How far is Dale City, VA from Norfolk, VA?

The driving distance from Dale City, VA to Norfolk, VA is about 169.7 miles (273.1 km), with a travel time of about 02h 53m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 135.8 miles (218.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 47m 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
169.72 mi
02h 53m
Flight
135.8 mi
218.55 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Dale City.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
135.8 mi
Kilometers
218.55 km
Flight Time
00h 16m

Driving Distance

Road route
169.72 mi
Kilometers
273.13 km
Drive Time
02h 53m

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 53m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Norfolk
Fri, May 1, 9:16 AM EDT
Return by in Dale City
Fri, May 1, 12:10 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Dale City
2026-05-01T06:22
Arrive Norfolk
Fri, May 1, 9:16 AM EDT
Route Timing
02h 53m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:54 AM to 12:54 PM EDT

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

Leave by
12:42 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Dale City
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

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
Highland Springs
VA

Census designated place

From Dale City
84.4 mi
01h 26m
To Norfolk
85.4 mi
01h 26m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
66°F
Friday

Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Fri, May 1 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
3 to 9 mph W
Destination
69°F
Friday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Fri, May 1 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
8 mph NE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Dale City and Norfolk.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Dale City and Norfolk.

  1. 1

    Start on Bayfield Drive

    13 m · 7 sec · Bayfield Drive

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Birchdale Avenue

    3155 ft · 2 min · Birchdale Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn left onto Dale Boulevard

    1.1 km · 1 min · Dale Boulevard

  4. 4

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 95 South: Richmond

    1.3 km · 1 min

  5. 5

    Keep slight left to continue on I 95 South

    1849 ft · 26 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    21.2 mi · 24 min

  7. 7

    Keep slight left

    48.6 mi · 53 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight left toward I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va Beach

    1.9 mi · 2 min

  9. 9

    Merge slight right onto Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway

    13 mi · 14 min · Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach

    1.3 mi · 3 min

  11. 11

    Merge slight left

    66.8 mi · 1 hr 15 min

  12. 12

    Keep slight left to continue on Hampton Roads Beltway

    104 m · 5 sec · Hampton Roads Beltway

  13. 13

    Continue on Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel

    3.5 mi · 5 min · Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel

  14. 14

    Continue on Hampton Roads Beltway

    4.4 mi · 6 min · Hampton Roads Beltway

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward I 564, US 460: Naval Base, Granby Street

    1006 ft · 22 sec

  16. 16

    Keep slight left to continue on US 460, VA 165: Granby Street, Little Creek Road

    870 ft · 19 sec

  17. 17

    Turn straight onto Granby Street

    3.1 mi · 8 min · Granby Street

  18. 18

    Continue on Church Street

    136 m · 10 sec · Church Street

  19. 19

    Turn right onto Monticello Avenue

    1.2 mi · 2 min · Monticello Avenue

  20. 20

    Continue on Saint Pauls Boulevard

    1.1 km · 1 min · Saint Pauls Boulevard

  21. 21

    Turn left onto East City Hall Avenue

    48 m · 10 sec · East City Hall Avenue

  22. 22

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East City Hall Avenue

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Dale City and Norfolk.

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
22 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
3 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
13 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 95 South
70.9 mi · 42%
I 64 East
68.1 mi · 40%
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
13 mi · 8%
Hampton Roads Beltway
4.47 mi · 3%
Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
3.5 mi · 2%
Granby Street
3.15 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

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.

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 53m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 48m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+33.9 mi
135.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Highland Springs
01h 26m from Dale City
Leave By
12:42 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Dale City and Mostly Sunny near Norfolk.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Dale City to Norfolk?

The road trip is about 169.7 miles (273.1 km) and usually takes 02h 53m 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?

Highland Springs is a useful midpoint, sitting about 84.4 miles from Dale City and 85.4 miles from Norfolk.

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

The direct path is about 135.8 miles (218.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 33.9 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 12:42 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.73 one way or $47.45 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 53.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers around Dale City and Mostly Sunny near Norfolk.

Stop Ideas Near Highland Springs

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 Highland Springs and the surrounding midpoint area.
Town Hall
Food stop 10.1 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 7.6 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 7.6 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 7.6 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 Highland Springs.

RAIL

Richmond Main Street Station

9 mi away
1500 East Main Street
RAIL

Richmond Staples Mill Road station

17 mi away
7519 Staples Mill Road
RAIL

Ashland

27 mi away
112 North Railroad Avenue
RAIL

Petersburg station

35 mi away
3516 South Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Dale City and Norfolk. Straight-line distance: 135.8 mi (218.55 km).

Dale City

#1 Dale City

Census designated place

Population65,969
Coordinates38.6370600, -77.3110900
Altitude70
CountryUnited States
Norfolk

#2 Norfolk

The most populous city in Virginia.

Population242,803
Coordinates36.8468100, -76.2852200
Altitude2
CountryUnited States
Start: Bayfield Drive (-77.311091, 38.637094)
End: US 460 Alternate (-76.285227, 36.846793)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 273 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 39m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 14m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 23m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 49m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 25m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 07m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.99 gal
22.67 L · about $23.73
Round trip
$47.45
11.98 gal · 45.34 L
Estimated CO2
53.2 kg one way
Round trip: 106.5 kg / 235 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $23.73 $47.45
Mid-grade $4.43 $26.53 $53.06
Premium $4.78 $28.62 $57.24
Diesel $5.62 $33.69 $67.38

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 01, 2026

There is no time difference between Dale City and Norfolk. The current time is 06:22:53.

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.