How far is Norfolk, VA from Richmond, VA?

The driving distance from Norfolk, VA to Richmond, VA is about 100.2 miles (161.3 km), with a travel time of about 01h 38m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 81 miles (130.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 17m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
100.21 mi
01h 38m
Flight
81.04 mi
130.42 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Norfolk.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
81.04 mi
Kilometers
130.42 km
Flight Time
00h 09m

Driving Distance

Road route
100.21 mi
Kilometers
161.28 km
Drive Time
01h 38m

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 01h 38m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Richmond
Sat, May 30, 2:46 PM EDT
Return by in Norfolk
Sat, May 30, 4:25 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Norfolk
2026-05-30T13:07
Arrive Richmond
Sat, May 30, 2:46 PM EDT
Route Timing
01h 38m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:39 AM to 11:39 AM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
3:12 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Norfolk
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

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
Williamsburg
VA

Independent city in Virginia, United States

From Norfolk
47.2 mi
00h 49m
To Richmond
53 mi
00h 49m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
77°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, May 30 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
6 to 15 mph NW
Destination
80°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, May 30 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
3 to 8 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    72.4 mi · 1 hr 21 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward US 1, US 301: Chamberlayne Avenue

    691 ft · 19 sec

  10. 10

    Turn right onto Chamberlayne Avenue

    96 m · 11 sec · Chamberlayne Avenue

  11. 11

    Continue on Brook Road

    3256 ft · 1 min · Brook Road

  12. 12

    Turn left onto Admiral Street

    963 ft · 26 sec · Admiral Street

  13. 13

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward North Lombardy Street

    42 m · 3 sec · North Lombardy Street

  14. 14

    Exit the roundabout onto North Lombardy Street

    1 km · 1 min · North Lombardy Street

  15. 15

    Turn slight right onto Monument Avenue

    728 ft · 21 sec · Monument Avenue

  16. 16

    Enter the roundabout toward Marcus-David Peters Circle

    141 m · 13 sec · Marcus-David Peters Circle

  17. 17

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Marcus-David Peters Circle

Car Route Details

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

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
17 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
17 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Hampton Roads Beltway
83.8 mi · 84%
Tidewater Drive
4.56 mi · 5%
Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
3.5 mi · 3%
North Lombardy Street
0.65 mi · 1%
Brook Road
0.62 mi · 1%
East City Hall Avenue
0.4 mi
Longest Stretch

Hampton Roads Beltway

Keep slight left

72.4 mi · 01h 21m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
01h 38m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 18m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+19.2 mi
81 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Williamsburg
00h 49m from Norfolk
Leave By
3:12 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Norfolk and Mostly Sunny near Richmond.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 100.2 miles (161.3 km) and usually takes 01h 38m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Williamsburg is a useful midpoint, sitting about 47.2 miles from Norfolk and 53 miles from Richmond.

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

The direct path is about 81 miles (130.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 19.2 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:12 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $14.02 one way or $28.04 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 31.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Norfolk and Mostly Sunny near Richmond.

Stop Ideas Near Williamsburg

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 Williamsburg and the surrounding midpoint area.
Stop photo coming soon
Practical stop 2.4 mi away

James City County

Williamsburg
County government office,Service establishment
James City County Government Center
Meeting point 6.6 mi away

James City County Government Center

Williamsburg , VA
101 Mounts Bay Rd, Williamsburg, VA 23185
Rating 2.3/5 3 reviews Municipal administration office,Economic development agency,Local government office,County government office,Municipal Department Communication,Municipal Department Finance,Municipal Department of Tourism
Legacy Hall
Nearby stop 4.3 mi away

Legacy Hall

Williamsburg , VA
4301 New Town Ave, Williamsburg, VA 23188
Rating 4.5/5 37 reviews Event venue

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Williamsburg.

RAIL

Williamsburg Transportation Center

1 mi away
468 North Boundary Street
RAIL

Newport News station

36 mi away
9304 Warwick Boulevard
BUS

Norfolk

59 mi away
215 W York Street
RAIL

Petersburg station

64 mi away
3516 South Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Norfolk and Richmond. Straight-line distance: 81.04 mi (130.42 km).

Norfolk

#1 Norfolk

The most populous city in Virginia.

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

#2 Richmond

The capital of Virginia.

Population232,226
Coordinates37.5537600, -77.4602600
Altitude64
CountryUnited States
Start: US 460 Alternate (-76.285227, 36.846793)
End: Robert E. Lee Circle (-77.460437, 37.553637)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 161 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 20m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 30m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 00m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 40m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 25m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 15m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.54 gal
13.39 L · about $14.02
Round trip
$28.04
7.08 gal · 26.78 L
Estimated CO2
31.5 kg one way
Round trip: 62.9 kg / 139 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $14.02 $28.04
Mid-grade $4.43 $15.68 $31.36
Premium $4.78 $16.91 $33.83
Diesel $5.62 $19.91 $39.82

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 30, 2026

There is no time difference between Norfolk and Richmond. The current time is 13:07:26.

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.