How far is Galax, VA from Chesapeake, VA?

The driving distance from Galax, VA to Chesapeake, VA is about 301.5 miles (485.2 km), with a travel time of about 05h 27m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 257.6 miles (414.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 54m 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
301.52 mi
05h 27m
Flight
257.61 mi
414.59 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Galax.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
257.61 mi
Kilometers
414.59 km
Flight Time
00h 31m

Driving Distance

Road route
301.52 mi
Kilometers
485.25 km
Drive Time
05h 27m

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 05h 27m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Chesapeake
Thu, Apr 16, 1:23 AM EDT
Return by in Galax
Thu, Apr 16, 6:50 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Galax
2026-04-15T19:55
Arrive Chesapeake
Thu, Apr 16, 1:23 AM EDT
Route Timing
05h 27m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
11:27 AM to 1:27 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
6:06 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Galax
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
Virgilina
VA

Town of the United States

From Galax
162.2 mi
02h 43m
To Chesapeake
139.3 mi
02h 43m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
58°F
Overnight

Mostly Clear

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 5:00 AM EDT
Wind
6 mph W
Destination
92°F
Today

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 9:00 AM EDT
Wind
7 to 10 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    11 m · 5 sec

  2. 2

    Turn right onto East Oldtown Street

    48 m · 15 sec · East Oldtown Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto South Main Street

    2.5 mi · 4 min · South Main Street

  4. 4

    Continue on Skyline Highway

    4.9 mi · 7 min · Skyline Highway

  5. 5

    Continue on West Pine Street

    13.7 mi · 22 min · West Pine Street

  6. 6

    Take the ramp right toward I 74 East: Winston-Salem

    1 km · 1 min

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    11.2 mi · 12 min

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto Pilot Mountain Parkway

    20.5 mi · 23 min · Pilot Mountain Parkway

  9. 9

    Keep slight left to continue on NC 74 East

    13.3 mi · 16 min

  10. 10

    Keep slight left to continue on US 421 South: Greensboro

    1.1 mi · 2 min

  11. 11

    Merge slight left onto Salem Parkway

    11.4 mi · 13 min · Salem Parkway

  12. 12

    Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East: Greensboro, Martinsville

    7.8 mi · 10 min

  13. 13

    Merge slight right

    1.8 mi · 2 min

  14. 14

    Keep slight left

    36.8 mi · 43 min

  15. 15

    Keep slight left to continue on I 85 North: Durham

    9.4 mi · 11 min

  16. 16

    Keep slight left

    1.8 mi · 2 min

  17. 17

    Continue straight

    4.3 mi · 5 min

  18. 18

    Keep slight left

    37.1 mi · 40 min

  19. 19

    Turn straight

    4.9 mi · 5 min

  20. 20

    Take the exit slight right toward US 1, US 158: Norlina

    1002 ft · 32 sec

  21. 21

    Turn left

    8.6 mi · 11 min

  22. 22

    Turn right

    1.2 mi · 1 min

  23. 23

    Continue straight

    5 mi · 6 min

  24. 24

    At the end of the road, turn left

    28 mi · 33 min

  25. 25

    Take the exit left

    955 ft · 23 sec

  26. 26

    Merge slight left onto Congressman G K Butterfield Highway

    19.3 mi · 21 min · Congressman G K Butterfield Highway

  27. 27

    Take the exit slight right toward US 58 East: Emporia, Norfolk

    683 ft · 17 sec

  28. 28

    Keep slight left to continue on US 58 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach

    735 ft · 18 sec

  29. 29

    Merge slight left

    68.1 mi · 1 hr 29 min

  30. 30

    Take the exit slight right toward I 264 East, I 64, US 13 North: Portsmouth, Norfolk, Va Beach

    1.2 km · 2 min

  31. 31

    Keep slight left to continue on I 264 East, I 64, US 13 North: Portsmouth, Norfolk, Va Beach

    2322 ft · 57 sec

  32. 32

    Merge slight left onto Hampton Roads Beltway

    3026 ft · 43 sec · Hampton Roads Beltway

  33. 33

    Take the exit slight left toward I 264 East: Portsmouth, Norfolk

    1.2 km · 1 min

  34. 34

    Continue straight

    3.7 mi · 5 min

  35. 35

    Take the exit slight right toward VA 164 West, US 17: Martin Luther King Jr Expressway, Norfolk, Frederick Boulevard

    920 ft · 23 sec

  36. 36

    Keep slight right to continue on US 17: Frederick Boulevard

    1070 ft · 28 sec

  37. 37

    Turn right onto Frederick Boulevard

    1.2 mi · 2 min · Frederick Boulevard

  38. 38

    At the end of the road, turn left onto George Washington Highway

    1964 ft · 50 sec · George Washington Highway

  39. 39

    Turn right onto Elm Avenue

    1.3 km · 1 min · Elm Avenue

  40. 40

    Continue on South Norfolk Jordan Bridge

    1.1 mi · 2 min · South Norfolk Jordan Bridge

  41. 41

    Turn straight onto Poindexter Street

    1.1 km · 1 min · Poindexter Street

  42. 42

    Turn left onto D Street

    126 m · 18 sec · D Street

  43. 43

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · D Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Long-distance drive

This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.

Directions
43 steps
11 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
14
7 merges, 7 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
14.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US 58 East
68.4 mi · 23%
I 85 North
52.6 mi · 17%
I 40 East
46.3 mi · 15%
Pilot Mountain Parkway
20.5 mi · 7%
Congressman G K Butterfield Highway
19.3 mi · 6%
West Pine Street
13.7 mi · 5%
Longest Stretch

US 58 East

Merge slight left

68.1 mi · 01h 29m

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
05h 27m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
10h 54m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+43.9 mi
257.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Virgilina
02h 43m from Galax
Leave By
6:06 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Clear leaving Galax and Sunny near Chesapeake.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 301.5 miles (485.2 km) and usually takes 05h 27m 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?

Virgilina is a useful midpoint, sitting about 162.2 miles from Galax and 139.3 miles from Chesapeake.

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

The direct path is about 257.6 miles (414.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 43.9 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 6:06 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $42.15 one way or $84.29 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 94.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Virgilina

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Virgilina, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Virgilina.

RAIL

Danville

55 mi away
677 Craghead St.
RAIL

Durham

62 mi away
400 W. Chapel Hill Street
RAIL

Burlington

77 mi away
101 North Main Street
RAIL

Cary

84 mi away
211 North Academy Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Galax and Chesapeake. Straight-line distance: 257.61 mi (414.59 km).

Galax

#1 Galax

Independent city in Virginia, United States

Population6,296
Coordinates36.6612400, -80.9239700
Altitude723
CountryUnited States
Chesapeake

#2 Chesapeake

The second most populous city in Virginia.

Population247,011
Coordinates36.8190400, -76.2749400
Altitude3
CountryUnited States
Start: (-80.923917, 36.661253)
End: D Street (-76.275044, 36.81897)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 485 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)10h 02m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)07h 32m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)06h 01m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)05h 01m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)04h 18m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 45m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
10.64 gal
40.28 L · about $42.15
Round trip
$84.29
21.28 gal · 80.56 L
Estimated CO2
94.6 kg one way
Round trip: 189.1 kg / 417 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $42.15 $84.29
Mid-grade $4.43 $47.12 $94.25
Premium $4.78 $50.84 $101.68
Diesel $5.62 $59.84 $119.68

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 15, 2026

There is no time difference between Galax and Chesapeake. The current time is 19:55:50.

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.