Road Trip Adventures: Austin to Virginia Beach

If you're looking to stretch your legs and explore on a road trip, there's no better place to start than Austin, Texas! The Lone Star State's capital is packed with character, music, and culture. From there, you've got a long drive ahead to get to Virginia Beach, Virginia. But don't worry - with some careful planning, you'll make the most of your journey and get the most out of your road trip experience!

The Fastest Routes

The fastest way to get from Austin to Virginia Beach is to take I-35 North and I-81 East. This 1,370-mile route will take around 21 hours of driving time in total. You can technically make it in a day if you're feeling ambitious, but we'd recommend planning for at least one overnight stop.

Another fast route is to take I-10 East until you reach I-95 North. This route is slightly longer at 1,550 miles but will take around the same amount of driving time. However, if you're looking to make a pit stop to explore New Orleans or Savannah, this route is a great option.

The Scenic Routes

If you're in the mood for a slower pace with plenty of sights to see, you can take the scenic routes. One option is to take I-35 North and then switch to US-60 East once you pass St. Louis. This route takes you through the heart of the Midwest, with plenty of charming small towns and local flavors along the way.

Another scenic route is to take I-35 North until you reach I-70 East. This route takes you through the beautiful Appalachians, with stunning views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and Shenandoah National Park.

Time Based On Traffic

Traffic can significantly impact the time it takes to drive from Austin to Virginia Beach. At peak traffic times, which are typically weekdays from 7-9 am and 4-7 pm, you can expect the travel time to increase by at least an hour. On the flip side, if you're driving during the weekend or very early in the morning, you can expect a smoother journey with less congestion.

Using Google Maps, we estimated the driving time for the fastest and most scenic routes at peak and low traffic times. Check out the table below to see the estimated driving time for each route.

Route	Distance	Peak Traffic	Low Traffic
I-35 and I-81	1,370 mi	23 hours	19 hours
I-10 and I-95	1,550 mi	24 hours	20 hours
I-35 and US-60	1,522 mi	26 hours	22 hours
I-35 and I-70	1,555 mi	26 hours	22 hours

Regardless of which route you choose, the most important part of any road trip is to stay safe, have fun, and take plenty of pit stops to explore the unique sights and cultures along the way. Happy travels!