The drive from Virginia Beach, VA to Short Pump, VA covers 119.6 miles and takes about 2h 28m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 64, Hampton Roads Beltway, Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 83.9 miles on I 64.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $18.70 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.
Midpoint
59.8 miles from Virginia Beach, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 18m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 28m. Total distance: 119.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 28m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (79%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 2h 28m highway drive covering 119.6 miles, with most of the trip on I 64 and Hampton Roads Beltway. The longest continuous stretch is about 83.9 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 16 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 83.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and Hampton Roads Beltway. 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.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 119.6 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 11 key points
These 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...
9
109.6 mi into trip|~2h 14m in|I 64
Keep slight right at fork onto I 64 toward I 64 West, I 195 South: Charlottesville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 79
Toward I 64 West, I 195 South: Charlottesville
7
118.2 mi into trip|~2h 25m in
Take the exit toward US 250 West: Short Pump
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 178A
Toward US 250 West: Short Pump
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Virginia Beach, VA and Short Pump, VA, road signs point toward Richmond, Military Highway and Hampton.
Richmond
11.4 mi in|~15m
Military Highway
11.4 mi in|~15m
Hampton
12.7 mi in|~18m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
83.9 mi
1h 36m
Hampton Roads Beltway
17.7 mi
24m
Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway
10.6 mi
14m
Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
3.5 mi
4m
West Broad Street
1 mi
1m
22nd Street
0.5 mi
<1m
Pacific Avenue
0.2 mi
<1m
Pump Road
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 83.9 mi, about 1h 36m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Virginia Beach, VA and Short Pump, 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 15-14-13Toward I 64 West, US 13: Newtown Road, Richmond, Military HighwayUse 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 14BToward I 64 West: Norfolk International Airport, Hampton, RichmondUse 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
75 mi·1 hr 25 min·I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 64
8.7 mi·11 min·I 64
Exit 79Toward I 64 West, I 195 South: CharlottesvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 178AToward US 250 West: Short PumpUse the right lane.
14
Turn straight onto US 250
1.0 mi·1 min·West Broad Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
15
Turn left onto Pump Road
479 ft·15 sec·Pump Road
Use the left lane.
16
Arrive at destination
Pump Road
Trip Plan
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 59.8 miles from Virginia Beach, VA, or about 1h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 83.9 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 26 miles or 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 59.8 miles or 1h 18m 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 1m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Short Pump, 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 119.6 miles and 2h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Virginia Beach, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 64 for about 83.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 59.8 mi from Virginia Beach, VA
· 1h 18m into the drive
The midpoint is around 59.8 miles from Virginia Beach, 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 83.9 miles.
Arriving in Short Pump, VA
The final approach into Short Pump, 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 Short Pump, VA.
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.
Colonial National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
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...
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...
25 mi from route
~62 min detour
Free
near mile 103.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.70 one way
$37.41 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg42 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$20.45
$40.90
premium
$4.70
$22.14
$44.27
diesel
$5.61
$26.41
$52.81
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
35.9
0
$12.56
$5.74
Efficient EV
29.9
0
$10.46
$4.78
EV Truck/SUV
47.8
0
$16.74
$7.65
Gas CO2
42 kg
EV CO2
14 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 as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Virginia Beach, VA
Evening
in Virginia Beach on Thursday
Local time
5:02 PM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Short Pump, VA
Evening
in Short Pump on Thursday
Local time
5:02 PM
EDT
Current temp
51°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
15 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
2h 28m 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 Short Pump, VA covers 119.6 miles and takes about 2h 28m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 64, Hampton Roads Beltway, Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 59.8 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 $18.70 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 119.6 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.
Between Virginia Beach, VA and Short Pump, VA, road signs point toward Richmond, Military Highway and Hampton.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Colonial National Historical Park, Fort Monroe National Monument and Petersburg National Battlefield.
