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DRIVE TRIP

Historic Virginia

405.9 miles: 8 hours, 23 minutes

A wealth of history unfolded in Virginia. North America’s first permanent English settlement was established at Jamestown in 1607; Williamsburg became the seat of Colonial government in 1699. Fredericksburg was George Washington’s boyhood home and the scene of intense fighting during the Civil War. This route connects several of the Old Dominion’s landmark sites.

1

Norfolk to Williamsburg

60.9 miles: 1 hours, 33 minutes

Shutterstock.com/jiawangkun

After leaving Hampton Roads Area sprawl behind, a short hop on modern I-64 takes you to where English colonization of the Americas began more than 400 years ago. The settlement of Jamestown was founded on a marshy island in the James River (which the arriving colonists named for King James I). Williamsburg, Jamestown and Yorktown form Virginia’s historic triangle.

2

Williamsburg to Fredericksburg

105.3 miles: 1 hours, 49 minutes

Wikimedia Commons/Cowpie21

I-64 isn't the most scenic of routes, but you’ll save time bypassing the busy Richmond metro area en route to Fredericksburg. Through much of central Virginia I-95 negotiates a series of rolling hills, with occasional stretches of tree-lined medians. Closer to Fredericksburg traffic congestion can become significant, especially on weekends and around holidays.

3

Fredericksburg to Manassas

43.1 miles: 0 hours, 57 minutes

gator1time/iStockphoto.com

Civil War buffs will want to explore Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania National Military Park and Manassas National Battlefield Park; several major battles were fought in these areas that was of key strategic importance to both the Union and Confederate sides. SR 234 winds past rolling green hills to Manassas, a D.C. metro area bedroom community that, like many Virginia towns, contains reminders of the Civil War and its impact.

Recommended Stops

4

Manassas to Norfolk

196.7 miles: 4 hours, 2 minutes

Courtesy of Nauticus

On the way back to Norfolk, detour onto US 17, the Tidewater Trail. This rural route roughly parallels the scenic Rappahannock River. Just north of the US 301 junction is the historic community of Port Royal, a river port established in 1744; closer to the Hampton Roads Area is Gloucester, another Colonial-era Tidewater town full of historical landmarks.

Recommended Stops

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