How far is Virginia Beach, VA from Gainesville, VA?
The driving distance from Virginia Beach, VA to Gainesville, VA is about 204.6 miles (329.2 km), with a travel time of about 04h 09m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 161.2 miles (259.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 19m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EST.
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.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 04h 09m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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 Frederick County, Maryland, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Patchy Fog then Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Virginia Beach and Gainesville.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Virginia Beach and Gainesville.
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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 · 34 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
11.9 mi · 17 min · Hampton Roads Beltway
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9
Continue on Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
3.5 mi · 5 min · Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
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10
Continue on Hampton Roads Beltway
5.9 mi · 8 min · Hampton Roads Beltway
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11
Keep slight left
61.1 mi · 1 hr 8 min
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12
Take the exit slight right toward I 295, US 60: Washington, Rocky Mount NC
2434 ft · 32 sec
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13
Keep slight right to continue on I 295 North: Washington
1.3 mi · 3 min
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14
Merge slight left onto Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
11.9 mi · 13 min · Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
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15
Take the exit slight left toward I 95 North: Washington
2.4 mi · 3 min
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16
Merge slight right
45.7 mi · 50 min
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17
Keep slight right
1.6 mi · 2 min
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18
Keep slight left
1 mi · 1 min
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19
Merge slight left
18.6 mi · 21 min
-
20
Take the exit slight right toward VA 234 North: Manassas
1717 ft · 42 sec
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21
Continue on Dumfries Road
14.2 mi · 21 min · Dumfries Road
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22
Continue on Prince William Parkway
7.8 mi · 11 min · Prince William Parkway
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23
Keep slight left to continue on I 66 West: Front Royal
1531 ft · 37 sec
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24
Continue on I 66 West: Front Royal
1.4 km · 2 min
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25
Merge slight left
1.2 km · 51 sec
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26
Take the exit slight right toward US 29 South: Gainesville, Warrenton
1.2 km · 1 min
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27
Keep slight left to continue on US 29 South: Gainesville, Warrenton
953 ft · 23 sec
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28
Merge slight left onto Lee Highway
3143 ft · 53 sec · Lee Highway
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29
Turn right onto McGraws Corner Drive
118 m · 19 sec · McGraws Corner Drive
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30
Continue on McGraws Corner Drive
139 m · 23 sec · McGraws Corner Drive
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31
Turn left onto Lee Highway
1693 ft · 40 sec · Lee Highway
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32
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Lee Highway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Virginia Beach and Gainesville.
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 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.
Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Virginia Beach and Patchy Fog then Partly Sunny near Gainesville.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Virginia Beach to Gainesville?
The road trip is about 204.6 miles (329.2 km) and usually takes 04h 09m 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?
Mechanicsville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 102.3 miles from Virginia Beach and 102.3 miles from Gainesville.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 161.2 miles (259.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 43.4 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 EST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:40 AM EST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $28.41 one way or $56.82 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 64.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Virginia Beach and Patchy Fog then Partly Sunny near Gainesville.
Stop Ideas Near Mechanicsville
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Town Hall
Old City Hall
City of Richmond Virginia (City Hall)
City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Mechanicsville.
Richmond Main Street Station
Richmond Staples Mill Road station
Ashland
Petersburg station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Virginia Beach and Gainesville. Straight-line distance: 161.2 mi (259.43 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 Gainesville
Gainesville is a place in Virginia, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 38.7956700, -77.6138800 |
| Altitude | 108 |
| Country | United States |
End: Gainesville (-77.61388, 38.79567)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 329 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 49m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 06m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 05m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 24m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 55m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 33m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.94 | $28.41 | $56.82 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $31.97 | $63.94 |
| Premium | $4.84 | $34.92 | $69.83 |
| Diesel | $6.21 | $44.81 | $89.61 |
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 · Nov 05, 2026