Trip from Virginia Beach, VA to Cape Charles, VA

Drive Time

1h 8m

Distance

43.8 mi

70 km

Drive Score

6/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 17 min

4 AM

1h 3m ★

6 AM

1h 9m

8 AM

1h 20m

10 AM

1h 13m

12 PM

1h 11m

3 PM

1h 13m

5 PM

1h 19m

8 PM

1h 5m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Cape Charles, VA

Mark Stebnicki

Trip Overview

Traveling from Virginia Beach to Cape Charles is a straightforward 43.8-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 8 minutes. This route serves as a perfect day trip, allowing you to transition from the Southeast Virginia metropolitan area to the quieter atmosphere of the Eastern Shore. With a modest fuel budget of approximately $7, it is an affordable excursion for those looking to explore the region. You will primarily navigate via Shore Drive, the Chesapeake Bay Bridge–Tunnel, and Lankford Highway. Because the distance is relatively short, you do not need to worry about overnight logistics, giving you full flexibility to explore at your own pace.

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

21.9 miles from Virginia Beach, VA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 36m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a turn-heavy local drive that keeps you engaged behind the wheel rather than a monotonous interstate slog. While only 4% of the route consists of traditional highway, you will spend a significant portion of your time on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge–Tunnel. This stretch serves as the longest uninterrupted segment of the trip, covering 17.7 miles of the total distance. As you transition off this major span and onto the local roads of the Eastern Shore, the road character shifts from open water transit to a more localized, winding driving experience.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.

There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

Chesapeake Bay Bridge–Tunnel is the longest continuous segment at about 17.7 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 60 / Pacific Avenue.

Route Complexity 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 43.8 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 (US 60 / Pacific Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.3 miles (22nd Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 13 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

0 mi into trip | ~0m in | US 60 / Pacific Avenue

Turn right onto US 60 / Pacific Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

0.3 mi into trip | ~0m in | 22nd Street

Turn right onto 22nd Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.

2.5 mi into trip | ~3m in

Take the exit toward First Colonial Road, Oceana Naval Air Station

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 21 Toward First Colonial Road, Oceana Naval Air St...

2.7 mi into trip | ~4m in | First Colonial Road

Turn right onto First Colonial Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.

11.7 mi into trip | ~22m in

Take the exit toward US 13 North

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane. Toward US 13 North

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Virginia Beach, VA to Cape Charles, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Oceana Naval Air Station along the way.

Oceana Naval Air Station

2.5 mi in | ~3m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Chesapeake Bay Bridge–Tunnel	17.7 mi	24m
Lankford Highway	10.8 mi	14m
Shore Drive	3.4 mi	7m
North Great Neck Road	3.2 mi	5m
First Colonial Road	2.3 mi	4m
Stone Road	1.7 mi	3m
Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway	1.7 mi	2m
Northampton Boulevard	0.7 mi	1m

Longest stretch: Chesapeake Bay Bridge–Tunnel — 17.7 mi, about 24m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Virginia Beach, VA and Cape Charles, VA.

Start on 25th Street

121 ft · 8 sec · 25th Street

Turn right onto US 60

0.2 mi · 33 sec · Pacific Avenue

Use the right lane.

Turn right onto 22nd Street

0.5 mi · 46 sec · 22nd Street

Use the straight / right lanes.

Continue on I 264

1.7 mi · 2 min · Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 38 sec

Exit 21 Toward First Colonial Road, Oceana Naval Air Station Use the slight right lane.

Turn right onto First Colonial Road

2.3 mi · 4 min · First Colonial Road

Use the none lane.

Turn right onto VA 279

3.2 mi · 5 min · North Great Neck Road

Use the straight / right lanes.

Turn left onto US 60

3.4 mi · 7 min · Shore Drive

Use the left / straight lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 28 sec

Toward US 13 North Use the right lane.

Merge onto US 13

0.4 mi · 30 sec · Northampton Boulevard

Use the none lane.

Merge onto US 13

0.3 mi · 38 sec · Northampton Boulevard

Continue on US 13

18 mi · 24 min · Chesapeake Bay Bridge–Tunnel

Continue on US 13

11 mi · 14 min · Lankford Highway

Turn left onto VA 184

1.7 mi · 3 min · Stone Road

Continue on VA 184

0.3 mi · 36 sec · Randolph Avenue

Turn left onto VA 184

336 ft · 9 sec · Fig Street

Continue on VA 184

0.4 mi · 56 sec · Mason Avenue

Turn right onto Strawberry Street

0.2 mi · 58 sec · Strawberry Street

Turn right onto Park Row

295 ft · 12 sec · Park Row

Arrive at destination

Park Row

Trip Plan

Since this is a quick 1-hour drive, you have the advantage of planning your departure around your preferred schedule without needing to worry about mid-trip rest stops. Keep in mind that the route relies on the bridge-tunnel system, so check for any potential traffic or maintenance alerts before you head out. Because you only need about $7 in fuel to complete the trip, you can spend your budget on local experiences once you arrive in Cape Charles. Use the short duration to your advantage by leaving early in the morning, which allows you to maximize your time in the destination region rather than spending your day behind the wheel.

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 21.9 miles from Virginia Beach, VA, or about 36m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 17.7 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 43.8 miles or 1h 8m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 21.9 miles or 36m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 57m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cape Charles, VA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Virginia Beach, 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 Virginia Beach, VA

This is one driving day of about 43.8 miles and 1h 8m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Virginia Beach, 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 Chesapeake Bay Bridge–Tunnel for about 17.7 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 21.9 mi from Virginia Beach, VA · 36m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Princess Anne, MD

22 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

Princess Anne, MD

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 43.8 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Princess Anne, MD

Meal break

The midpoint is around 21.9 miles from Virginia Beach, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Cape Charles, VA

The final approach into Cape Charles, 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 Cape Charles, 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

$7.01 one way

$14.02 round trip

$4.07/gal 25.4 MPG avg 15 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.43	$7.64	$15.27
premium	$4.78	$8.24	$16.48
diesel	$5.64	$9.73	$19.46

Estimated Tolls: $4.00

Chesapeake Bay Bridge $4.00

Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$36–$61

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 15.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	13.1	$4.60	$2.10
Efficient EV	11	$3.83	$1.75
EV Truck/SUV	17.5	$6.13	$2.80

Gas CO2

15 kg

EV CO2

5 kg (67% 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 data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Virginia Beach, VA

Night in Virginia Beach on Sunday

Local time

10:07 PM

EDT

Current temp

64°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Cape Charles, VA

Night in Cape Charles on Sunday

Local time

10:07 PM

EDT

Current temp

50°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

14 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

1h 8m 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 Virginia Beach, VA to Cape Charles, VA covers 43.8 miles and takes about 1h 8m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Chesapeake Bay Bridge–Tunnel, Lankford Highway, Shore Drive. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 21.9 miles from Virginia Beach, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $7.01 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.