How far is Gretna, VA from Virginia Beach, VA?
The driving distance from Gretna, VA to Virginia Beach, VA is about 222.6 miles (358.2 km), with a travel time of about 04h 05m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 186.9 miles (300.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 11m 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 04h 05m.
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.
Town in Virginia, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Gretna and Virginia Beach.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gretna and Virginia Beach.
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1
Start on Northside Drive
772 ft · 25 sec · Northside Drive
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2
Turn left onto Main Street
10.3 mi · 15 min · Main Street
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3
Take the exit slight right toward VA 57
725 ft · 24 sec
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4
Turn left onto Halifax Road
14.5 mi · 20 min · Halifax Road
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5
Continue on Chatham Road
12.9 mi · 19 min · Chatham Road
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6
Continue on Mountain Road
3.5 mi · 5 min · Mountain Road
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7
At the end of the road, turn right onto South Main Street
2011 ft · 1 min · South Main Street
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8
Continue on Halifax Road
1.9 mi · 4 min · Halifax Road
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9
Turn left onto Old Halifax Road
1.4 km · 2 min · Old Halifax Road
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10
Continue on North Main Street
1.8 mi · 3 min · North Main Street
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11
Turn left onto Hodges Street
2877 ft · 1 min · Hodges Street
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12
Turn right onto John Randolph Boulevard
2085 ft · 40 sec · John Randolph Boulevard
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13
Continue on James D Hagood Highway
1572 ft · 32 sec · James D Hagood Highway
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14
Continue on John Randolph Boulevard
2202 ft · 44 sec · John Randolph Boulevard
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15
Turn left onto Bill Tuck Highway
18.1 mi · 23 min · Bill Tuck Highway
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16
Continue on Clarksville Bypass
3.6 mi · 5 min · Clarksville Bypass
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17
Keep slight right to continue on Clarksville Bypass
19.2 mi · 25 min · Clarksville Bypass
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18
Continue on Highway 1
3.5 mi · 5 min · Highway 1
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19
Continue on South Hill Bypass
3.3 mi · 5 min · South Hill Bypass
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20
Continue on East Atlantic Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · East Atlantic Street
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21
Continue on Highway 58
3.6 mi · 5 min · Highway 58
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22
Continue on Piney Pond Road
1.2 mi · 2 min · Piney Pond Road
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23
Continue on Governor Harrison Parkway
22.5 mi · 30 min · Governor Harrison Parkway
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24
Continue on Pleasant Shade Drive
6.4 mi · 9 min · Pleasant Shade Drive
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25
Continue on West Atlantic Street
5.1 mi · 7 min · West Atlantic Street
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26
Continue on Southampton Parkway
62.1 mi · 1 hr 21 min · Southampton Parkway
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27
Continue on West Military Highway
1.7 mi · 2 min · West Military Highway
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28
Take the exit slight right toward I 264 East, I 64, US 13 North: Portsmouth, Norfolk, Va Beach
1.2 km · 2 min
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29
Keep slight left to continue on I 264 East, I 64, US 13 North: Portsmouth, Norfolk, Va Beach
2322 ft · 57 sec
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30
Merge slight left onto Hampton Roads Beltway
3026 ft · 43 sec · Hampton Roads Beltway
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31
Take the exit slight left toward I 264 East: Portsmouth, Norfolk
1.2 km · 1 min
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32
Continue straight
7.2 mi · 11 min
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33
Keep slight right
17.2 mi · 23 min
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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 Gretna 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.
Southampton Parkway
Continue on Southampton Parkway
62.1 mi · 01h 21m
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.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Gretna and Partly Sunny near Virginia Beach.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Gretna to Virginia Beach?
The road trip is about 222.6 miles (358.2 km) and usually takes 04h 05m 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?
Lawrenceville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 113.5 miles from Gretna and 109.1 miles from Virginia Beach.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 186.9 miles (300.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 35.7 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 8:48 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $31.09 one way or $62.19 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 69.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Gretna and Partly Sunny near Virginia Beach.
Stop Ideas Near Lawrenceville
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Lawrenceville.
Petersburg station
Rocky Mount
Richmond Main Street Station
Richmond Staples Mill Road station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Gretna and Virginia Beach. Straight-line distance: 186.91 mi (300.81 km).
#1 Gretna
Town of the United States
| Population | 1,179 |
| Coordinates | 36.9537500, -79.3589100 |
| Altitude | 256 |
| 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 (-75.978051, 36.853145)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 358 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 25m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 33m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 27m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 42m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 10m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 46m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $31.09 | $62.19 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $34.77 | $69.54 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $37.51 | $75.01 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $44.15 | $88.30 |
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 · Jun 01, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.