Site Navigation Delaware District of Columbia Maryland New Jersey Pennsylvania Virginia West Virginia     Interstate 85 Virginia Interstate 85 North The first northbound Interstate 85 reassurance marker posted within the state of Virginia. The Virginia state welcome center resides ahead. Photo taken 08/08/04. Interstate 85 enters the state of Virginia in southeast Mecklenburg County at Lake Gaston. The four-lane freeway utilizes a short causeway over the lake ahead of the Exit 4 interchange near Bracey. Photo taken 10/02/04. Virginia State Secondary 903 (Highway Nine O Three) intersects Interstate 85 at the Exit 4 diamond interchange near Bracey. The highway loops southwest from South Hill than east to Ebony along the northern fringes of Lake Gaston. Photo taken 08/08/04. Interstate 85 northbound at Virginia State Secondary 903 (Highway Nine 0 Three). The highway travels 5.5 miles north Smiths Crossroads and 10.5 miles east to Ebony Road near Ebony. Virginia SSR 903 ends in South Hill (pop. 4,403) ten miles to the north at junction U.S. 1 (Danville Street). Photo taken 08/08/04. Auxiliary guide sign for the Exit 12A off-ramp onto U.S. 58 eastbound at South Hill. U.S. 58 leaves South Hill for LaCrosse (pop. 618), Brodnax (pop. 317), and Lawrenceville (pop. 1,275) on the 34-mile drive east to Emporia (pop. 5,665). Photo taken 08/08/04. Attached to the Rocky Branch Road over crossing is the one-mile guide sign for Exits 12A/B (U.S. 58) on Interstate 85 northbound. U.S. 58 comprises an expressway from Exit 12 west to U.S. 1 along the south side of South Hill. The federal highway merges with U.S. 1 three miles west of Interstate 85 for a four mile overlap southward. Photo taken 10/02/04. Exit 12B auxiliary guide sign for the U.S. 58 westbound destinations of Boydton (pop. 454) and Clarksville (pop. 1,329). U.S. 58 skims the southern reaches of Virginia 28 miles between South Hill and Clarksville and 20 miles from there west to South Boston (pop. 8,491). Photo taken 08/08/04. Drawing to within one half mile of the U.S. 58 cloverleaf interchange on Interstate 85 northbound. U.S. 58 relocated from Atlantic Street, Mecklenburg Avenue, and Danville Street to an expressway bypass of South Hill by November 4, 1999. The $35.1 million bypass tallies 5.2 miles in length between older sections of U.S. 58. An interchange exists with Virginia State Secondary 903 (Hill Street) along the four-lane limited access highway.1 Photo taken 10/02/04. Traffic to U.S. 58 eastbound departs Interstate 85 northbound at Exit 12A. The former folded-diamond interchange was upgraded to a full cloverleaf in conjunction with the U.S. 58 Bypass project by 2000.1 U.S. 58 otherwise enters LaCrosse directly east of Interstate 85. The federal highway travels east from Emporia and the Interstate 95 corridor to Hampton Roads and Virginia Beach (pop. 425,257) at its eastern terminus. Photo taken 10/02/04. The overpasses that carry U.S. 58 over Interstate 85 were also rebuilt in conjunction with the South Hill Bypass project of 1998 to 2000.1 Exit 12B loops onto Atlantic Street westbound ahead of its split with U.S. 58 west (South Hill Bypass) and the northbound beginning of Virginia 47. Virginia 47 follows Atlantic Street through downtown South Hill en route to Chase City (pop. 2,457) 22 miles west of town. Photo taken 08/08/04. U.S. 1 threads downtown South Hill via Mecklenburg Avenue from Danville Street northward. The federal highway continues northeast along Mecklenburg Avenue to junction Interstate 85 (Exit 15) on the northeast side of town. A partial-cloverleaf interchange joins U.S. 1 with Interstate 85. Photo taken 08/08/04. Northbound on Interstate 85 at the Exit 15 off-ramp for U.S. 1 (Mecklenburg Avenue). U.S. 1 meets the southern terminus of Virginia 138 (Union Mill Road) just west of Interstate 85. The north-south highway ventures 17 miles north to Kenbridge (pop. 1,253) and junction Virginia 40. U.S. 1 northbound enters the