How far is Norfolk, VA from Brightwood, VA?
The driving distance from Norfolk, VA to Brightwood, VA is about 181.8 miles (292.5 km), with a travel time of about 03h 48m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 150.8 miles (242.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 37m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EST.
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 48m.
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 Frederick County, Maryland, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Norfolk and Brightwood.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Norfolk and Brightwood.
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1
Start on East City Hall Avenue
2127 ft · 43 sec · East City Hall Avenue
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2
Keep slight left to continue on VA 337: Tidewater Drive
645 ft · 28 sec
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3
Merge slight left onto Tidewater Drive
4.6 mi · 10 min · Tidewater Drive
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4
Turn left
1157 ft · 28 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto Hampton Roads Beltway
5.6 mi · 8 min · Hampton Roads Beltway
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6
Continue on Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
3.5 mi · 5 min · Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
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7
Continue on Hampton Roads Beltway
5.9 mi · 8 min · Hampton Roads Beltway
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8
Keep slight left
61.1 mi · 1 hr 8 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward I 295, US 60: Washington, Rocky Mount NC
2434 ft · 32 sec
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10
Keep slight right to continue on I 295 North: Washington
1.3 mi · 3 min
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11
Merge slight left onto Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
22.6 mi · 25 min · Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
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12
Keep slight right to continue on I 64 West: Charlottesville
2936 ft · 55 sec
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13
Merge slight left onto I 64 West: Charlottesville
40.2 mi · 43 min
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14
Take the exit slight right toward US 15: Gordonsville, Palmyra
883 ft · 21 sec
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15
Keep slight right to continue on US 15: Gordonsville, Palmyra
853 ft · 23 sec
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16
Turn straight onto James Madison Highway
10.8 mi · 15 min · James Madison Highway
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17
Continue on Martinsburg Avenue
2048 ft · 35 sec · Martinsburg Avenue
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18
Continue on South Main Street
1.1 km · 1 min · South Main Street
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19
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward North Main Street
36 m · 2 sec · North Main Street
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20
Exit the roundabout onto North Main Street
830 ft · 14 sec · North Main Street
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21
Turn right onto Blue Ridge Turnpike
6.1 mi · 11 min · Blue Ridge Turnpike
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22
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Blue Ridge Turnpike
37 m · 3 sec · Blue Ridge Turnpike
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23
Exit the roundabout onto Blue Ridge Turnpike
9.9 mi · 17 min · Blue Ridge Turnpike
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24
Continue on Fairground Road
1.7 mi · 3 min · Fairground Road
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25
Turn slight right onto South Seminole Trail
5 mi · 7 min · South Seminole Trail
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26
Turn left onto Ridgeview Road
1437 ft · 39 sec · Ridgeview Road
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Ridgeview Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Norfolk and Brightwood.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Hampton Roads Beltway
Keep slight left
61.1 mi · 01h 08m
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.
Sunny leaving Norfolk and Sunny near Brightwood.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Norfolk to Brightwood?
The road trip is about 181.8 miles (292.5 km) and usually takes 03h 48m 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 90.8 miles from Norfolk and 91 miles from Brightwood.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 150.8 miles (242.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 31 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 9:22 AM EST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.75 one way or $49.50 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 57 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Norfolk and Sunny near Brightwood.
Stop Ideas Near Mechanicsville
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 Mechanicsville.
Richmond Main Street Station
Richmond Staples Mill Road station
Ashland
Petersburg station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Norfolk and Brightwood. Straight-line distance: 150.79 mi (242.68 km).
#1 Norfolk
The most populous city in Virginia.
| Population | 242,803 |
| Coordinates | 36.8468100, -76.2852200 |
| Altitude | 2 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Brightwood
Brightwood is a place in Virginia, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 38.4215200, -78.1936100 |
| Altitude | 179 |
| Country | United States |
End: Brightwood (-78.19361, 38.42152)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 293 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 03m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 32m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 38m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 01m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 35m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 16m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.86 | $24.75 | $49.50 |
| Mid-grade | $4.35 | $27.89 | $55.78 |
| Premium | $4.77 | $30.57 | $61.14 |
| Diesel | $6.16 | $39.47 | $78.93 |
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 09, 2026