How far is Brightwood, VA from Virginia Beach, VA?
The driving distance from Brightwood, VA to Virginia Beach, VA is about 197.2 miles (317.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 24m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 162.6 miles (261.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 49m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EST.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 03h 24m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Census designated place
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Brightwood and Virginia Beach.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Brightwood and Virginia Beach.
-
1
Start on Ridgeview Road
928 ft · 26 sec · Ridgeview Road
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2
Continue on Coop Road
1221 ft · 33 sec · Coop Road
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3
Turn left onto North Seminole Trail
3.4 mi · 4 min · North Seminole Trail
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4
Continue on James Monroe Highway
7.7 mi · 10 min · James Monroe Highway
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5
Continue on James Madison Highway
1 mi · 1 min · James Madison Highway
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6
Take the exit slight right toward US 522, VA 3: Mineral, Fredericksburg
1126 ft · 31 sec
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7
Turn right onto Germanna Highway
18 mi · 25 min · Germanna Highway
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8
Continue on Plank Road
12.3 mi · 19 min · Plank Road
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9
Take the exit slight right toward I 95 South: Richmond
2034 ft · 49 sec
-
10
Merge slight left
44.2 mi · 48 min
-
11
Take the exit slight left toward I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va Beach
1.9 mi · 2 min
-
12
Merge slight right onto Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
13 mi · 14 min · Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach
1.3 mi · 3 min
-
14
Merge slight left
66.8 mi · 1 hr 15 min
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15
Keep slight left to continue on Hampton Roads Beltway
104 m · 5 sec · Hampton Roads Beltway
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16
Continue on Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
3.5 mi · 5 min · Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
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17
Continue on Hampton Roads Beltway
11.9 mi · 15 min · Hampton Roads Beltway
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18
Take the exit slight right toward I 264 East, I 264 West: Va Beach, Downtown Norfolk, Portsmouth
914 ft · 14 sec
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19
Keep slight left to continue on I 264 East: Va Beach
3229 ft · 1 min
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20
Merge slight right onto Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway
11.8 mi · 16 min · Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway
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21
Continue on 21st Street
2247 ft · 54 sec · 21st Street
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22
Turn left onto Arctic Avenue
1553 ft · 46 sec · Arctic Avenue
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23
Turn right onto 25th Street
139 m · 12 sec · 25th Street
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 25th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Brightwood and Virginia Beach.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 64 East
Merge slight left
66.8 mi · 01h 15m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Sunny leaving Brightwood and Sunny near Virginia Beach.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Brightwood to Virginia Beach?
The road trip is about 197.2 miles (317.3 km) and usually takes 03h 24m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Highland Springs is a useful midpoint, sitting about 99.7 miles from Brightwood and 97.5 miles from Virginia Beach.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 162.6 miles (261.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 34.6 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:10 AM EST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.87 one way or $53.75 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 61.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Brightwood and Sunny near Virginia Beach.
Stop Ideas Near Highland Springs
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Town Hall
Old City Hall
City of Richmond Virginia (City Hall)
City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Highland Springs.
Richmond Main Street Station
Richmond Staples Mill Road station
Ashland
Petersburg station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Brightwood and Virginia Beach. Straight-line distance: 162.6 mi (261.68 km).
#1 Brightwood
Brightwood is a place in Virginia, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 38.4215200, -78.1936100 |
| Altitude | 179 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Virginia Beach
The most populous city in Virginia, Virginia Beach is a major center for tourism, military, and business.
| Population | 451,231 |
| Coordinates | 36.8529300, -75.9779900 |
| Altitude | 3 |
| Country | United States |
End: 25th Street (-75.978053, 36.853161)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 317 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 34m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 55m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 56m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 17m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 49m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 27m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.86 | $26.87 | $53.75 |
| Mid-grade | $4.35 | $30.28 | $60.57 |
| Premium | $4.77 | $33.19 | $66.38 |
| Diesel | $6.16 | $42.85 | $85.71 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Virginia · Nov 09, 2026