How far is Norfolk, VA from Merrimac, VA?
The driving distance from Norfolk, VA to Merrimac, VA is about 178.6 miles (287.5 km), with a travel time of about 03h 40m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 148.1 miles (238.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 20m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EST.
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 40m.
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 in Frederick County, Maryland, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Patchy Frost then Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Norfolk and Merrimac.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Norfolk and Merrimac.
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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
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3
Merge slight left onto Tidewater Drive
4.6 mi · 10 min · Tidewater Drive
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4
Turn left
1157 ft · 28 sec
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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
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8
Keep slight left
61.1 mi · 1 hr 8 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward I 295, US 60: Washington, Rocky Mount NC
2434 ft · 32 sec
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10
Keep slight right to continue on I 295 North: Washington
1.3 mi · 3 min
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11
Merge slight left onto Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
11.9 mi · 13 min · Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
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12
Take the exit slight left toward I 95 North: Washington
2.4 mi · 3 min
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13
Merge slight right
44.4 mi · 48 min
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14
Take the exit slight right toward VA 3 West: Culpeper
1588 ft · 39 sec
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15
Merge slight left onto Plank Road
12.7 mi · 19 min · Plank Road
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16
Continue on Germanna Highway
18.1 mi · 25 min · Germanna Highway
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17
Turn left onto US 15 South, US 29 South
1098 ft · 29 sec
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18
Merge slight left onto James Madison Highway
1.6 km · 1 min · James Madison Highway
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19
Continue on James Monroe Highway
4.5 mi · 6 min · James Monroe Highway
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20
Continue on James Monroe Highway
829 ft · 21 sec · James Monroe Highway
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · James Monroe Highway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Norfolk and Merrimac.
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.
Partly Cloudy leaving Norfolk and Patchy Frost then Sunny near Merrimac.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Norfolk to Merrimac?
The road trip is about 178.6 miles (287.5 km) and usually takes 03h 40m 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?
Mechanicsville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 89.3 miles from Norfolk and 89.4 miles from Merrimac.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 148.1 miles (238.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 30.5 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 EST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:40 AM EST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.52 one way or $49.04 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 56 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Cloudy around Norfolk and Patchy Frost then Sunny near Merrimac.
Stop Ideas Near Mechanicsville
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 Mechanicsville.
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 Merrimac. Straight-line distance: 148.1 mi (238.34 km).
#1 Norfolk
The most populous city in Virginia.
| Population | 242,803 |
| Coordinates | 36.8468100, -76.2852200 |
| Altitude | 2 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Merrimac
Merrimac is a place in Virginia, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 38.4526300, -78.0786100 |
| Altitude | 181 |
| Country | United States |
End: Merrimac (-78.07861, 38.45263)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 288 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 57m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 28m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 34m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 58m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 33m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 13m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.89 | $24.52 | $49.04 |
| Mid-grade | $4.39 | $27.68 | $55.36 |
| Premium | $4.80 | $30.22 | $60.44 |
| Diesel | $6.18 | $38.93 | $77.86 |
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 · Nov 07, 2026