How far is Chesapeake, VA from Petersburg, VA?

The driving distance from Chesapeake, VA to Petersburg, VA is about 211.5 miles (340.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 30m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 174 miles (280 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 01m 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
211.45 mi
03h 30m
Flight
173.97 mi
279.97 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
173.97 mi
Kilometers
279.97 km
Flight Time
00h 20m

Driving Distance

Road route
211.45 mi
Kilometers
340.3 km
Drive Time
03h 30m

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 03h 30m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Petersburg
Fri, Apr 17, 5:09 AM EDT
Return by in Chesapeake
Fri, Apr 17, 8:40 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Chesapeake
2026-04-17T01:39
Arrive Petersburg
Fri, Apr 17, 5:09 AM EDT
Route Timing
03h 30m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:31 AM to 11:31 AM EDT

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

Leave by
9:58 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
Ashland
VA

Town in Virginia, United States

From Chesapeake
102.9 mi
01h 45m
To Petersburg
108.6 mi
01h 45m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
88°F
Friday

Sunny

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
9 mph W
Destination
79°F
Friday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
7 to 12 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    11.9 mi · 13 min · Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway

  20. 20

    Take the exit slight left toward I 95 North: Washington

    2.4 mi · 3 min

  21. 21

    Merge slight right

    45.7 mi · 50 min

  22. 22

    Keep slight right

    1.6 mi · 2 min

  23. 23

    Keep slight right to continue on US 17 Business: Falmouth

    1635 ft · 42 sec

  24. 24

    Turn left onto Warrenton Road

    22.9 mi · 33 min · Warrenton Road

  25. 25

    Continue on Marsh Road

    4.2 mi · 7 min · Marsh Road

  26. 26

    Turn right onto James Madison Highway

    4.6 mi · 6 min · James Madison Highway

  27. 27

    Continue on Eastern Bypass

    2.4 mi · 3 min · Eastern Bypass

  28. 28

    Keep slight right to continue on Eastern Bypass

    2.3 mi · 3 min · Eastern Bypass

  29. 29

    Continue on James Madison Highway

    6.7 mi · 9 min · James Madison Highway

  30. 30

    Continue on Winchester Road

    2.7 mi · 4 min · Winchester Road

  31. 31

    Turn left

    9.5 mi · 10 min

  32. 32

    Take the exit slight right toward SR 688: Markham

    1238 ft · 26 sec

  33. 33

    Turn left onto Leeds Manor Road

    724 ft · 28 sec · Leeds Manor Road

  34. 34

    Turn right onto John Marshall Highway

    3 mi · 5 min · John Marshall Highway

  35. 35

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · John Marshall Highway

Car Route Details

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

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
35 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
8
4 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
16.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Hampton Roads Beltway
70.7 mi · 33%
I 95 North
49.7 mi · 24%
Warrenton Road
22.9 mi · 11%
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
11.9 mi · 6%
James Madison Highway
11.3 mi · 5%
Eastern Bypass
4.78 mi · 2%
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 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
03h 30m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 02m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+37.5 mi
174 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Ashland
01h 45m from Chesapeake
Leave By
9:58 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Chesapeake and Chance Rain Showers near Petersburg.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 211.5 miles (340.3 km) and usually takes 03h 30m 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?

Ashland is a useful midpoint, sitting about 102.9 miles from Chesapeake and 108.6 miles from Petersburg.

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

The direct path is about 174 miles (280 km), while the road route adds roughly 37.5 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 9:58 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.55 one way or $59.10 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 66.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Chesapeake and Chance Rain Showers near Petersburg.

Stop Ideas Near Ashland

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 Ashland and the surrounding midpoint area.
Town Hall
Food stop 11.9 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 12.8 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 12.6 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 12.7 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 Ashland.

RAIL

Ashland

112 North Railroad Avenue
RAIL

Richmond Staples Mill Road station

16 mi away
7519 Staples Mill Road
RAIL

Richmond Main Street Station

25 mi away
1500 East Main Street
RAIL

Petersburg station

58 mi away
3516 South Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Chesapeake and Petersburg. Straight-line distance: 173.97 mi (279.97 km).

Chesapeake

#1 Chesapeake

The second most populous city in Virginia.

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

#2 Petersburg

Independent city in Virginia, United States

Population30,446
Coordinates38.9092800, -78.0533300
Altitude240
CountryUnited States
Start: D Street (-76.275044, 36.81897)
End: John Marshall Highway (-78.053329, 38.909317)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 340 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)07h 02m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 17m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 13m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 31m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 01m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 38m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
7.46 gal
28.24 L · about $29.55
Round trip
$59.10
14.92 gal · 56.48 L
Estimated CO2
66.3 kg one way
Round trip: 132.6 kg / 292 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $29.55 $59.10
Mid-grade $4.43 $33.04 $66.08
Premium $4.78 $35.64 $71.29
Diesel $5.62 $41.96 $83.91

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 17, 2026

There is no time difference between Chesapeake and Petersburg. The current time is 01:39:11.

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.