948 Area Code: Virginia | Location & Time Zone

The 948 area code is a telephone area code serving parts of Virginia, United States. As telecommunications demand continues to grow across the state, understanding the 948 area code becomes essential for residents, businesses, and anyone making calls to this region. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about the 948 area code, including its location, time zone, history, and practical dialing information.

What is the 948 Area Code?

The 948 area code is designated as an overlay area code for the 757 area code region in southeastern Virginia. This area code was implemented to address the increasing demand for telephone numbers in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area and surrounding communities. An overlay area code means that 948 shares the same geographic region as the existing 757 area code, providing additional phone number capacity without requiring existing customers to change their numbers.

The 948 area code was introduced on March 29, 2022, as part of the North American Numbering Plan Administration’s (NANPA) efforts to ensure adequate telephone numbering resources for the growing population and businesses in southeastern Virginia. The implementation of 948 required all callers within the region to use 10-digit dialing for local calls.

948 Area Code Location & Coverage

Cities and Regions Covered

The 948 area code covers the same geographic region as the 757 area code, encompassing major cities and communities throughout southeastern Virginia. The primary cities and regions served by the 948 area code include Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Newport News, Hampton, Suffolk, Portsmouth, Williamsburg, Poquoson, Smithfield, Franklin, and the Eastern Shore counties of Accomack and Northampton.

This coverage area represents one of Virginia’s most densely populated regions, including the entire Hampton Roads metropolitan area. The region is known for its significant military presence, with Naval Station Norfolk being the world’s largest naval base, as well as its thriving tourism industry centered around Virginia Beach’s oceanfront resort area.

Geographic Coverage Map

The 948 area code region spans approximately 3,200 square miles across southeastern Virginia. The coverage area extends from the Atlantic Ocean coastline westward to include parts of Isle of Wight County, and from the North Carolina border northward to the lower peninsula including Williamsburg and surrounding areas. The Eastern Shore portion includes the counties across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, providing comprehensive coverage for this unique geographic region.

Time Zone Information

The entire 948 area code region operates on Eastern Time, which is the same time zone used throughout most of Virginia and the entire East Coast of the United States. Daylight Saving Time is observed, with clocks moving forward one hour in March and back one hour in November each year.

948 Area Code Details

History of 948 Area Code

When Was 948 Created?

The 948 area code was officially activated on March 29, 2022. The creation of this overlay area code was necessitated by the depletion of available telephone numbers within the existing 757 area code. As southeastern Virginia experienced steady population growth, increased business activity, and rising demand for cell phones, fax lines, and internet services requiring dedicated phone numbers, the telecommunications infrastructure needed expansion.

The Virginia State Corporation Commission and the North American Numbering Plan Administrator approved the 948 overlay to provide relief for the 757 area code, which had been in service since 1996. Rather than implementing a geographic split that would have required some residents to change their phone numbers, the overlay solution allowed existing 757 numbers to remain unchanged while providing new numbers with the 948 prefix.

Area Code Changes and Overlays

Prior to the 948 overlay, the 757 area code was created on July 1, 1996, as a split from the 804 area code. The 804 area code originally served all of eastern Virginia, but population growth in the Hampton Roads region necessitated the creation of 757 for southeastern Virginia, while 804 continued to serve the Richmond metropolitan area and surrounding regions.

With the implementation of 948 in 2022, all callers within the 757/948 region were required to transition to mandatory 10-digit dialing for all local calls. This means that even when calling a neighbor across the street, callers must dial the area code plus the seven-digit phone number. This change began with a permissive dialing period starting October 24, 2021, allowing both 7-digit and 10-digit dialing, before becoming mandatory on March 29, 2022.

How to Call 948 Area Code

Dialing Within the Area Code

When making local calls within the 948 area code region, you must use 10-digit dialing. This applies to all calls, whether you’re calling a 948 number or a 757 number within the same geographic area. The format is: 948-XXX-XXXX or 757-XXX-XXXX. You do not need to dial “1” before the area code for local calls, though some phone systems may accept this format as well.

