How far is Chesapeake, VA from Reston, VA?

The driving distance from Chesapeake, VA to Reston, VA is about 203.9 miles (328.1 km), with a travel time of about 04h 06m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 159.5 miles (256.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 13m 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
203.85 mi
04h 06m
Flight
159.49 mi
256.68 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
159.49 mi
Kilometers
256.68 km
Flight Time
00h 19m

Driving Distance

Road route
203.85 mi
Kilometers
328.07 km
Drive Time
04h 06m

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 06m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Reston
Thu, Apr 23, 3:42 AM EDT
Return by in Chesapeake
Thu, Apr 23, 7:49 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Chesapeake
2026-04-22T23:36
Arrive Reston
Thu, Apr 23, 3:42 AM EDT
Route Timing
04h 06m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:07 AM to 12:07 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
8:46 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 mi
02h 03m
To Reston
101.9 mi
02h 03m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
82°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph SW
Destination
72°F
Wednesday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
8 mph W

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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 left

    1 mi · 1 min

  24. 24

    Merge slight left

    35 mi · 41 min

  25. 25

    Keep slight right to continue on Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway

    1 km · 52 sec · Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway

  26. 26

    Take the exit slight right toward I 495 North: Tysons Corner

    1.4 mi · 2 min

  27. 27

    Merge slight left onto Capital Beltway

    1 mi · 1 min · Capital Beltway

  28. 28

    Keep slight right to continue on Capital Beltway

    9.5 mi · 12 min · Capital Beltway

  29. 29

    Take the exit slight left toward VA 267 Toll West: Reston, Herndon, Dulles Airport

    1614 ft · 39 sec

  30. 30

    Merge slight right onto Dulles Toll Road

    1.1 mi · 1 min · Dulles Toll Road

  31. 31

    Keep slight left

    1869 ft · 23 sec

  32. 32

    Merge slight right onto Dulles Toll Road

    80 m · 4 sec · Dulles Toll Road

  33. 33

    Take the exit slight right toward VA 7: Tysons Corner, Leesburg, Leesburg Pike

    1499 ft · 37 sec

  34. 34

    Keep slight right to continue on VA 7 West: Leesburg Pike, Leesburg

    702 ft · 17 sec

  35. 35

    Merge slight left onto Leesburg Pike

    4.6 mi · 7 min · Leesburg Pike

  36. 36

    Turn left onto Baron Cameron Avenue

    1.6 mi · 3 min · Baron Cameron Avenue

  37. 37

    Turn left onto Village Road

    112 m · 16 sec · Village Road

  38. 38

    At the end of the road, turn right onto North Shore Drive

    157 m · 23 sec · North Shore Drive

  39. 39

    Turn left onto Washington Plaza North

    70 m · 17 sec · Washington Plaza North

  40. 40

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Washington Plaza North

Car Route Details

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

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
40 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
15
9 merges, 6 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
19.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 95 North
85.7 mi · 42%
Hampton Roads Beltway
70.7 mi · 35%
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
11.9 mi · 6%
Capital Beltway
10.5 mi · 5%
Leesburg Pike
4.63 mi · 2%
Granby Street
3.95 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
04h 06m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
08h 14m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+44.4 mi
159.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Ashland
02h 03m from Chesapeake
Leave By
8:46 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

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

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 203.9 miles (328.1 km) and usually takes 04h 06m 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 miles from Chesapeake and 101.9 miles from Reston.

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

The direct path is about 159.5 miles (256.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 44.4 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 8:46 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $28.48 one way or $56.96 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 63.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

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 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 11.8 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 11.7 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 11.7 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 Reston. Straight-line distance: 159.49 mi (256.68 km).

Chesapeake

#1 Chesapeake

The second most populous city in Virginia.

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

#2 Reston

Census-designated place in Fairfax County, Virginia, United States

Population58,404
Coordinates38.9687200, -77.3411000
Altitude100
CountryUnited States
Start: Chesapeake (-76.27494, 36.81904)
End: Reston (-77.3411, 38.96872)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 328 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 47m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 05m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 04m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 23m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 54m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 32m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
7.19 gal
27.23 L · about $28.48
Round trip
$56.96
14.38 gal · 54.46 L
Estimated CO2
63.9 kg one way
Round trip: 127.8 kg / 282 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $28.48 $56.96
Mid-grade $4.43 $31.84 $63.69
Premium $4.78 $34.35 $68.71
Diesel $5.62 $40.44 $80.87

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 Chesapeake and Reston. The current time is 23:36:15.

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.