This 178.6-mile drive from Hampton, VA to Stuarts Draft, VA is a straightforward 3-hour and 22-minute trip, making it an excellent candidate for a single-day adventure. With an estimated fuel cost of $28, it's an economical option for exploring more of the Southeast region. The route primarily utilizes major highways, offering a consistent pace for most of the journey. You'll likely find this drive to be efficient, allowing you to maximize your time at your destination. It's a practical choice for anyone looking to cover ground without extensive planning for an overnight stay.
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
89.3 miles from Hampton, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 41m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 22m. Total distance: 178.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 22m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (80%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect an 80% highway-focused experience on this route, characterized by its 143.6-mile stretch on I-64. This means you'll spend the majority of your time on well-maintained, high-speed roads. The "Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway" and "Stuarts Draft Highway" also contribute to this predominantly highway profile. While the drive is largely uninterrupted on the interstate, be prepared for a shift as you approach your destination and transition to local highway segments. This highway-centric nature ensures a relatively predictable driving experience.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 17 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 143.6 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 3.9 miles in near I 64.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 178.6 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 3.9 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 65 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 65.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
3.9 mi into trip|~6m in|I 64
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
65 mi into trip|~1h 14m in
Take the exit toward I 295, US 60: Washington, Rocky Mount NC
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 200
Toward I 295, US 60: Washington, Rocky Mount NC
7
65.5 mi into trip|~1h 14m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 295 North: Washington
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 295 North: Washington
6
89.4 mi into trip|~1h 42m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 64 West: Charlottesville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 53A
Toward I 64 West: Charlottesville
6
89.9 mi into trip|~1h 42m in|I 64
Merge onto I 64 toward I 64 West: Charlottesville
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 64 West: Charlottesville
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Hampton, VA to Stuarts Draft, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Rocky Mount along the way.
Rocky Mount
65 mi in|~1h 14m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
143.6 mi
2h 37m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
22.6 mi
24m
Stuarts Draft Highway
5.1 mi
7m
Hampton Roads Beltway
2.5 mi
3m
North Armistead Avenue
0.9 mi
1m
Rosser Avenue
0.5 mi
<1m
Draft Avenue
0.3 mi
<1m
West Pembroke Avenue
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 143.6 mi, about 2h 37m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hampton, VA and Stuarts Draft, VA.
1
Start on North King Street
126 ft·5 sec·North King Street
2
Turn left onto VA 351
0.3 mi·42 sec·West Pembroke Avenue
3
Turn right onto VA 134
0.9 mi·1 min·North Armistead Avenue
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward I 64 WestUse the left lane.
5
Merge onto I 64
2.5 mi·3 min·Hampton Roads Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64
61 mi·1 hr 7 min·I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.5 mi·32 sec
Exit 200Toward I 295, US 60: Washington, Rocky Mount NCUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork
1.3 mi·2 min
Toward I 295 North: WashingtonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 295
23 mi·24 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·55 sec
Exit 53AToward I 64 West: Charlottesville
11
Merge onto I 64
83 mi·1 hr 29 min·I 64
Toward I 64 West: CharlottesvilleUse the slight right lane.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Toward US 340: Waynesboro, Stuarts Draft
13
Turn left onto US 340
0.5 mi·58 sec·Rosser Avenue
14
Continue on US 340
5.1 mi·7 min·Stuarts Draft Highway
15
Turn left onto SR 608
0.3 mi·44 sec·Draft Avenue
16
Turn left onto SR 1502
136 ft·4 sec·Cambridge Drive
17
Arrive at destination
SR 1502
Trip Plan
Given the manageable 3-hour and 22-minute duration, this route is easily completed in one day. Aim to depart in the morning to take full advantage of daylight and avoid potential rush hour traffic leaving the Hampton area. With only one suggested stop, you have considerable flexibility to pace yourself or push through with minimal breaks. The longest stretch without a major road change is over 143 miles on I-64, so ensure you're comfortable with sustained highway driving and have adequate fuel before embarking on that segment. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach Stuarts Draft, as services might be more spaced out on the final approach.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 89.3 miles from Hampton, VA, or about 1h 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 143.6 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 39 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 89.3 miles or 1h 41m 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 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Stuarts Draft, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Hampton, 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 Hampton, VA
This is one driving day of about 178.6 miles and 3h 22m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from Hampton, 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 143.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 89.3 mi from Hampton, VA
· 1h 41m into the drive
The midpoint is around 89.3 miles from Hampton, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before I 64 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 143.6 miles.
Arriving in Stuarts Draft, VA
The final approach into Stuarts Draft, 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 Stuarts Draft, VA.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
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.
Colonial National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
$15
near mile 24.6
Park Closure: Rehabilitation of Colonial Parkway Continues
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...
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...
27 mi from route
~67 min detour
Free
near mile 67.7
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
53.6
0
$18.75
$8.57
Efficient EV
44.7
0
$15.63
$7.14
EV Truck/SUV
71.4
0
$25.00
$11.43
Gas CO2
62 kg
EV CO2
21 kg (66% 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
Hampton, VA
Late night
in Hampton on Friday
Local time
3:18 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Stuarts Draft, VA
Late night
in Stuarts Draft on Friday
Local time
3:18 AM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
53°F
Ashland, VA
89 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
19 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
3h 22m 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 Hampton, VA to Stuarts Draft, VA covers 178.6 miles and takes about 3h 22m 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, Stuarts Draft Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 89.3 miles from Hampton, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $27.93 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
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 13 significant decision points across 178.6 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 3.9 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 65 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 65.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Hampton, VA to Stuarts Draft, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Rocky Mount along the way.
Data sources
The figures on this page are computed from open government and mapping datasets, not 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.
Full methodology, refresh cadence, and limitations are documented on the
methodology page.