community of Cochran 14 miles to the east. Photo taken 08/08/04. Interstate 85 turns northeast from South Hill to Alberta and Petersburg. The four-lane freeway retains a forested median throughout the stretch between the North Carolina state line and Petersburg. The nine mile stretch between Exit 15 and 24 is the longest exit less segment of the freeway in Virginia. Photo taken 08/08/04. Interstate 85 crosses the Brunswick County line midway between South Hill and junction Virginia State Secondary 644 (Brunswick Drive) at Exit 24. Pictured here is the one-mile guide sign for the Exit 24 diamond interchange Brunswick Drive. Photo taken 08/08/04. Virginia State Secondary 644 (Brunswick Drive) reaches Meredithville one mile south of Interstate 85 at junction U.S. 1 (Boydton Plank Road). The state secondary route continues south from there six miles to U.S. 58 and 13 miles to White Plains. Northward, Brunswick Drive continues 5.5 miles to Virginia 46 (Christanna Highway) east of Danieltown. Photo taken 08/08/04. Virginia 46 (Christanna Highway) crosses paths with Interstate 85 at the Exit 27 half-diamond interchange near Cochran. The state highway serves the campus of St. Paul's College at Lawrenceville and the Christanna campus of Southside Virginia Community College. Photo taken 08/08/04. Virginia 46 continues North Carolina 46 north into Virginia near Lake Gaston. The state highway reaches Brunswick seven miles north of the state line and Lawrenceville eight miles north of Brunswick. After a one mile overlap with U.S. 58 Business at Lawrenceville, the state highway turns northwest eight miles to Cochran and Interstate 85. Use Virginia 46 northbound for Blackstone (pop. 3,674) and Fort Pickett. Photo taken 08/08/04. The one-mile guide sign for the second U.S. 1 interchange in Virginia (Exit 28) is posted below the Virginia 46 over crossing at Exit 27. U.S. 1 (Boydton Plank Road) shifts from south of Interstate 85 to north of Interstate 85 between Cochran and Alberta (pop. 306). The highway comprises a four-lane divided highway between Virginia 46 (Christanna Highway) and junction Virginia 136 (Second Avenue). Photo taken 08/08/04. U.S. 1 (Boydton Plank Road) junctions with Interstate 85 via a diamond interchange at Exit 28 one half mile southwest of Alberta. Boydton Plank Road continues U.S. 1 northeast 4.6 miles to Warfield and Sturgeonville parallel to Interstate 85. Photo taken 08/08/04. Virginia State Secondary 630 (Sturgeon Road) stems southeast from U.S. 1 (Boydton Plank Road) to Interstate 85 at Exit 34. A diamond interchange joins the surface highway with the freeway. Photo taken 08/08/04. Northbound at the Virginia State Secondary 630 (Sturgeon Road) off-ramp at Exit 34. Virginia State Secondary 630 sinks eight mile southward to Old State Road two miles north of Edgerton and junction U.S. 58 (Governor Harrison Parkway). Photo taken 08/08/04. Old Stage Road (Virginia State Secondary 712) interchanges with Interstate 85 at Exit 39. The north-south roadway ends nearby at U.S. 1 (Boydton Plank Road) near the northeastern edge of Brunswick County. Photo taken 08/08/04. Interstate 85 northbound at the Virginia State Secondary 712 diamond interchange (Exit 39). The community of Rawlings lies 3.3 miles west via U.S. 1 (Boydton Plank Road) and Rawlings Road. Photo taken 08/08/04. One mile south of the Virginia 40 (McKenney Highway) diamond interchange on Interstate 85 northbound. Virginia 40 becomes Doyle Boulevard west of Exit 42 as it enters the town of McKenney (pop. 441). From there the state highway turns northwest ten miles to Darvills and 20 miles to Blackstone. Photo taken 08/08/04. Exit 42 guide sign on Interstate 85 northbound at Virginia 40 (McKenney Highway). Virginia 40 travels east 19 miles from Interstate 85 to junction U.S. 301 and Interstate 95 at Stoney Creek (pop. 202). The state highway turns northeast from there to Sussex, Homeville, and Waverly (pop. 2,309). Photo taken 