How far is Norfolk, VA from Forest, VA?
The driving distance from Norfolk, VA to Forest, VA is about 198.7 miles (319.8 km), with a travel time of about 04h 28m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 169.4 miles (272.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 57m 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 04h 28m.
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 of the United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Norfolk and Forest.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Norfolk and Forest.
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1
Start on East City Hall Avenue
37 m · 3 sec · East City Hall Avenue
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2
Take the ramp slight right toward US 460 West, I 264 Toll West, I 464: Portsmouth
918 ft · 31 sec
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3
Merge slight left
7.4 mi · 11 min
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4
Keep slight right to continue on I 664: Bowers Hill, Suffolk, Richmond
1 km · 47 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto Hampton Roads Beltway
2197 ft · 31 sec · Hampton Roads Beltway
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6
Take the exit slight right toward US 13, US 58, US 460, VA 191 North: Suffolk, Military Highway
1598 ft · 54 sec
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7
Keep slight left
3155 ft · 1 min
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8
Continue on West Military Highway
2.4 mi · 3 min · West Military Highway
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9
Continue on Portsmouth Boulevard
8.2 mi · 10 min · Portsmouth Boulevard
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10
Take the exit slight right toward US 460: Petersburg
1187 ft · 29 sec
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11
Keep slight right to continue on US 460 West: Petersburg, Albert G Horton Junior Memorial, Veterans Cemetery
49.6 mi · 1 hr 14 min
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12
Turn left onto Rives Road
1.9 mi · 3 min · Rives Road
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13
Take the ramp right toward I 95 North
1152 ft · 28 sec
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14
Merge slight left
3.7 mi · 5 min
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15
Take the exit slight right toward I 85 South, US 460 West: Durham, Blackstone
3098 ft · 1 min
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16
Merge slight right onto Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
6 mi · 7 min · Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
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17
Take the exit slight right toward US 460 West: Blackstone, Lynchburg
1060 ft · 26 sec
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18
Continue on Airport Street
1.1 mi · 1 min · Airport Street
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19
Continue on New Cox Road
23 mi · 27 min · New Cox Road
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20
Continue on East Colonial Trail Highway
4.3 mi · 5 min · East Colonial Trail Highway
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21
Continue on East Colonial Trail Road
6.9 mi · 8 min · East Colonial Trail Road
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22
Continue on East Colonial Trail
7.5 mi · 11 min · East Colonial Trail
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23
Merge slight left onto West Colonial Trail Highway
1.5 mi · 2 min · West Colonial Trail Highway
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24
Keep slight right to continue on West Colonial Trail Highway
11.6 mi · 15 min · West Colonial Trail Highway
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25
Keep slight left
29.2 mi · 35 min
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26
Keep slight right to continue on Richmond Highway
22.4 mi · 27 min · Richmond Highway
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27
Take the exit slight right toward US 501 North: Buena Vista
1.6 km · 2 min
-
28
Take the exit slight right toward US 501 North, US 29 Bus South: Danville, Buena Vista
918 ft · 22 sec
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29
Merge slight left onto Lynchburg Expressway
2.6 mi · 4 min · Lynchburg Expressway
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30
Take the exit slight right toward Graves Mill Road
1201 ft · 31 sec
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31
Turn left onto Graves Mill Road
1.7 mi · 4 min · Graves Mill Road
-
32
Turn left onto Forest Road
2.8 mi · 5 min · Forest Road
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33
Turn left
32 m · 12 sec
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34
Turn right
29 m · 7 sec
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35
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Norfolk and Forest.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
US 460 West
Keep slight right to continue on US 460 West: Petersburg, Albert G Horton Junior Memorial, Veterans Cemetery
49.6 mi · 01h 14m
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 Forest.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Norfolk to Forest?
The road trip is about 198.7 miles (319.8 km) and usually takes 04h 28m 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?
McKenney is a useful midpoint, sitting about 99.2 miles from Norfolk and 99.5 miles from Forest.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 169.4 miles (272.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 29.3 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 8:02 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $27.77 one way or $55.53 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 62.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Norfolk and Sunny near Forest.
Stop Ideas Near McKenney
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to McKenney.
Petersburg station
Richmond Main Street Station
Richmond Staples Mill Road station
Ashland
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Norfolk and Forest. Straight-line distance: 169.36 mi (272.56 km).
#1 Norfolk
The most populous city in Virginia.
| Population | 242,803 |
| Coordinates | 36.8468100, -76.2852200 |
| Altitude | 2 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Forest
Census-designated place in Bedford County, Virginia, United States
| Population | 9,106 |
| Coordinates | 37.3637500, -79.2897500 |
| Altitude | 269 |
| Country | United States |
End: Forest (-79.28975, 37.36375)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 320 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 37m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 58m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 58m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 18m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 50m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 28m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $27.77 | $55.53 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $31.05 | $62.09 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $33.49 | $66.99 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $39.42 | $78.85 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.