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Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel
Categories: Hotels & Travel Transportation Public Services & Government Landmarks & Historical Buildings Transportation, Landmarks & Historical Buildings [Edit]
32386 Lankford HwyCape Charles, VA 23310
(757) 331-2960
16 reviews for Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel
Review Highlights
"...at the west end (fishing pier- facing towards Norfolk..."
(in 6 reviews)
"...scenic overlook on the Eastern Shore side that you can stop..."
(in 1 review)
"It's a modern engineering wonder."
(in 6 reviews)
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16 reviews in English
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Review from Geraldo D.
Astoria, NY
9/6/2011 1 Check-in Here
Historical marvel! What engineering it taken for this. Beautiful monument to drive over.
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Review from Phillip Y.
Des Moines, IA
3/15/2011 6 photos
OMG, you need to stop through here at around 6PM for the sunset and 6AM for the sunrise. This has the best viewings at the east and west of Sea Gull Island (one island on the bay). There is a pier where fishermen will setup their poles as well as cleaning stations for their catch. Perfect spot for rest/pit stop, bite to eat, and snack/gift shop. There is even an information desk to pick up some brochures of VA beach. We even got some pictures of huge cargo ships passing through the channel.
For a $12 toll each way, this is priceless since we got the perfect shot of the sun setting over the horizon at the west end (fishing pier- facing towards Norfolk-Newport News). The day back, we got a perfect shot of the sun rising over the horizon at the east end (facing towards VA Beach). Totally worth the trip down and back up again.Listed in: Eastern Shore MD-VA Trip…
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Review from Bruce K.
8/27/2010 2 photos
An amazing piece of engineering, the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel shows what a bunch of dedicated people can do if they set their minds to it. Over 17 miles from shore to shore, with tunnels a mile long, the CBBT was built at a cost of close to half a billion dollars. None of it local, state or federal!
You have to see it to believe it. The amazing part is that they've built a little rest stop at the tunnel ends where you can stop, take a look around and pick up a few postcards or tshirts to remember the experience.
As said elsewhere, probably not something you want to do on a really windy or stormy day. But on a sunny day, you won't believe the views! -
Review from Nicole C.
9/6/2010
It's Labor Day Weekend. I had no plans. So I decided to hop on a bus from NYC to VA Beach!
It's a 7 hour bus ride... I'm 6 hours in. My legs are cramped. I'm hungry. I want to stretch. I NEED to pee. ARE WE THERE YET?!
We come to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel! All that is bad is forgotten! It's a modern engineering wonder! INCREDIBLE views. The pictures DO NOT do it justice. The bridge is supported on the bottom, so you see nothing but sailboats and glistening water from your car window all the way to the horizon for the 17-MILE stretch.
Definitely got me hyped to start my long-weekend getaway! -
Review from Terry M.
Taking the Eastern Shore is a very good option when faced with rush hour getting over the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel, which leads to rush hour around Richmond, which leads into rush hour around DC, which slugs into rush hour around Baltimore. OR... you could take the Eastern Shore and cut over to Annapolis and if you are really crazy you could take it up to the Cape May Lewes Ferry into the promised land of home. But let's get back to the giant bay spanning bridge that dips in a few places just like a ride at Disney.
"The Good"
- The have a rest stop / gift shop / fishing pier before the second tunnel heading South or the first heading North. Stop being in a rush all the time, stop look around take some pictures.... r e l a x.
- Awesome views of the ocean and the bay.
- A scenic overlook on the Eastern Shore side that you can stop and take it all in from both sides of the road.
- The scenic overlook is a great place to take in the sunset... I know I know, whatever... I like Thunderstorms too, got a problem wit it??
- One of the cool part aside from seeing nature is looking what nature does... On the Eastern Shore side while traveling North you can see what happened to a former forest that has been flooded with salt water. The trees died, but it looks amazing, and there is still some wildlife in that small section that is more noticeable that there are no leaves to get in the way.
- The discounted rate you get if you return the same day instead of paying the full toll the both ways.
- There is a turn around for both directions if you wanted to just take a day a go for a drive.
"The Meh"
- 55 mph Speed limit that people do not follow (on the keeping the speed as opposed to speeding) Have you ever noticed that people drive slower while in the tunnels?? Throw it on cruise control and see how they slow down.
- Just be mindful that there are police on the bridge and they monitor the speed by remote radar that have friendly signs that say "Your Speed is ___" Slow down, nothing is that important.
"The Bad"
- I have driven over this span a lot. Once there was hurricane force wind warnings. The toll taker was nice enough to let you know when you went over, but I know it could freak some people out, so just be careful.Listed in: The South, Hampton Roads VA
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Review from Joe B.
3/15/2010
Do it. At least once in your life, take the CBBT. If you're coming from points south, going to points north along the coast, it's much more scenic to go through the Virginia Beach area, up through the CBBT, and through the Chesapeake Bay part of Virginia and Maryland. On the way, get some fine crab cakes and stop in at a winery or two in southern Virginia past the tunnel.
