U.S. Route 13 (US 13) is a north–south
U.S. highway
The United States Numbered Highway System (often called U.S. Routes or U.S. Highways) is an integrated network of roads and highways numbered within a nationwide grid in the contiguous United States. As the designation and numbering of these h ...
established in 1926 that runs for from
Interstate 95
Interstate 95 (I-95) is the main north–south Interstate Highway on the East Coast of the United States, running from U.S. Route 1, US Route 1 (US 1) in Miami, Miami, Florida, to the Houlton–Woodstock Border Crossing between M ...
just north of
Fayetteville, North Carolina
Fayetteville () is a city in and the county seat of Cumberland County, North Carolina, United States. It is best known as the home of Fort Bragg, a major U.S. Army installation northwest of the city.
Fayetteville has received the All-America C ...
, to
U.S. Route 1
U.S. Route 1 or U.S. Highway 1 (US 1) is a major north–south United States Numbered Highway that serves the East Coast of the United States. It runs from Key West, Florida, north to Fort Kent, Maine, at the Canadian border, making i ...
in
Morrisville,
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania (; ( Pennsylvania Dutch: )), officially the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, is a state spanning the Mid-Atlantic, Northeastern, Appalachian, and Great Lakes regions of the United States. It borders Delaware to its southeast, ...
, a northeastern suburb of
Philadelphia
Philadelphia, often called Philly, is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the sixth-largest city in the U.S., the second-largest city in both the Northeast megalopolis and Mid-Atlantic regions after New York City. Sinc ...
. In the U.S. state of
Virginia
Virginia, officially the Commonwealth of Virginia, is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern regions of the United States, between the Atlantic Coast and the Appalachian Mountains. The geography and climate of the Commonwealth ar ...
, US 13 runs north–south through the
Hampton Roads
Hampton Roads is the name of both a body of water in the United States that serves as a wide channel for the James River, James, Nansemond River, Nansemond and Elizabeth River (Virginia), Elizabeth rivers between Old Point Comfort and Sewell's ...
and
Eastern Shore regions of the state, using the
Chesapeake Bay Bridge–Tunnel
The Chesapeake Bay Bridge–Tunnel (CBBT, officially the Lucius J. Kellam Jr. Bridge–Tunnel) is a bridge–tunnel that crosses the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay between Delmarva and Hampton Roads in the U.S. state of Virginia. It opened in 19 ...
to get between the two. In the Hampton Roads area, it uses
Military Highway
Military Highway is a four-to-eight-lane roadway built in the South Hampton Roads region of eastern Virginia, USA during World War II. Carrying US 13 for most of its length, it also carries US 58, and US 460 while in Chesapeake. It is a major alt ...
to bypass the city centers. It is most usually a four-lane highway, sometimes up to freeway or expressway standards with controlled access.
Route description
City of Suffolk
![US Route 13 - Virginia (8600259018)](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a9/US_Route_13_-_Virginia_%288600259018%29.jpg)
US 13 enters Virginia from
North Carolina
North Carolina () is a state in the Southeastern region of the United States. The state is the 28th largest and 9th-most populous of the United States. It is bordered by Virginia to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the east, Georgia and So ...
in the city of
Suffolk
Suffolk () is a ceremonial county of England in East Anglia. It borders Norfolk to the north, Cambridgeshire to the west and Essex to the south; the North Sea lies to the east. The county town is Ipswich; other important towns include Lowes ...
in the
Hampton Roads
Hampton Roads is the name of both a body of water in the United States that serves as a wide channel for the James River, James, Nansemond River, Nansemond and Elizabeth River (Virginia), Elizabeth rivers between Old Point Comfort and Sewell's ...
region, heading north on two-lane undivided Whaleyville Boulevard. The road passes through a mix of farmland and woodland with some residential and commercial development in the southern part of Suffolk, making a turn to the east in the community of
Somerton Somerton may refer to:
Places Australia
* Somerton, New South Wales
* Somerton Park, South Australia, a seaside Adelaide suburb
** Somerton Man, unsolved case of an unidentified man found dead in 1948 on the Somerton Park beach
* Somerton, Victoria ...
