Van Hire
Newport News

Once you have your hire van, the easiest place for a calm loading experience is a parking bay away from the main hire office traffic. Rather than loading at the kerb, drive to a less congested section of the rental car car park. This gives your group ample space to organise luggage, install any necessary child seats, and get everyone settled comfortably. Taking a few extra minutes in a quiet corner of the car park prevents the pressure of holding up other travellers and ensures a smooth start to your trip.

For a late-night arrival, the rental car return lots are often the best option for a final check before leaving the airport grounds. These areas are typically well lit and have less traffic during off-peak hours. After securing your van, simply pull into one of the designated parking bays to do a headcount and adjust your luggage. This allows you to get organised in a safe, stationary location before navigating onto the main roads in an unfamiliar area.

For a straightforward drive, taking Jefferson Avenue (VA-143) south from the airport area is an excellent choice. This main surface road offers a direct path towards the town centre and the waterfront, bypassing the more complex motorway interchanges of I-64. The route is well signed with manageable speed limits, allowing you to acclimatise to the feel of the van. It features regular traffic lights, which can be less intimidating than high-speed merges for a first-time driver in the area.

Visitors driving a van often find surprises along the city's main commercial corridors, particularly Jefferson Avenue and Warwick Boulevard (US-60). On these multi-lane roads, through lanes can abruptly become turn-only lanes, especially near major shopping centres and junctions. The on-ramps for I-64 can also feature shorter-than-expected merge lanes. It's sensible to stay in the centre or left-centre lanes when possible and pay close attention to overhead signage to avoid last-minute manoeuvres.

A great way to structure this day trip is by creating a logical loop using the Colonial Parkway. Start your morning by driving from Newport News to Yorktown to explore the battlefield and waterfront. From there, take the scenic Colonial Parkway west, which directly connects Yorktown to Jamestown. After visiting Jamestown Settlement and Historic Jamestowne, you can easily return to Newport News via VA-199 and I-64, completing an efficient and picturesque historical tour.

When travelling by van, it's a smart strategy to arrive at the Busch Gardens parking toll booths about 30 to 45 minutes before the park's official opening time. This allows you to secure a parking spot in one of the lots closer to the entrance, which is especially helpful for a large group. Arriving early also gives you plenty of time to unload, gather your group, and get through the entrance gates before the peak crowds arrive, maximising your time on the rides.

The most convenient and stress-free option is to park your van at the official Colonial Williamsburg Visitor Centre. The car parks there are expansive and designed to accommodate larger vehicles like vans. From the Visitor Centre, your group can take the complimentary and frequent shuttle bus service directly to the historic area. This approach allows you to avoid navigating the narrow, often congested streets of the colonial district while still having easy access back to your vehicle for breaks or to store belongings.

The Mariners' Museum and Park is exceptionally well suited for van arrivals. The museum has a large, dedicated car park with a wide, circular driveway leading directly to the main entrance. This setup is perfect for dropping off passengers, especially those with limited mobility, right at the front door. The driver can then easily loop around to find a parking space in the spacious lot, making the entire process smooth and efficient for the whole group.

During morning and evening commutes, traffic through the Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel (I-664) can slow down significantly. In a larger van, it's important to maintain a steady pace and leave extra following distance between your vehicle and the one ahead. The lanes inside the tunnel can feel narrow, so staying centred in your lane is key. Be prepared for potential stop-and-go conditions and allow for extra travel time when your route includes the tunnel during these busy periods.

The decision often comes down to your group's primary focus and budget. Basing your group in Newport News can offer a wider variety of lodging options and provides a central point for exploring the entire Hampton Roads region, including Norfolk and Virginia Beach. Conversely, staying in Williamsburg is ideal for groups who want to be fully immersed in the historical attractions, minimising daily travel time to Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown, and Yorktown.

For a hassle-free supply run, look for major grocery store chains located in the large shopping centres along Jefferson Avenue or Warwick Boulevard. These establishments, such as those in the Jefferson Commons or Patrick Henry Mall areas, feature expansive car parks designed for high traffic volumes. The wider aisles and larger parking spaces make manoeuvring a van much simpler than trying to navigate the tighter lots of smaller, standalone stores.

A frequent mistake is getting into the wrong lane for the major bridge–tunnels, the Hampton Roads Bridge–Tunnel (HRBT) or the Monitor–Merrimac. The interchanges for I-64 and I-664 can be complex, and sat-nav directions can sometimes be ambiguous until the last moment. It's crucial to pay close attention to the large overhead motorway signs well in advance of the splits. Reviewing the route on a map beforehand can help you visualise the correct sequence of exits.

