How far is Bristol, VA from Virginia Beach, VA?
The driving distance from Bristol, VA to Virginia Beach, VA is about 404.6 miles (651.1 km), with a travel time of about 06h 58m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 344.3 miles (554.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 13h 57m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM EDT.
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 06h 58m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
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.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Bristol and Virginia Beach.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bristol and Virginia Beach.
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1
Start on Sullins Street
23 m · 5 sec · Sullins Street
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2
Turn right onto Commonwealth Avenue
1.1 mi · 1 min · Commonwealth Avenue
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3
Continue straight
1.1 mi · 2 min
-
4
Keep slight right to continue on I 81 North: Roanoke
1959 ft · 30 sec
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5
Merge slight left
70 mi · 1 hr 15 min
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6
Continue straight
7.1 mi · 8 min
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7
Keep slight left to continue on I 81 North, US 11 North: Roanoke
139.7 mi · 2 hr 34 min
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8
Continue straight
1353 ft · 18 sec
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9
Keep slight right to continue on I 64 East: Richmond
90 mi · 1 hr 38 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward I 295 North: Washington, Norfolk
1.2 mi · 2 min
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11
Continue on Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
22.9 mi · 25 min · Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach
1.3 mi · 3 min
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13
Merge slight left
66.8 mi · 1 hr 15 min
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14
Keep slight left to continue on Hampton Roads Beltway
104 m · 5 sec · Hampton Roads Beltway
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15
Continue on Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
3.5 mi · 5 min · Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
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16
Continue on Hampton Roads Beltway
11.9 mi · 15 min · Hampton Roads Beltway
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17
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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18
Keep slight left to continue on I 264 East: Va Beach
3229 ft · 1 min
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19
Merge slight right onto Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway
11.8 mi · 16 min · Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway
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20
Continue on 21st Street
2247 ft · 54 sec · 21st Street
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21
Turn left onto Arctic Avenue
1553 ft · 46 sec · Arctic Avenue
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22
Turn right onto 25th Street
139 m · 12 sec · 25th Street
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 25th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Bristol and Virginia Beach.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
I 81 North
Keep slight left to continue on I 81 North, US 11 North: Roanoke
140 mi · 02h 34m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Sunny leaving Bristol and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Virginia Beach.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Bristol to Virginia Beach?
The road trip is about 404.6 miles (651.1 km) and usually takes 06h 58m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Jolivue is a useful midpoint, sitting about 215.2 miles from Bristol and 189.4 miles from Virginia Beach.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 344.3 miles (554.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 60.3 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 7:30 AM EDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $56.56 one way or $113.13 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 126.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Bristol and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Virginia Beach.
Stop Ideas Near Jolivue
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Jolivue.
Staunton station
Charlottesville Union Station
Clifton Forge
Kemper Street station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Bristol and Virginia Beach. Straight-line distance: 344.33 mi (554.14 km).
#1 Bristol
Independent city in Virginia, United States
| Population | 17,329 |
| Coordinates | 36.5964900, -82.1884700 |
| Altitude | 512 |
| 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 (-75.978051, 36.853145)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 651 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 13h 28m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 10h 06m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 08h 05m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 06h 44m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 05h 46m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 05h 02m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $56.56 | $113.13 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $63.25 | $126.49 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $68.23 | $136.46 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $80.31 | $160.62 |
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 · Apr 25, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.