Origin
Virginia Beach, VA
Morning in Virginia Beach on Wednesday
Local time
6:28 AM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Virginia Beach, VA to Pennington Gap, VA
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
9h 21m
Distance
487.1 mi
784 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$76
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
9h 13m
★
6 AM
9h 21m
8 AM
9h 38m
10 AM
9h 27m
12 PM
9h 25m
3 PM
9h 28m
5 PM
9h 37m
8 PM
9h 16m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Virginia Beach, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Pennington Gap, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Virginia Beach, VA to Pennington Gap, VA covers 487.1 miles and takes about 9h 21m behind the wheel. It usually feels better as a 2-day road trip than as one long push.
The route leans on I 81, I 64, Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 191 miles on I 81. At current regular gas prices, budget about $76.17 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
243.5 miles from Virginia Beach, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 39m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
This is a 9h 21m highway drive covering 487.1 miles, with most of the trip on I 81 and I 64. The longest continuous stretch is about 191 miles on I 81.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 35 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 81 is the longest continuous segment at about 191 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and I 64. 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
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 487.1 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 (US 60 / Pacific Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 11.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 23 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
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.
8
11.4 mi into trip
|
~15m in
Take the exit toward I 64 West, US 13: Newtown Road, Richmond, Military Highway
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 15-14-13
Toward I 64 West, US 13: Newtown Road, Richmond...
9
12.7 mi into trip
|
~18m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 64 West: Norfolk International Airport, Hampton, Richmond
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 14B
Toward I 64 West: Norfolk International Airport...
8
95.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 56m in
Take the exit toward I 295, US 60: Washington, Rocky Mount NC
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 200
Toward I 295, US 60: Washington, Rocky Mount NC
7
95.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 57m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 295 North: Washington
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 295 North: Washington
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 Virginia Beach, VA to Pennington Gap, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Rocky Mount along the way.
Rocky Mount
95.4 mi in
|
~1h 56m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 81 | 191 mi | 3h 28m |
| I 64 | 181.4 mi | 3h 18m |
| Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway | 22.6 mi | 24m |
| Hampton Roads Beltway | 17.7 mi | 24m |
| US Highway 23 | 15.6 mi | 20m |
| Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway | 10.6 mi | 14m |
| US 11W | 9.5 mi | 11m |
| Wilderness Road | 6 mi | 8m |
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 191 mi, about 3h 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Virginia Beach, VA and Pennington Gap, VA.
1
Start on 25th Street
121 ft
·
8 sec
·
25th Street
2
Turn right onto US 60
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
Pacific Avenue
Use the right lane.
3
Turn right onto 22nd Street
0.5 mi
·
46 sec
·
22nd Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Continue on I 264
11 mi
·
14 min
·
Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway
5
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
Exit 15-14-13
Toward I 64 West, US 13: Newtown Road, Richmond, Military Highway
Use the slight right lane.
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 64 West, US 13: Richmond, Military Highway
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
Exit 14B
Toward I 64 West: Norfolk International Airport, Hampton, Richmond
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 64
12 mi
·
17 min
·
Hampton Roads Beltway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
9
Continue on I 64; US 60
3.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
10
Continue on I 64; US 60
5.9 mi
·
7 min
·
Hampton Roads Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64
61 mi
·
1 hr 7 min
·
I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 200
Toward I 295, US 60: Washington, Rocky Mount NC
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork
1.3 mi
·
2 min
Toward I 295 North: Washington
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto I 295
23 mi
·
24 min
·
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi
·
55 sec
Exit 53A
Toward I 64 West: Charlottesville
16
Merge onto I 64
120 mi
·
2 hr 10 min
·
I 64
Toward I 64 West: Charlottesville
Use the slight right lane.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
117 mi
·
2 hr 9 min
·
I 81
Use the straight lane.
