How far is Petersburg, VA from Chesapeake, VA?

The driving distance from Petersburg, VA to Chesapeake, VA is about 206.2 miles (331.8 km), with a travel time of about 03h 25m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 174 miles (280 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 51m 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
206.16 mi
03h 25m
Flight
173.97 mi
279.97 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Petersburg.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
173.97 mi
Kilometers
279.97 km
Flight Time
00h 20m

Driving Distance

Road route
206.16 mi
Kilometers
331.79 km
Drive Time
03h 25m

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 25m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Chesapeake
Fri, Apr 17, 3:25 AM EDT
Return by in Petersburg
Fri, Apr 17, 6:51 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Petersburg
2026-04-16T23:59
Arrive Chesapeake
Fri, Apr 17, 3:25 AM EDT
Route Timing
03h 25m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:26 AM to 11:26 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
10:08 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Petersburg
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
Ashland
VA

Town in Virginia, United States

From Petersburg
103.6 mi
01h 42m
To Chesapeake
102.5 mi
01h 42m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
87°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
6 to 13 mph SW
Destination
91°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
9 to 14 mph SW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Petersburg and Chesapeake.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Petersburg and Chesapeake.

  1. 1

    Start on John Marshall Highway

    3 mi · 5 min · John Marshall Highway

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Leeds Manor Road

    73 m · 7 sec · Leeds Manor Road

  3. 3

    Take the ramp right toward Washington

    1089 ft · 27 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left

    9.4 mi · 10 min

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward US 17: Warrenton, Fredericksburg

    1330 ft · 33 sec

  6. 6

    Keep slight right

    545 ft · 13 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left onto Winchester Road

    2.4 mi · 3 min · Winchester Road

  8. 8

    Continue on James Madison Highway

    6.5 mi · 9 min · James Madison Highway

  9. 9

    Keep slight right to continue on Eastern Bypass

    4.9 mi · 7 min · Eastern Bypass

  10. 10

    Continue on James Madison Highway

    5.1 mi · 7 min · James Madison Highway

  11. 11

    Keep slight right to continue on US 17 South

    26.8 mi · 39 min

  12. 12

    Take the exit straight toward I 95 South, US 17 South: Richmond

    47.9 mi · 53 min

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight left toward I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va Beach

    1.9 mi · 2 min

  14. 14

    Merge slight right onto Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway

    13 mi · 14 min · Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach

    1.3 mi · 3 min

  16. 16

    Merge slight left

    66.8 mi · 1 hr 15 min

  17. 17

    Keep slight left to continue on Hampton Roads Beltway

    104 m · 5 sec · Hampton Roads Beltway

  18. 18

    Continue on Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel

    3.5 mi · 5 min · Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel

  19. 19

    Continue on Hampton Roads Beltway

    6.7 mi · 9 min · Hampton Roads Beltway

  20. 20

    Take the exit slight right toward VA 194 South: Chesapeake Boulevard

    1312 ft · 32 sec

  21. 21

    Turn straight onto Chesapeake Boulevard

    2.1 mi · 3 min · Chesapeake Boulevard

  22. 22

    Turn straight

    41 m · 8 sec

  23. 23

    Turn left onto Ballentine Boulevard

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Ballentine Boulevard

  24. 24

    Turn right onto East Princess Anne Road

    1.5 km · 2 min · East Princess Anne Road

  25. 25

    Turn left onto Park Avenue

    3186 ft · 1 min · Park Avenue

  26. 26

    Turn left onto East Brambleton Avenue

    1692 ft · 58 sec · East Brambleton Avenue

  27. 27

    Continue on Campostella Road

    1.1 km · 2 min · Campostella Road

  28. 28

    Turn right onto Wilson Road

    1.2 km · 1 min · Wilson Road

  29. 29

    Continue on 22nd Street

    1606 ft · 27 sec · 22nd Street

  30. 30

    Continue on Poindexter Street

    1391 ft · 29 sec · Poindexter Street

  31. 31

    Turn right onto D Street

    126 m · 18 sec · D Street

  32. 32

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · D Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Petersburg and Chesapeake.

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
32 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
10
4 merges, 6 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
15.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 64 East
68.1 mi · 33%
I 95 South
47.9 mi · 23%
US 17 South
26.8 mi · 13%
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
13 mi · 6%
James Madison Highway
11.6 mi · 6%
Washington
9.61 mi · 5%
Longest Stretch

I 64 East

Merge slight left

66.8 mi · 01h 15m

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 25m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 52m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+32.2 mi
174 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Ashland
01h 42m from Petersburg
Leave By
10:08 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Petersburg and Mostly Sunny near Chesapeake.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Petersburg to Chesapeake?

The road trip is about 206.2 miles (331.8 km) and usually takes 03h 25m 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?

Ashland is a useful midpoint, sitting about 103.6 miles from Petersburg and 102.5 miles from Chesapeake.

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

The direct path is about 174 miles (280 km), while the road route adds roughly 32.2 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:08 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $28.84 one way or $57.67 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 64.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Petersburg and Mostly Sunny near Chesapeake.

Stop Ideas Near Ashland

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 Ashland and the surrounding midpoint area.
Town Hall
Food stop 11.3 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 12.1 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 12 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 12 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 Ashland.

RAIL

Ashland

112 North Railroad Avenue
RAIL

Richmond Staples Mill Road station

16 mi away
7519 Staples Mill Road
RAIL

Richmond Main Street Station

25 mi away
1500 East Main Street
RAIL

Petersburg station

58 mi away
3516 South Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Petersburg and Chesapeake. Straight-line distance: 173.97 mi (279.97 km).

Petersburg

#1 Petersburg

Independent city in Virginia, United States

Population30,446
Coordinates38.9092800, -78.0533300
Altitude240
CountryUnited States
Chesapeake

#2 Chesapeake

The second most populous city in Virginia.

Population247,011
Coordinates36.8190400, -76.2749400
Altitude3
CountryUnited States
Start: John Marshall Highway (-78.053329, 38.909317)
End: D Street (-76.275044, 36.81897)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 332 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 52m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 09m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 07m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 26m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 56m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 34m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
7.28 gal
27.54 L · about $28.84
Round trip
$57.67
14.56 gal · 55.08 L
Estimated CO2
64.7 kg one way
Round trip: 129.4 kg / 285 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $28.84 $57.67
Mid-grade $4.43 $32.24 $64.49
Premium $4.78 $34.78 $69.57
Diesel $5.62 $40.94 $81.89

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 17, 2026

There is no time difference between Petersburg and Chesapeake. The current time is 23:59:50.

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.