. The route curves northeast and reaches the community of
Whaleyville, where it passes a mix of homes and businesses and crosses Mineral Spring Road. US 13 continues through wooded areas with some farm fields and residences, heading north before curving back to the northeast. Farther northeast, the road widens to a
divided highway
A dual carriageway ( BE) or divided highway ( AE) is a class of highway with carriageways for traffic travelling in opposite directions separated by a central reservation (BrE) or median (AmE). Roads with two or more carriageways which are ...
before it comes to an intersection with
SR 32. At this point, SR 32 joins US 13 for a
concurrency
Concurrent means happening at the same time. Concurrency, concurrent, or concurrence may refer to:
Law
* Concurrence, in jurisprudence, the need to prove both ''actus reus'' and ''mens rea''
* Concurring opinion (also called a "concurrence"), a ...
on Carolina Road, a four-lane divided highway. The road runs through residential and commercial areas as it passes to the west of
Suffolk Executive Airport. US 13/SR 32 head past more development and become a five-lane road with a
center left-turn lane
A reversible lane (British English: tidal flow) is a lane in which traffic may travel in either direction, depending on certain conditions. Typically, it is meant to improve traffic flow during rush hours, by having overhead traffic lights and li ...
before turning back into a four-lane divided highway. US 13 splits from SR 32 at a modified
trumpet interchange
In the field of road transport, an interchange (American English) or a grade-separated junction (British English) is a road junction that uses grade separations to allow for the movement of traffic between two or more roadways or highways, using ...
to head northwest on a four-lane
freeway
A controlled-access highway is a type of highway that has been designed for high-speed vehicular traffic, with all traffic flow—ingress and egress—regulated. Common English terms are freeway, motorway and expressway. Other similar terms ...
called the Suffolk Bypass while SR 32 continues north along with
US 13 Bus. into the central part of Suffolk.
US 13 heads northwest on the freeway to bypass central Suffolk to the west, passing through wooded areas with nearby development and coming to a bridge over
Norfolk Southern
The Norfolk Southern Railway is a Railroad classes, Class I freight railroad in the United States formed in 1982 with the merger of Norfolk and Western Railway and Southern Railway (U.S.), Southern Railway. With headquarters in Atlanta, the ...
's
Franklin District
Franklin District was a New Zealand territorial authority that lay between the Auckland metropolitan area and the Waikato Plains. As a formal territory it was abolished on 31 October 2010 and divided between Auckland Council in the Auckland Reg ...
railroad line. The route heads near residential development before it comes to a northbound exit and southbound entrance with SR 688. Immediately after this interchange, the freeway comes to an interchange with
US 58
U.S. Route 58 (US 58) is an east–west U.S. Highway that runs for from U.S. Route 25E just northwest of Harrogate, Tennessee, to U.S. Route 60 in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Until 1996, when the Cumberland Gap Tunnel opened, US 58 ran only ...
and the western terminus of
US 58 Bus., at which point US 58 becomes concurrent with US 13 on the bypass of Suffolk. US 13/US 58 head northeast and come to a bridge over
CSX
CSX Transportation , known colloquially as simply CSX, is a Class I freight railroad operating in the Eastern United States and the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec. The railroad operates approximately 21,000 route miles () of track. ...
's
Portsmouth Subdivision
The Portsmouth Subdivision is a railroad line owned by CSX Transportation in Virginia and North Carolina. The line connects CSX's network with the port city of Portsmouth, Virginia. The Portsmouth Subdivision was historically operated by the Seab ...
railroad line and Norfolk Southern's
Norfolk District
Norfolk () is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in East Anglia in England. It borders Lincolnshire to the north-west, Cambridgeshire to the west and south-west, and Suffolk to the south. Its northern and eastern boundaries are the North ...
railroad line, passing through woodland. The freeway heads through a mix of fields and woods as it comes to a
diamond interchange
A diamond interchange is a common type of road junction, used where a controlled-access highway crosses a minor road.
Design
The freeway itself is grade-separated from the minor road, one crossing the other over a bridge. Approaching the ...
with SR 604. The roadway heads north and crosses Lake Meade before it curves northeast and comes to an interchange with
US 460
U.S. Route 460 (US 460) is a spur route of U.S. Route 60. It currently runs for 655 miles (1,054 km) from Norfolk, Virginia, at its parent route U.S. Route 60 at Ocean View to Frankfort, Kentucky, intersecting its parent route once ...
and the western terminus of
US 460 Bus. At this point, US 460 joins US 13 and US 58 on the bypass of Suffolk, which turns east and heads north of the central part of the city. The freeway reaches an interchange with
SR 10/SR 32 and heads between residential neighborhoods to the north and woods to the south, coming to a bridge over the
Nansemond River
The Nansemond River is a U.S. Geological Survey. National Hydrography Dataset high-resolution flowline dataThe National Map accessed April 1, 2011 tributary of the James River in Virginia in the United States. Virginian colonists named the river ...