18
Continue on I 77; I 81; US 52
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
I 77; I 81; US 52
Use the straight lane.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81; US 52
74 mi
·
1 hr 19 min
·
I 81; US 52
Use the straight lane.
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
Exit 74B
Toward US 11W South: Kingsport
21
Merge onto US 11W
9.5 mi
·
11 min
·
US 11W
22
Turn right onto Ollis Bowers Hill Road
357 ft
·
22 sec
·
Ollis Bowers Hill Road
23
Turn left onto Bloomingdale Pike
5.1 mi
·
8 min
·
Bloomingdale Pike
24
Turn right onto TN 93
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
·
North John B Dennis Highway
25
Continue on SR 93
4.7 mi
·
5 min
·
Wadlow Gap Highway
26
Turn right onto US 23; US 58; US 421
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
·
Main Street
27
Continue on US 23; US 58; US 421
11 mi
·
14 min
·
US Highway 23
28
Continue on US 23; US 58; US 421
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Orby Cantrell Highway
29
Continue on US 23; US 58; US 421
4.2 mi
·
5 min
·
US Highway 23
30
Turn left onto US 58; US 421
4.7 mi
·
6 min
·
Duff Patt Highway
31
Continue on US 58; US 421
6.0 mi
·
8 min
·
Wilderness Road
32
Turn right onto US 421
5.2 mi
·
7 min
·
US 421
33
Turn left onto US 421; US 58 ALT
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
East Morgan Avenue
34
Turn left onto Joslyn Avenue
94 ft
·
4 sec
·
Joslyn Avenue
35
Arrive at destination
Joslyn Avenue
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 243.5 miles from Virginia Beach, VA, or about 4h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 191 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 107 miles or 2h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 243.5 miles or 4h 39m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 243.5 miles or 4h 39m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 8h
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Pennington Gap, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Virginia Beach, VA
Aim for roughly 244 miles and 4.7 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Pennington Gap, VA
Aim for roughly 244 miles and 4.7 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 107 miles from Virginia Beach, VA.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 81 for about 191 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 243.5 mi from Virginia Beach, VA · 4h 39m into the drive
Mid-route town
Overnight candidate
244 mi into the route
Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start
This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.
Find hotels in Winston-Salem, NCOvernight Options
Night 1
244 mi · about 4.7h in
A practical overnight split lands near Winston-Salem, NC after about 244 miles or 4.7 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 107 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 243.5 miles from Virginia Beach, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 81 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 191 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 244 miles or 4.7 hours on the road.
Arriving in Pennington Gap, VA
The final approach into Pennington Gap, 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 Pennington Gap, VA.
On a multi-day trip, keep the last day a little lighter so you reach Pennington Gap, VA with some flexibility left in the schedule.
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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$76.17 one way
$152.34 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
170 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $83.29 | $166.57 |
| premium | $4.70 | $90.15 | $180.30 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $107.55 | $215.09 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$76
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$206–$316
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 170.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $51 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 146.1 | 1 | $51.15 | $23.38 |
| Efficient EV | 121.8 | 1 | $42.62 | $19.48 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 194.8 | 2 | $68.19 | $31.17 |
Gas CO2
170 kg
EV CO2
57 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Pennington Gap, VA
Morning in Pennington Gap on Wednesday
Local time
6:28 AM
EDT
Current temp
47°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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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
9h 21m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
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 Pennington Gap, VA covers 487.1 miles and takes about 9h 21m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 81, I 64, Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Yes. This route is usually more comfortable as a 2-day drive. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 244 miles on day one.
The midpoint is about 243.5 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 $76.17 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 487.1 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 (US 60 / Pacific Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 11.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Virginia Beach, VA to Pennington Gap, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Rocky Mount along the way.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Pennington Gap, VA
Explore more options from Virginia Beach, VA or browse trips ending in Pennington Gap, VA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse VA road trips.
Explore maps for Virginia Beach, VA or Pennington Gap, VA on MapSof.net.