DUI Checkpoints in Virginia

County	City	Location	Time
James City	James City	James City County Police Department will conduct a driving under the influence (DUI) checkpoint at a location in James City County known for previous incidents of impaired driving.	July 4, 2025 from 10 PM to 2 AM
James City	James City	James City County Police Department will conduct a driving under the influence (DUI) checkpoint at a location in James City County known for previous incidents of impaired driving.	Thursday, July 3 from 10 PM to 2 AM
Rockingham	Harrisonburg	The Harrisonburg Police Department will be conducting a DUI Checkpoint at an undisclosed location	Friday, March 28, 2025
Smyth	Marion	DUI Checkpoint at an undisclosed location.	Monday, March 17, 2025
Hanover	Hanover	DUI/driver’s license checkpointat an undisclosed location in the City of Hanover.	Saturday, March 15, 2025
Henrico and Chesterfield	Richmond	VCU Police officers will conduct an administrative checkpoint on the 700 block of West Main Street.	Friday, Sept. 13, 2024 From 10 PM to 2 AM

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Top DUI Checkpoint Locations in Virginia:

Virginia law enforcement agencies, including state and local police, frequently conduct DUI checkpoints across the Commonwealth. These efforts aim to reduce drunk driving incidents and promote roadway safety. The locations are chosen based on data-driven analysis of DUI-related accidents, traffic flow, nightlife proximity, and previous enforcement success.

This article explores the most commonly targeted areas for DUI checkpoints in Virginia, with detailed information on specific roads and cities where you’re likely to encounter sobriety stops.

1. Northern Virginia (NOVA)

Northern Virginia is densely populated and home to major commuting corridors, nightlife, and urban centers. Law enforcement here is very active with both checkpoints and saturation patrols.

Fairfax County:

Route 50 (Lee Highway): Major east-west highway with numerous restaurants and bars along the corridor.
Route 29 (Lee Highway): Another DUI enforcement hotspot, especially through Centreville and Fairfax City.
Route 123 (Chain Bridge Road): Monitored during weekends due to its proximity to George Mason University.
I-66 Interchanges and Ramps: Often used for roving DUI patrols and mobile checkpoints.
Braddock Road near GMU: Frequent late-night enforcement near student housing and bars.

Arlington:

Columbia Pike and Glebe Road: Known nightlife area and common checkpoint site.
Route 1 near Crystal City and Pentagon City: High traffic flow area near entertainment and hotels.

Alexandria:

Duke Street (Route 236): Regularly targeted for enforcement due to dense residential zones and commercial centers.
King Street near Old Town: Historic area with heavy pedestrian and vehicular traffic from restaurants and bars.

2. Loudoun and Prince William Counties

With growing suburbs and nightlife options, these counties have stepped up DUI patrols.

Loudoun County:

Route 7 (Harry Byrd Highway): Busy commuter route with rural sections often used for late-night checkpoints.
Route 15 through Leesburg: Watch for weekend operations, especially near breweries and wineries.

Prince William County:

Route 234 Bypass: A popular corridor for DUI enforcement.
Dumfries Road and Sudley Road: Heavy traffic and nightlife-related stops near Manassas.
Route 28 through Manassas Park: Commonly targeted during holidays and weekends.

3. Richmond and Central Virginia

Virginia’s capital city and surrounding counties host major enforcement initiatives, especially on weekends and near large events.

Richmond City:

Broad Street and Chamberlayne Avenue: High-traffic downtown areas with nightlife nearby.
Jefferson Davis Highway (US 1): Regularly used for checkpoint operations.

Henrico County:

Laburnum Avenue and Nine Mile Road: Known for high accident rates and DUI arrests.
Route 33 and I-64 interchanges: Strategic checkpoint points.

Chesterfield County:

Hull Street Road (Route 360): A hotspot for DUI patrols, especially in western Chesterfield.

4. Hampton Roads and Tidewater Region

Home to a concentration of military bases, nightlife, and beachgoers, this region sees robust DUI enforcement.

Virginia Beach:

Shore Drive: A top DUI checkpoint location year-round, especially during tourist season.
Virginia Beach Boulevard and Laskin Road: High DUI arrest zones near bar districts.
I-264 and Lynnhaven Parkway: Intersections often used for saturation patrols.

Norfolk:

Military Highway and Little Creek Road: Common checkpoint intersections.
Downtown Granby Street Corridor: Heavy foot and vehicle traffic from bars and restaurants.

Chesapeake and Suffolk:

Route 17 and Cedar Road: Regular checkpoints near commercial hubs.
Interstate 664 and Route 58 Interchanges: Used for mobile DUI enforcement units.

5. Charlottesville and Albemarle County

With a college population and vibrant social scene, DUI patrols are a staple of local law enforcement.

Route 29 North and South: Common checkpoint setup zones.
Emmet Street and Ivy Road (Route 250): Near the University of Virginia, high DUI stop frequency.
Downtown Mall Area: Officers often conduct saturation patrols after closing hours.

6. Roanoke and Southwest Virginia

In western parts of the state, DUI enforcement is more rural-focused but no less frequent.

Orange Avenue (U.S. Route 460): Main artery in Roanoke with frequent checkpoints.
Interstate 81 Ramps: Known DUI enforcement near Salem, Christiansburg, and Abingdon.
Franklin Road and Electric Road (Route 419): Busy commuter zones with bars nearby.

7. Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania County

Midway between Washington, D.C. and Richmond, this region experiences high commuter and holiday traffic.

Route 3 (Plank Road): DUI checkpoints are set up frequently, especially near Central Park.
Route 1 and Route 208: Watch for operations during high-travel weekends.

8. Winchester and the Shenandoah Valley

The valley’s rural stretches are ideal for nighttime DUI enforcement.

Route 11 and Route 522: Major north-south corridors used for checkpoints.
Interstate 81 near Winchester and Strasburg: Mobile DUI teams often set up operations here.

Final Thoughts

Virginia takes DUI enforcement seriously. These checkpoints aren’t random—they’re backed by years of data showing patterns of impaired driving in specific corridors, near nightlife, and in areas prone to crashes.

Being aware of these locations helps you plan safer routes and, more importantly, reminds you of the ultimate truth: Never drink and drive.

If you’ve been drinking, use Uber, Lyft, a cab, or a designated driver. Your life—and others’—is worth more than any shortcut.