How far is Merrimac, VA from Norfolk, VA?

The driving distance from Merrimac, VA to Norfolk, VA is about 177.8 miles (286.2 km), with a travel time of about 03h 05m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 148.1 miles (238.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 10m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EST.
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
177.86 mi
03h 05m
Flight
148.1 mi
238.34 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Merrimac.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
148.1 mi
Kilometers
238.34 km
Flight Time
00h 17m

Driving Distance

Road route
177.86 mi
Kilometers
286.24 km
Drive Time
03h 05m

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 05m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Norfolk
Sun, Nov 8, 12:04 PM EST
Return by in Merrimac
Sun, Nov 8, 3:09 PM EST
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Merrimac
2026-11-08T08:59
Arrive Norfolk
Sun, Nov 8, 12:04 PM EST
Route Timing
03h 05m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EST
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:05 AM to 11:05 AM EST

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
10:50 AM EST
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Merrimac
9:00 PM EST
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
Mechanicsville
VA

Town in Frederick County, Maryland, United States

From Merrimac
88.4 mi
01h 32m
To Norfolk
89.5 mi
01h 32m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
65°F
Sunday

Patchy Frost then Sunny

Starts
Sun, Nov 8 6:00 AM EST
Wind
6 to 9 mph SW
Destination
44°F
Overnight

Partly Cloudy

Starts
Sun, Nov 8 2:00 AM EST
Wind
6 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Merrimac and Norfolk.

  1. 1

    Start on James Monroe Highway

    4.3 mi · 5 min · James Monroe Highway

  2. 2

    Continue on James Madison Highway

    1 mi · 1 min · James Madison Highway

  3. 3

    Take the exit slight right toward US 522, VA 3: Mineral, Fredericksburg

    1126 ft · 31 sec

  4. 4

    Turn right onto Germanna Highway

    18 mi · 25 min · Germanna Highway

  5. 5

    Continue on Plank Road

    12.3 mi · 19 min · Plank Road

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward I 95 South: Richmond

    2034 ft · 49 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    44.2 mi · 48 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 Merrimac 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
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
8
3 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
12.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 64 East
68.1 mi · 38%
I 95 South
44.6 mi · 25%
Germanna Highway
18 mi · 10%
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
13 mi · 7%
Plank Road
12.3 mi · 7%
Hampton Roads Beltway
4.47 mi · 3%
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 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
03h 05m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 10m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+29.7 mi
148.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Mechanicsville
01h 32m from Merrimac
Leave By
10:50 AM EST
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Patchy Frost then Sunny leaving Merrimac and Partly Cloudy near Norfolk.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Merrimac to Norfolk?

The road trip is about 177.8 miles (286.2 km) and usually takes 03h 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?

Mechanicsville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 88.4 miles from Merrimac and 89.5 miles from Norfolk.

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

The direct path is about 148.1 miles (238.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 29.7 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 EST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:50 AM EST.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.44 one way or $48.88 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 55.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Patchy Frost then Sunny around Merrimac and Partly Cloudy near Norfolk.

Stop Ideas Near Mechanicsville

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 Mechanicsville and the surrounding midpoint area.
Town Hall
Food stop 7.7 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 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 5.9 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 5.9 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 Mechanicsville.

RAIL

Richmond Main Street Station

10 mi away
1500 East Main Street
RAIL

Richmond Staples Mill Road station

11 mi away
7519 Staples Mill Road
RAIL

Ashland

19 mi away
112 North Railroad Avenue
RAIL

Petersburg station

41 mi away
3516 South Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Merrimac and Norfolk. Straight-line distance: 148.1 mi (238.34 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Merrimac

Merrimac is a place in Virginia, United States.

Population0
Coordinates38.4526300, -78.0786100
Altitude181
CountryUnited States
Norfolk

#2 Norfolk

The most populous city in Virginia.

Population242,803
Coordinates36.8468100, -76.2852200
Altitude2
CountryUnited States
Start: US 29 (-78.078568, 38.452567)
End: US 460 Alternate (-76.285227, 36.846793)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 286 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 55m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 26m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 33m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 57m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 32m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 13m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.28 gal
23.76 L · about $24.44
Round trip
$48.88
12.56 gal · 47.52 L
Estimated CO2
55.8 kg one way
Round trip: 111.6 kg / 246 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.89 $24.44 $48.88
Mid-grade $4.39 $27.59 $55.19
Premium $4.80 $30.13 $60.25
Diesel $6.18 $38.80 $77.61

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 · Nov 07, 2026

There is no time difference between Merrimac and Norfolk. The current time is 08:59:41.

Distance to Other Cities

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.