. After passing over the river, US 13/US 58/US 460 come to an interchange with SR 642 and pass over the
Commonwealth Railway
The Commonwealth Railway, Inc. is a United States Class III short-line railroad operating of track of a former Norfolk, Franklin and Danville Railway line from Suffolk, Virginia, to Portsmouth, Virginia. The main office is in the Wilroy area ...
before running near more development and curving southeast. The freeway passes over
SR 337 without an interchange before heading through woods and coming to a southbound exit and northbound entrance with US 13 Bus./US 58 Bus./US 460 Bus. that also features a U-turn ramp from the southbound lanes to the northbound lanes by way of the southbound exit. This interchange features several unfinished
ghost ramps
An unused highway is a highway or highway ramp that was partially or fully constructed, but went unused or was later closed. An unused roadway or ramp may often be referred to as an abandoned road, ghost road, highway to nowhere, stub ramp, g ...
which aim toward US 13 Bus./US 58 Bus./US 460 Bus. At this point, the freeway ends and US 13/US 58/US 460 head east-northeast on Portsmouth Boulevard, a six-lane
expressway
Expressway may refer to:
* Controlled-access highway, the highest-grade type of highway with access ramps, lane markings, etc., for high-speed traffic.
* Limited-access road, a lower grade of highway or arterial road.
*Expressway, the fictional s ...
-style divided highway that passes through dense forests at the northern edge of the
Great Dismal Swamp
The Great Dismal Swamp is a large swamp in the Coastal Plain Region of southeastern Virginia and northeastern North Carolina, between Norfolk, Virginia, and Elizabeth City, North Carolina. It is located in parts of the southern Virginia inde ...
, with CSX's Portsmouth Subdivision parallel a short distance to the south. In this area, the roadway passes a pair of
weigh station
A weigh station is a checkpoint along a highway to inspect vehicular weights and safety compliance criteria. Usually, trucks and commercial vehicles are subject to the inspection.
Weigh stations are equipped with truck scales, some of which are ...
s serving both sides of the road.
City of Chesapeake
Along this stretch, US 13/US 58/US 460 cross into the city of
Chesapeake Chesapeake often refers to:
*Chesapeake people, a Native American tribe also known as the Chesepian
* The Chesapeake, a.k.a. Chesapeake Bay
*Delmarva Peninsula, also known as the Chesapeake Peninsula
Chesapeake may also refer to:
Populated plac ...
and continue through wooded areas with some commercial development, passing to the south of the
Hampton Roads Executive Airport
Hampton Roads Executive Airport is a public-use airport seven miles (11 km) southwest of Norfolk and northwest of Chesapeake, Virginia. It is privately owned by Virginia Aviation Associates, L.L.C.
Most U.S. airports use the same three-letter ...
. The road comes to the
Bowers Hill Interchange, an interchange complex serving the three routes along with
I-64
Interstate 64 (I-64) is an east–west Interstate Highway in the Eastern United States. Its western terminus is at I-70, U.S. Route 40 (US 40), and US 61 in Wentzville, Missouri. Its eastern terminus is at an interchange w ...
,
I-264 Interstate 264 is the designation for two Interstate Highways in the United States, both of which are related to Interstate 64:
*Interstate 264 (Kentucky), a bypass of Louisville, Kentucky
*Interstate 264 (Virginia)
Interstate 264 (I-264) i ...
, and
I-664
Interstate 664 (I-664) is an auxiliary Interstate Highway in the US state of Virginia. The Interstate runs from Interstate 64 in Virginia, I-64 and Interstate 264 (Virginia), I-264 in Chesapeake, Virginia, Chesapeake north to I-64 in Hamp ...
. At this interchange, the road meets I-664, which is part of the
Hampton Roads Beltway
The Hampton Roads Beltway is a loop of Interstate 64 and Interstate 664, which links the communities of the Virginia Peninsula and South Hampton Roads which surround the body of water known as Hampton Roads and comprise much of the region of the ...
. Here, northbound US 13 and eastbound US 460 split from US 58 and follow I-664 south to the next exit, where the two routes split from I-664 and follow
South Military Highway. Southbound US 13 and westbound US 460 remain along US 58 before splitting south toward South Military Highway at an intersection with the southern terminus of
SR 191, at which point US 58 continues northeast along with
US 460 Alt. From here, US 13/US 460 cross the CSX line and continue east along South Military Highway, which is a four-lane divided highway. The road passes homes and businesses in the community of
Bower's Hill
Bower's Hill is a community located in the independent city of Chesapeake, Virginia (formerly Norfolk County) in the United States. It is located in the South Hampton Roads region at the northeastern edge of the Great Dismal Swamp, an area consi ...