Dialing From Other Area Codes

When calling a 948 area code number from outside the local region but within the United States or Canada, you must dial 1 followed by the area code and seven-digit phone number. The format is: 1-948-XXX-XXXX. This long-distance dialing format is standard across the North American Numbering Plan, which includes the United States, Canada, and several Caribbean nations.

International Dialing

For international callers dialing a 948 area code number, the format includes the country code for the United States (+1), followed by the area code and phone number. The complete format is: +1-948-XXX-XXXX. Callers should check with their international phone service provider regarding any applicable rates or dialing requirements specific to their country.

Nearby Area Codes

Population & Demographics

The 948 area code region serves a population of approximately 1.8 million people, making it one of Virginia’s most populous regions. Virginia Beach is the most populous city in the area code, with over 450,000 residents, and ranks as the largest city in Virginia by population. The Hampton Roads metropolitan area, which encompasses the entire 948/757 region, is the 37th largest metropolitan area in the United States.

The region’s economy is diverse, with major sectors including military and defense operations, tourism and hospitality, port operations and shipping, shipbuilding and ship repair, aerospace and aviation, and healthcare services. The presence of Naval Station Norfolk, Langley Air Force Base, and other military installations makes this one of the most significant military regions in the country.

The demographic composition reflects both the military population and the region’s historical significance, with a diverse mix of residents representing various ethnic and cultural backgrounds. The area’s educational institutions include Old Dominion University, Norfolk State University, and the College of William & Mary in nearby Williamsburg, contributing to a well-educated workforce.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 948 a legitimate area code?

Yes, 948 is a legitimate area code that was officially implemented on March 29, 2022, as an overlay for the 757 area code in southeastern Virginia. It was approved by the North American Numbering Plan Administration and the Virginia State Corporation Commission to provide additional telephone number capacity for the Hampton Roads region.

Why do I need to dial 10 digits for local calls in the 948 area code?

The implementation of the 948 overlay area code required mandatory 10-digit dialing for all local calls within the region. This is necessary because both 948 and 757 area codes serve the same geographic area, and the phone system needs the area code to determine which number you’re calling. Without the area code, identical seven-digit numbers could exist with both 948 and 757 prefixes.

Can I choose whether I get a 948 or 757 phone number?

When obtaining a new phone number in the region, the availability of 948 or 757 numbers depends on your service provider’s inventory. Many established numbers retain the 757 area code, while newer numbers are more likely to receive the 948 prefix as available 757 numbers become scarce. You can request a preference from your provider, but availability cannot be guaranteed.

Will my existing 757 phone number change to 948?

No, existing 757 phone numbers remain unchanged. The 948 area code is an overlay, not a split, which means current phone numbers keep their original area code. Only new phone numbers assigned after the implementation date may receive the 948 area code prefix.

What cities use the 948 area code?

The 948 area code serves the same cities as the 757 area code, including Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Newport News, Hampton, Suffolk, Portsmouth, Williamsburg, and the Eastern Shore communities. Any new phone numbers in these cities may be assigned either 948 or 757, depending on availability.

Do I need to update my business materials with the 948 area code?

If your business phone number uses the 757 area code, you do not need to change it. However, you should ensure that all your marketing materials, business cards, and contact information include the area code, as 10-digit dialing is now required for all local calls in the region. If you obtain a new business line with a 948 area code, you should update your materials accordingly.

Conclusion

The 948 area code represents an important telecommunications development for southeastern Virginia, ensuring adequate phone number resources for the growing Hampton Roads region. As an overlay of the established 757 area code, it serves the same geographic area encompassing major cities like Virginia Beach, Norfolk, and Chesapeake. Understanding the 948 area code, its Eastern Time Zone designation, and the mandatory 10-digit dialing requirements helps residents and businesses communicate effectively within and beyond this dynamic region.

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