Origin
Stafford, VA
Night in Stafford on Sunday
Local time
10:13 PM
EDT
Current temp
90°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Stafford, VA to Virginia Beach, VA
Drive Time
3h 16m
Distance
167.4 mi
269 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$27
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 5m
★
6 AM
3h 16m
8 AM
3h 40m
10 AM
3h 25m
12 PM
3h 22m
3 PM
3h 26m
5 PM
3h 39m
8 PM
3h 9m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Stafford, VA
Eric Joseph
Trip Overview
If you are planning a trip from Stafford to Virginia Beach, expect a straightforward journey covering 167.4 miles. You can comfortably complete this drive in about 3 hours and 16 minutes, making it an ideal day trip rather than an overnight excursion. Budgeting approximately $27 for fuel should cover your transit across these two Southeast Virginia locations. The route relies heavily on major thoroughfares, including I-95, I-64, and the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway. Because the path is efficient and relatively short, you have plenty of flexibility to decide whether to head straight to the coast or break up the drive with a single planned stop.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
83.7 miles from Stafford, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 35m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is a highway-focused drive, with 79% of your time spent on high-speed roads. You will settle into a steady rhythm as you navigate the interstate system, which keeps the pace consistent throughout the journey. Be prepared for a significant push during the longest stretch of 66.8 miles along I-64. While the route lacks the complexity of technical backroads, the transition from the Stafford area toward the coastal environment provides a distinct change in scenery. Expect a functional, interstate-heavy experience that prioritizes speed and direct connectivity over winding rural paths.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 20 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 66.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and I 95. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 7 miles in near I 95.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 167.4 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 7 miles (I 95): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 55.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 70.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
7 mi into trip
|
~9m in
|
I 95
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
8
55.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 2m in
Take the exit toward I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va Beach
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 84A
Toward I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va B...
8
70.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 18m in
Take the exit toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach
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 28A
Toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach
8
154 mi into trip
|
~2h 56m 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
154.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 57m 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
Towns Along This Route
Between Stafford, VA and Virginia Beach, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk, Va Beach and Portsmouth.
Norfolk
55.6 mi in
|
~1h 2m
Va Beach
55.6 mi in
|
~1h 2m
Portsmouth
154 mi in
|
~2h 56m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 64 | 66.8 mi | 1h 15m |
| I 95 | 54.2 mi | 59m |
| Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway | 13 mi | 14m |
| Hampton Roads Beltway | 12 mi | 15m |
| Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway | 11.8 mi | 16m |
| Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel | 3.5 mi | 4m |
| Courthouse Road | 1 mi | 2m |
| 21st Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 66.8 mi, about 1h 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Stafford, VA and Virginia Beach, VA.
1
Start on SR 630
0.5 mi
·
56 sec
·
Courthouse Road
Use the none lane.
2
Continue on SR 630
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
Courthouse Road
3
Continue on SR 630
0.4 mi
·
42 sec
·
Courthouse Road
Use the right lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
Toward I 95 South: Richmond
5
Merge onto I 95
5.6 mi
·
6 min
·
I 95
Use the none lane.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
49 mi
·
53 min
·
I 95
Use the none lane.
7
Take the exit
1.9 mi
·
2 min
Exit 84A
Toward I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va Beach
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
8
Merge onto I 295
13 mi
·
14 min
·
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the none lane.
9
Take the exit
1.3 mi
·
2 min
Exit 28A
Toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 64
67 mi
·
1 hr 15 min
·
I 64
Use the none lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64; US 60
342 ft
·
5 sec
·
Hampton Roads Beltway
12
Continue on I 64; US 60
3.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
13
Continue on I 64; US 60
12 mi
·
15 min
·
Hampton Roads Beltway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
Exit 284A
Toward I 264 East, I 264 West: Va Beach, Downtown Norfolk, Portsmouth
Use the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 264 East: Va Beach
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
16
Merge onto I 264
12 mi
·
16 min
·
Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway
Use the none lane.
17
Continue on 21st Street
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
·
21st Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Turn left onto Arctic Avenue
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
·
Arctic Avenue
Use the left lane.
19
Turn right onto 25th Street
454 ft
·
12 sec
·
25th Street
20
Arrive at destination
25th Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 3-hour and 16-minute transit, aim to depart during off-peak hours to avoid potential congestion on the interstate sections. Since the trip only requires one stop, plan to stretch your legs once you have completed the bulk of the drive to stay refreshed before arriving in Virginia Beach. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $27 estimate assumes steady driving conditions. Given the high percentage of highway travel, maintaining a consistent speed will help you manage your fuel efficiency effectively. Since this is a relatively short trip, use your one allowed stop strategically to break up the monotony of the I-64 stretch.
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 83.7 miles from Stafford, VA, or about 1h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 66.8 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 80 miles or 1h 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 83.7 miles or 1h 35m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 35m
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 Stafford, 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 Stafford, VA
This is one driving day of about 167.4 miles and 3h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Stafford, 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 64 for about 66.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 83.7 mi from Stafford, VA · 1h 35m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
84 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 83.7 miles from Stafford, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 64 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 66.8 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.79 one way
$53.58 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
59 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $29.19 | $58.38 |
| premium | $4.78 | $31.49 | $62.98 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $37.19 | $74.38 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 50.2 | 0 | $17.58 | $8.04 |
| Efficient EV | 41.9 | 0 | $14.65 | $6.70 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 67 | 0 | $23.44 | $10.71 |
Gas CO2
59 kg
EV CO2
20 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.
Destination
Virginia Beach, VA
Night in Virginia Beach on Sunday
Local time
10:13 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
86°F
Middletown, MD
84 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
26 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
3h 16m 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 Stafford, VA to Virginia Beach, VA covers 167.4 miles and takes about 3h 16m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 64, I 95, 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 83.7 miles from Stafford, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $26.79 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 167.4 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 7 miles (I 95): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 55.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 70.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Stafford, VA and Virginia Beach, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk, Va Beach and Portsmouth.
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