How far is Norfolk, VA from Grottoes, VA?

The driving distance from Norfolk, VA to Grottoes, VA is about 202.3 miles (325.6 km), with a travel time of about 04h 02m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 170.3 miles (274 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 04m 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
202.32 mi
04h 02m
Flight
170.28 mi
274.04 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
170.28 mi
Kilometers
274.04 km
Flight Time
00h 20m

Driving Distance

Road route
202.32 mi
Kilometers
325.6 km
Drive Time
04h 02m

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 02m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Grottoes
Thu, Apr 23, 9:11 AM EDT
Return by in Norfolk
Thu, Apr 23, 1:13 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Norfolk
2026-04-23T05:08
Arrive Grottoes
Thu, Apr 23, 9:11 AM EDT
Route Timing
04h 02m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:02 AM to 12:02 PM EDT

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

Leave by
8:56 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
Glen Allen
VA

Town in Alabama, USA

From Norfolk
101.1 mi
02h 01m
To Grottoes
101.2 mi
02h 01m

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
80°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
1 to 5 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    22.6 mi · 25 min · Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway

  12. 12

    Keep slight right to continue on I 64 West: Charlottesville

    2936 ft · 55 sec

  13. 13

    Merge slight left onto I 64 West: Charlottesville

    77.6 mi · 1 hr 24 min

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward US 250: Afton, Waynesboro

    1310 ft · 43 sec

  15. 15

    Keep slight left

    55 m · 6 sec

  16. 16

    Turn left onto Three Notched Mountain Highway

    1.7 mi · 3 min · Three Notched Mountain Highway

  17. 17

    Continue on East Main Street

    1.4 mi · 3 min · East Main Street

  18. 18

    Turn right onto North Delphine Avenue

    1.9 mi · 3 min · North Delphine Avenue

  19. 19

    Continue on Eastside Highway

    1.5 mi · 2 min · Eastside Highway

  20. 20

    Continue on East Side Highway

    10.5 mi · 16 min · East Side Highway

  21. 21

    Continue on Eastside Highway

    620 ft · 11 sec · Eastside Highway

  22. 22

    Continue on Augusta Avenue

    1067 ft · 31 sec · Augusta Avenue

  23. 23

    Turn left

    2601 ft · 60 sec

  24. 24

    Turn right onto Dogwood Avenue

    1629 ft · 35 sec · Dogwood Avenue

  25. 25

    Turn right onto 8th Street

    24 m · 4 sec · 8th Street

  26. 26

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 8th Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
26 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
4 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
12.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 64 West
78.1 mi · 39%
Hampton Roads Beltway
72.5 mi · 36%
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
22.6 mi · 11%
East Side Highway
10.5 mi · 5%
Tidewater Drive
4.56 mi · 2%
Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
3.5 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

I 64 West

Merge slight left onto I 64 West: Charlottesville

77.6 mi · 01h 24m

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
04h 02m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
08h 04m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+32 mi
170.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Glen Allen
02h 01m from Norfolk
Leave By
8:56 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Norfolk and Sunny near Grottoes.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 202.3 miles (325.6 km) and usually takes 04h 02m 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?

Glen Allen is a useful midpoint, sitting about 101.1 miles from Norfolk and 101.2 miles from Grottoes.

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

The direct path is about 170.3 miles (274 km), while the road route adds roughly 32 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 8:56 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $28.28 one way or $56.56 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 63.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Glen Allen

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 Glen Allen and the surrounding midpoint area.
Town Hall
Food stop 9.3 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 11.1 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 11 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 11 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 Glen Allen.

RAIL

Richmond Staples Mill Road station

6 mi away
7519 Staples Mill Road
RAIL

Ashland

11 mi away
112 North Railroad Avenue
RAIL

Richmond Main Street Station

16 mi away
1500 East Main Street
RAIL

Petersburg station

48 mi away
3516 South Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Norfolk and Grottoes. Straight-line distance: 170.28 mi (274.04 km).

Norfolk

#1 Norfolk

The most populous city in Virginia.

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

#2 Grottoes

City in Virginia, United States of America

Population2,864
Coordinates38.2673500, -78.8258600
Altitude339
CountryUnited States
Start: Norfolk (-76.28522, 36.84681)
End: Grottoes (-78.82586, 38.26735)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 326 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 44m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 03m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 02m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 22m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 53m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 31m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
7.14 gal
27.02 L · about $28.28
Round trip
$56.56
14.28 gal · 54.04 L
Estimated CO2
63.5 kg one way
Round trip: 126.9 kg / 280 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $28.28 $56.56
Mid-grade $4.43 $31.62 $63.25
Premium $4.78 $34.11 $68.23
Diesel $5.62 $40.16 $80.31

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 Grottoes. The current time is 05:08:47.

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.