How far is South Boston, VA from Virginia Beach, VA?

The driving distance from South Boston, VA to Virginia Beach, VA is about 180.6 miles (290.6 km), with a travel time of about 03h 10m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 162.1 miles (260.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 20m 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
180.55 mi
03h 10m
Flight
162.13 mi
260.93 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from South Boston.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
162.13 mi
Kilometers
260.93 km
Flight Time
00h 19m

Driving Distance

Road route
180.55 mi
Kilometers
290.56 km
Drive Time
03h 10m

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 10m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Virginia Beach
Sun, Apr 19, 9:20 AM EDT
Return by in South Boston
Sun, Apr 19, 12:30 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave South Boston
2026-04-19T06:10
Arrive Virginia Beach
Sun, Apr 19, 9:20 AM EDT
Route Timing
03h 10m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:10 AM to 11:10 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
10:40 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in South Boston
9:00 PM EDT
Early departure recommended

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Emporia
VA

Independent city in Virginia, United States

From South Boston
90.2 mi
01h 35m
To Virginia Beach
90.4 mi
01h 35m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
69°F
Sunday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
9 to 13 mph NW
Destination
70°F
Sunday

Rain Showers

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
13 to 21 mph W

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between South Boston and Virginia Beach.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between South Boston and Virginia Beach.

  1. 1

    Start on North Main Street

    28 m · 5 sec · North Main Street

  2. 2

    Continue on Main Street

    931 ft · 40 sec · Main Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto Seymour Drive

    1.1 km · 1 min · Seymour Drive

  4. 4

    Turn right onto James D Hagood Highway

    964 ft · 20 sec · James D Hagood Highway

  5. 5

    Continue on John Randolph Boulevard

    2202 ft · 44 sec · John Randolph Boulevard

  6. 6

    Turn left onto Bill Tuck Highway

    18.1 mi · 23 min · Bill Tuck Highway

  7. 7

    Continue on Clarksville Bypass

    3.6 mi · 5 min · Clarksville Bypass

  8. 8

    Keep slight right to continue on Clarksville Bypass

    19.2 mi · 25 min · Clarksville Bypass

  9. 9

    Continue on Highway 1

    3.5 mi · 5 min · Highway 1

  10. 10

    Continue on South Hill Bypass

    3.3 mi · 5 min · South Hill Bypass

  11. 11

    Continue on East Atlantic Street

    1.1 mi · 2 min · East Atlantic Street

  12. 12

    Continue on Highway 58

    3.6 mi · 5 min · Highway 58

  13. 13

    Continue on Piney Pond Road

    1.2 mi · 2 min · Piney Pond Road

  14. 14

    Continue on Governor Harrison Parkway

    22.5 mi · 30 min · Governor Harrison Parkway

  15. 15

    Continue on Pleasant Shade Drive

    6.4 mi · 9 min · Pleasant Shade Drive

  16. 16

    Continue on West Atlantic Street

    5.1 mi · 7 min · West Atlantic Street

  17. 17

    Continue on Southampton Parkway

    62.1 mi · 1 hr 21 min · Southampton Parkway

  18. 18

    Continue on West Military Highway

    1.7 mi · 2 min · West Military Highway

  19. 19

    Take the exit slight right toward I 264 East, I 64, US 13 North: Portsmouth, Norfolk, Va Beach

    1.2 km · 2 min

  20. 20

    Keep slight left to continue on I 264 East, I 64, US 13 North: Portsmouth, Norfolk, Va Beach

    2322 ft · 57 sec

  21. 21

    Merge slight left onto Hampton Roads Beltway

    3026 ft · 43 sec · Hampton Roads Beltway

  22. 22

    Take the exit slight left toward I 264 East: Portsmouth, Norfolk

    1.2 km · 1 min

  23. 23

    Continue straight

    7.2 mi · 11 min

  24. 24

    Keep slight right

    17.2 mi · 23 min

  25. 25

    Continue on 21st Street

    2247 ft · 54 sec · 21st Street

  26. 26

    Turn left onto Arctic Avenue

    1553 ft · 46 sec · Arctic Avenue

  27. 27

    Turn right onto 25th Street

    139 m · 12 sec · 25th Street

  28. 28

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 25th Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between South Boston and Virginia Beach.

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
28 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
15.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Southampton Parkway
62.1 mi · 34%
I 264 East
26.4 mi · 15%
Clarksville Bypass
22.9 mi · 13%
Governor Harrison Parkway
22.5 mi · 12%
Bill Tuck Highway
18.1 mi · 10%
Pleasant Shade Drive
6.38 mi · 4%
Longest Stretch

Southampton Parkway

Continue on Southampton Parkway

62.1 mi · 01h 21m

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 10m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 20m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+18.5 mi
162.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Emporia
01h 35m from South Boston
Leave By
10:40 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Chance Rain Showers leaving South Boston and Rain Showers near Virginia Beach.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from South Boston to Virginia Beach?

The road trip is about 180.6 miles (290.6 km) and usually takes 03h 10m 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?

Emporia is a useful midpoint, sitting about 90.2 miles from South Boston and 90.4 miles from Virginia Beach.

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

The direct path is about 162.1 miles (260.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 18.5 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 EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:40 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $25.23 one way or $50.46 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 56.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around South Boston and Rain Showers near Virginia Beach.

Stop Ideas Near Emporia

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Emporia, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

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

RAIL

Petersburg station

63 mi away
3516 South Street
RAIL

Rocky Mount

86 mi away
101 Hammond Street
RAIL

Richmond Main Street Station

95 mi away
1500 East Main Street
RAIL

Williamsburg Transportation Center

99 mi away
468 North Boundary Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between South Boston and Virginia Beach. Straight-line distance: 162.13 mi (260.93 km).

South Boston

#1 South Boston

Town in Halifax County, Virginia, United States

Population7,519
Coordinates36.6987500, -78.9014000
Altitude131
CountryUnited States
Virginia Beach

#2 Virginia Beach

The most populous city in Virginia, Virginia Beach is a major center for tourism, military, and business.

Population451,231
Coordinates36.8529300, -75.9779900
Altitude3
CountryUnited States
Start: North Main Street (-78.901443, 36.698789)
End: 25th Street (-75.978051, 36.853145)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 291 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 00m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 30m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 36m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 00m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 34m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 15m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.37 gal
24.12 L · about $25.23
Round trip
$50.46
12.74 gal · 48.24 L
Estimated CO2
56.6 kg one way
Round trip: 113.2 kg / 250 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $25.23 $50.46
Mid-grade $4.43 $28.21 $56.43
Premium $4.78 $30.44 $60.87
Diesel $5.62 $35.82 $71.65

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 19, 2026

There is no time difference between South Boston and Virginia Beach. The current time is 06:10:08.

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.