How far is Virginia Beach, VA from Petersburg, VA?
The driving distance from Virginia Beach, VA to Petersburg, VA is about 218.2 miles (351.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 39m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 181.6 miles (292.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 18m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
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 03h 39m.
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.
Census designated place
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Virginia Beach and Petersburg.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Virginia Beach and Petersburg.
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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 right to continue on US 17 Business: Falmouth
1635 ft · 42 sec
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19
Turn left onto Warrenton Road
22.9 mi · 33 min · Warrenton Road
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20
Continue on Marsh Road
4.2 mi · 7 min · Marsh Road
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21
Turn right onto James Madison Highway
4.6 mi · 6 min · James Madison Highway
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22
Continue on Eastern Bypass
2.4 mi · 3 min · Eastern Bypass
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23
Keep slight right to continue on Eastern Bypass
2.3 mi · 3 min · Eastern Bypass
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24
Continue on James Madison Highway
6.7 mi · 9 min · James Madison Highway
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25
Continue on Winchester Road
2.7 mi · 4 min · Winchester Road
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26
Turn left
9.5 mi · 10 min
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27
Take the exit slight right toward SR 688: Markham
1238 ft · 26 sec
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28
Turn left onto Leeds Manor Road
724 ft · 28 sec · Leeds Manor Road
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29
Turn right onto John Marshall Highway
3 mi · 5 min · John Marshall Highway
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30
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · John Marshall Highway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Virginia Beach and Petersburg.
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.
Chance Rain Showers leaving Virginia Beach and Mostly Sunny near Petersburg.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Virginia Beach to Petersburg?
The road trip is about 218.2 miles (351.1 km) and usually takes 03h 39m 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?
Chamberlayne is a useful midpoint, sitting about 108.9 miles from Virginia Beach and 109.2 miles from Petersburg.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 181.6 miles (292.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 36.6 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 9:42 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $30.50 one way or $61.00 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 68.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Virginia Beach and Mostly Sunny near Petersburg.
Stop Ideas Near Chamberlayne
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 Chamberlayne.
Richmond Staples Mill Road station
Richmond Main Street Station
Ashland
Petersburg station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Virginia Beach and Petersburg. Straight-line distance: 181.63 mi (292.31 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 Petersburg
Independent city in Virginia, United States
| Population | 30,446 |
| Coordinates | 38.9092800, -78.0533300 |
| Altitude | 240 |
| Country | United States |
End: John Marshall Highway (-78.053329, 38.909317)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 351 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 16m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 27m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 21m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 38m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 06m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 43m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $30.50 | $61.00 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $34.10 | $68.21 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $36.79 | $73.58 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $43.30 | $86.61 |
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 · Jun 01, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.