 | 0 | $27.79 | $12.70 |
Gas CO2
69 kg
EV CO2
23 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.
Destination
South Riding, VA
Late night in South Riding on Saturday
Local time
4:20 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
30 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 5m 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 South Riding, VA covers 198.5 miles and takes about 4h 5m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 95, I 64, Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 99.3 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 $31.04 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 198.5 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.
The main spots that need attention: 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; at 95 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Norfolk, VA and South Riding, VA, road signs point toward Rocky Mount and Lake Ridge.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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