, curving southeast into wooded areas and coming to a bridge over an abandoned railroad grade. The two routes continue past commercial development with some homes and woodland, turning to the east and coming to an interchange with I-64 (Hampton Roads Beltway). Past this interchange, US 13/US 460 pass through forests with some commercial development before reaching a junction with
US 17
U.S. Route 17 or U.S. Highway 17 (US 17), also known as the Coastal Highway, is a north–south United States Highway that spans in the southeastern United States. It runs close to the Atlantic Coast for much of its length, with ...
with long right-turn ramps. The road heads east through business areas with nearby residential development, intersecting the eastern terminus of
SR 196. The two routes head into industrial areas with some trees and become closely parallel with Norfolk Southern's Norfolk District to the south.
US 13/US 460 cross over the
Southern Branch Elizabeth River
The Southern Branch Elizabeth River is a ,U.S. Geological Survey. National Hydrography Dataset high-resolution flowline dataThe National Map accessed April 1, 2011 primarily tidal river in the U.S. state of Virginia. It flows from south to north t ...
on the
Gilmerton Bridge
The Gilmerton Bridge, originally a twin bascule drawbridge, is now a vertical-lift bridge which spans the Southern Branch Elizabeth River in the City of Chesapeake in South Hampton Roads in southeastern Virginia. Completed in 1938, it carries ...
, a
vertical-lift bridge
A vertical-lift bridge or just lift bridge is a type of movable bridge in which a span rises vertically while remaining parallel with the deck.
The vertical lift offers several benefits over other movable bridges such as the bascule and swin ...
, with the railroad tracks crossing the river on a parallel
drawbridge
A drawbridge or draw-bridge is a type of moveable bridge typically at the entrance to a castle or tower surrounded by a moat. In some forms of English, including American English, the word ''drawbridge'' commonly refers to all types of moveable ...
. Past the bridge, the road passes more industrial development and crosses a
Norfolk and Portsmouth Belt Line Railroad
The Norfolk and Portsmouth Belt Line Railroad is a class III railroad operating in southern Virginia.
The NPBL serves Norfolk, Virginia, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Virginia, Portsmouth and Chesapeake, Virginia, Chesapeake and has been operating since ...
line before coming to an interchange with
SR 166
The following highways are numbered 166:
Canada
* Prince Edward Island Route 166
India
* National Highway 166 (India)
Japan
* Japan National Route 166
United States
* U.S. Route 166
* Alabama State Route 166
* Arizona State Route 166 (former ...
, where US 460 splits from US 13 by heading north along SR 166. Within this interchange, the road passes over the Norfolk Southern line. Following this interchange, US 13 continues east-southeast along four-lane divided South Military Highway, passing through industrial areas and meeting
I-464 at a diamond interchange. After I-464, the road curves northeast and passes commercial development before coming to a
cloverleaf interchange
A cloverleaf interchange is a two-level interchange in which all turns are handled by slip roads. To go left (in right-hand traffic; reverse directions in left-driving regions), vehicles first continue as one road passes over or under the ...
with
SR 168. Past this interchange, the route comes to a bridge over the
Chesapeake and Albemarle Railroad
The Chesapeake and Albemarle Railroad is a short-line railroad that operates of track from Chesapeake, Virginia to Edenton, North Carolina.
The railroad was originally part of the Norfolk Southern Railroad, which continued south, crossing the Al ...
and is lined with businesses as it continues northeast.
Cities of Norfolk and Virginia Beach
![64on13s2 (3843515373)](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/30/64on13s2_%283843515373%29.jpg)
US 13 enters the city of
Virginia Beach
Virginia Beach is an independent city located on the southeastern coast of the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. The population was 459,470 at the 2020 census. Although mostly suburban in character, it is the most populous city ...
and heads through more business areas, widening to six lanes and crossing Providence Road and Indian River Road. Past the latter intersection, the road widens to eight lanes and curves to the north, passing between residential areas to the west and commercial development to the east. The route comes to a bridge over the
Eastern Branch Elizabeth River
The Eastern Branch Elizabeth River is a U.S. Geological Survey. National Hydrography Dataset high-resolution flowline dataThe National Map , accessed April 1, 2011 tidal river in the Hampton Roads area of the U.S. state of Virginia. The river flo ...
, at which point it enters the city of
Norfolk
Norfolk () is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in East Anglia in England. It borders Lincolnshire to the north-west, Cambridgeshire to the west and south-west, and Suffolk to the south. Its northern and eastern boundaries are the No ...
and runs near homes before passing commercial development. US 13 passes over
Hampton Roads Transit
Hampton Roads Transit (HRT), incorporated on October 1, 1999, began through the voluntary merger of PENTRAN ( Peninsula Transportation District Commission) on the Virginia Peninsula and TRT ( Tidewater Regional Transit a.k.a. Tidewater Transit ...
