How far is Chesapeake, VA from Charlottesville, VA?

The driving distance from Chesapeake, VA to Charlottesville, VA is about 170.7 miles (274.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 37m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 146.9 miles (236.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 15m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
170.67 mi
02h 37m
Flight
146.92 mi
236.45 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Chesapeake.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
146.92 mi
Kilometers
236.45 km
Flight Time
00h 17m

Driving Distance

Road route
170.67 mi
Kilometers
274.66 km
Drive Time
02h 37m

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 37m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Charlottesville
Thu, Apr 30, 11:49 AM EDT
Return by in Chesapeake
Thu, Apr 30, 2:27 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Chesapeake
2026-04-30T09:12
Arrive Charlottesville
Thu, Apr 30, 11:49 AM EDT
Route Timing
02h 37m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:38 AM to 12:38 PM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
1:14 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Chesapeake
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Windsor
VA

Town in southeastern Virginia, United States

From Chesapeake
82.6 mi
01h 18m
To Charlottesville
88.1 mi
01h 18m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
73°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 30 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
12 mph NW
Destination
68°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 30 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
8 to 12 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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 left to continue on I 264 East: Waterside Drive, Saint Paul Boulevard, Downtown, Norfolk

    1.1 km · 1 min

  6. 6

    Keep slight left to continue on Waterside Drive, St Paul's Boulevard

    1095 ft · 27 sec

  7. 7

    Keep slight left to continue on Saint Paul's Boulevard

    1575 ft · 53 sec

  8. 8

    Turn right onto Saint Pauls Boulevard

    3199 ft · 1 min · Saint Pauls Boulevard

  9. 9

    Continue on Monticello Avenue

    1.2 mi · 2 min · Monticello Avenue

  10. 10

    Turn left onto Church Street

    148 m · 14 sec · Church Street

  11. 11

    Continue on Granby Street

    4 mi · 9 min · Granby Street

  12. 12

    Turn left onto I 64

    1001 ft · 26 sec

  13. 13

    Merge slight left onto Hampton Roads Beltway

    3.8 mi · 5 min · Hampton Roads Beltway

  14. 14

    Continue on Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel

    3.5 mi · 5 min · Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel

  15. 15

    Continue on Hampton Roads Beltway

    5.9 mi · 8 min · Hampton Roads Beltway

  16. 16

    Keep slight left

    61.1 mi · 1 hr 8 min

  17. 17

    Take the exit slight right toward I 295, US 60: Washington, Rocky Mount NC

    2434 ft · 32 sec

  18. 18

    Keep slight right to continue on I 295 North: Washington

    1.3 mi · 3 min

  19. 19

    Merge slight left onto Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway

    22.6 mi · 25 min · Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway

  20. 20

    Keep slight right to continue on I 64 West: Charlottesville

    2936 ft · 55 sec

  21. 21

    Merge slight left onto I 64 West: Charlottesville

    55.3 mi · 1 hr

  22. 22

    Take the exit slight right toward VA 20: Charlottesville, Scottsville

    1217 ft · 34 sec

  23. 23

    Turn right onto Monticello Avenue

    1.5 km · 2 min · Monticello Avenue

  24. 24

    Turn slight right

    2312 ft · 1 min

  25. 25

    Turn left onto East Market Street

    140 m · 25 sec · East Market Street

  26. 26

    Turn left onto 7th Street Northeast

    87 m · 16 sec · 7th Street Northeast

  27. 27

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
27 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
4 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
15.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Hampton Roads Beltway
70.7 mi · 41%
I 64 West
55.9 mi · 33%
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
22.6 mi · 13%
Granby Street
3.95 mi · 2%
Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
3.5 mi · 2%
Monticello Avenue
2.19 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Hampton Roads Beltway

Keep slight left

61.1 mi · 01h 08m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
02h 37m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 16m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+23.8 mi
146.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Windsor
01h 18m from Chesapeake
Leave By
1:14 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Chesapeake and Mostly Sunny near Charlottesville.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 170.7 miles (274.7 km) and usually takes 02h 37m 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 82.6 miles from Chesapeake and 88.1 miles from Charlottesville.

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

The direct path is about 146.9 miles (236.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 23.8 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 1:14 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.85 one way or $47.69 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 53.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Windsor

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 Windsor and the surrounding midpoint area.
Town Hall
Food stop 13.2 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 10.4 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 10.5 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 10.5 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 Windsor.

RAIL

Richmond Main Street Station

19 mi away
1500 East Main Street
RAIL

Richmond Staples Mill Road station

27 mi away
7519 Staples Mill Road
RAIL

Petersburg station

35 mi away
3516 South Street
RAIL

Ashland

37 mi away
112 North Railroad Avenue

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Chesapeake and Charlottesville. Straight-line distance: 146.92 mi (236.45 km).

Chesapeake

#1 Chesapeake

The second most populous city in Virginia.

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

#2 Charlottesville

The capital of Virginia.

Population46,950
Coordinates38.0293100, -78.4766800
Altitude142
CountryUnited States
Start: D Street (-76.275044, 36.81897)
End: (-78.476567, 38.029526)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 275 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 41m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 16m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 24m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 50m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 26m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 07m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.02 gal
22.8 L · about $23.85
Round trip
$47.69
12.04 gal · 45.6 L
Estimated CO2
53.5 kg one way
Round trip: 107 kg / 236 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $23.85 $47.69
Mid-grade $4.43 $26.66 $53.33
Premium $4.78 $28.76 $57.53
Diesel $5.62 $33.86 $67.71

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 · Apr 30, 2026

There is no time difference between Chesapeake and Charlottesville. The current time is 09:12:08.

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.