The drive from Stuarts Draft, VA to Norfolk, VA covers 194.1 miles and takes about 3h 47m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 64, Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, Stuarts Draft Highway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 149.1 miles on I 64.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $30.35 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
97.1 miles from Stuarts Draft, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 49m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 47m. Total distance: 194.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 47m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (77%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 3h 47m highway drive covering 194.1 miles, with most of the trip on I 64 and Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway. The longest continuous stretch is about 149.1 miles on I 64.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 21 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 149.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near SR 608 / Draft Avenue.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 194.1 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: near the start (SR 608 / Draft Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 88.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 112.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|SR 608 / Draft Avenue
Turn right onto SR 608 / Draft Avenue
Navigation decision point
8
88.4 mi into trip|~1h 39m in
Take the exit toward I 295 North: Washington, Norfolk
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 177
Toward I 295 North: Washington, Norfolk
8
112.5 mi into trip|~2h 6m 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
188.6 mi into trip|~3h 35m in
Take the exit toward I 564, US 460: Naval Base, Granby Street
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 276
Toward I 564, US 460: Naval Base, Granby Street
9
188.8 mi into trip|~3h 35m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 460, VA 165: Granby Street, Little Creek Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward US 460, VA 165: Granby Street, Little Cr...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Stuarts Draft, VA to Norfolk, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Virginia Beach along the way.
Virginia Beach
112.5 mi in|~2h 6m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
149.1 mi
2h 44m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
22.9 mi
25m
Stuarts Draft Highway
5 mi
7m
Hampton Roads Beltway
4.5 mi
6m
Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
3.5 mi
4m
Granby Street
3.1 mi
7m
Monticello Avenue
1.2 mi
2m
Saint Pauls Boulevard
0.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 149.1 mi, about 2h 44m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Stuarts Draft, VA and Norfolk, VA.
1
Start on SR 1502
136 ft·7 sec·Cambridge Drive
2
Turn right onto SR 608
0.3 mi·41 sec·Draft Avenue
3
Turn right onto US 340
5.0 mi·7 min·Stuarts Draft Highway
4
Continue on US 340
0.3 mi·32 sec·Rosser Avenue
5
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·59 sec
6
Merge onto I 64
82 mi·1 hr 29 min·I 64
Use the straight lane.
7
Take the exit
1.2 mi·1 min
Exit 177Toward I 295 North: Washington, NorfolkUse the slight right lane.
8
Continue on I 295
23 mi·25 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
1.3 mi·2 min
Exit 28AToward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia BeachUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 64
67 mi·1 hr 15 min·I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
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
4.4 mi·5 min·Hampton Roads Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
Exit 276Toward I 564, US 460: Naval Base, Granby StreetUse the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·18 sec
Toward US 460, VA 165: Granby Street, Little Creek RoadUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
16
Turn straight onto US 460
3.1 mi·7 min·Granby Street
Use the left lane.
17
Continue on US 460
446 ft·9 sec·Church Street
18
Turn right onto US 460
1.2 mi·2 min·Monticello Avenue
Use the right lane.
19
Continue on US 460
0.7 mi·1 min·Saint Pauls Boulevard
Use the left lane.
20
Turn left onto East City Hall Avenue
158 ft·9 sec·East City Hall Avenue
Use the left lane.
21
Arrive at destination
East City Hall Avenue
Trip Plan
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 97.1 miles from Stuarts Draft, VA, or about 1h 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 149.1 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 43 miles or 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 97.1 miles or 1h 49m 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
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Norfolk, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Stuarts Draft, 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 Stuarts Draft, VA
This is one driving day of about 194.1 miles and 3h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 43 miles from Stuarts Draft, 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 149.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 97.1 mi from Stuarts Draft, VA
· 1h 49m into the drive
The midpoint is around 97.1 miles from Stuarts Draft, 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 149.1 miles.
Arriving in Norfolk, VA
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.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Fort Monroe National Monument
National Monument
Fort Monroe's story spans from prehistory to the 2000s. Kecoughtan Indians occupied Old Point Comfort before the arrival of English colonists. The first enslaved Africans arrived in 1619. Those escapi...
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Free
near mile 180.7
Park Closure: Road Closure and Fishing Pier Impact
On May 13, 1607, Jamestown was established as the first permanent English settlement in North America. Three cultures came together – European, Virginia Indian and African–to create a new society that...
Two hundred ninety-two days, eight offensives, over 70,000 casualties, U. S. Colored Troops, and the decline of Gen. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia all describe the Siege of Petersburg. U.S. forces c...
26 mi from route
~64 min detour
Free
near mile 113.8
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
58.2
0
$20.38
$9.32
Efficient EV
48.5
0
$16.98
$7.76
EV Truck/SUV
77.6
0
$27.17
$12.42
Gas CO2
68 kg
EV CO2
23 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
Stuarts Draft, VA
Late night
in Stuarts Draft on Friday
Local time
5:16 AM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Norfolk, VA
Late night
in Norfolk on Friday
Local time
5:16 AM
EDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
53°F
Ashland, VA
97 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
29 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 47m 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 Stuarts Draft, VA to Norfolk, VA covers 194.1 miles and takes about 3h 47m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 64, Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, Stuarts Draft 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 97.1 miles from Stuarts Draft, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $30.35 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 12 significant decision points across 194.1 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: near the start (SR 608 / Draft Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 88.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 112.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Stuarts Draft, VA to Norfolk, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Virginia Beach along the way.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from
OSRM
over
OpenStreetMap.
Fuel cost uses
EIA
weekly regional averages.
EV charging comes from the
NREL Alternative Fuels
dataset.
National park proximity is from the
NPS API.
Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our
methodology page
documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