's
Tide Light Rail
The Tide is a light rail line in Norfolk, Virginia, United States, owned and operated by Hampton Roads Transit (HRT). It connects Eastern Virginia Medical School, downtown Norfolk, Norfolk State University, and Newtown Road. Service began on ...
line east of the
Military Highway station before it comes to a cloverleaf interchange with I-264. Following this interchange, the road name becomes North Military Highway and the divided highway widens to ten lanes. The route becomes lined with businesses, passing to the west of the
Military Circle Mall
Military Circle Mall, known as The Gallery at Military Circle Mall from 2002 to 2015, is a soon to be demolished enclosed shopping mall in Norfolk, Virginia. The mall opened in 1970. In October 2016 the Virginia Beach City Council rejected plans f ...
before reaching a
single-point urban interchange
A single-point urban interchange (SPUI, or ), also called a single-point interchange (SPI) or single-point diamond interchange (SPDI), is a type of highway interchange. The design was created in order to help move large volumes of traffic thro ...
with US 58. From here, US 13 narrows to eight lanes and continues past businesses and shopping centers. The route narrows to a four-lane undivided road as it continues north.
US 13 reaches an intersection with
SR 165 and SR 166, where SR 165 heads north along North Military Highway, SR 166 heads west along Princess Anne Road, and US 13 turns east to run concurrent with SR 165 and SR 166 along Northampton Boulevard, a six-lane divided highway. The road passes near residential and commercial development, with SR 165 soon splitting to the south. US 13/SR 166 continue east through wooded areas and reach an interchange with I-64 (Hampton Roads Beltway). Past this interchange, the divided highway turns northeast and widens to eight lanes, passing to the southeast of the entrance to the
Norfolk Premium Outlets before crossing into the city of Virginia Beach. The two routes head past more businesses with some homes, with SR 166 splitting from US 13 by turning north at Diamond Springs Road. US 13 narrows to six lanes and curves east, heading through wooded residential areas and passing between Little Creek Reservoir to the north and Lake Smith to the south. The road continues near residential development and comes to a cloverleaf interchange with
SR 225. Following this, the route curves northeast and reaches a diamond interchange with
US 60
U.S. Route 60 is a major east–west United States highway, traveling from southwestern Arizona to the Atlantic Ocean coast in Virginia.
The highway's eastern terminus is in Virginia Beach, Virginia, where it is known as Pacific Avenue, in the ...
, where it turns to the north and narrows to four lanes, passing between residential neighborhoods.
Chesapeake Bay Bridge–Tunnel
A short distance past the US 60 interchange, US 13 comes to a northbound toll plaza for the
Chesapeake Bay Bridge–Tunnel
The Chesapeake Bay Bridge–Tunnel (CBBT, officially the Lucius J. Kellam Jr. Bridge–Tunnel) is a bridge–tunnel that crosses the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay between Delmarva and Hampton Roads in the U.S. state of Virginia. It opened in 19 ...
. From here, the route heads onto the Chesapeake Bay Bridge–Tunnel, a
bridge–tunnel
A bridge–tunnel is a persistent, unbroken road or rail connection across water that uses a combination of bridges and tunnels, and sometimes causeways, and does not involve intermittent connections such as drawbridges or ferries.
Bridge–tunne ...
complex that carries US 13 across the
Chesapeake Bay
The Chesapeake Bay ( ) is the largest estuary in the United States. The Bay is located in the Mid-Atlantic (United States), Mid-Atlantic region and is primarily separated from the Atlantic Ocean by the Delmarva Peninsula (including the parts: the ...
. The road leaves the mainland of Virginia Beach and heads over the bay on a pair of low-level trestle bridges, with one bridge carrying two lanes of northbound traffic and the other bridge carrying two lanes of southbound traffic. The road reaches an artificial island that is home to a fishing pier, where it narrows to a two-lane undivided road and heads into the Thimble Shoal Tunnel that passes under a shipping channel. The roadway leaves the tunnel at another artificial island, at which point it resumes along a pair of low-level trestle bridges carrying two lanes in each direction. The bridge–tunnel curves northeast and reaches another artificial island, where the highway again narrows to a two-lane undivided road and enters the Chesapeake Channel Tunnel that heads under another shipping channel. The road leaves the tunnel on another artificial island and returns to a pair of low-level trestle bridges carrying two lanes in each direction. Farther northeast, the roadway rises for the North Channel Bridges, a high-level crossing of a shipping channel. The northbound span at the North Channel Bridges consists of a
truss bridge
A truss bridge is a bridge whose load-bearing superstructure is composed of a truss, a structure of connected elements, usually forming triangular units. The connected elements (typically straight) may be stressed from tension, compression, or ...
