How far is Norfolk, VA from Chester, VA?

The driving distance from Norfolk, VA to Chester, VA is about 86.2 miles (138.7 km), with a travel time of about 01h 58m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 72.8 miles (117.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 57m 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
86.18 mi
01h 58m
Flight
72.82 mi
117.19 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Norfolk.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
72.82 mi
Kilometers
117.19 km
Flight Time
00h 08m

Driving Distance

Road route
86.18 mi
Kilometers
138.7 km
Drive Time
01h 58m

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 01h 58m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Chester
Fri, Sep 25, 12:36 AM EDT
Return by in Norfolk
Fri, Sep 25, 2:35 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Norfolk
2026-09-24T22:38
Arrive Chester
Fri, Sep 25, 12:36 AM EDT
Route Timing
01h 58m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:59 AM to 11:59 AM EDT

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

Leave by
2:32 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Norfolk
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
Surry
VA

Town in Virginia

From Norfolk
43 mi
00h 59m
To Chester
43.2 mi
00h 59m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
70°F
Today

Chance Light Rain

Starts
Thu, Sep 24 9:00 AM EDT
Wind
24 mph NE
Destination
56°F
Overnight

Cloudy

Starts
Thu, Sep 24 5:00 AM EDT
Wind
13 mph N

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on East City Hall Avenue

    37 m · 3 sec · East City Hall Avenue

  2. 2

    Take the ramp slight right toward US 460 West, I 264 Toll West, I 464: Portsmouth

    918 ft · 31 sec

  3. 3

    Merge slight left

    2.6 mi · 5 min

  4. 4

    Take the exit slight right toward VA 164 West: Martin Luther King Jr Expressway, Norfolk

    2001 ft · 38 sec

  5. 5

    Continue on Martin Luther King Jr Freeway

    2723 ft · 48 sec · Martin Luther King Jr Freeway

  6. 6

    Continue on Martin Luther King Freeway

    2952 ft · 56 sec · Martin Luther King Freeway

  7. 7

    Continue on Western Freeway

    7.4 mi · 10 min · Western Freeway

  8. 8

    Continue on Bridge Road

    6.5 mi · 11 min · Bridge Road

  9. 9

    Continue on Carrollton Boulevard

    2.4 mi · 3 min · Carrollton Boulevard

  10. 10

    Turn left onto Brewers Neck Boulevard

    2.9 mi · 4 min · Brewers Neck Boulevard

  11. 11

    Merge slight left onto Benns Church Boulevard

    12.1 mi · 16 min · Benns Church Boulevard

  12. 12

    Continue on Colonial Trail East

    9.9 mi · 11 min · Colonial Trail East

  13. 13

    Turn left onto Rolfe Highway

    1 mi · 2 min · Rolfe Highway

  14. 14

    Turn right onto Colonial Trail West

    13.3 mi · 15 min · Colonial Trail West

  15. 15

    Continue on James River Drive

    14.6 mi · 19 min · James River Drive

  16. 16

    Continue on East Randolph Road

    2.9 mi · 4 min · East Randolph Road

  17. 17

    Continue on East Hundred Road

    8.9 mi · 15 min · East Hundred Road

  18. 18

    Turn left onto Winfree Street

    82 m · 12 sec · Winfree Street

  19. 19

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Winfree Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
19 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
22 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
James River Drive
14.6 mi · 17%
Colonial Trail West
13.3 mi · 15%
Benns Church Boulevard
12.1 mi · 14%
Colonial Trail East
9.86 mi · 11%
East Hundred Road
8.93 mi · 10%
Western Freeway
7.39 mi · 9%
Longest Stretch

James River Drive

Continue on James River Drive

14.6 mi · 00h 19m

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
01h 58m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 58m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+13.4 mi
72.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Surry
00h 59m from Norfolk
Leave By
2:32 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Light Rain leaving Norfolk and Cloudy near Chester.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 86.2 miles (138.7 km) and usually takes 01h 58m 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?

Surry is a useful midpoint, sitting about 43 miles from Norfolk and 43.2 miles from Chester.

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

The direct path is about 72.8 miles (117.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.4 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 2:32 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $12.87 one way or $25.73 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 27 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Light Rain around Norfolk and Cloudy near Chester.

Stop Ideas Near Surry

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 Surry and the surrounding midpoint area.
Stop photo coming soon
Practical stop 13.5 mi away

James City County

Surry
County government office,Service establishment
James City County Government Center
Meeting point 10.6 mi away

James City County Government Center

Williamsburg , VA
101 Mounts Bay Rd, Williamsburg, VA 23185
Rating 2.3/5 3 reviews Municipal administration office,Economic development agency,Local government office,County government office,Municipal Department Communication,Municipal Department Finance,Municipal Department of Tourism
Legacy Hall
Nearby stop 11.3 mi away

Legacy Hall

Williamsburg , VA
4301 New Town Ave, Williamsburg, VA 23188
Rating 4.5/5 37 reviews Event venue

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Surry.

RAIL

Williamsburg Transportation Center

19 mi away
468 North Boundary Street
RAIL

Newport News station

37 mi away
9304 Warwick Boulevard
RAIL

Petersburg station

54 mi away
3516 South Street
BUS

Norfolk

58 mi away
215 W York Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Norfolk and Chester. Straight-line distance: 72.82 mi (117.19 km).

Norfolk

#1 Norfolk

The most populous city in Virginia.

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

#2 Chester

Chester is a place in Virginia, United States.

Population0
Coordinates37.3568200, -77.4416500
Altitude53
CountryUnited States
Start: Norfolk (-76.28522, 36.84681)
End: Chester (-77.44165, 37.35682)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 139 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 52m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 09m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 43m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 26m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 13m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 04m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.04 gal
11.51 L · about $12.87
Round trip
$25.73
6.08 gal · 23.02 L
Estimated CO2
27 kg one way
Round trip: 54 kg / 119 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.23 $12.87 $25.73
Mid-grade $4.72 $14.34 $28.68
Premium $5.10 $15.49 $30.98
Diesel $6.39 $19.41 $38.82

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 · Sep 24, 2026

There is no time difference between Norfolk and Chester. The current time is 22:38:08.

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.