Richmond, VA to Virginia Beach, VA is 108.5 miles and takes about 2h 12m via I 64 and the Hampton Roads Beltway, with a fuel budget near $17 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Virginia, traveling from the Southeast region to the Southeast region. Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of your journey. Given its relatively short distance and manageable duration, this route is ideal for a single-day trip, allowing ample time to reach your destination without feeling rushed.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
54.3 miles from Richmond, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 4m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 12m. Total distance: 108.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 12m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (83%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This route is predominantly a highway drive, with 83% of it utilizing major roadways. You'll spend most of your time on I 64, which forms the longest uninterrupted stretch of 78.1 miles. The Hampton Roads Beltway and Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway also contribute to the predominantly high-speed, highway-focused nature of this trip. Expect consistent travel with minimal diversions from the main interstate system.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 18 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 78.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and Hampton Roads Beltway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.2 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
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 11 significant decision points across 108.5 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 1.2 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.6 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 95.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
1.2 mi into trip|~3m in
Take the ramp toward I 95 South, I 64 East: Petersburg, Norfolk
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 95 South, I 64 East: Petersburg, Norfo...
9
1.6 mi into trip|~3m in|I 64
Keep slight right at fork onto I 64 toward I 64 East: Williamsburg, Norfolk
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 75
Toward I 64 East: Williamsburg, Norfolk
8
95.1 mi into trip|~1h 53m in
Take the exit toward I 264 East, I 264 West: Va Beach, Downtown Norfolk, Portsmouth
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 284A
Toward I 264 East, I 264 West: Va Beach, Downto...
7
95.3 mi into trip|~1h 53m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 264 East: Va Beach
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward I 264 East: Va Beach
6
108.1 mi into trip|~2h 11m in|Arctic Avenue
Turn left onto Arctic Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Richmond, VA and Virginia Beach, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk and Portsmouth.
Norfolk
95.1 mi in|~1h 53m
Portsmouth
95.1 mi in|~1h 53m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
78.1 mi
1h 29m
Hampton Roads Beltway
12 mi
15m
Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway
11.8 mi
16m
Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
3.5 mi
4m
West Leigh Street
0.6 mi
1m
21st Street
0.4 mi
<1m
North Lombardy Street
0.4 mi
<1m
Arctic Avenue
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 78.1 mi, about 1h 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Richmond, VA and Virginia Beach, VA.
1
Start on Marcus-David Peters Circle
139 ft·4 sec·Marcus-David Peters Circle
2
Continue on Monument Avenue
0.2 mi·25 sec·Monument Avenue
3
Turn right onto North Lombardy Street
0.4 mi·49 sec·North Lombardy Street
4
Turn right onto West Leigh Street
0.6 mi·1 min·West Leigh Street
5
Turn left onto US 1; US 301
187 ft·10 sec·North Belvidere Street
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward I 95 South, I 64 East: Petersburg, Norfolk
7
Merge onto I 64; I 95
511 ft·8 sec·Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 64
78 mi·1 hr 29 min·I 64
Exit 75Toward I 64 East: Williamsburg, NorfolkUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64; US 60
342 ft·5 sec·Hampton Roads Beltway
10
Continue on I 64; US 60
3.5 mi·4 min·Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
11
Continue on I 64; US 60
12 mi·15 min·Hampton Roads Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·14 sec
Exit 284AToward I 264 East, I 264 West: Va Beach, Downtown Norfolk, PortsmouthUse the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 264 East: Va BeachUse the straight / slight left lanes.
14
Merge onto I 264
12 mi·16 min·Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway
15
Continue on 21st Street
0.4 mi·54 sec·21st Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Turn left onto Arctic Avenue
0.3 mi·46 sec·Arctic Avenue
Use the left lane.
17
Turn right onto 25th Street
454 ft·12 sec·25th Street
18
Arrive at destination
25th Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a straightforward 2h 12m drive, you have a lot of flexibility with your departure time. Leaving Richmond in the morning will get you to Virginia Beach with plenty of daylight. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as the longest stretch on I 64 is over 78 miles; plan your refueling stop accordingly, perhaps before merging onto the beltway. With a fuel cost estimated around $17, it's an economical trip, so don't stress too much about gas stops, but be aware of your options.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 54.3 miles from Richmond, VA, or about 1h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 78.1 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 24 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 54.3 miles or 1h 4m 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 45m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Virginia Beach, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Richmond, 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 Richmond, VA
This is one driving day of about 108.5 miles and 2h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 miles from Richmond, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 64 for about 78.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 54.3 mi from Richmond, VA
· 1h 4m into the drive
The midpoint is around 54.3 miles from Richmond, 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 78.1 miles.
Arriving in Virginia Beach, VA
The final approach into Virginia Beach, 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 Virginia Beach, VA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Nearby Places
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Top Restaurant
Perked Up Coffee Cafe'
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Near the end, right off the route
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
$1 to $10
mile 108.5
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.97 one way
$33.93 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg38 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$18.55
$37.10
premium
$4.70
$20.08
$40.16
diesel
$5.61
$23.96
$47.91
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 38 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
32.6
0
$11.39
$5.21
Efficient EV
27.1
0
$9.49
$4.34
EV Truck/SUV
43.4
0
$15.19
$6.94
Gas CO2
38 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (66% 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 15, 2026
Origin
Richmond, VA
Late night
in Richmond on Saturday
Local time
3:00 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Virginia Beach, VA
Late night
in Virginia Beach on Saturday
Local time
3:00 AM
EDT
Current temp
66°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
6 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
2h 12m 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 Richmond, VA to Virginia Beach, VA covers 108.5 miles and takes about 2h 12m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 64, Hampton Roads Beltway, Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 54.3 miles from Richmond, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $16.97 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 108.5 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 1.2 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.6 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 95.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Richmond, VA and Virginia Beach, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk and Portsmouth.
