Origin
South Hill, VA
Morning in South Hill on Wednesday
Local time
7:09 AM
EDT
Current temp
85°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from South Hill, VA to Virginia Beach, VA
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
31m
Distance
21.9 mi
35 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 29m
★
6 AM
0h 32m
8 AM
0h 37m
10 AM
0h 34m
12 PM
0h 33m
3 PM
0h 34m
5 PM
0h 37m
8 PM
0h 30m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
South Hill, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Virginia Beach, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are planning a quick transit from South Hill to Virginia Beach, you are looking at a concise 21.9-mile trip that typically takes just 31 minutes. This highway-focused drive is perfect for a single-day excursion, as the short duration eliminates the need for an overnight stay. You will primarily utilize I-264, Bainbridge Boulevard, and I-464 to navigate between these two Southeast Virginia locations. With a fuel budget of approximately $4, it is an economical choice for those needing to move between regions efficiently. Since the entire route stays within the state of Virginia, you can expect a straightforward journey without complex border crossings or regional shifts.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
11 miles from South Hill, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 16m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a fast-paced experience, as 84% of this route consists of highway driving. You will spend the bulk of your time on I-264, which features the longest uninterrupted stretch of the trip at 17.2 miles. The road’s personality is defined by its efficiency, favoring high-speed interstate travel over slower local navigation. Transitions between I-264, Bainbridge Boulevard, and I-464 are the main points where the character of the road shifts from open highway to more localized traffic flow. It is a functional, no-nonsense drive designed to get you to your destination with minimal fuss.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 11 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 264 is the longest continuous segment at about 17.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 264 and Bainbridge Boulevard. You will hit about 7 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near US 460; VA 166 / Bainbridge Boulevard.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 21.9 miles you will encounter 7 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (US 460; VA 166 / Bainbridge Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 1.8 miles: Navigation decision point; at 3.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 7 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 460; VA 166 / Bainbridge Boulevard
Turn right onto US 460; VA 166 / Bainbridge Boulevard
Navigation decision point
4
1.8 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Take the ramp toward I 464 North
Navigation decision point
Toward I 464 North
9
3.2 mi into trip
|
~5m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 264 East: Waterside Drive, Saint Paul Boulevard, Downtown, Norfolk
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 6B
Toward I 264 East: Waterside Drive, Saint Paul...
6
3.9 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
I 264; VA 337
Keep slight right at fork onto I 264; VA 337
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
6
21.6 mi into trip
|
~30m 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 South Hill, VA and Virginia Beach, VA, road signs point toward Downtown and Norfolk.
Downtown
3.2 mi in
|
~5m
Norfolk
3.2 mi in
|
~5m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 264 | 17.2 mi | 23m |
| Bainbridge Boulevard | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| I 464 | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| 21st Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Arctic Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Edgewood Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| 25th Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Poindexter Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 264
— 17.2 mi, about 23m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between South Hill, VA and Virginia Beach, VA.
1
Start on Edgewood Avenue
0.2 mi
·
53 sec
·
Edgewood Avenue
2
Turn right onto US 460; VA 166
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Bainbridge Boulevard
3
Turn left onto VA 337
72 ft
·
9 sec
·
Poindexter Street
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
Toward I 464 North
5
Merge onto I 464
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
I 464
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Exit 6B
Toward I 264 East: Waterside Drive, Saint Paul Boulevard, Downtown, Norfolk
Use the slight left lane.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 264; VA 337
17 mi
·
23 min
·
I 264; VA 337
Use the slight right lane.
8
Continue on 21st Street
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
·
21st Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Turn left onto Arctic Avenue
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
·
Arctic Avenue
Use the left lane.
10
Turn right onto 25th Street
454 ft
·
12 sec
·
25th Street
11
Arrive at destination
25th Street
Trip Plan
Because this drive is only 31 minutes long, you have significant flexibility with your departure time, allowing you to easily work around peak traffic hours. Since there are zero scheduled stops included in the route data, you should plan to fuel up before you hit the road to ensure a continuous trip. The $4 fuel estimate is quite modest, making this one of the more budget-friendly routes you can take in the state. To make the most of your travel, keep a close eye on your navigation as you transition between I-264 and I-464, as these highway interchanges are the most critical points of the 21.9-mile journey.
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 11 miles from South Hill, VA, or about 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 17.2 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 21.9 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 11 miles or 16m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 26m
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 South Hill, 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 South Hill, VA
This is one driving day of about 21.9 miles and 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from South Hill, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 264 for about 17.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 11 mi from South Hill, VA · 16m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
11 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 21.9 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 11 miles from South Hill, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$3.42 one way
$6.85 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
8 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $3.74 | $7.49 |
| premium | $4.70 | $4.05 | $8.11 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $4.84 | $9.67 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$28–$53
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 7.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 63% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 6.6 | 0 | $2.30 | $1.05 |
| Efficient EV | 5.5 | 0 | $1.92 | $0.88 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 8.8 | 0 | $3.07 | $1.40 |
Gas CO2
8 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (63% 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
Virginia Beach, VA
Morning in Virginia Beach on Wednesday
Local time
7:09 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
19 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
31m 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 South Hill, VA to Virginia Beach, VA covers 21.9 miles and takes about 31m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 264, Bainbridge Boulevard, I 464. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 11 miles from South Hill, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $3.42 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 21.9 miles you will encounter 7 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (US 460; VA 166 / Bainbridge Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 1.8 miles: Navigation decision point; at 3.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between South Hill, VA and Virginia Beach, VA, road signs point toward Downtown and Norfolk.
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