For SF Bay Area types, you'll wonder at how there is such a well-maintained bridge and tunnel complex when our own Bay Bridge is seemingly one f@#$ up after another . . . -
Review from Franco C.
Updated - 6/23/2009
Bridge / Tunnel Complex
I know for a fact I reviewed this thing once before but it magically disappeared so here it goes again.
20-something miles of - you guessed it - bridges and tunnels to get you across the Chesapeake Bay with nary a drop of water to mess your hair.
Back in the day it was a 2-lane affair and it was a mostly white-knuckle ride as 18-wheelers went roaring by you in the other direction so fast that your car moved from side to side as they blew by. These days they have added a whole new span so it is 2 lanes in each direction now- EXCEPT in the tunnels where you can relive the terror of old.
Apparently they are going to build some more tunnels someday but until then - good luck.
The bridge part is misleading as the entire span is over water - so it is one long bridge with lovely views of - water.
At the southern exit of the southern tunnel there is a fishing pier and gift shop - it is great to stop there on a sunny day and if you are lucky you can see some serious Navy hardware floating out to sea or back from deployment as a few Navy bases are in the area.
The cost is $12 each way and worth ever penny -otherwise you'd have to drive back up to NY on I-95 and that little excursion will add about 2-3 hours to the trip.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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2/12/2008
20 some miles of bridge and tunnels...
I love this bridge / tunnel complex- I've lost count of how… Read more »
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Review from Jacqui R.
Norfolk, VA
8/3/2010
I recently traveled to NYC and my friend and I decided to take the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel on our journey up the East Coast. Let me warn you now; there is a hefty toll - $12 to take the bridge. Granted it's a long bridge, there is beautiful scenery and even a restaurant located in the middle of it all. Ask the person at the toll for your receipt and you can save money on the toll on your return trip! We didn't know about this at the time, so we didn't ask for a receipt.
There is about 20 miles of bridge and tunnel, so you'll have plenty of time to stare out the window and daydream, while taking in a beautiful view. In fact on our return trip we made our way across the bridge right at sunset and it was absolutely gorgeous.
Now, I personally wouldn't recommend just driving across for no reason, but if you're traveling up the East Coast then you should most definitely check the CBBT out! -
Review from Angela J.
9/6/2010
What a gorgeous bridge/tunnel/bridge/tunnel/bridge!!!
...and for those of you who have not been on it, YES, that's how it goes...the signs are a bit confusing Bridge-Tunnel....what exactly IS a bridge-tunnel....well pay your $12 and you'll find out!!!!
My favorite part....the hilarious-ness of the twenty odd dead roadkill seagulls on the road....
Just kidding, my REAL favorite part was the tunnels......I do love driving through tunnels....and it was a beautiful day too, so it was so cool to look out over the sides of the bridge as we were driving, we saw dolphins!
And I think they have a restaurant/rest stop too, where you can get out and see the water, take pics, etc....very cool :) Maybe we'll stop next time... -
Review from Chris P.
6/20/2009
It's hard to give this a "Meh. I've experienced better" rating considering I have few bridge-tunnels to which I can compare this one. However, I'd like to restrict my comments to the gift store only, which resides 3.5 miles north of the Virginia Beach side on the first man-made island.
Outside next to the fishing pier there is some interesting information on North America's Largest Estuary and some facts on the construction of the structure. All interesting.
Transport yourself back in time about 30 years by opening the door to the gift shop. Everything in there from carpet to walls to the wares they sell feels like it's from 1970 - and may well be coming out of a 30-year old repository of crap they had holed away in some secret room under the gift shop. From the t-shirts to the shot glasses and EVERY possibility in between it's cheesy even relative to normal cheesy tourist stuff.
There are fairly clean public restrooms there however, if you don't mind the old-school construction of the building itself. It's all cinder block, so when I was peeing in there I was transported back to my elementary school and how we used to write crass comments in the mortar between the bricks.
If you're DYING, you can eat here. Otherwise drive 3.5 more miles south to VA Beach and search out some good food, all they have here is fried stuff that I am sure would make your heart stop.
Come in for super-cheesy souvenirs, then get on your way! -
Review from Jeffrey K.
Rockville Centre, NY
6/23/2009
I've always wanted to get the chance to travel this bridge / tunnel. From everything I've heard about it over the years it seems to b be legendary -- and almost has made it seem to be its own municipality because of its shear size. Well finally got my opportunity the other day and it was quite remarkable to drive over -- maybe not as much as I was lead to believe but it was nice (and would have been nicer if the weather cooperated more). You get quite a view from the various spans. The pull-off about 11 miles across the 20+ mile span is worth a stop to take in the view from the fishing pier and take photos. The gift shop has snacks and various merchandise as you might imagine.
