Charlottesville, VA to Hampton, VA is 146.6 miles and takes about 2h 49m via I 64, with a fuel budget near $23 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Virginia, connecting two points in the Southeast region. It's a straightforward drive, primarily on highways, making it an easy day trip. Expect a relatively quick journey with minimal fuss. Consider this route if you need to get between these two locations efficiently.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
73.3 miles from Charlottesville, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 24m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 49m. Total distance: 146.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (80%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a highway-focused drive, with 80% of the route utilizing major roadways like I 64. You'll experience a significant stretch of uninterrupted travel, with the longest segment covering 116.6 miles on I 64. The primary roads are I 64, Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, and Richmond Road, indicating a consistent, fast-paced journey. It’s a drive that prioritizes covering ground over leisurely sightseeing.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 64 is the longest continuous segment at about 116.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near US 250 BUS; VA 20 / 9th Street Northeast.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 146.6 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (US 250 BUS; VA 20 / 9th Street Northeast): Lane positioning matters here; at 55.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 79.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|US 250 BUS; VA 20 / 9th Street Northeast
Turn left onto US 250 BUS; VA 20 / 9th Street Northeast
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
55.8 mi into trip|~1h 4m in
Take the exit toward I 295 North: Washington, Norfolk
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 177
Toward I 295 North: Washington, Norfolk
8
79.9 mi into trip|~1h 31m in
Take the exit toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 28A
Toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach
8
145.4 mi into trip|~2h 45m in
Take the exit toward Armistead Avenue, Langley Air Force Base
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 265C
Toward Armistead Avenue, Langley Air Force Base
9
145.6 mi into trip|~2h 46m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Armistead Avenue, Langley Air Force Base
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left / right lanes.
Toward Armistead Avenue, Langley Air Force Base
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Charlottesville, VA and Hampton, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk and Virginia Beach.
Norfolk
55.8 mi in|~1h 4m
Virginia Beach
79.9 mi in|~1h 31m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
116.6 mi
2h 8m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
22.9 mi
25m
Richmond Road
1.9 mi
3m
East High Street
0.9 mi
2m
North Armistead Avenue
0.4 mi
1m
West Pembroke Avenue
0.3 mi
<1m
North King Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Rip Rap Road
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 116.6 mi, about 2h 8m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Charlottesville, VA and Hampton, VA.
1
Start on this road
233 ft·18 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto US 250 BUS
246 ft·10 sec·East Market Street
3
Turn left onto US 250 BUS; VA 20
0.1 mi·31 sec·9th Street Northeast
Use the left lane.
4
Continue on US 250 BUS; VA 20
0.9 mi·2 min·East High Street
5
Turn right onto US 250; VA 20
315 ft·7 sec·Long Street
6
Continue on US 250; VA 20
1.9 mi·3 min·Richmond Road
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward I 64 East
8
Merge onto I 64
52 mi·56 min·I 64
Use the straight lane.
9
Take the exit
1.2 mi·1 min
Exit 177Toward I 295 North: Washington, NorfolkUse the slight right lane.
10
Continue on I 295
23 mi·25 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
1.3 mi·2 min
Exit 28AToward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia BeachUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 64
64 mi·1 hr 11 min·I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.1 mi·25 sec
Exit 265CToward Armistead Avenue, Langley Air Force BaseUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork
199 ft·6 sec
Toward Armistead Avenue, Langley Air Force BaseUse the left / right lanes.
15
Turn straight onto Rip Rap Road
0.2 mi·21 sec·Rip Rap Road
16
Turn sharp left onto VA 134
0.4 mi·1 min·North Armistead Avenue
17
Turn left onto VA 351
0.3 mi·39 sec·West Pembroke Avenue
18
Turn right onto North King Street
524 ft·19 sec·North King Street
19
Continue on North King Street
432 ft·18 sec·North King Street
20
Arrive at destination
North King Street
Trip Plan
Given the short duration of under three hours, this trip is easily completed in a single day. You'll have plenty of flexibility for departure times. The longest stretch without a major exit is over 116 miles, so ensure you have adequate fuel before embarking on that segment. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $23, planning is minimal. Enjoy the straightforward nature of this drive, knowing you can depart and arrive within the same day.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 73.3 miles from Charlottesville, VA, or about 1h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 116.6 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 32 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 73.3 miles or 1h 24m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 17m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hampton, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Charlottesville, VA so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Charlottesville, VA
This is one driving day of about 146.6 miles and 2h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from Charlottesville, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 64 for about 116.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 73.3 mi from Charlottesville, VA
· 1h 24m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.93 one way
$45.85 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg51 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$25.07
$50.13
premium
$4.70
$27.13
$54.27
diesel
$5.61
$32.37
$64.73
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 51.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
44
0
$15.39
$7.04
Efficient EV
36.7
0
$12.83
$5.86
EV Truck/SUV
58.6
0
$20.52
$9.38
Gas CO2
51 kg
EV CO2
17 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Charlottesville, VA
Morning
in Charlottesville on Friday
Local time
11:53 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Hampton, VA
Morning
in Hampton on Friday
Local time
11:53 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
53°F
Ashland, VA
73 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
5 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 49m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Charlottesville, VA to Hampton, VA covers 146.6 miles and takes about 2h 49m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 64, Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, Richmond Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 73.3 miles from Charlottesville, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $22.93 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 146.6 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (US 250 BUS; VA 20 / 9th Street Northeast): Lane positioning matters here; at 55.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 79.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Charlottesville, VA and Hampton, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk and Virginia Beach.
