Transportation in Virginia depends on a large state-run road network. Bridges, tunnels and ferries carry traffic across rivers and harbors.
Quick answer: Transportation in Virginia relies on a 59,556-mile network of roads maintained by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), the third-largest state-maintained highway system in the nation. VDOT also manages more than 21,000 bridges and large culverts, six tunnels and three ferry services.
Contents
- The State Highway System
- Bridges, Tunnels and Ferries
- The Hampton Roads Crossings
- Ports
- Frequently asked questions
The State Highway System
VDOT maintains a system of 59,556 miles of interstate, primary, secondary and frontage roads.[1] Only Texas and North Carolina have larger state-maintained highway systems.[1]
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Road miles maintained by VDOT | 59,556 |
| Rank among state-maintained systems | 3rd |
| Bridges and large culverts | More than 21,000 |
| Tunnels | 6 |
| Ferry services | 3 |
| Full-time employees | More than 8,000 |
| Budget, fiscal year 2027 (revised) | About $9.0 billion |
Source for the table: VDOT.[1]
Bridges, Tunnels and Ferries
Besides roads, VDOT manages more than 21,000 bridges and large culverts, six tunnels and three ferry services.[1]
The Hampton Roads Crossings
The Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel carries Interstate 64 between Hampton and Norfolk. Its first two-lane tunnel opened in 1957 and a second in 1976. It carries more than 100,000 vehicles a day during the tourist season.[2] An expansion valued at $3.9 billion is adding twin bored tunnels across the harbor.[3]
Ports
Two of the five major U.S. North Atlantic ports lie on the Chesapeake Bay: Baltimore in Maryland and Hampton Roads in Virginia.[4]
Frequently asked questions
How many miles of roads does VDOT maintain? 59,556 miles of interstate, primary, secondary and frontage roads.
Does Virginia have the largest state road system? No. It is the third largest, after Texas and North Carolina.
How many tunnels are in Virginia’s road system? VDOT lists six tunnels.
What is the main port of Virginia? Hampton Roads, one of the major North Atlantic ports of the United States.
References
- [1] Virginia Department of Transportation, About VDOT – last checked 11/08/2026
- [2] VDOT, Hampton Roads Bridges and Tunnels – last checked 11/08/2026
- [3] VDOT, HRBT Expansion Project – last checked 11/08/2026
- [4] Chesapeake Bay Program, Bay Facts – last checked 11/08/2026
More about the tunnel under the harbor is in Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel (HRBT): History and Facts.