How far is Forest, VA from Virginia Beach, VA?
The driving distance from Forest, VA to Virginia Beach, VA is about 215.7 miles (347.2 km), with a travel time of about 03h 54m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 185.9 miles (299.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 49m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
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.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 54m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
The capital of Virginia.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Forest and Virginia Beach.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Forest and Virginia Beach.
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1
Start on the route
29 m · 14 sec
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2
Turn left
32 m · 8 sec
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3
At the end of the road, turn right onto Forest Road
2.8 mi · 5 min · Forest Road
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4
Turn right onto Graves Mill Road
1.5 mi · 3 min · Graves Mill Road
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5
Take the ramp right
1210 ft · 30 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Lynchburg Expressway
2.5 mi · 3 min · Lynchburg Expressway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward US 501 South, VA 128 East
1248 ft · 43 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Candlers Mountain Road
2773 ft · 1 min · Candlers Mountain Road
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9
Keep slight left to continue on US 29 North, US 460 East, US 501 South: Charlottesville, Appomattox, South Boston
20.6 mi · 27 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward VA 24 East, VA 131 South: To Route 60, Appomattox
879 ft · 21 sec
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11
Turn slight left
18.7 mi · 21 min
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12
Continue on West James Anderson Highway
7.7 mi · 10 min · West James Anderson Highway
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13
Continue on East James Anderson Highway
8.1 mi · 9 min · East James Anderson Highway
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14
Continue on Anderson Highway
36.7 mi · 48 min · Anderson Highway
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15
Continue on Midlothian Turnpike
1.5 km · 1 min · Midlothian Turnpike
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16
Turn right onto Old Hundred Road
2.5 mi · 4 min · Old Hundred Road
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17
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Old Hundred Road
45 m · 5 sec · Old Hundred Road
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18
Exit the roundabout onto Old Hundred Road
2.5 mi · 4 min · Old Hundred Road
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19
Continue on Powhite Parkway
9.7 mi · 13 min · Powhite Parkway
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20
Keep slight right to continue on Powhite Parkway
1.8 mi · 3 min · Powhite Parkway
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21
Keep slight right
1.5 km · 1 min
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22
Merge slight left onto Downtown Expressway
2.9 mi · 4 min · Downtown Expressway
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23
Keep slight left to continue on I 95 North: Washington, Charlottesville, Norfolk, Richmond International Airport
1735 ft · 39 sec
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24
Merge slight left onto Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
1.1 km · 54 sec · Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
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25
Take the exit slight right toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach, 7th Street
930 ft · 14 sec
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26
Keep slight left to continue on I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach
1489 ft · 23 sec
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27
Merge slight left
77.4 mi · 1 hr 28 min
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28
Keep slight left to continue on Hampton Roads Beltway
104 m · 5 sec · Hampton Roads Beltway
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29
Continue on Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
3.5 mi · 5 min · Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
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30
Continue on Hampton Roads Beltway
11.9 mi · 15 min · Hampton Roads Beltway
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31
Take the exit slight right toward I 264 East, I 264 West: Va Beach, Downtown Norfolk, Portsmouth
914 ft · 14 sec
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32
Keep slight left to continue on I 264 East: Va Beach
3229 ft · 1 min
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33
Merge slight right onto Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway
11.8 mi · 16 min · Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway
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34
Continue on 21st Street
2247 ft · 54 sec · 21st Street
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35
Turn left onto Arctic Avenue
1553 ft · 46 sec · Arctic Avenue
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36
Turn right onto 25th Street
139 m · 12 sec · 25th Street
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37
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 25th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Forest and Virginia Beach.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 64 East
Merge slight left
77.4 mi · 01h 28m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Forest and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Virginia Beach.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Forest to Virginia Beach?
The road trip is about 215.7 miles (347.2 km) and usually takes 03h 54m 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?
Richmond is a useful midpoint, sitting about 114.3 miles from Forest and 101.3 miles from Virginia Beach.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 185.9 miles (299.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 29.8 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:10 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $30.14 one way or $60.29 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 67.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Forest and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Virginia Beach.
Stop Ideas Near Richmond
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Town Hall
Old City Hall
City of Richmond Virginia (City Hall)
City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Richmond.
Richmond Main Street Station
Richmond Staples Mill Road station
Ashland
Petersburg station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Forest and Virginia Beach. Straight-line distance: 185.85 mi (299.1 km).
#1 Forest
Census-designated place in Bedford County, Virginia, United States
| Population | 9,106 |
| Coordinates | 37.3637500, -79.2897500 |
| Altitude | 269 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Virginia Beach
The most populous city in Virginia, Virginia Beach is a major center for tourism, military, and business.
| Population | 451,231 |
| Coordinates | 36.8529300, -75.9779900 |
| Altitude | 3 |
| Country | United States |
End: 25th Street (-75.978053, 36.853161)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 347 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 11m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 23m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 18m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 35m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 04m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 41m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $30.14 | $60.29 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $33.70 | $67.41 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $36.36 | $72.72 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $42.80 | $85.60 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.