08/08/04. Interstate 85 nears the community of DeWitt at the Exit 48 interchange with Virginia State Secondary 650 (Hamilton Arms Road). The community lies at the junction of Hamilton Arms Road and U.S. 1 (Boydton Plank Road) just west of the freeway. Photo taken 08/08/04. Interstate 85 northbound at the Exit 48 diamond interchange with Virginia State Secondary 650 (Hamilton Arms Road). Hamilton Arms Road becomes Hawkins Church Road at Gateswood Road two miles east of Interstate 85. The settlement of Hamilton lies nearby. Photo taken 08/08/04. Use Exit 53 for the Virginia Motorsports Park in Dinwiddie. The facility is known as one of the top drag race strips in the U.S. Photo taken 08/08/04. Virginia State Secondary 703 (Carson Road) intersects Interstate 85 at a partial-cloverleaf interchange near Dinwiddie. Courthouse Road (Virginia State Secondary 619) stems southeast from U.S. 1 (Boydton Plank Road) and Dinwiddie to Hardiways Mill Road over Interstate 85 at the one-mile guide sign for Exit 53. Photo taken 08/08/04. Interstate 85 northbound at the Dinwiddie County seat of Dinwiddie and Exit 53 (Virginia State Secondary 703). 12 miles to the east is Carson via Virginia State Secondary 703. Photo taken 08/08/04. U.S. 460 eastbound merges onto Interstate 85 northbound at the Exit 61 partial-cloverleaf interchange west of Petersburg. The federal route follows Cox Road west from Dinwiddie County Airport three miles to Sutherland and 30 miles to Blackstone and Fort Pickett. U.S. 460 constitutes a four-lane corridor between Petersburg, Farmville (pop. 6,845), Lynchburg (pop. 65,269), and Roanoke (pop. 94,911) in south central Virginia. Photo taken 10/02/04. Cox Road ends at U.S. 1 (Boydton Plank Road) adjacent to the Pamplin Historical Park and National Museum of the Civil War Soldier. Use either Exit 61 for Cox Road east or Exit 63A for U.S. 1 south to the attraction. Photo taken 10/02/04. U.S. 1 (Boydton Plank Road) junctions with Interstate 85 at a six-ramp partial-cloverleaf interchange west of Petersburg (pop. 33,740). The federal highway crosses paths with Interstate 85 for the final time at Exit 63 before it turns eastward into downtown Petersburg. Photo taken 08/08/04. Exit 63A departs Interstate 85 northbound for U.S. 1 south to Virginia 142 (Simpson Road) eastbound. Portions of the Petersburg National Battlefield are accessible via U.S. 1 southbound to Hofheimer Way and Church Road. Included there is Fort Fisher, Fort Conahey, Fort Welsh, and Fort Gregg among other former military installations. The federal highway otherwise intersects Cox Road (former U.S. 460) 1.5 miles to the west. Photo taken 08/08/04. Interstate 85 northbound at the Exit 63B loop ramp onto U.S. 1 northbound. Not displayed here is U.S. 460 Business and its overlap with U.S. 1 northbound into Petersburg. The pair enter the independent city of Petersburg 1.75 miles to the northeast along Washington Street. U.S. 460 Business returns to U.S. 460 via Crater Road (U.S. 301) at Interstate 95 Exit 50C/D. Photo taken 08/08/04. Interstate 85 northbound & U.S. 460 eastbound cutout markers posted on the freeway between junction U.S. 1 (Exit 63) and the Seventh Avenue under crossing west of Petersburg. Cutouts for U.S. 460 can be found on both directions of Interstate 85 within the Petersburg vicinity. The shields are similar to U.S. 89 cutouts found on Interstate 70 in western Utah. Photo taken 10/02/04. Interstate 85 north & U.S. 460 east enter the city limits of Petersburg one mile ahead of the Squirrel Level Road diamond interchange (Exit 65). Dupuy Road passes under the freeway ahead. Out of view to the south is parallel Virginia 142 along Halifax Street. Photo taken 08/08/04. Motorists depart Interstate 85 north & U.S. 460 (Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike) for Squirrel Level Road at the Exit 65 diamond interchange. Squirrel Level Road intersects Defense Road south of the interchange and Virginia 142 (Halifax Street) north of Exit 65. Squirrel Level Road becomes Youngs Road north of Halifax Street. Photo taken 08/08/04. Interstate 85 enters its final stretch on the Richmond-Peterburg Turnpike to Interstate 95 and downtown Petersburg. The first in a series of signs for Exits 68 and 69 directs drivers to Petersburg National Battlefield via Exit 69 (Interstate 95 northbound). The park lies within the Petersburg city limits between U.S. 301 (Crater Road) and Fort Lee east of Interstate 95. Photo taken 08/08/04. 