. After this, the road heads onto
Fisherman Island, an island in the Chesapeake Bay in
Northampton County that contains the
Fisherman Island National Wildlife Refuge
Fisherman Island is the southernmost island on the Delmarva Peninsula chain of barrier islands. Located at the entrance to the Chesapeake Bay, the island is subject to great changes in its landscape from waves and runoff. It first formed about 200 ...
. On this island, US 13 heads off the bridge and turns north as a four-lane divided highway. The roadway leaves the island and heads north across more of the Chesapeake Bay on the Fisherman Inlet Bridges, a pair of high-level bridges over a shipping channel that carry two lanes in each direction. After this, the route heads onto the mainland of Northampton County and passes a
scenic overlook
A scenic viewpoint – also called an observation point, viewpoint, viewing point, vista point, lookout, scenic overlook,These terms are more commonly used in North America. etc. – is an elevated location where people can view scenery (often w ...
next to the southbound lanes before coming to a southbound toll plaza for the Chesapeake Bay Bridge–Tunnel and a
rest area
A rest area is a public facility located next to a large thoroughfare such as a motorway, expressway, or highway, at which drivers and passengers can rest, eat, or refuel without exiting onto secondary roads. Other names include motorway servi ...
and
welcome center
A visitor center or centre (see American and British English spelling differences), visitor information center, tourist information center, is a physical location that provides tourist information to visitors.
Types of visitor center
A visi ...
next to the northbound lanes that is accessible from both directions.
Northampton County
From here, US 13 leaves the Chesapeake Bay Bridge–Tunnel and continues through Northampton County, which is in the
Eastern Shore region of the state on the
Delmarva Peninsula
The Delmarva Peninsula, or simply Delmarva, is a large peninsula and proposed state on the East Coast of the United States, occupied by the vast majority of the state of Delaware and parts of the Eastern Shore regions of Maryland and Virginia ...
. The route heads north on the Charles M. Lankford Jr. Highway (usually shortened to Lankford Highway), a four-lane divided highway that serves as the main north–south highway in the region. The road intersects the southern terminus of SR 600 west of the
Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge
The Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge is a wildlife refuge located in Northampton County, Virginia, at the southern end of the Eastern Shore and near the tip of the Delmarva Peninsula. It is managed by the United States Fish and ...
and runs through a mix of farmland and woodland with some residential and commercial development a short distance to the east of the Chesapeake Bay. US 13 passes to the east of
Kiptopeke State Park, heading farther east from the bay, and comes to an intersection with SR 704 that provides access to the community of
Kiptopeke and the state park to the west. The route continues north through rural areas with some development, coming to an intersection with SR 683. Farther north, the road crosses an inactive railroad line and comes to an intersection with the eastern terminus of
SR 184, which heads west to the town of
Cape Charles, and the southern terminus of
US 13 Bus., which heads north to the town of
Cheriton. From here, US 13 heads north-northwest and runs through farm fields with some businesses as it bypasses Cheriton to the west, curving to the northeast. The route meets the northern end of US 13 Bus. to the north of Cheriton and continues through agricultural areas and woodland with some development. Another
US 13 Bus. branches off to the northwest to head into the town of
Eastville while US 13 bypasses the town to the east. The road comes to the north end of US 13 Bus. past Eastville as it runs north-northeast through more rural areas.
The road curves northeast before turning back to the north-northeast as it reaches the community of
Machipongo, where it begins to run closely parallel to the inactive railroad line to the east of the road. US 13 continues alongside the inactive railroad tracks through farms and woods with some homes. The route reaches the community of
Birdsnest, where it crosses SR 620. The road runs through more rural land before it enters the town of
Nassawadox, where it heads near homes and some businesses and comes to intersections with SR 609 and SR 606. US 13 leaves Nassawadox and runs through wooded areas with some farm fields and development. South of the town of
Exmore
Exmore is the largest town in Northampton County on the Eastern Shore of the U.S. state of Virginia. The population was 1,460 at the 2010 census. A popular story is that Exmore received its name because it is the tenth railroad station south of ...
, the route comes to an intersection with the southern terminus of
US 13 Bus., which heads northeast alongside the inactive railroad tracks into Exmore while US 13 curves north to bypass the town to the west. The road heads past businesses with some fields and woods and reaches an intersection with
SR 183. From here, US 13 curves northeast and crosses
SR 178, where it turns east and runs between woodland to the north and businesses to the south. The route comes to the northern terminus of US 13 Bus. and curves northeast into woods.
