Drive Time
2h 46m
Distance
111.7 mi
180 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$18
one way
Photo: Sarah O'Shea
The drive from Colonial Beach, VA to Hampton, VA covers 111.7 miles and takes about 2h 46m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 17, Newland Road, I 64 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 67.2 miles on US 17. At current regular gas prices, budget about $17.88 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
55.9 miles from Colonial Beach, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 27m into the drive .
This is a 2h 46m highway drive covering 111.7 miles, with most of the trip on US 17 and Newland Road. The longest continuous stretch is about 67.2 miles on US 17.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 17 and Newland Road. You will hit about 16 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 35.7 miles in near US 17.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 111.7 miles you will encounter 16 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 35.7 miles (US 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 102.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 103.3 miles (I 64): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Keep slight left at fork onto US 17
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward US 64 East: Hampton, Norfolk
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Merge onto I 64
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
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
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
On the drive from Colonial Beach, VA to Hampton, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Norfolk along the way.
Norfolk
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 17 | 67.2 mi | 1h 33m |
| Newland Road | 13.8 mi | 24m |
| I 64 | 7.3 mi | 9m |
| James Monroe Highway | 5.4 mi | 7m |
| Kings Highway | 5.2 mi | 7m |
| Richmond Road | 4.1 mi | 5m |
| Flat Iron Road | 3.9 mi | 6m |
| Tappahannock Boulevard | 1.9 mi | 3m |
Step-by-step road directions between Colonial Beach, VA and Hampton, VA.
Start on Washington Avenue
Turn left onto VA 205Y
Turn left onto VA 205
Continue on VA 205
Turn left onto VA 3
Turn right onto SR 624
Continue on SR 624
Turn right onto US 360
Turn left onto South Water Lane
Turn right onto Wright Street
At end of road, turn left onto US 17; US 360
Keep slight left at fork onto US 17
Take the exit
Merge onto I 64
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Turn straight onto Rip Rap Road
Turn sharp left onto VA 134
Turn left onto VA 351
Turn right onto North King Street
Continue on North King Street
Arrive at destination
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.
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 80 miles or 2h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 55.9 miles or 1h 27m 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.
Open the route before leaving Colonial Beach, 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 Colonial Beach, VA
This is one driving day of about 111.7 miles and 2h 46m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 55.9 mi from Colonial Beach, VA · 1h 27m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
56 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 55.9 miles from Colonial Beach, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 17 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 67.2 miles.
The final approach into Hampton, VA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Hampton, VA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$17.88 one way
$35.75 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $19.48 | $38.95 |
| premium | $4.78 | $21.01 | $42.02 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $24.82 | $49.63 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 39.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 33.5 | 0 | $11.73 | $5.36 |
| Efficient EV | 27.9 | 0 | $9.77 | $4.47 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 44.7 | 0 | $15.64 | $7.15 |
Gas CO2
39 kg
EV CO2
13 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Evening in Colonial Beach on Saturday
Local time
5:58 PM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Evening in Hampton on Saturday
Local time
5:58 PM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
59°F
Staten Island, NY
56 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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