How far is Chesapeake, VA from Amherst, VA?

The driving distance from Chesapeake, VA to Amherst, VA is about 191.9 miles (308.9 km), with a travel time of about 04h 13m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 161.7 miles (260.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 27m 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
191.94 mi
04h 13m
Flight
161.7 mi
260.23 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Chesapeake.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
161.7 mi
Kilometers
260.23 km
Flight Time
00h 19m

Driving Distance

Road route
191.94 mi
Kilometers
308.9 km
Drive Time
04h 13m

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 13m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Amherst
Sun, Apr 12, 5:21 AM EDT
Return by in Chesapeake
Sun, Apr 12, 9:35 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Chesapeake
2026-04-12T01:07
Arrive Amherst
Sun, Apr 12, 5:21 AM EDT
Route Timing
04h 13m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:14 AM to 12:14 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
8:32 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Chesapeake
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
Chesterfield Court House
VA

Census designated place in Virginia, USA

From Chesapeake
95.9 mi
02h 06m
To Amherst
96.1 mi
02h 06m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
72°F
Sunday

Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 12 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
3 to 10 mph SE
Destination
77°F
Sunday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 12 2:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 7 mph SE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on D Street

    126 m · 21 sec · D Street

  2. 2

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Poindexter Street

    1617 ft · 29 sec · Poindexter Street

  3. 3

    Take the ramp straight toward I 464 North

    1284 ft · 18 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left

    1.2 mi · 1 min

  5. 5

    Keep slight right to continue on I 264 West Toll: Downtown Tunnel, Portsmouth

    580 ft · 14 sec

  6. 6

    Keep slight left to continue on I 264 West Toll: Tunnel

    2569 ft · 1 min

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    1.9 mi · 3 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward VA 164 West: Martin Luther King Jr Expressway, Norfolk