Accomack County
US 13 enters
Accomack County and heads north-northeast through a mix of fields, woods, and commercial development as the inactive railroad line again closely parallels the route to the east. The route reaches an intersection with the eastern terminus of
SR 181, which leads west to the town of
Belle Haven. The road continues alongside the inactive railroad tracks through forests before heading through farmland with some residential and commercial development. US 13 enters the town of
Painter
Painting is the practice of applying paint, pigment, color or other medium to a solid surface (called the "matrix" or "support"). The medium is commonly applied to the base with a brush, but other implements, such as knives, sponges, and ai ...
, where it transitions into a five-lane road with a center left-turn lane and passes near a mix of homes and businesses, reaching an intersection with the western terminus of
SR 182. After leaving Painter, the route becomes a four-lane divided highway again and continues through a mix of farm fields and woodland with some development. The road reaches the town of
Keller
Keller may refer to:
People
*Keller (surname)
* Helen Keller
*Keller Williams, jam-band musician
*Keller E. Rockey
Places India
* Keller, Shopian
United States
*Keller, Georgia
*Keller, Indiana
*Keller, Texas
* Keller, Virginia
*Keller, Washingt ...
, where the median turns into a center left-turn lane and it heads near businesses, coming to a junction with
SR 180. At this point, SR 180 turns north for a concurrency with US 13 and the two routes leave Keller, transitioning into a four-lane divided highway. SR 180 splits from US 13 by turning east and US 13 continues north-northeast through woods alongside the inactive railroad tracks. The road intersects SR 1420, which leads west to the
Accomack County Airport, adjacent to the Eastern Shore of Virginia Chamber of Commerce tourist information center before it passes to the east of
Eastern Shore Community College
Eastern Shore Community College is a community college in Melfa, Virginia. It is a member of the Virginia Community College System and serves the residents of Accomack County and Northampton County as a two-year institution of higher learning. ...
, which is accessed by
SR 389. The route runs through more woods before it reaches the town of
Melfa
The Melfa is a river in Lazio, Italy. It rises in the Monti della Meta, flows south-west for about and joins the Liri near San Giovanni Incarico.''Carta stradale: Lazio 1:200000''. Istituto Geografico DeAgostini. .
The source of the Melfa iss ...
, where it becomes a five-lane road with a center left-turn lane and passes a mix of homes and businesses, crossing SR 626. After leaving Melfa, US 13 turns back into a four-lane divided highway and passes through a mix of farmland, woodland, and development.
![US Route 13 - Virginia (8599141821)](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/20/US_Route_13_-_Virginia_%288599141821%29.jpg)
South of the town of
Onley, the road passes to the east of
Nandua High School as it curves north away from the inactive railroad tracks. The route heads past businesses and comes to an intersection with the southern terminus of
US 13 Bus., which heads east into Onley. US 13 continues through commercial areas along the western edge of Onley, curving northeast and crossing
SR 179. The road comes to an interchange with US 13 Bus. north of Onley and heads onto a bridge over the business route and the inactive railroad line. The route continues northeast through fields and woods with some commercial development, passing to the southeast of the community of
Tasley Tasley may refer to:
* Tasley, Shropshire
Tasley is a village and civil parish in Shropshire, England.Ordnance Survey 1:25,000 map
It is located to the immediate west of the town of Bridgnorth
Bridgnorth is a town in Shropshire, England ...
. US 13 reaches an intersection with US 13 Bus. and continues through rural land with occasional development as it bypasses the town of
Accomac to the northwest. The road passes south of a
Perdue Farms
Perdue Farms is the parent company of Perdue Foods and Perdue AgriBusiness, based in Salisbury, Maryland. Perdue Foods is a major chicken, turkey, and pork processing company in the United States. Perdue AgriBusiness ranks among the top United S ...
chicken plant before meeting the northern terminus of US 13 Bus. to the northeast of Accomac. From here, the route continues northeast through agricultural areas with some woods, homes, and commercial development. In the community of
Centerville, US 13 comes to an intersection with the eastern terminus of
SR 176. A short distance later, the road has a junction with the southern terminus of SR 679. The route runs north-northeast through farmland with some woodland and occasional development, passing through the community of
Gargatha. In the community of
Nelsonia, US 13 becomes a five-lane road with a center left-turn lane and runs past homes and businesses, reaching an intersection with
SR 187. From here, the route turns back into a four-lane divided highway and runs through a mix of farm fields and woodland. Upon reaching the community of
Mappsville, the median of the road turns into a center left-turn lane and it runs near residences and commercial development, forming a brief concurrency with SR 689.
