How far is Norfolk, VA from Dale City, VA?
The driving distance from Norfolk, VA to Dale City, VA is about 170 miles (273.6 km), with a travel time of about 03h 22m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 135.8 miles (218.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 45m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
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 22m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Census designated place
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Norfolk and Dale City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Norfolk and Dale City.
-
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
-
3
Merge slight left onto Tidewater Drive
4.6 mi · 10 min · Tidewater Drive
-
4
Turn left
1157 ft · 28 sec
-
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
-
8
Keep slight left
61.1 mi · 1 hr 8 min
-
9
Take the exit slight right toward I 295, US 60: Washington, Rocky Mount NC
2434 ft · 32 sec
-
10
Keep slight right to continue on I 295 North: Washington
1.3 mi · 3 min
-
11
Merge slight left onto Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
11.9 mi · 13 min · Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
-
12
Take the exit slight left toward I 95 North: Washington
2.4 mi · 3 min
-
13
Merge slight right
45.7 mi · 50 min
-
14
Keep slight right
1.6 mi · 2 min
-
15
Keep slight left
1 mi · 1 min
-
16
Merge slight left
21.8 mi · 25 min
-
17
Take the exit slight right toward SR 784: Dale City, Rippon Landing
1453 ft · 35 sec
-
18
Keep slight left to continue on SR 784 West: Dale City, Potomac Mills, Stratford University
1620 ft · 40 sec
-
19
Keep slight right to continue on SR 784 West: Dale City
1682 ft · 47 sec
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20
Turn straight onto Dale Boulevard
1 mi · 2 min · Dale Boulevard
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21
Turn right onto Birchdale Avenue
3155 ft · 2 min · Birchdale Avenue
-
22
Turn right onto Bayfield Drive
13 m · 2 sec · Bayfield Drive
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Bayfield Drive
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Norfolk and Dale City.
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Norfolk and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Dale City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Norfolk to Dale City?
The road trip is about 170 miles (273.6 km) and usually takes 03h 22m 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?
Highland Springs is a useful midpoint, sitting about 85.1 miles from Norfolk and 85 miles from Dale City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 135.8 miles (218.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 34.2 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 10:14 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.77 one way or $47.53 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 53.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Norfolk and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Dale City.
Stop Ideas Near Highland Springs
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 Highland Springs.
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 Dale City. Straight-line distance: 135.8 mi (218.55 km).
#1 Norfolk
The most populous city in Virginia.
| Population | 242,803 |
| Coordinates | 36.8468100, -76.2852200 |
| Altitude | 2 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Dale City
Census designated place
| Population | 65,969 |
| Coordinates | 38.6370600, -77.3110900 |
| Altitude | 70 |
| Country | United States |
End: Dale City (-77.31109, 38.63706)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 274 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 39m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 15m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 24m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 50m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 25m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 07m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $23.77 | $47.53 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $26.57 | $53.15 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $28.67 | $57.34 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $33.74 | $67.49 |
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 · May 01, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.