Virginia Beach to Solomons Road Trip: Coastal Gems and Chesapeake Bay

Route 17 and US-258 funnel drivers from Virginia Beach’s Atlantic coast through the Great Dismal Swamp and across the James River Bridge—a 4.5-mile span completed in 1928. The 170-mile journey to Solomons, Maryland takes roughly 3 hours without traffic, but the best stops Virginia Beach, VA to Solomons, MD demand at least a full day. This guide answers how long to drive Virginia Beach, VA to Solomons, MD and why is it worth driving Virginia Beach, VA to Solomons, MD by highlighting things to do between Virginia Beach, VA and Solomons, MD.

Just north of the state line, the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge offers a boardwalk trail through dark, tea-colored water and towering bald cypress. It’s one of the best stops Virginia Beach, VA to Solomons, MD for nature lovers and how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities. Farther north, the York River State Park near Williamsburg showcases marshlands and ancient fossil beds along the York River. In Maryland, Calvert Cliffs State Park is famous for Miocene-era shark teeth and fossilized shells—families can easily spend two hours combing the beach. This region is part of the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem, one of the largest estuaries in the world with over 11,000 miles of shoreline. Local commerce thrives on seafood and tourism; the small town of Gloucester, VA has a charming Main Street with antique shops and a farmers market on Saturdays. For locally made crafts, stop at the Peninsula Fine Arts Center in Newport News.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Colonial Williamsburg, a 15-minute detour off I-64, is part of a UNESCO World Heritage site (along with Jamestown and Yorktown). This living history museum stretches 301 acres and includes over 500 restored or reconstructed buildings. Visitors can watch blacksmiths, join a militia muster, or tour the Governor’s Palace. Plan at least 2.5 hours for a meaningful visit.

US-17 between Newport News and Gloucester has several at-grade railroad crossings with active warning lights—always slow down. The drawbridge on MD-2 over the Patuxent River near Solomons opens on demand; delays rarely exceed 10 minutes. Fatigue management is easiest at the mile marker 0 rest area on I-64 eastbound (just past the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel). For families, the Virginia Living Museum in Newport News combines an aquarium and a nature trail with a planetarium—indoor and outdoor exhibits keep children engaged for hours. The Jamestown Settlement (closer to Williamsburg) is another excellent family stop with a Powhatan village and replicas of the three ships.

• Pet-friendly: First Landing State Park in Virginia Beach (dog-friendly trails) and the Calvert Cliffs beach allow leashed pets. The Comfort Inn in Solomons accepts pets for a $25 fee per night.
• Child suitability: 5–10 minutes at each attraction creates natural breaks; the 45-minute drive from Gloucester to Solomons is ideal for a nap.
• Hidden off-route spot: The abandoned 17th-century Bacon’s Castle in Surry, VA—only 15 minutes off route via the Scotland Ferry (free, runs every 30 minutes).

Road quality: I-64 is a four-lane divided highway with asphalt in good condition; US-17 from Suffolk to Gloucester is mostly rural two-lane with occasional passing lanes. The entire route is well-lit only in urban areas—night driving requires high beams between towns. Hydrate frequently: the Coastal Virginia humidity can cause headaches. Rest zones with picnic tables exist at the James River Bridge toll plaza (southbound) and at the Gloucester Courthouse Visitor Center. For a quick meal, the Crab Shack in Gloucester serves soft-shell crab sandwiches ($9.99) and is open 11am–8pm. Is it worth driving Virginia Beach, VA to Solomons, MD? Absolutely, for the blend of history, fossil hunting, and Chesapeake seafood that these stops provide.

Fuel up in Virginia Beach at the 7-Eleven on General Booth Boulevard (regular gas ~$3.20/gal). The next affordable gas is in Suffolk at the Sheetz on US-58. After crossing the James River Bridge ($2 toll southbound only, exact change/E-ZPass), follow US-17 north. A critical fuel point is the BP in Gloucester Courthouse at the intersection of US-17 and VA-14. The final stretch on MD-2 into Solomons is devoid of gas stations for 15 miles—fill up in Lusby at the Exxon near Cove Point Road.

• Average fuel cost: ~$35 one-way for an SUV
• E-ZPass recommended for James River Bridge and Bay Bridge tolls
• Best rest area: I-64 Eastbound at Newport News (mile marker 264) with flush toilets and vending machines

How long to drive Virginia Beach, VA to Solomons, MD depends on stops: budget 3.5 hours with a single 20-minute break. For families, plan 4–5 hours with a meal stop. The road surface on US-17 is mostly well-maintained two-lane highway; watch for logging trucks near the Great Dismal Swamp. Cell service drops briefly in isolated sections of the swamp and again near the Calvert Cliffs area.