Drive Time
4h 27m
Distance
243.1 mi
391 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$38
one way
Photo: Music HQ
The drive from Rocky Mount, VA to Norfolk, VA covers 243.1 miles and takes about 4h 27m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on North Main Street, Pell Avenue, Old Franklin Turnpike for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $37.91 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
121.5 miles from Rocky Mount, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 13m into the drive .
Expect a 4h 27m drive with frequent turns across 243.1 miles of local and secondary roads.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North Main Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Pell Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Old Franklin Turnpike | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| West Gretna Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| US 29 South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| VA 57 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Halifax Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Chatham Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Rocky Mount, VA and Norfolk, VA.
Start on Franklin Street
At the end of the road, turn right onto North Main Street
Turn left onto Pell Avenue
At the end of the road, turn left onto Pell Avenue
Continue on Old Franklin Turnpike
Continue on West Gretna Road
Take the ramp right toward US 29 South
Merge slight left onto US 29 South
Take the exit slight right toward VA 57
Turn left onto Halifax Road
Continue on Chatham Road
Continue on Mountain Road
At the end of the road, turn right onto South Main Street
Continue on Halifax Road
Turn left onto Old Halifax Road
Continue on North Main Street
Turn left onto Hodges Street
Turn right onto John Randolph Boulevard
Continue on James D Hagood Highway
Continue on John Randolph Boulevard
Turn left onto Bill Tuck Highway
Continue on Clarksville Bypass
Keep slight right to continue on Clarksville Bypass
Continue on Highway 1
Continue on South Hill Bypass
Continue on East Atlantic Street
Continue on Highway 58
Continue on Piney Pond Road
Continue on Governor Harrison Parkway
Continue on Pleasant Shade Drive
Continue on West Atlantic Street
Continue on Southampton Parkway
Continue on West Military Highway
Take the exit slight right toward I 264 East, I 64, US 13 North: Portsmouth, Norfolk, Va Beach
Keep slight left to continue on I 264 East, I 64, US 13 North: Portsmouth, Norfolk, Va Beach
Merge slight left onto Hampton Roads Beltway
Take the exit slight left toward I 264 East: Portsmouth, Norfolk
Continue straight
Keep slight left to continue on Waterside Drive, St Paul's Boulevard
Keep slight left to continue on Saint Paul's Boulevard
Turn left onto Saint Pauls Boulevard
Turn left onto East City Hall Avenue
Arrive at your destination
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.
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 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 121.5 miles or 2h 13m 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 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Norfolk, VA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Rocky Mount, 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 Rocky Mount, VA
This is one driving day of about 243.1 miles and 4h 27m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 121.5 mi from Rocky Mount, VA · 2h 13m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
122 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 121.5 miles from Rocky Mount, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Norfolk, 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 Norfolk, VA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$37.91 one way
$75.82 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $42.39 | $84.78 |
| premium | $4.78 | $45.73 | $91.46 |
| diesel | $5.62 | $53.83 | $107.65 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 85.1 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 72.9 | 0 | $25.53 | $11.67 |
| Efficient EV | 60.8 | 0 | $21.27 | $9.72 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 97.2 | 1 | $34.03 | $15.56 |
Gas CO2
85 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (67% 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Morning in Rocky Mount on Saturday
Local time
10:19 AM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Morning in Norfolk on Saturday
Local time
10:19 AM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
88°F
Middletown, MD
122 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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