How far is Virginia Beach, VA from Buchanan, VA?

The driving distance from Virginia Beach, VA to Buchanan, VA is about 266 miles (428.1 km), with a travel time of about 05h 05m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 209 miles (336.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 10m 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
265.98 mi
05h 05m
Flight
209 mi
336.35 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Virginia Beach.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
209 mi
Kilometers
336.35 km
Flight Time
00h 25m

Driving Distance

Road route
265.98 mi
Kilometers
428.06 km
Drive Time
05h 05m

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 05h 05m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Buchanan
Thu, Apr 23, 4:29 AM EDT
Return by in Virginia Beach
Thu, Apr 23, 9:34 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Virginia Beach
2026-04-22T23:24
Arrive Buchanan
Thu, Apr 23, 4:29 AM EDT
Route Timing
05h 05m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
11:05 AM to 1:05 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
6:50 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Virginia Beach
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
Wyndham
VA

Census designated place in Virginia, USA

From Virginia Beach
132.9 mi
02h 32m
To Buchanan
133.1 mi
02h 32m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
78°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
10 to 14 mph SW
Destination
78°F
Wednesday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 13 mph W

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Virginia Beach and Buchanan.

  1. 1

    Start on 25th Street

    37 m · 8 sec · 25th Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Pacific Avenue

    1213 ft · 36 sec · Pacific Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn right onto 22nd Street

    2796 ft · 46 sec · 22nd Street

  4. 4

    Continue on Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway

    10.6 mi · 14 min · Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward I 64 West, US 13: Newtown Road, Richmond, Military Highway

    2141 ft · 52 sec

  6. 6

    Keep slight left to continue on I 64 West, US 13: Richmond, Military Highway

    1.4 km · 2 min

  7. 7

    Keep slight right to continue on I 64 West: Norfolk International Airport, Hampton, Richmond

    2025 ft · 49 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto Hampton Roads Beltway

    21.2 mi · 30 min · Hampton Roads Beltway

  9. 9

    Keep slight left

    61.1 mi · 1 hr 8 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward I 295, US 60: Washington, Rocky Mount NC

    2434 ft · 32 sec

  11. 11

    Keep slight right to continue on I 295 North: Washington

    1.3 mi · 3 min

  12. 12

    Merge slight left onto Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway

    22.6 mi · 25 min · Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway

  13. 13

    Keep slight right to continue on I 64 West: Charlottesville

    2936 ft · 55 sec

  14. 14

    Merge slight left onto I 64 West: Charlottesville

    120.3 mi · 2 hr 11 min

  15. 15

    Keep slight left

    22.8 mi · 24 min

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight right toward SR 614: Arcadia

    990 ft · 26 sec

  17. 17

    Turn right onto Arcadia Road

    29 m · 8 sec · Arcadia Road

  18. 18

    Turn left onto Lee Highway

    1.3 mi · 2 min · Lee Highway

  19. 19

    Continue on Main Street

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Main Street

  20. 20

    Turn left

    33 m · 8 sec

  21. 21

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

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
21 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
3 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
7.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 64 West
145 mi · 55%
Hampton Roads Beltway
82.3 mi · 31%
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
22.6 mi · 8%
Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway
10.6 mi · 4%
I 295 North
1.3 mi
Lee Highway
1.29 mi
Longest Stretch

I 64 West

Merge slight left onto I 64 West: Charlottesville

120 mi · 02h 11m

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
05h 05m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
10h 10m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+57 mi
209 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Wyndham
02h 32m from Virginia Beach
Leave By
6:50 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Virginia Beach and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Buchanan.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Virginia Beach to Buchanan?

The road trip is about 266 miles (428.1 km) and usually takes 05h 05m 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?

Wyndham is a useful midpoint, sitting about 132.9 miles from Virginia Beach and 133.1 miles from Buchanan.

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

The direct path is about 209 miles (336.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 57 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 6:50 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $37.19 one way or $74.39 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 83.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers around Virginia Beach and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Buchanan.

Stop Ideas Near Wyndham

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Wyndham, 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 Wyndham.

RAIL

Ashland

13 mi away
112 North Railroad Avenue
RAIL

Richmond Staples Mill Road station

14 mi away
7519 Staples Mill Road
RAIL

Richmond Main Street Station

24 mi away
1500 East Main Street
RAIL

Petersburg station

53 mi away
3516 South Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Virginia Beach and Buchanan. Straight-line distance: 209 mi (336.35 km).

Virginia Beach

#1 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
Buchanan

#2 Buchanan

Town in Virginia, United States

Population1,182
Coordinates37.5273600, -79.6797600
Altitude259
CountryUnited States
Start: Virginia Beach (-75.97799, 36.85293)
End: Buchanan (-79.67976, 37.52736)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 428 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)08h 51m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 38m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 19m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 25m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 47m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 19m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
9.39 gal
35.53 L · about $37.19
Round trip
$74.39
18.78 gal · 71.06 L
Estimated CO2
83.4 kg one way
Round trip: 166.9 kg / 368 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $37.19 $74.39
Mid-grade $4.43 $41.59 $83.18
Premium $4.78 $44.87 $89.73
Diesel $5.62 $52.81 $105.62

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 Virginia Beach and Buchanan. The current time is 23:24:10.

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.