East Hampton, VA to Ettrick, VA is 80.7 miles and takes about 1h 49m via James River Drive, Colonial Trail West, and Benns Church Boulevard, with a fuel budget near $13 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Virginia's Southeast region, offering a straightforward journey for a single day. Expect a local road experience rather than a high-speed interstate cruise. This route is ideal if you prefer a more connected-to-the-landscape drive over pure efficiency, making it a good choice for a relaxed travel day.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
40.3 miles from East Hampton, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 57m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 49m. Total distance: 80.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
This route is characterized as a 'Turn-heavy local drive,' meaning you'll be navigating more intersections and less open highway. With 0% highway share, expect to be on roads that feel more integrated with the local landscape. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 14.6 miles along James River Drive. This driving style requires constant attention to speed limits and turns, so keep your focus sharp as you make your way through various local roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 26 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
James River Drive is the longest continuous segment at about 14.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 77.9 miles in near US 301; VA 36 / North Crater Road.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 80.7 miles you will encounter 12 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 77.9 miles (US 301; VA 36 / North Crater Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 78.2 miles (US 301; VA 36 / Bollingbrook Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 78.8 miles (VA 36 / North Sycamore Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
77.9 mi into trip|~1h 44m in|US 301; VA 36 / North Crater Road
Turn right onto US 301; VA 36 / North Crater Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
78.2 mi into trip|~1h 45m in|US 301; VA 36 / Bollingbrook Street
At end of road, turn left onto US 301; VA 36 / Bollingbrook Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
7
78.8 mi into trip|~1h 46m in|VA 36 / North Sycamore Street
At end of road, turn right onto VA 36 / North Sycamore Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
78.9 mi into trip|~1h 46m in|VA 36 / West Old Street
Turn left onto VA 36 / West Old Street
Navigation decision point
7
80.5 mi into trip|~1h 49m in|East River Road
Turn left onto East River Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
James River Drive
14.6 mi
19m
Colonial Trail West
13.3 mi
15m
Benns Church Boulevard
12.1 mi
15m
Colonial Trail East
9.9 mi
11m
East Mercury Boulevard
7.8 mi
14m
James River Bridge
4.4 mi
6m
East Washington Street
4 mi
4m
Brewers Neck Boulevard
2.9 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
James River Drive
— 14.6 mi, about 19m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between East Hampton, VA and Ettrick, VA.
1
Start on Southerland Drive
0.2 mi·46 sec·Southerland Drive
2
Turn left onto US 258
7.8 mi·14 min·East Mercury Boulevard
Use the left lane.
3
Continue on US 17; US 258; VA 32
4.4 mi·6 min·James River Bridge
4
Continue on US 17; US 258; VA 32
2.4 mi·3 min·Carrollton Boulevard
Use the left lane.
5
Turn right onto US 258; VA 32
2.9 mi·4 min·Brewers Neck Boulevard
6
Merge onto US 258; VA 10
12 mi·15 min·Benns Church Boulevard
7
Continue on VA 10
9.9 mi·11 min·Colonial Trail East
8
Turn left onto VA 10; VA 31
1.0 mi·1 min·Rolfe Highway
9
Turn right onto VA 10
13 mi·15 min·Colonial Trail West
10
Continue on VA 10
15 mi·19 min·James River Drive
11
Continue on VA 10; VA 156 BUS
1.2 mi·2 min·East Randolph Road
12
Turn left onto VA 156 Business
1.8 mi·2 min·Winston Churchill Drive
13
Continue on VA 36
0.4 mi·26 sec·Oaklawn Boulevard
14
Continue on VA 36
1.0 mi·1 min·Woodlawn Street
15
Continue on VA 36
1.0 mi·1 min·Oaklawn Boulevard
16
Continue on VA 36
4.0 mi·4 min·East Washington Street
17
Turn right onto US 301; VA 36
0.3 mi·34 sec·North Crater Road
Use the right lane.
18
At end of road, turn left onto US 301; VA 36
0.6 mi·59 sec·Bollingbrook Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
19
At end of road, turn right onto VA 36
225 ft·12 sec·North Sycamore Street
Use the right lane.
20
Turn left onto VA 36
0.1 mi·13 sec·West Old Street
21
Continue on VA 36
0.5 mi·57 sec·Grove Avenue
22
At end of road, turn right onto VA 36
0.1 mi·14 sec·Fleet Street
23
Continue on VA 36
0.8 mi·1 min·Chesterfield Avenue
24
Turn right onto SR 1107
510 ft·18 sec·Granger Street
Use the right lane.
25
Turn left onto East River Road
0.1 mi·33 sec·East River Road
Use the left lane.
26
Arrive at destination
East River Road
Trip Plan
Given the 1h 49m duration and turn-heavy nature, starting your drive in the morning will give you ample time to reach Ettrick without feeling rushed. Since this is a single-day trip and the longest stretch is under 15 miles, you have the flexibility to stop more frequently if needed, though with only 80.7 miles, extensive breaks aren't necessary. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially as you transition between James River Drive, Colonial Trail West, and Benns Church Boulevard; local roads can sometimes be more spread out in terms of services than major highways. The estimated fuel cost is around $13, so plan accordingly.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 40.3 miles from East Hampton, VA, or about 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 14.6 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 18 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 40.3 miles or 57m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 32m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ettrick, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving East Hampton, VA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from East Hampton, VA
This is one driving day of about 80.7 miles and 1h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from East Hampton, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on James River Drive for about 14.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 40.3 mi from East Hampton, VA
· 57m into the drive
The midpoint is around 40.3 miles from East Hampton, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Ettrick, VA
The final approach into Ettrick, VA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Fort Monroe National Monument
National Monument
Fort Monroe's story spans from prehistory to the 2000s. Kecoughtan Indians occupied Old Point Comfort before the arrival of English colonists. The first enslaved Africans arrived in 1619. Those escapi...
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Free
Park Closure: Road Closure and Fishing Pier Impact
Two hundred ninety-two days, eight offensives, over 70,000 casualties, U. S. Colored Troops, and the decline of Gen. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia all describe the Siege of Petersburg. U.S. forces c...
4 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 80.7
On May 13, 1607, Jamestown was established as the first permanent English settlement in North America. Three cultures came together – European, Virginia Indian and African–to create a new society that...
10 mi from route
~26 min detour
$15
near mile 33.4
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
24.2
0
$8.47
$3.87
Efficient EV
20.2
0
$7.06
$3.23
EV Truck/SUV
32.3
0
$11.30
$5.16
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (68% 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 16, 2026
Origin
East Hampton, VA
Morning
in East Hampton on Friday
Local time
6:11 AM
EDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Ettrick, VA
Morning
in Ettrick on Friday
Local time
6:11 AM
EDT
Current temp
82°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
52°F
Waverly, VA
40 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
3 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 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 East Hampton, VA to Ettrick, VA covers 80.7 miles and takes about 1h 49m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are James River Drive, Colonial Trail West, Benns Church Boulevard. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 40.3 miles from East Hampton, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $12.62 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.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 80.7 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 77.9 miles (US 301; VA 36 / North Crater Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 78.2 miles (US 301; VA 36 / Bollingbrook Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 78.8 miles (VA 36 / North Sycamore Street): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from East Hampton, VA to Ettrick, VA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from
OSRM
over
OpenStreetMap.
Fuel cost uses
EIA
weekly regional averages.
EV charging comes from the
NREL Alternative Fuels
dataset.
National park proximity is from the
NPS API.
Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our
methodology page
documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
