How far is Norfolk, VA from Bristow, VA?

The driving distance from Norfolk, VA to Bristow, VA is about 181.1 miles (291.5 km), with a travel time of about 03h 40m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 146.5 miles (235.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 21m 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
181.12 mi
03h 40m
Flight
146.51 mi
235.79 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Norfolk.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
146.51 mi
Kilometers
235.79 km
Flight Time
00h 17m

Driving Distance

Road route
181.12 mi
Kilometers
291.49 km
Drive Time
03h 40m

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 40m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Bristow
Sun, Apr 12, 3:02 AM EDT
Return by in Norfolk
Sun, Apr 12, 6:43 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Norfolk
2026-04-11T23:22
Arrive Bristow
Sun, Apr 12, 3:02 AM EDT
Route Timing
03h 40m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:41 AM to 11:41 AM EDT

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

Leave by
9:38 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Norfolk
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
Mechanicsville
VA

Town in Frederick County, Maryland, United States

From Norfolk
90.6 mi
01h 50m
To Bristow
90.5 mi
01h 50m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
70°F
Saturday

Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 11 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
6 to 15 mph N
Destination
71°F
Saturday

Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 11 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
8 to 13 mph N

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on East City Hall Avenue

    2127 ft · 43 sec · East City Hall Avenue

  2. 2

    Keep slight left to continue on VA 337: Tidewater Drive

    645 ft · 28 sec

  3. 3

    Merge slight left onto Tidewater Drive

    4.6 mi · 10 min · Tidewater Drive

  4. 4

    Turn left

    1157 ft · 28 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left onto Hampton Roads Beltway

    5.6 mi · 8 min · Hampton Roads Beltway

  6. 6

    Continue on Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel

    3.5 mi · 5 min · Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel

  7. 7

    Continue on Hampton Roads Beltway

    5.9 mi · 8 min · Hampton Roads Beltway

  8. 8

    Keep slight left

    61.1 mi · 1 hr 8 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 left

    1 mi · 1 min

  16. 16

    Merge slight left

    18.6 mi · 21 min

  17. 17

    Take the exit slight right toward VA 234 North: Manassas

    1717 ft · 42 sec

  18. 18

    Continue on Dumfries Road

    7.3 mi · 11 min · Dumfries Road

  19. 19

    Turn left onto Bristow Road

    9.2 mi · 16 min · Bristow Road

  20. 20

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Bristow Road

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Norfolk and Bristow.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
20 steps
2 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
8
5 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
11 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Hampton Roads Beltway
72.5 mi · 40%
I 95 North
69.3 mi · 38%
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
11.9 mi · 7%
Bristow Road
9.16 mi · 5%
Dumfries Road
7.31 mi · 4%
Tidewater Drive
4.56 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

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.

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 40m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 22m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+34.6 mi
146.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Mechanicsville
01h 50m from Norfolk
Leave By
9:38 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Norfolk and Sunny near Bristow.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 181.1 miles (291.5 km) and usually takes 03h 40m 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 90.6 miles from Norfolk and 90.5 miles from Bristow.

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

The direct path is about 146.5 miles (235.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 34.6 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 9:38 AM 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 Sunny around Norfolk and Sunny near Bristow.

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 6.5 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 6.4 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 6.4 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 Norfolk and Bristow. Straight-line distance: 146.51 mi (235.79 km).

Norfolk

#1 Norfolk

The most populous city in Virginia.

Population242,803
Coordinates36.8468100, -76.2852200
Altitude2
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Bristow

Bristow is a place in Virginia, United States.

Population0
Coordinates38.7228900, -77.5361000
Altitude60
CountryUnited States
Start: Norfolk (-76.28522, 36.84681)
End: Bristow (-77.5361, 38.72289)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 291 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 02m
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 · Apr 12, 2026

There is no time difference between Norfolk and Bristow. The current time is 23:22:01.

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.