To have a smoother trip to Virginia Beach, plan to depart from Newport News either before 07:00 or after 09:30 on a weekday. This helps you miss the peak morning commuter traffic heading through the tunnels. For your return journey, leaving the beach before 15:00 or waiting until after 18:30 is your best bet to avoid the heavy afternoon rush hour congestion that frequently builds up on the I-64 corridor.

During peak times at City Center at Oyster Point, the easiest method is to use the large, open-air car parks for drop-offs and pickups. Instead of trying to stop along the main, often busy, roads, arrange to meet your group at a specific landmark within a car park. This allows the driver to pull into a space briefly, providing a safe and unhurried environment for passengers to get in and out of the van without disrupting traffic.

Hotels situated along the major commercial corridors, such as Jefferson Avenue near the airport or in the Oyster Point area, typically offer the best setups for vans. These properties are often newer and designed with wider driveways and spacious, covered porticos for easy loading and unloading. Their large, well signed car parks also make finding a suitable spot and turning the vehicle around a much simpler task compared to older hotels in more compact areas.

A smart approach is to cluster your visits based on location and parking availability. For example, you can visit the Virginia Air & Space Science Center and the nearby Hampton Carousel in one stop, as they are within walking distance and share access to large parking garages. Then, treat Fort Monroe as a separate destination, driving there and utilising its own distinct and ample parking areas. This minimises the number of times you need to park and helps streamline your day.

Successfully navigating the HRBT with children is all about preparation. Before you even get on I-64, make a planned stop for toilets and snacks, as there are no facilities once you are committed to the tunnel approach. Check a real-time traffic app right before you leave to gauge potential delays. Having activities, drinks and snacks readily accessible inside the van can make an unexpected traffic jam much more manageable for everyone.

The most reliable route is to take I-664 South towards Hampton and follow the clear signage for Fort Monroe. To avoid unexpected traffic, it's highly recommended to check the official Fort Monroe and City of Hampton event calendars online before your visit. Planning your trip for a weekday morning is often the best strategy, as weekends can be busy with festivals and local events that create congestion near the waterfront entrance.

To secure a good parking spot for a van at Buckroe Beach, especially on a warm, sunny weekend, aim to arrive before 10:00. The main car parks closest to the beach and playground fill up very quickly. Arriving early not only ensures you find a space large enough for your vehicle but also allows your group to claim a prime spot on the sand before the biggest crowds settle in for the day.

A popular and effective plan is to dedicate the morning to the Yorktown Battlefield. Start at the visitor centre to get orientated, then use your van to take the self-guided driving tours of the expansive battlefield areas. After you've finished, head down to the waterfront district for lunch at one of the riverside restaurants. This allows you to spend the afternoon leisurely exploring the shops, piers, and beach area on foot.

Immediately after picking up your van, the large and often sparsely populated long-stay airport car parks are an ideal practice ground. Alternatively, the commercial area of Kiln Creek, just a minute from the airport, has wide roads and massive retail car parks that are very quiet on weekday mornings. These low-stress environments allow you to comfortably practise turns and gauge the van's size before heading onto busier roads.

A great strategy is to choose a primary destination on the outskirts of downtown Richmond that has ample, easy-access parking. For example, drive directly via I-64 to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts or Maymont Park, both of which have large lots suitable for vans. Park your van there for the day and then use a rideshare service or public transport to explore more congested areas like Carytown or Shockoe Slip, avoiding the hassle of navigating narrow city streets.

When travelling from Newport News to the Nauticus cruise terminal in Norfolk, it is wise to add a minimum of 90 minutes to your estimated travel time. This buffer accounts for potential significant delays at either the HRBT or Monitor-Merrimac tunnels, which are common. It also allows for the inevitable traffic congestion you'll encounter in downtown Norfolk and directly around the cruise port on a busy departure day.

A highly convenient and easy-to-find meeting point is the area around Patrick Henry Mall, right off I-64 at Exit 255 (Jefferson Avenue). The mall and surrounding shopping centres have vast car parks where a van can easily wait. This location also offers numerous coffee shops and restaurants, providing a comfortable place for early arrivals to wait for the rest of the group to assemble.

A practical plan involves dedicating a specific zone in the rear of the van for all beach-related items. Use large plastic storage bins or heavy-duty waterproof bags to contain wet towels, sandy toys, and damp swimwear. Before leaving the beach area, have everyone change into dry clothes. This keeps the main cabin clean and comfortable for the drive to Williamsburg and ensures you arrive for dinner feeling fresh and organised.

Visitors should be aware that sections of I-64 in the region have dynamically tolled express lanes that require an E-ZPass transponder for access. The rules for occupancy and tolls can vary, so it's important to watch the electronic signage carefully. Before using these lanes, it is essential to understand the rental car company's policy on tolling devices to ensure you are compliant and to avoid any unexpected administrative fees.

