How far is Charlottesville, VA from Virginia Beach, VA?
The driving distance from Charlottesville, VA to Virginia Beach, VA is about 177.2 miles (285.2 km), with a travel time of about 02h 46m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 159.4 miles (256.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 33m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 46m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Town in southeastern Virginia, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Charlottesville and Virginia Beach.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Charlottesville and Virginia Beach.
-
1
Start on the route
71 m · 19 sec
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2
Turn right onto East Market Street
75 m · 10 sec · East Market Street
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3
Turn left onto 9th Street Northeast
666 ft · 31 sec · 9th Street Northeast
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4
Continue on East High Street
1.4 km · 3 min · East High Street
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5
Turn right onto Long Street
96 m · 8 sec · Long Street
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6
Continue on Richmond Road
1.9 mi · 4 min · Richmond Road
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7
Take the exit left toward I 64 East
1558 ft · 38 sec
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8
Merge slight left
52.4 mi · 56 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward I 295 North: Washington, Norfolk
1.2 mi · 2 min
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10
Continue on Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
22.9 mi · 25 min · Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach
1.3 mi · 3 min
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12
Merge slight left
66.8 mi · 1 hr 15 min
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13
Keep slight left to continue on Hampton Roads Beltway
104 m · 5 sec · Hampton Roads Beltway
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14
Continue on Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
3.5 mi · 5 min · Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
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15
Continue on Hampton Roads Beltway
11.9 mi · 15 min · Hampton Roads Beltway
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16
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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17
Keep slight left to continue on I 264 East: Va Beach
3229 ft · 1 min
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18
Merge slight right onto Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway
11.8 mi · 16 min · Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway
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19
Continue on 21st Street
2247 ft · 54 sec · 21st Street
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20
Turn left onto Arctic Avenue
1553 ft · 46 sec · Arctic Avenue
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21
Turn right onto 25th Street
139 m · 12 sec · 25th Street
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 25th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Charlottesville 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 comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Charlottesville and Mostly Sunny near Virginia Beach.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Charlottesville to Virginia Beach?
The road trip is about 177.2 miles (285.2 km) and usually takes 02h 46m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Windsor is a useful midpoint, sitting about 88.4 miles from Charlottesville and 88.9 miles from Virginia Beach.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 159.4 miles (256.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 17.8 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:56 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.76 one way or $49.51 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 55.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Charlottesville and Mostly Sunny near Virginia Beach.
Stop Ideas Near Windsor
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 Windsor.
Richmond Main Street Station
Richmond Staples Mill Road station
Petersburg station
Ashland
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Charlottesville and Virginia Beach. Straight-line distance: 159.35 mi (256.45 km).
#1 Charlottesville
The capital of Virginia.
| Population | 46,950 |
| Coordinates | 38.0293100, -78.4766800 |
| Altitude | 142 |
| 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: 285 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 54m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 25m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 32m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 57m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 31m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 12m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $24.76 | $49.51 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $27.68 | $55.36 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $29.86 | $59.72 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $35.15 | $70.30 |
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 · May 13, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.