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Create accountDrive Time
3h 24m
Distance
173.2 mi
279 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$28
one way
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Gainesville, VA
Eric Joseph
Hampton, VA
Sarah O'Shea
Traveling from Gainesville to Hampton covers 173.2 miles and typically takes about 3 hours and 24 minutes. Because this route is highly efficient, you can easily complete it in a single day, making it ideal for a quick getaway or a straightforward business trip. You will navigate primarily via I-95 and I-64, with a short initial segment on Dumfries Road. Expect to budget approximately $28 for fuel, depending on your vehicle's efficiency. Since both locations are situated in the Southeast region of Virginia, the drive remains within a consistent geographic area, allowing for a smooth transition from Northern Virginia toward the coast.
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
86.6 miles from Gainesville, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 45m into the drive .
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 81% of your journey takes place on high-speed roads. The drive moves from local surface streets onto major interstates, with the longest uninterrupted stretch lasting 66.8 miles on I-95. While the pace is generally fast, you should be prepared for the typical rhythm of interstate travel. The transition from the inland Gainesville area to the coastal environment of Hampton is marked by a steady, efficient flow. Because the majority of your time is spent on the interstate, the route prioritizes speed and directness over winding scenic detours.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and I 64. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.1 miles in.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 173.2 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 2.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 91.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 106.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Take the exit toward US 234 South: Prince William Parkway, Manassas, Dumfries
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va Beach
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
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
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
Between Gainesville, VA and Hampton, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk, Va Beach and Virginia Beach.
Norfolk
Va Beach
Virginia Beach
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 95 | 66.8 mi | 1h 14m |
| I 64 | 64.2 mi | 1h 11m |
| Dumfries Road | 13.6 mi | 19m |
| Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway | 13 mi | 14m |
| Prince William Parkway | 8.3 mi | 11m |
| Lee Highway | 0.6 mi | <1m |
| I 66 | 0.6 mi | <1m |
| North Armistead Avenue | 0.4 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Gainesville, VA and Hampton, VA.
Start on US 29
Take the exit
Merge onto I 66
Take the exit
Continue on VA 234
Continue on VA 234
Take the exit
Merge onto I 95
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
Take the exit
Merge onto I 295
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
Given the 3-hour and 24-minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure time around your own schedule. It is wise to budget for at least one stop to stretch your legs during the 173.2-mile journey. Since the route relies heavily on major corridors like I-95 and I-64, keep an eye on traffic reports, as these highways can be subject to congestion. Aim to fill up your tank before hitting the interstate to keep your $28 fuel budget on track. Taking advantage of that single planned stop will help you arrive in Hampton feeling refreshed rather than fatigued.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
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 1h 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 86.6 miles or 1h 45m 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 48m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hampton, VA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Gainesville, 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 Gainesville, VA
This is one driving day of about 173.2 miles and 3h 24m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 86.6 mi from Gainesville, VA · 1h 45m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
87 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 86.6 miles from Gainesville, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 95 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 66.8 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
$27.72 one way
$55.44 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $30.20 | $60.40 |
| premium | $4.78 | $32.58 | $65.16 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $38.48 | $76.96 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 60.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 52 | 0 | $18.19 | $8.31 |
| Efficient EV | 43.3 | 0 | $15.15 | $6.93 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 69.3 | 0 | $24.25 | $11.08 |
Gas CO2
61 kg
EV CO2
20 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Gainesville on Sunday
Local time
3:48 PM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Mostly Cloudy
Destination
Afternoon in Hampton on Sunday
Local time
3:48 PM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Mostly Sunny
Along the Route
86°F
Middletown, MD
87 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
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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