The 948 area code is an overlay serving Hampton Roads in southeastern Virginia, layered over the 757 code across Norfolk, Virginia Beach, and Newport News. Introduced in 2022 to supply new phone numbers, 948 covers the exact same territory as 757. If a 948 number has appeared on your caller ID, this guide explains where it comes from, how to dial it, and how to stay safe from spoofed calls.
Quick Summary: Area Code 948 at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Area Code | 948 |
| State | Virginia (VA) |
| Major Cities | Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Newport News |
| Time Zone | Eastern Time (ET) |
| Country Code | +1 (USA) |
| Overlay Codes | 757 (co-located) |
Geographic Coverage & Major Cities
Area code 948 covers the Hampton Roads metro at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay. Because it is an overlay, it shares the identical footprint of the 757 area code rather than covering a separate zone.
- Virginia Beach – the most populous city in Virginia
- Norfolk – home to the world’s largest naval base
- Chesapeake & Portsmouth – major South Hampton Roads cities
- Newport News, Hampton & Williamsburg – Peninsula cities and historic Williamsburg
As the newer code over Hampton Roads, 948 numbers are common among lines set up after the original 757 numbers grew scarce.
A Brief History of Area Code 948
Area code 948 was activated in 2022 as an all-services overlay on the 757 region. The 757 code itself split from 804 in 1996. An overlay adds a second area code across the same geographic area, so existing 757 customers kept their numbers while new lines could be assigned either code, under mandatory 10-digit dialing.
Time Zone & Best Time to Call
Numbers in the 948 area code use Eastern Time (ET). The region observes Daylight Saving Time, shifting from EST (UTC-5) to EDT (UTC-4) between March and November each year.
How to Dial Phone Numbers in Area Code 948
Because 948 shares its region under an overlay, the area requires 10-digit dialing on every call.
Calling within the United States or Canada
- 10-digit dialing: Include the area code – 948-XXX-XXXX.
- 11-digit dialing: You can also dial 1-948-XXX-XXXX; the leading 1 is the NANP country code.
Calling from outside the United States
- Format: [exit code] + 1 + 948 + XXX + XXXX
- From the UK, Europe, or most of Asia/Africa: 00 1 948 XXX XXXX
- From any mobile phone worldwide: +1 948 XXX XXXX
Is Area Code 948 a Scam? Safety & Protection Tips
Area code 948 is a legitimate Virginia area code – a call from it is not fraudulent by default. However, scammers frequently spoof local codes like 948, faking the caller ID so their number appears to come from a trusted local line. Neighbor spoofing, which mimics the first six digits of your own number, is especially common.
Common scam tactics linked to this region
| Scam type | What to watch for |
|---|---|
| Government & military impersonation | Callers posing as the IRS, SSA, or VA targeting the large Navy community |
| Bank & card fraud alerts | Claims of suspicious activity seeking your account details |
| Storm & disaster relief scams | Bogus repair or FEMA-related appeals after coastal hurricanes |
| Utility shut-off threats | Fake Dominion Energy disconnection demands |
How to report, block, and look up 948 callers
- Never share personal or financial details with an unexpected caller, however urgent they sound.
- Block the number using your phone’s built-in call-blocking feature or a reputable call-screening app.
- Look up the number with a trusted reverse phone lookup before returning any call.
- Report it to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov and register at DoNotCall.gov.
Nearby & Related Area Codes in Virginia
Area code 948 shares and borders several other codes:
- 757 – the original Hampton Roads code that 948 overlays (see our 757 area code guide)
- 804 & 686 – the Richmond area to the west (see our 804 area code guide)
- 434 – south-central Virginia to the west (see our 434 area code guide)
- 252 – neighboring northeastern North Carolina to the south
Explore more codes across the state on our Virginia area codes hub, or browse every prefix in our US area codes directory.
↑ See the complete list of All US Area Codes by State – every area code across all 50 states in one directory.
Explore Neighboring States
Researching area codes just across the state line? Start with these codes in the states that border Virginia:
- Maryland – area code 410
- North Carolina – area code 704
- Tennessee – area code 615
- Kentucky – area code 502
- West Virginia – area code 304
Frequently Asked Questions About Area Code 948
Where is the 948 area code located?
Area code 948 covers Hampton Roads in southeastern Virginia, including Norfolk, Virginia Beach, and Newport News, as an overlay of the 757 code. It operates on Eastern Time.
What is the difference between 948 and 757?
There is no geographic difference. 948 overlays the exact same Hampton Roads territory as 757; it was added in 2022 simply to supply more phone numbers.
Is 948 a landline or cell phone area code?
Both. Area code 948 serves landlines, mobile phones, and VoIP numbers throughout Hampton Roads.
Should I answer a call from an unknown 948 number?
If you are not expecting the call, let it go to voicemail. Legitimate callers leave a message, while spoofed or robocall numbers usually will not. Verify any unfamiliar number with a reverse lookup before calling back.
Related 948 Guides
- Worried about spam or robocalls? Browse our Scam Alerts directory.