Origin
Virginia Beach, VA
Late night in Virginia Beach on Wednesday
Local time
12:29 AM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
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Drive Time
4h 19m
Distance
215.9 mi
347 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$34
one way
EV Charging
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Virginia Beach, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Reston, VA
Eric Joseph
Embarking on this 215.9-mile journey from Virginia Beach to Reston, Virginia, is a straightforward, highway-focused drive that can comfortably be completed in about 4 hours and 19 minutes. Primarily utilizing I-95, I-64, and the Hampton Roads Beltway, this route is well-suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. With an estimated fuel cost of $34, it's an economical option for a weekend getaway or a business trip. This drive remains within the Southeast region, offering a consistent travel experience as you traverse the Old Dominion.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
107.9 miles from Virginia Beach, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 11m into the drive .
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This drive is predominantly a highway experience, with 71% of the route consisting of high-speed interstates. You'll encounter the longest uninterrupted stretch of 82.3 miles on I-95, so be prepared for sustained periods of consistent driving. While the Hampton Roads Beltway and other interstates offer efficient travel, the character remains largely that of a modern highway. Expect a smooth, predictable ride as you navigate these major arteries connecting these two Virginia locales.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and I 64. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 11.4 miles in.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 30 significant decision points across 215.9 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 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; at 194.7 miles (I 395 / Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
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
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
Keep slight right at fork onto I 395 / Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway toward I 395 North, I 495 North: Washington, Tysons Corner
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward VA 7: Tysons Corner, Leesburg, Leesburg Pike
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward VA 7 West: Leesburg Pike, Leesburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Virginia Beach, VA and Reston, VA, road signs point toward Richmond, Military Highway, Hampton, Rocky Mount and Tysons Corner.
Richmond
Military Highway
Hampton
Rocky Mount
Tysons Corner
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 95 | 82.3 mi | 1h 33m |
| I 64 | 61.1 mi | 1h 7m |
| Hampton Roads Beltway | 17.7 mi | 24m |
| Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway | 11.9 mi | 12m |
| Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway | 10.6 mi | 14m |
| Capital Beltway | 10.5 mi | 12m |
| Leesburg Pike | 4.6 mi | 6m |
| Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel | 3.5 mi | 4m |
Step-by-step road directions between Virginia Beach, VA and Reston, VA.
Start on 25th Street
Turn right onto US 60
Turn right onto 22nd Street
Continue on I 264
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 64
Continue on I 64; US 60
Continue on I 64; US 60
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 295
Take the exit
Merge onto I 95
Keep slight right at fork onto I 95; US 17
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 95
Keep slight right at fork onto I 395
Take the exit
Merge onto I 495
Keep slight right at fork onto I 495
Take the exit
Merge onto VA 267
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto VA 267
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto VA 7
Turn left onto SR 606
Turn left onto Village Road
At end of road, turn right onto SR 4726
Turn left onto Washington Plaza North
Arrive at destination
Given the 4-hour, 19-minute duration, starting your drive from Virginia Beach early in the morning is advisable to avoid peak traffic, especially as you approach the Northern Virginia area. With only one recommended stop, plan your break strategically before or after the 82.3-mile stretch on I-95 to stay refreshed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $34 estimated cost suggests that while manageable, fueling up before hitting longer highway segments is a good practice. This route's efficiency means you have flexibility, but don't underestimate the potential for congestion closer to Reston.
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.
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 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 107.9 miles or 2h 11m 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 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Reston, VA than in the middle of the route.
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 215.9 miles and 4h 19m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 107.9 mi from Virginia Beach, VA · 2h 11m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
108 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 107.9 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 95 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 82.3 miles.
The final approach into Reston, 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 Reston, VA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$33.76 one way
$67.52 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $36.92 | $73.83 |
| premium | $4.70 | $39.96 | $79.92 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $47.67 | $95.34 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.23
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
$34
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 75.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 64.8 | 0 | $22.67 | $10.36 |
| Efficient EV | 54 | 0 | $18.89 | $8.64 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 86.4 | 1 | $30.23 | $13.82 |
Gas CO2
76 kg
EV CO2
25 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Virginia Beach on Wednesday
Local time
12:29 AM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Destination
Late night in Reston on Wednesday
Local time
12:29 AM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
86°F
Middletown, MD
108 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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