Virginia Beach and Hampton Roads driving can be a little confusing if you have never been here.  Hampton Roads is divided by the Chesapeake Bay into a nothern area called the Peninsula (Hampton, Newport News, Williamsburg, etc..) and a southern area called the Southside (Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, etc…).

The many inlets and bays coming in from the Chesapeake Bay also causes problem in that it is difficult sometimes to get directly fron Point A to Point B becasue there is a body of water in your way.

Addin to the confusion is the fact that I-64 is labeled as a EAST-WEST interstate… but as is passes through Hampton Roads, the interstate is actually going NORTH-SOUTH.  It takes some getting used to.

Always checkout the traffic cameras

HAMPTON ROADS TRAFFIC CAMERAS

Here are some of the quickest and easiest ways to get to the Virginia Beach Oceanfront.

From The Chesapeake Bay Bridge / Tunnel

Coming south on Rt 13 over the Chesapeake Bay Bridge / Tunnel the easiest way to get to the oceanfront is by turning left (East) onto Shore Drive and then stay on Shore Drive until it reaches the oceanfront.

From Norfolk International Airport (ORF)

From the Norfolk International Airport you rally have 2 different options.

OPTION #1) Interstate
Get onto I-64 East and then a few miles down the interstate stay inthe right lane and merge onto I-264 East.  You should see signs for the Virginia beach Oceanfront.  This is all interstate highway driving so you won’t get to see very many scenic things, but it should be the quickest route (assuming no traffic)

OPTION #2) Interstate to Shore Dr
Get onto I-64 East and stay in the right lane and take the exit for Rt 13 North (Northampton Blvd).  This will take you up towards the Chesapeake Bay and and you can then take the exit for Shore Dr (the last exit before you reach the tolls booths for the Chesapeake Bay Bride Tunnel CBBT).  This is a much more scenic route that will take you through Seashore State Park and the North End of Virginia Beach.

From the North (through the Hampton Roads Bridge / Tunnel) HRBT

If you are coming from the North down I-64 East (ex: from Richmond), you more than likely must pass through either the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel (HRBT). The tunnels coming to and from Virginia Beach are very unique and interesting, but they can cause huge traffic delays.  Maintain your speed and keeps your eyes on the road. You will have to pass through the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel (HRBT) which connects the Peninsula area (Hampton and Newport News) to the Southside (Virginia Beach and Norfolk).

You really have 2 different  main options once you get through the Hampton Roads bridge tunnel (HRBT).

OPTION #1) Interstate
Stay on I-64 East and stay in the right lane and merge onto I-264 East.  You should see signs for the Virginia Beach Oceanfront.  This is all interstate highway driving so you won’t get to see very many scenic things, but it should be the quickest route (assuming no traffic)

OPTION #2) Interstate to Shore Dr
Stay on I-64 East and stay in the right lane and take the exit for Rt 13 North (Northampton Blvd).  This will take you up towards the Chesapeake Bay and and you can then take the exit for Shore Dr (the last exit before you reach the tolls booths for the Chesapeake Bay Bride Tunnel CBBT).  This is a much more scenic route that will take you through Seashore State Park and the North End of Virginia Beach.

From the South on I-64 West

If you are coming from the South, most likely you will be on I-64 West.  The easiest way to get to the Oceanfront is to stay in the right lane and merge onto I-264 East.  This is all interstate driving and will get you there the fastest.  There really are no other easy routes from the south.

Other driving information:

• Drive on the right side of the highway.
• Seatbelts are required for all vehicle occupants.
• Right turn on red after stopping is permitted in Virginia unless otherwise indicated.
• Children under age 4 or under 40 pounds must be secured in a child restraint or booster seat.
• State Police monitor the highways entering Virginia Beach and local Virginia Beach Police monitor the local streets.  They have seen every sort of vacationer imaginable and although they can be reasonable, they mean business if you are breaking the law!