How far is Virginia Beach, VA from Charlottesville, VA?
The driving distance from Virginia Beach, VA to Charlottesville, VA is about 177.3 miles (285.4 km), with a travel time of about 02h 43m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 159.4 miles (256.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 27m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 43m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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 southeastern Virginia, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Virginia Beach and Charlottesville.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Virginia Beach and Charlottesville.
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1
Start on 25th Street
37 m · 8 sec · 25th Street
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2
Turn right onto Pacific Avenue
1213 ft · 36 sec · Pacific Avenue
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3
Turn right onto 22nd Street
2796 ft · 46 sec · 22nd Street
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4
Continue on Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway
10.6 mi · 14 min · Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway
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5
Take the exit slight right toward I 64 West, US 13: Newtown Road, Richmond, Military Highway
2141 ft · 52 sec
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6
Keep slight left to continue on I 64 West, US 13: Richmond, Military Highway
1.4 km · 2 min
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7
Keep slight right to continue on I 64 West: Norfolk International Airport, Hampton, Richmond
2025 ft · 49 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Hampton Roads Beltway
21.2 mi · 30 min · Hampton Roads Beltway
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9
Keep slight left
61.1 mi · 1 hr 8 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward I 295, US 60: Washington, Rocky Mount NC
2434 ft · 32 sec
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11
Keep slight right to continue on I 295 North: Washington
1.3 mi · 3 min
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12
Merge slight left onto Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
22.6 mi · 25 min · Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
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13
Keep slight right to continue on I 64 West: Charlottesville
2936 ft · 55 sec
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14
Merge slight left onto I 64 West: Charlottesville
55.3 mi · 1 hr
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15
Take the exit slight right toward VA 20: Charlottesville, Scottsville
1217 ft · 32 sec
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16
Turn right onto Monticello Avenue
1.5 km · 2 min · Monticello Avenue
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17
Turn slight right
2312 ft · 1 min
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18
Turn left onto East Market Street
140 m · 25 sec · East Market Street
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19
Turn left onto 7th Street Northeast
87 m · 16 sec · 7th Street Northeast
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Virginia Beach and Charlottesville.
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 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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Virginia Beach and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Charlottesville.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Virginia Beach to Charlottesville?
The road trip is about 177.3 miles (285.4 km) and usually takes 02h 43m 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?
Windsor is a useful midpoint, sitting about 88.6 miles from Virginia Beach and 88.8 miles from Charlottesville.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 159.4 miles (256.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 17.9 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 1:02 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.80 one way or $49.59 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 55.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Virginia Beach and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Charlottesville.
Stop Ideas Near Windsor
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Windsor.
Richmond Main Street Station
Richmond Staples Mill Road station
Petersburg station
Ashland
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Virginia Beach and Charlottesville. Straight-line distance: 159.35 mi (256.45 km).
#1 Virginia Beach
The most populous city in Virginia, Virginia Beach is a major center for tourism, military, and business.
| Population | 451,231 |
| Coordinates | 36.8529300, -75.9779900 |
| Altitude | 3 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Charlottesville
The capital of Virginia.
| Population | 46,950 |
| Coordinates | 38.0293100, -78.4766800 |
| Altitude | 142 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-78.476567, 38.029526)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 285 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 54m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 26m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 32m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 57m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 32m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 12m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $24.80 | $49.59 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $27.73 | $55.45 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $29.91 | $59.82 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $35.21 | $70.41 |
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 13, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.