How far is Norfolk, VA from Fairfax, VA?

The driving distance from Norfolk, VA to Fairfax, VA is about 186.7 miles (300.4 km), with a travel time of about 03h 47m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 148.9 miles (239.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 34m 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
186.67 mi
03h 47m
Flight
148.96 mi
239.72 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
148.96 mi
Kilometers
239.72 km
Flight Time
00h 17m

Driving Distance

Road route
186.67 mi
Kilometers
300.42 km
Drive Time
03h 47m

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 47m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Fairfax
Thu, Apr 23, 7:23 AM EDT
Return by in Norfolk
Thu, Apr 23, 11:10 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Norfolk
2026-04-23T03:35
Arrive Fairfax
Thu, Apr 23, 7:23 AM EDT
Route Timing
03h 47m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:47 AM to 11:47 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
9:26 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
Chamberlayne
VA

Census designated place

From Norfolk
93.4 mi
01h 53m
To Fairfax
93.3 mi
01h 53m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
80°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
3 to 7 mph N
Destination
79°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
6 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    14.9 mi · 20 min · Hampton Roads Beltway

  6. 6

    Keep slight left

    61.1 mi · 1 hr 8 min

  7. 7

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

    2434 ft · 32 sec

  8. 8

    Keep slight right to continue on I 295 North: Washington

    1.3 mi · 3 min

  9. 9

    Merge slight left onto Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway

    11.9 mi · 13 min · Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight left toward I 95 North: Washington

    2.4 mi · 3 min

  11. 11

    Merge slight right

    45.7 mi · 50 min

  12. 12

    Keep slight right

    1.6 mi · 2 min

  13. 13

    Keep slight left

    1 mi · 1 min

  14. 14

    Merge slight left

    26.4 mi · 31 min

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward VA 123 North: Occoquan, Lake Ridge

    1400 ft · 34 sec

  16. 16

    Keep slight left to continue on VA 123 North: Occoquan, Lake Ridge

    709 ft · 17 sec

  17. 17

    Continue on Gordon Boulevard

    1 mi · 2 min · Gordon Boulevard

  18. 18

    Continue on Ox Road

    8.9 mi · 13 min · Ox Road

  19. 19

    Continue on Ox Road

    3.5 mi · 6 min · Ox Road

  20. 20

    Continue on Chain Bridge Road

    1.1 km · 2 min · Chain Bridge Road

  21. 21

    Turn right onto Main Street

    21 m · 2 sec · Main Street

  22. 22

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Main Street

Car Route Details

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

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
22 steps
2 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
8
5 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
11.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 95 North
77.1 mi · 41%
Hampton Roads Beltway
76 mi · 41%
Ox Road
12.4 mi · 7%
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
11.9 mi · 6%
Tidewater Drive
4.56 mi · 2%
I 295 North
1.3 mi · 1%
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 47m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 34m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+37.8 mi
148.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Chamberlayne
01h 53m from Norfolk
Leave By
9:26 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Norfolk and Sunny near Fairfax.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 186.7 miles (300.4 km) and usually takes 03h 47m 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?

Chamberlayne is a useful midpoint, sitting about 93.4 miles from Norfolk and 93.3 miles from Fairfax.

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

The direct path is about 148.9 miles (239.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 37.8 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 9:26 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.10 one way or $52.21 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 58.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Norfolk and Sunny near Fairfax.

Stop Ideas Near Chamberlayne

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 Chamberlayne and the surrounding midpoint area.
Town Hall
Food stop 7.3 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 7 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 6.9 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 6.9 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 Chamberlayne.

RAIL

Richmond Staples Mill Road station

6 mi away
7519 Staples Mill Road
RAIL

Richmond Main Street Station

10 mi away
1500 East Main Street
RAIL

Ashland

15 mi away
112 North Railroad Avenue
RAIL

Petersburg station

43 mi away
3516 South Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Norfolk and Fairfax. Straight-line distance: 148.96 mi (239.72 km).

Norfolk

#1 Norfolk

The most populous city in Virginia.

Population242,803
Coordinates36.8468100, -76.2852200
Altitude2
CountryUnited States
Fairfax

#2 Fairfax

Independent city in Virginia, United States

Population23,429
Coordinates38.8462200, -77.3063700
Altitude131
CountryUnited States
Start: Norfolk (-76.28522, 36.84681)
End: Fairfax (-77.30637, 38.84622)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 300 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 13m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 40m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 43m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 06m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 40m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 19m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.59 gal
24.93 L · about $26.10
Round trip
$52.21
13.18 gal · 49.86 L
Estimated CO2
58.6 kg one way
Round trip: 117.1 kg / 258 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $26.10 $52.21
Mid-grade $4.43 $29.19 $58.37
Premium $4.78 $31.49 $62.97
Diesel $5.62 $37.06 $74.12

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 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Norfolk and Fairfax. The current time is 03:35:54.

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.