Road Trip! Driving from Athens-Clarke County Unified Government, Georgia to Norfolk, Virginia

Have you been dreaming of taking a road trip up the East Coast? Perhaps you're wanting to visit family or friends, or maybe you're excited to experience the beaches of Virginia. Regardless of your motivation, knowing how much time you need to allocate for travel is crucial. Here is what you need to know for driving from Athens-Clarke County Unified Government, Georgia to Norfolk, Virginia.

Fastest and Slowest Routes

There are a few different routes that you can take on this road trip, each with varying levels of traffic and scenery. The fastest route is to take I-85 North to I-95 North, then take exit 290 onto Route 17 towards Chesapeake and Norfolk. This route is approximately 650 miles long and will take you just over 9 hours to complete in low traffic. The slowest route is to take Route 17 the entire way, which offers more scenic views of the coastline and the Chesapeake Bay. This route is about 722 miles and can take upwards of 12 hours to complete.

Travel Times

If you're departing during peak traffic times, such as on a Friday evening or during a holiday weekend, you can expect your travel time to increase significantly. Using the fastest route mentioned above as an example, travel time during peak traffic can take upwards of 12 hours. It's important to plan your departure time accordingly and to factor in additional breaks for meals and restroom stops.

However, if you're looking to bypass the traffic and make this drive as quickly as possible, you may want to consider leaving in the early morning hours. The roads will be less congested, leading to shorter travel times, and any stops made along the way will not be as crowded.

Conclusion

No matter your driving preferences or time constraints, there are multiple routes to take and various ways to make this road trip enjoyable. Simply determine your priorities and choose the route that works best for you. Whether you're taking a leisurely drive up the coast or looking to arrive at your destination as quickly as possible, driving from Athens-Clarke County Unified Government, Georgia to Norfolk, Virginia is an adventure worth taking.