Getting Around Chesapeake
Chesapeake is part of the Hampton Roads region of Virginia, and like much of that area, it is difficult to get around without a car. A personal vehicle is by far the most practical way for a visitor to cover the city's spread-out districts and to reach the surrounding Hampton Roads communities.
Rail, Metro and Trams
The source material for Chesapeake does not describe any local rail, metro, or tram network serving the city. Visitors should not expect to rely on these modes for getting around Chesapeake itself.
Buses and Public Transport
Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) is the regional public transport provider and does service some areas of the city. Coverage is partial rather than comprehensive, so a visitor planning to use the bus should check the HRT network in advance to confirm whether their particular destination is served. Because only some areas are covered, buses are best treated as a supplement to driving rather than a replacement for it.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
The provided source material does not give specific detail on taxis or ride-hailing services in Chesapeake. Given how car-dependent the area is, these are a reasonable option to consider for point-to-point trips, but visitors should confirm availability locally, especially outside the central areas.
Walkability
Chesapeake is not a walkable city in the way a dense urban center might be. The city is spread across a large area tied together by highways, bridges, and tunnels, and the practical guidance from the source is clear: getting around without a car is difficult. Walking is realistic for individual destinations once you have arrived, but not as a way to move between them.
Roads, Bridges and Tunnels
Driving is the backbone of getting around Chesapeake, and understanding the road system will save a visitor considerable time.
- The Hampton Roads Beltway is the most popular way in and out of the city. It consists of I-64 on the east side of Chesapeake, I-664 on the west side, and I-464 along the Norfolk/Chesapeake border.
- US-13, US-460 and US-58 connect Chesapeake to Suffolk and provide access to other parts of Virginia. US-13 continues toward northeastern North Carolina, US-460 connects to Petersburg, and US-58 connects to Emporia and Southside Virginia.
- VA-168, known as the Chesapeake Expressway (or simply the bypass to locals), serves south Chesapeake and continues toward the Outer Banks of North Carolina. It is the only toll road in the Hampton Roads area. The toll is located on the border between Virginia and North Carolina, and travelers are not obligated to pay it unless they stay on the road that passes through the toll station.
The Hampton Roads area, and Chesapeake in particular, is known for its many bridges and tunnels, which can be confusing to anyone unfamiliar with the local roads. Chesapeake has several bridges over the Elizabeth River, and it is crucial to know which one to take in order to avoid long delays or getting lost.
Getting In from the Airport
The provided source material does not describe airport connections for Chesapeake. Visitors arriving by air should plan on a car-based transfer, consistent with the general guidance that the city is difficult to navigate without a vehicle.