How far is Newport News, VA from Petersburg, VA?

The driving distance from Newport News, VA to Petersburg, VA is about 181.1 miles (291.4 km), with a travel time of about 02h 59m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 152.8 miles (245.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 59m 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
181.07 mi
02h 59m
Flight
152.8 mi
245.91 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Newport News.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
152.8 mi
Kilometers
245.91 km
Flight Time
00h 18m

Driving Distance

Road route
181.07 mi
Kilometers
291.4 km
Drive Time
02h 59m

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 59m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Petersburg
Mon, Jun 1, 3:44 PM EDT
Return by in Newport News
Mon, Jun 1, 6:43 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Newport News
2026-06-01T12:44
Arrive Petersburg
Mon, Jun 1, 3:44 PM EDT
Route Timing
02h 59m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
11:00 AM to 1:00 PM EDT

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

Leave by
12:30 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Newport News
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
Ashland
VA

Town in Virginia, United States

From Newport News
90.3 mi
01h 29m
To Petersburg
90.7 mi
01h 29m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
79°F
Monday

Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Mon, Jun 1 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
8 to 13 mph W
Destination
73°F
Monday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Mon, Jun 1 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 8 mph N

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Newport News and Petersburg.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Newport News and Petersburg.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    25 m · 12 sec

  2. 2

    Turn left

    126 m · 32 sec

  3. 3

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Thimble Shoals Boulevard

    593 ft · 20 sec · Thimble Shoals Boulevard

  4. 4

    Turn left onto Diligence Drive

    2366 ft · 1 min · Diligence Drive

  5. 5

    Turn left onto J Clyde Morris Boulevard

    1.1 km · 1 min · J Clyde Morris Boulevard

  6. 6

    Continue on J Clyde Morris Boulevard

    51 m · 10 sec · J Clyde Morris Boulevard

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward I 64 West: Williamsburg, Richmond

    1272 ft · 31 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left

    56.6 mi · 1 hr 2 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward I 295, US 60: Washington, Rocky Mount NC

    2434 ft · 32 sec

  10. 10

    Keep slight right to continue on I 295 North: Washington

    1.3 mi · 3 min

  11. 11

    Merge slight left onto Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway

    11.9 mi · 13 min · Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight left toward I 95 North: Washington

    2.4 mi · 3 min

  13. 13

    Merge slight right

    45.7 mi · 50 min

  14. 14

    Keep slight right

    1.6 mi · 2 min

  15. 15

    Keep slight right to continue on US 17 Business: Falmouth

    1635 ft · 42 sec

  16. 16

    Turn left onto Warrenton Road

    22.9 mi · 33 min · Warrenton Road

  17. 17

    Continue on Marsh Road

    4.2 mi · 7 min · Marsh Road

  18. 18

    Turn right onto James Madison Highway

    4.6 mi · 6 min · James Madison Highway

  19. 19

    Continue on Eastern Bypass

    2.4 mi · 3 min · Eastern Bypass

  20. 20

    Keep slight right to continue on Eastern Bypass

    2.3 mi · 3 min · Eastern Bypass

  21. 21

    Continue on James Madison Highway

    6.7 mi · 9 min · James Madison Highway

  22. 22

    Continue on Winchester Road

    2.7 mi · 4 min · Winchester Road

  23. 23

    Turn left

    9.5 mi · 10 min

  24. 24

    Take the exit slight right toward SR 688: Markham

    1238 ft · 26 sec

  25. 25

    Turn left onto Leeds Manor Road

    724 ft · 28 sec · Leeds Manor Road

  26. 26

    Turn right onto John Marshall Highway

    3 mi · 5 min · John Marshall Highway

  27. 27

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · John Marshall Highway

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Newport News and Petersburg.

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
27 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
3 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
14.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 64 West
56.9 mi · 31%
I 95 North
49.7 mi · 27%
Warrenton Road
22.9 mi · 13%
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
11.9 mi · 7%
James Madison Highway
11.3 mi · 6%
Eastern Bypass
4.78 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

I 64 West

Merge slight left

56.6 mi · 01h 02m

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 59m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
06h 00m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+28.3 mi
152.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Ashland
01h 29m from Newport News
Leave By
12:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Newport News and Mostly Sunny near Petersburg.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Newport News to Petersburg?

The road trip is about 181.1 miles (291.4 km) and usually takes 02h 59m 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?

Ashland is a useful midpoint, sitting about 90.3 miles from Newport News and 90.7 miles from Petersburg.

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

The direct path is about 152.8 miles (245.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 28.3 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 12:30 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $25.31 one way or $50.62 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 56.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers around Newport News and Mostly Sunny near Petersburg.

Stop Ideas Near Ashland

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Ashland, 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 Ashland.

RAIL

Ashland

112 North Railroad Avenue
RAIL

Richmond Staples Mill Road station

16 mi away
7519 Staples Mill Road
RAIL

Richmond Main Street Station

25 mi away
1500 East Main Street
RAIL

Petersburg station

58 mi away
3516 South Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Newport News and Petersburg. Straight-line distance: 152.8 mi (245.91 km).

Newport News

#1 Newport News

The second most populous city in Virginia.

Population179,062
Coordinates37.0833900, -76.4696500
Altitude6
CountryUnited States
Petersburg

#2 Petersburg

Independent city in Virginia, United States

Population30,446
Coordinates38.9092800, -78.0533300
Altitude240
CountryUnited States
Start: (-76.469409, 37.08343)
End: John Marshall Highway (-78.053329, 38.909317)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 291 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 01m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 31m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 37m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 01m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 35m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 15m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.39 gal
24.19 L · about $25.31
Round trip
$50.62
12.78 gal · 48.38 L
Estimated CO2
56.8 kg one way
Round trip: 113.6 kg / 250 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $25.31 $50.62
Mid-grade $4.43 $28.30 $56.60
Premium $4.78 $30.53 $61.06
Diesel $5.62 $35.94 $71.87

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

There is no time difference between Newport News and Petersburg. The current time is 12:44:36.

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.