Virginia’s Eastern Shore and the Bay Bridge-Tunnel
Wild ponies at Chincoteague, sleepy harbor towns and a 17-mile crossing of the Chesapeake Bay.
- Distance
- 246 km (153 mi)
- Driving
- 2 h 44 min
- Suggested days
- 3
- Stops
- 9
- States
- MD, VA
- Updated
- May 4, 2026
At a glance: 3-day road trip of about 246 km (153 mi) with 9 stops, from Ocean City to Virginia Beach. About 2 h 44 min of driving in total.
More road trips in Maryland, Virginia
Route description
From Ocean City, Maryland, head south on US-113 and US-13 to the causeway to Chincoteague. The wildlife refuge on neighboring Assateague Island has the Assateague Lighthouse, a loop road past marshes full of herons, and the wild ponies that swim the channel each July.
On the way back to the mainland, stop at NASA’s Wallops visitor center, then follow US-13 south down the narrow peninsula. Detour west to Onancock, a quiet harbor town on a creek off the Chesapeake, and later to Cape Charles, an old railroad town with a public bay beach and good sunsets.
At the southern tip, Kiptopeke State Park has a breakwater of sunken concrete ships and fall bird migration. Then comes the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, 17 miles of trestles and two tunnels under the shipping lanes; there is a toll, and very high winds can close it to trailers and RVs.
Land near First Landing State Park, where the Jamestown settlers first came ashore, and finish in Virginia Beach. Spring and fall are ideal; summer mosquitoes on the Eastern Shore can be fierce.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Ocean City
MD - 262 km
Chincoteague
VA - 34 km
Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge
NatureChincoteague, VAThe Virginia end of Assateague Island, with the red-and-white Assateague Lighthouse, a wildlife loop and the famous wild ponies in the marsh.
- 412 km
NASA Wallops Visitor Center
OdditiesWallops Island, VAA small space museum at NASA’s rocket launch base on the Eastern Shore. Check the launch schedule; night launches are visible from Chincoteague.
- 543 km
Onancock
VA - 666 km
Cape Charles
VA - 714 km
Kiptopeke State Park
NatureCape Charles, VAA bayside park where a line of sunken concrete ships from World War II forms a breakwater. A key stop for migrating hawks and songbirds in fall.
- 834 km
First Landing State Park
NatureVirginia Beach, VACypress swamps, maritime forest and a bay beach where the Jamestown colonists first landed in 1607. The large campground is close to the beach.
- 912 km
Virginia Beach
VA
Suggested stages and overnight stops
3 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Ocean City → NASA Wallops Visitor Center · 48 mi · 0 h 52 minOn the way: Chincoteague, Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge.Overnight nearby, for example: Tom's Cove Park (5 mi); Jellystone Park Chincoteague Island (6 mi).
- Day 2: NASA Wallops Visitor Center → Cape Charles · 68 mi · 1 h 12 minOn the way: Onancock.Overnight nearby, for example: Sun Outdoors Cape Charles (2 mi); KOA Resort Cape Charles/Chesapeake Bay (9 mi).
- Day 3: Cape Charles → Virginia Beach · 37 mi · 0 h 40 minOn the way: Kiptopeke State Park, First Landing State Park.Overnight nearby, for example: Virginia Beach KOA Holiday (4 mi); Holiday Trav-L-Park (3 mi).
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April, June and November. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
Themes
FAQs
How long is Virginia’s Eastern Shore and the Bay Bridge-Tunnel?
3-day road trip of about 246 km (153 mi) with 9 stops, from Ocean City to Virginia Beach. About 2 h 44 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for Virginia’s Eastern Shore and the Bay Bridge-Tunnel?
We suggest 3 days: about 2 h 44 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does Virginia’s Eastern Shore and the Bay Bridge-Tunnel start and end?
It starts in Ocean City and ends in Virginia Beach.
Which states does Virginia’s Eastern Shore and the Bay Bridge-Tunnel pass through?
Maryland and Virginia.
Where can you camp along Virginia’s Eastern Shore and the Bay Bridge-Tunnel?
OpenStreetMap lists 39 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 19 mi of the stops on this route. For example: Jellystone Park Chincoteague Island, Tom's Cove Park and Sun Outdoors Cape Charles.
When is the best time for Virginia’s Eastern Shore and the Bay Bridge-Tunnel?
The most pleasant months are usually May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April, June and November. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
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