After passing through Mappsville, US 13 runs through farmland and becomes a four-lane divided highway past the SR 691 junction. The road curves to the north and continues through farm fields and woodland with some development, coming to an intersection with the eastern terminus of SR 692. The route bends to the north-northeast and passes east of a
Tyson Foods
Tyson Foods, Inc. is an American multinational corporation, based in Springdale, Arkansas, that operates in the food industry. The company is the world's second-largest processor and marketer of chicken, beef, and pork after JBS S.A. It annually ...
chicken plant before it reaches the community of
Temperanceville, where it transitions into a five-lane road with a center left-turn lane and is lined with homes and some businesses, curving north and crossing SR 695. From here, US 13 once again becomes a four-lane divided highway and continues through a mix of agricultural and wooded areas, passing to the east of
Arcadia High School. At this point, the road heads into the community of
Oak Hall and the median turns into a center left-turn lane as it passes through residential areas. The route turns back into a four-lane divided highway as it runs past businesses and comes to an intersection with the western terminus of
SR 175, which heads east to the town of
Chincoteague and
Assateague Island
Assateague Island is a long barrier island located off the eastern coast of the Delmarva Peninsula facing the Atlantic Ocean. The northern two-thirds of the island is in Maryland while the southern third is in Virginia. The Maryland sectio ...
. Past this intersection, US 13 runs through a mix of farm field and woodland with some development. The route passes a pair of weigh stations located on both sides of the road and runs through the community of
New Church, where it heads past a mix of homes and businesses and intersects SR 709. From here, the road curves northwest and passes through wooded areas, reaching a rest area and welcome center next to the southbound lanes that is accessible from both directions. US 13 heads past farm fields and businesses before coming to the
Maryland
Maryland ( ) is a state in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. It shares borders with Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware and the Atlantic Ocean to ...
state line and continuing north into that state.
Whaleyville Bypass
As part of the
Suffolk
Suffolk () is a ceremonial county of England in East Anglia. It borders Norfolk to the north, Cambridgeshire to the west and Essex to the south; the North Sea lies to the east. The county town is Ipswich; other important towns include Lowes ...
2026 Comprehensive Plan, the city plans to bypass the crossroads community of
Whaleyville in southwestern Suffolk City.
US 13
U.S. Route 13 (US 13) is a north–south U.S. highway established in 1926 that runs for from Interstate 95 (I-95) just north of Fayetteville, North Carolina to US 1 in the northeastern suburbs of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in Morrisville. ...
(along with
NC Highway 11) is a strategic highway corridor in North Carolina towards
Greenville.
History
What is now US 13 on the Eastern Shore was added to the state highway system in 1918 as State Route 4. It was renumbered State Route 34 in the
1923 renumbering, and US 13 was applied to its whole length in 1926. SR 34 was dropped in the
1933 renumbering, and was immediately reused on
a route through
Lawrenceville. That was renumbered to
State Route 46 in the
1940 renumbering, and the current
State Route 34 was designated in the late 1940s.
Before the Chesapeake Bay Bridge–Tunnel, US 13 continued across the Chesapeake Bay using a ferry.
Major intersections
See also
*
Virginia State Route 13
State Route 13 (SR 13) is a primary state highway in the U.S. state of Virginia. Known as Old Buckingham Road, the state highway runs from U.S. Route 60 and SR 45 in Cumberland east to US 60 in Plain View. SR 13 parallels US 60 to the sout ...
*
State Route 341,
Centerville west to
Parksley, now
State Route 176
*
State Route 342,
Tasley Tasley may refer to:
* Tasley, Shropshire
Tasley is a village and civil parish in Shropshire, England.Ordnance Survey 1:25,000 map
It is located to the immediate west of the town of Bridgnorth
Bridgnorth is a town in Shropshire, England ...
west to
Onancock
Onancock ( ) is a town in Accomack County, Virginia, United States. The population was 1,263 at the 2010 census.
History
According to a nearby Virginia state highway marker, Onancock was founded in 1680. A courthouse was established some years ...
, now
State Route 126
*
State Route 343,
Eastville east to the
Eastern Shore Railroad
The Eastern Shore Railroad, Inc. was a Class III short-line railroad that began operations in October 1981 on the former Virginia and Maryland Railroad line on the Delmarva Peninsula. The line ran between Pocomoke City, Maryland, and Norfolk, ...
, now part of
State Route 631
References
External links
{{state detail page browse, type=US, route=13, state=Virginia, statebefore=North Carolina, stateafter=Maryland
13
Virginia
U.S. Route 013
U.S. Route 013
U.S. Route 013
U.S. Route 013
U.S. Route 013
U.S. Route 013
1926 establishments in Virginia