If you are thinking about taking the Chesapeake on your trip down from NY (or else where), expect a long ride down Route 13 throughout Delaware and part of Maryland. There are plenty of lights and a good deal of spots where police like to look for speeds as the speed limits change rapidly as you pass through the various small towns and villages as you drive. Also note, if you are a fan of old-style Americana style driving this is something you must drive as for much of Route 13 seem to have old style drive up restaurants, lots of antique stops and even places to get fireworks along the way. Much of this route is the "land that time forgot" (and thats not a bad thing). -
Review from David B.
Brooklyn, NY
1/7/2008 4 photos
I crossed the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel on my way back to Brooklyn from Kitty Hawk, NC because my Garmin GPS told me this was the quickest way home. Plus I'm a sucker for the "I was at (fill in the blank)" tourist trap t-shirt. According to the tourist literature and CBBT web site this is an engineering marvel. That may well be but in terms of awe factor it's kind of a let down. You pretty much pay a $12 toll to cross some spans and tunnels. That's it.
There is a rest stop/gift shop/cafe four miles in (heading north) where you can view the bay, stretch and get a bite. Other than getting attacked by gulls if you chance bringing some food back to your car it's a pretty mediocre experience. The view is fine except when you notice the locals in their personal Marlin fishing boats kicking back next to the bridge, you kind of wish you could trade places. The fried seafood is decent enough if not a tad pricey and the gift shop offers no exciting t-shirts or trinkets. I did have fun throwing food to the gulls. I was in a mean spirited mood and wanted them to associate humans with a meal ticket. An experience the next tourist would have to deal with. Real Alfred Hitchcock stuff.
Once you get off the bridge in North Hampton it's a different story. The scenery is nice and a bit of a paradox. Victorian (?) homes with a lot of yardage, and tobacco/smoked ham shops dot both sides of Hwy 13 in a sparse manner which surprised me. Usually, whenever I cross a major thoroughfare there's a heavy population on both ends.
My big warning is that once you cross into Maryland, Hwy 13 turns into a big mess. Nothing but strip malls and unsynchronized traffic lights going the whole rest of the way north. You might be better off taking I-64 W to the I-95/295 N instead of the CBBT. Yes it's more mileage but I liken it to taking the Belt Parkway E from the Gowanus to the Kings Plaza Mall instead of taking Flatbush Ave all the way down from Prospect Park and hitting lights and traffic. Longer but quicker. Besides, if you want a real thrill ride with scenery take the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway in New Orleans, especially during a storm, or ride between the subway cars on the A or C train when it crosses Broad Channel. -
Review from Amy S.
Philadelphia, PA
8/18/2010
I've experienced the bridge-tunnel twice -- once as the driver, on the way to Virginia Beach for spring break, and once this summer as the passenger, on the way to the Outer Banks at the start of a cross-country road trip (check out my trip blog, http://www.aminiandama...). Both times I was amazed by the length of the bridge/tunnel, and both times I was a little scared of falling into the water. The bridge portions (there are 3 of them) are not terribly high, and there isn't much of a shoulder, so there's not much separating the road from the water. The tunnel portions (there are 2) are much less scary. In the middle section of the bridge, you can't see land in either direction, which is a pretty crazy experience. It's worth the toll ($12 for a normal car) at least once, although I can't imagine braving it in stormy weather or at night...
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Review from Carnelia G.
Virginia Beach, VA
8/1/2010
One of the longest bridge and tunnel complexes in the world, Virginia Beach's Bay Bridge Tunnel is definitely one of the most amazing landmarks in the city. Miles of bridge shuttle you over the Atlantic ocean with a breathtaking view of the coastline dotted with beachfront homes, lazy boats and fishermen. Even though I've lived here for most of my life, I'm still amazed when I go through the tunnel to think that I'm driving so many feet below the sea. Whether you're just visiting or you live here, I definitely recommend that on some nice day or night that you pull over on one of the scenic overlooks so nicely provided and just take in the feeling of being able to look out over the ocean from such a height. The Bay Bridge Tunnel really shows you the character of the city; the natural beauty that defines it.
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Review from Brenda B.
Twin Cities, MN
8/19/2009
Freaky engineering wonder of the world. When you approach the tunnel exits there is no horizon at some point so it looks very odd. I was a tad nervy on this 17 mile or so stretch of infrastructure. The tile-like walls in the tunnels seem old school, which is not good school when you are talking tunnel but I have to think the civil engineers who thought up this crazy pass knew what they were doing and hopefully were not doing it on the low bid. But nonetheless it was exciting and the views of the water water everywhere are cool. And then once you get across you can hang along the boardwalk at Virginia Beach and have a cool one and a soft-shell crab po-boy to calm your nerves if needed. It's worth the minimal toll just to say been there done that. And for engineering types it's a must.
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Review from Dan R.
8/15/2008 2 photos
This is a very famous bridge connecting the Eastern Shore to Virginia Beach. It has some spectacular views if you cross it, in the middle theres a man made island that has a restaurant, parking, etc. it is 2 lanes in each direction. It costs 12 dollars to cross when I went over, but it's still significantly better than driving around the other way. Billed as one of the "seven engineering marvels of the modern world"
