How far is Buchanan, VA from Chesapeake, VA?

The driving distance from Buchanan, VA to Chesapeake, VA is about 253.9 miles (408.6 km), with a travel time of about 04h 02m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 193.7 miles (311.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 05m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
253.89 mi
04h 02m
Flight
193.72 mi
311.76 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Buchanan.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
193.72 mi
Kilometers
311.76 km
Flight Time
00h 23m

Driving Distance

Road route
253.89 mi
Kilometers
408.59 km
Drive Time
04h 02m

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 04h 02m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Chesapeake
Thu, Apr 23, 12:34 AM EDT
Return by in Buchanan
Thu, Apr 23, 4:37 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Buchanan
2026-04-22T20:31
Arrive Chesapeake
Thu, Apr 23, 12:34 AM EDT
Route Timing
04h 02m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:03 AM to 12:03 PM EDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
8:54 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Buchanan
9:00 PM EDT
Early departure recommended

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.

Mid-route stop
Hamilton
VA

Town in Loudoun County, Virginia, United States

From Buchanan
127.5 mi
02h 01m
To Chesapeake
126.4 mi
02h 01m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
78°F
Wednesday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 13 mph W
Destination
82°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph SW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Buchanan and Chesapeake.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Buchanan and Chesapeake.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    33 m · 10 sec

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Main Street

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Main Street

  3. 3

    Continue on Lee Highway

    1637 ft · 28 sec · Lee Highway

  4. 4

    Take the ramp straight

    53.5 mi · 58 min

  5. 5

    Continue straight

    1353 ft · 18 sec

  6. 6

    Keep slight right to continue on I 64 East: Richmond

    90 mi · 1 hr 38 min

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward I 295 North: Washington, Norfolk

    1.2 mi · 2 min

  8. 8

    Continue on Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway

    22.9 mi · 25 min · Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach

    1.3 mi · 3 min

  10. 10

    Merge slight left

    66.8 mi · 1 hr 15 min

  11. 11

    Keep slight left to continue on Hampton Roads Beltway

    104 m · 5 sec · Hampton Roads Beltway

  12. 12

    Continue on Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel

    3.5 mi · 5 min · Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel

  13. 13

    Continue on Hampton Roads Beltway

    6.7 mi · 9 min · Hampton Roads Beltway

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward VA 194 South: Chesapeake Boulevard

    1312 ft · 32 sec

  15. 15

    Turn straight onto Chesapeake Boulevard

    2.1 mi · 3 min · Chesapeake Boulevard

  16. 16

    Turn straight

    41 m · 8 sec

  17. 17

    Turn left onto Ballentine Boulevard

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Ballentine Boulevard

  18. 18

    Turn right onto East Princess Anne Road

    1.5 km · 2 min · East Princess Anne Road

  19. 19

    Turn left onto Park Avenue

    3186 ft · 1 min · Park Avenue

  20. 20

    Turn left onto East Brambleton Avenue

    1692 ft · 58 sec · East Brambleton Avenue

  21. 21

    Continue on Campostella Road

    1.1 km · 2 min · Campostella Road

  22. 22

    Turn right onto Wilson Road

    1.2 km · 1 min · Wilson Road

  23. 23

    Continue on 22nd Street

    1606 ft · 27 sec · 22nd Street

  24. 24

    Continue on Poindexter Street

    1391 ft · 29 sec · Poindexter Street

  25. 25

    Turn right onto D Street

    126 m · 18 sec · D Street

  26. 26

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · D Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Buchanan and Chesapeake.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
26 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
1 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
10.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 64 East
158 mi · 62%
Lee Highway
54.1 mi · 21%
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
22.9 mi · 9%
Hampton Roads Beltway
6.8 mi · 3%
Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
3.5 mi · 1%
Chesapeake Boulevard
2.11 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 64 East

Keep slight right to continue on I 64 East: Richmond

90 mi · 01h 38m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
04h 02m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
08h 06m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+60.2 mi
193.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Hamilton
02h 01m from Buchanan
Leave By
8:54 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Buchanan and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Chesapeake.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Buchanan to Chesapeake?

The road trip is about 253.9 miles (408.6 km) and usually takes 04h 02m 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?

Hamilton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 127.5 miles from Buchanan and 126.4 miles from Chesapeake.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 193.7 miles (311.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 60.2 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 EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:54 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $35.49 one way or $70.98 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 79.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Buchanan and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Chesapeake.

Stop Ideas Near Hamilton

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Hamilton, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Hamilton.

RAIL

Charlottesville Union Station

53 mi away
810 West Main St
RAIL

Richmond Staples Mill Road station

56 mi away
7519 Staples Mill Road
RAIL

Ashland

58 mi away
112 North Railroad Avenue
RAIL

Richmond Main Street Station

63 mi away
1500 East Main Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Buchanan and Chesapeake. Straight-line distance: 193.72 mi (311.76 km).

Buchanan

#1 Buchanan

Town in Virginia, United States

Population1,182
Coordinates37.5273600, -79.6797600
Altitude259
CountryUnited States
Chesapeake

#2 Chesapeake

The second most populous city in Virginia.

Population247,011
Coordinates36.8190400, -76.2749400
Altitude3
CountryUnited States
Start: (-79.679589, 37.527524)
End: D Street (-76.275044, 36.81897)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 409 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)08h 27m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 20m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 04m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 13m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 37m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 10m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
8.96 gal
33.91 L · about $35.49
Round trip
$70.98
17.92 gal · 67.82 L
Estimated CO2
79.6 kg one way
Round trip: 159.3 kg / 351 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $35.49 $70.98
Mid-grade $4.43 $39.68 $79.37
Premium $4.78 $42.81 $85.62
Diesel $5.62 $50.39 $100.78

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 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Buchanan and Chesapeake. The current time is 20:31:19.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.