    2001 ft · 38 sec

  9. 9

    Continue on Martin Luther King Jr Freeway

    2723 ft · 48 sec · Martin Luther King Jr Freeway

  10. 10

    Continue on Martin Luther King Freeway

    2952 ft · 56 sec · Martin Luther King Freeway

  11. 11

    Continue on Western Freeway

    7.4 mi · 10 min · Western Freeway

  12. 12

    Continue on Bridge Road

    6.5 mi · 11 min · Bridge Road

  13. 13

    Continue on Carrollton Boulevard

    2.4 mi · 3 min · Carrollton Boulevard

  14. 14

    Turn left onto Brewers Neck Boulevard

    2.9 mi · 4 min · Brewers Neck Boulevard

  15. 15

    Merge slight left onto Benns Church Boulevard

    12.1 mi · 16 min · Benns Church Boulevard

  16. 16

    Continue on Colonial Trail East

    9.9 mi · 11 min · Colonial Trail East

  17. 17

    Turn left onto Rolfe Highway

    1 mi · 2 min · Rolfe Highway

  18. 18

    Turn right onto Colonial Trail West

    13.3 mi · 15 min · Colonial Trail West

  19. 19

    Continue on James River Drive

    14.6 mi · 19 min · James River Drive

  20. 20

    Continue on East Randolph Road

    2.9 mi · 4 min · East Randolph Road

  21. 21

    Continue on East Hundred Road

    6.6 mi · 9 min · East Hundred Road

  22. 22

    Take the exit slight right toward I 95 North: Richmond

    1753 ft · 43 sec

  23. 23

    Merge slight left onto Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike

    1.1 mi · 1 min · Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike

  24. 24

    Take the exit slight right toward VA 288 North: Chesterfield

    1.1 km · 2 min

  25. 25

    Continue on World War II Veterans Memorial Highway

    19.6 mi · 23 min · World War II Veterans Memorial Highway

  26. 26

    Take the exit slight right toward US 60: Midlothian, Powhatan

    1527 ft · 37 sec

  27. 27

    Keep slight left to continue on US 60: Powhatan

    1623 ft · 40 sec

  28. 28

    Keep slight right to continue on US 60 West: Powhatan

    1729 ft · 43 sec

  29. 29

    Merge slight left onto Midlothian Turnpike

    2.8 mi · 4 min · Midlothian Turnpike

  30. 30

    Continue on Anderson Highway

    36.7 mi · 48 min · Anderson Highway

  31. 31

    Continue on East James Anderson Highway

    8.1 mi · 9 min · East James Anderson Highway

  32. 32

    Continue on West James Anderson Highway

    17.1 mi · 22 min · West James Anderson Highway

  33. 33

    Continue on Anderson Highway

    4.1 mi · 6 min · Anderson Highway

  34. 34

    Continue on Richmond Highway

    14.7 mi · 20 min · Richmond Highway

  35. 35

    Turn sharp left onto Washington Street

    132 m · 14 sec · Washington Street

  36. 36

    Turn right onto 2nd Street

    1250 ft · 36 sec · 2nd Street

  37. 37

    Turn right onto Goodwin Street

    44 m · 6 sec · Goodwin Street

  38. 38

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Goodwin Street

Car Route Details

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

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
38 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
10
5 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
19.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Anderson Highway
40.8 mi · 21%
World War II Veterans Memorial Highway
19.6 mi · 10%
West James Anderson Highway
17.1 mi · 9%
Richmond Highway
14.7 mi · 8%
James River Drive
14.6 mi · 8%
Colonial Trail West
13.3 mi · 7%
Longest Stretch

Anderson Highway

Continue on Anderson Highway

36.7 mi · 00h 48m

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 13m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
08h 28m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+30.2 mi
161.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Chesterfield Court House
02h 06m from Chesapeake
Leave By
8:32 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Chesapeake and Mostly Sunny near Amherst.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 191.9 miles (308.9 km) and usually takes 04h 13m 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?

Chesterfield Court House is a useful midpoint, sitting about 95.9 miles from Chesapeake and 96.1 miles from Amherst.

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

The direct path is about 161.7 miles (260.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 30.2 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 8:32 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $28.24 one way or $56.48 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 63.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Chesapeake and Mostly Sunny near Amherst.

Stop Ideas Near Chesterfield Court House

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

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Chesterfield Court House and the surrounding midpoint area.
Town Hall
Food stop 10.8 mi away

Town Hall

Richmond , VA
3123 W Cary St, Richmond, VA 23221
Rating 4.9/5 13 reviews Restaurant
Old City Hall
Scenic stop 11.3 mi away

Old City Hall

Richmond , VA
1001 E Broad St, Richmond, VA 23219, United States
Rating 4.4/5 32 reviews Tourist attraction,Land surveyor,Historical landmark
City of Richmond Virginia (City Hall)
Meeting point 11.4 mi away

City of Richmond Virginia (City Hall)

Richmond , VA
900 E Broad St, Richmond, VA 23219
Rating 2.9/5 40 reviews City government office,Police department,Tax assessor
City Hall
Nearby stop 11.4 mi away

City Hall

Richmond , VA
900 E Broad St, Richmond, VA 23219
Rating 3.9/5 85 reviews Bike sharing station

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Chesterfield Court House.

RAIL

Petersburg station

16 mi away
3516 South Street
RAIL

Richmond Main Street Station

19 mi away
1500 East Main Street
RAIL

Richmond Staples Mill Road station

26 mi away
7519 Staples Mill Road
RAIL

Ashland

43 mi away
112 North Railroad Avenue

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Chesapeake and Amherst. Straight-line distance: 161.7 mi (260.23 km).

Chesapeake

#1 Chesapeake

The second most populous city in Virginia.

Population247,011
Coordinates36.8190400, -76.2749400
Altitude3
CountryUnited States
Amherst

#2 Amherst

Town in Virginia, USA

Population2,182
Coordinates37.5851400, -79.0514100
Altitude232
CountryUnited States
Start: Chesapeake (-76.27494, 36.81904)
End: Amherst (-79.05141, 37.58514)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 309 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 23m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 47m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 50m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 11m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 44m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 23m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
7.13 gal
27 L · about $28.24
Round trip
$56.48
14.26 gal · 54 L
Estimated CO2
63.4 kg one way
Round trip: 126.7 kg / 279 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $28.24 $56.48
Mid-grade $4.43 $31.58 $63.16
Premium $4.78 $34.07 $68.13
Diesel $5.62 $40.10 $80.20

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 12, 2026

There is no time difference between Chesapeake and Amherst. The current time is 01:07:27.

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.