1.75 miles west of the modified trumpet interchange with Interstate 95 on Interstate 85 north & U.S. 460 east. Interstate 95 enters the city of Petersburg 47 miles north of the North Carolina state line near Emporia. The Interstate continues the Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike northward 24 miles to downtown Richmond (pop. 197,790). Photo taken 08/08/04. U.S. 460 eastbound splits with Interstate 85 northbound via the Exit 68 off-ramp onto Interstate 95 south. The federal highway follows Interstate 95 briefly between the Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike and County Drive. U.S. 460 represents the main link between Petersburg and Hampton Roads. The eastern terminus of the highway occurs in Norfolk (pop. 234,403). Photo taken 10/02/04. Use Interstate 95 northbound (Exit 69) to Virginia 36 (Washington Street) eastbound for the U.S. Army Quartermaster Museum and the U.S. Army Women's Museum at Fort Lee. Photo taken 08/08/04. U.S. 301 parallels Interstate 95 via Crater Road northward through Petersburg to the one-way street couplet of Bank and Bollingbrook Streets near downtown. Use Exit 68 onto Interstate 95 southbound for its interchange with Crater Road (Exits 50C/D) from Interstate 85 north & U.S. 460 east. Photo taken 10/02/04. Interstate 85 north & U.S. 460 east prepare for the Exit 68 and 69 partition onto Interstate 95 north and south at the Sycamore Street overpass. Interstate 95 southbound reaches Emporia in 40 miles and Rocky Mount, North Carolina (pop. 55,893) in 92 miles. Downtown Norfolk likes 75 miles to the east via U.S. 460 and Interstate 264. Photo taken 10/02/04. Traffic interests to Fort Lee and Hopewell via Virginia 36 (Washington Street) should use Exit 69. Virginia 36 travels east from U.S. 301 (Crater Road) 3.4 miles to the independent city of Hopewell (pop. 22,354). Photo taken 08/08/04. U.S. 460 and Exit 68 to Interstate 95 southbound depart Interstate 85 northbound for Emporia, Rocky Mount, and Norfolk respectively. Graham Street passes under the Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike here otherwise. Photo taken 08/08/04. The final off-ramp of Interstate 85 northbound (Exit 69) actually utilizes the Exit 50D ramp from Interstate 95. A collector/distributor roadway along the northbound lanes of Interstate 95 departs 1.50 miles to the southeast of the junction at U.S. 460 east (County Drive). The northbound c/d roadway sees ramps for County Drive, U.S. 301 (Crater Road), and Wythe & Washington Streets (U.S. 460 Business). The ramp from Interstate 85 northbound onto Interstate 95 northbound yields a slip ramp (Exit 69) onto the adjacent Wythe & Washington Street off-ramp of Exit 50D. Interstate 85 itself merges onto Interstate 95 in one half mile otherwise. Photos taken 08/08/04. Interstate 85 South The first southbound reassurance shield of Interstate 85. For the next seven miles U.S. 460 overlaps with Interstate 85. A cutout shield is posted alongside the Interstate 85 assembly depicted here. Photo taken 10/14/01. A second set of Interstate 85 & U.S. 460 cutout shields is posted beyond the Exit 65 diamond interchange at Squirrel Level Road. The first five miles of Interstate 85 constitute the southernmost portion of the original Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike. Photo taken 10/14/01. Sources: 1 - US-58 Widening and Bypasses in Mecklenburg County, RoadstotheFuture.com. Page Updated December 10, 2004.