Driving in Hampton Roads
Fort Eustis Boulevard
VA-105W/Fort Eustis Boulevard leads directly to Fort Eustisafter it crosses over the Newport News City Reservoir.
Interstate 64
This highway becomes severely congested with traffic, particularly between Richmond and Norfolk. There has been construction all along the highway, focused now north and west of the Williamsburg area, which will continue for the next few years. The area of the interstate around Fort Eustis Boulevard is a major choke point; be extremely cautious in this area. I-64 is a major route for tourists with destinations to Busch Gardens, Virginia Beach, amd the Outer Banks of North Carolina.
Bridges and Tunnels
The "Peninsula" (Newport News/Hampton) is connected to the "South Side" (Norfolk/Virginia Beach/Chesapeake) by two bridge-tunnel complexes.
The older of the two, the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel (HRBT), connects Hampton and Norfolk via I-64 and is the primary route to Virginia Beach. With the considerable amount of construction on and around this tunnel, and the high volume of traffic on this road, expect heavy delays until you are through the tunnel; give yourself at least an extra 30 minutes to get where you are going. This is the shortest route to Virginia Beach.
The Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge Tunnel (MMMBT) connects Newport News and Suffolk/Chesapeake via I-664. This tunnel has less construction and far less traffic congestion. While it is slightly longer, this can be safe alternative to get to Virginia Beach.
US-17 James River Bridge is a lift bridge spanning the James River between Newport News and Smithfield/Isle of Wight County. This bridge has scheduled openings, so plan your trip ahead of time.
US-17 Coleman Bridge is a double swing, toll bridge spanning the York River between Yorktown and Gloucester Point. This bridge also has scheduled openings.
Jamestown-Scotland Ferry
The Virginia Department of Transportation offers a free automobile ferry crossing of the James River connecting Jamestown and Surry.
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