The Colonial Parkway is arguably the best option for a scenic drive in a van. This historic road connects Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Yorktown and is known for its leisurely pace and numerous paved pull-offs with beautiful views of the James and York rivers. These pull-offs are generally spacious enough to accommodate a van safely, making it easy to stop for photos or let the group stretch their legs.

For the most straightforward visit, use the park's main entrance on Jefferson Avenue, which is well signed and easy to access. Once inside, follow the main park road and look for signs directing you to the larger car parks, such as the one near the Discovery Centre or the main picnic areas. These lots are designed for high capacity and offer plenty of room to manoeuvre a van, providing easy access to the park's trails and amenities.

The Virginia Living Museum and The Mariners' Museum and Park are both excellent choices for groups with older adults. Both attractions feature wide, covered drop-off zones directly in front of their main entrances, allowing for easy and safe unloading from a van. They also offer large, flat car parks with accessible parking spaces located close to the building, minimising the walking distance for your group members.

The most direct and well signed route is to take I-64 West from Newport News to Exit 242A for VA-199 West. Follow VA-199 and then take the exit for the Colonial Parkway, heading south towards Jamestown. The parkway leads you directly to the Historic Jamestowne site and the adjacent Jamestown-Scotland Ferry terminal. This path avoids most of Williamsburg's local traffic and is designed for tourist travel.

To avoid post-event gridlock, establish a designated pickup spot away from the Coliseum's main entrance. A good strategy is to have the driver drop the group off and then wait in a nearby retail car park, like the one at Peninsula Town Centre. After the event, the group can walk a short distance to meet the van at that pre-arranged, less congested location for a much quicker getaway.

During peak traffic times, the I-64 interchanges with Jefferson Avenue (Exit 255) and Warwick Boulevard (Exit 258) can be particularly challenging due to heavy merging traffic and complex lane patterns. Additionally, the surface-level junction of Jefferson Avenue and Oyster Point Road is a major commercial hub that becomes extremely congested. Navigating these areas in a large van during rush hour requires extra caution and patience.

For an early start at the Yorktown Battlefield, the main Visitor Centre car park is an excellent and safe choice, as it's typically accessible before dawn. Along the Colonial Parkway, the numerous paved pull-offs overlooking the York and James rivers are perfect for sunrise photography and can easily accommodate a van. In Colonial Williamsburg, street parking along the perimeter, such as on Francis Street, is often available before the daily crowds arrive.

A great way to structure this day trip is by creating a logical loop using the Colonial Parkway. Start your morning by driving from Newport News to Yorktown to explore the battlefield and waterfront. From there, take the scenic Colonial Parkway west, which directly connects Yorktown to Jamestown. After visiting Jamestown Settlement and Historic Jamestowne, you can easily return to Newport News via VA-199 and I-64, completing an efficient and picturesque historical tour.

The key is to establish a single, clear meeting point before anyone exits the vehicle. When arriving at a large shopping centre, the driver should designate one specific store entrance as the official drop-off and pickup spot. Set a firm time for everyone to return to that exact location. This simple rule prevents the group from scattering and eliminates confusion when it's time to leave.

During adverse weather, it's best to stick to main, multi-lane thoroughfares like I-64, Jefferson Avenue, and Warwick Boulevard. These primary roads are generally better maintained, have better drainage, and are more sheltered than exposed coastal routes or smaller back roads. Driving at a reduced speed on these main arteries is the safest approach for maintaining control of a high-profile vehicle like a van during windy or rainy conditions.

The most convenient options are located right off the I-64 exits. The Lee Hall exit (247) and the Lightfoot exit (234) are particularly good choices, as they feature large, modern petrol stations and fast-food restaurants. These locations are designed for motorway travellers, offering spacious car parks that can easily accommodate a van, along with clean toilets and a variety of quick food options.

The most efficient method is to divide the tasks. First, the driver should proceed to the airport's departures terminal to drop off all passengers and their luggage at the airline's kerbside check-in. After the group is safely on their way inside, the driver can then circle back and head to the rental car return area alone. This avoids the chaos of managing a large group and all their bags in the confined rental return facility.

To be efficient, group your destinations geographically. Dedicate one full day to anything south of the James River, such as a trip to Norfolk, Portsmouth, or Virginia Beach, as this will require one round trip through a bridge–tunnel. On your other days, focus entirely on the Peninsula. You can bundle Williamsburg, Jamestown, and Yorktown into one day, and explore attractions in Newport News and Hampton on another, completely avoiding the tunnels on those days.