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Create accountDrive Time
2h 47m
Distance
147 mi
237 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$24
one way
EV Charging
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Hampton, VA
Sarah O'Shea
Charlottesville, VA
Eric Joseph
Traveling from Hampton to Charlottesville covers 147 miles, typically taking about 2 hours and 47 minutes behind the wheel. Because this journey is manageable within a single day, you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay unless you prefer a slower pace. You can expect to spend approximately $24 on fuel for the trip, making it a budget-friendly way to move between the coast and the inland region of Virginia. Since both locations are located within the Southeast, the transition is relatively seamless. Whether you are heading out for a quick weekend getaway or a necessary commute, this route provides a straightforward connection that keeps travel time efficient.
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
73.5 miles from Hampton, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 24m into the drive .
This trip is heavily focused on highway travel, with 79% of the route consisting of major thoroughfares. You will spend the vast majority of your time on I-64, which accounts for a 116.4-mile stretch of the journey, alongside segments of the Hampton Roads Beltway and the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway. Expect a steady, interstate-heavy experience that favors speed and efficiency over winding backroads. As you navigate these high-speed lanes, you will find a consistent driving environment that keeps the pace moving steadily from the coast toward Charlottesville. Staying alert is key during these long, uninterrupted miles, as the road character remains largely uniform throughout the duration of the 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.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 147 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.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
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
Keep slight right at fork toward I 295 North: Washington
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork toward I 64 West: Charlottesville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Turn left onto 7th Street Northeast
Lane positioning matters here
On the drive from Hampton, VA to Charlottesville, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Rocky Mount along the way.
Rocky Mount
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 64 | 116.4 mi | 2h 7m |
| Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway | 22.6 mi | 24m |
| Hampton Roads Beltway | 2.5 mi | 3m |
| Monticello Avenue | 1 mi | 2m |
| North Armistead Avenue | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| VA 20 | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| West Pembroke Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| East Market Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Hampton, VA and Charlottesville, VA.
Start on North King Street
Turn left onto VA 351
Turn right onto VA 134
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 64
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 295
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 64
Take the exit
Turn right onto VA 20
Turn slight right onto VA 20
Turn left onto US 250 BUS
Turn left onto 7th Street Northeast
Arrive at destination
Planning for this 147-mile trek is straightforward, though traffic patterns on major interstates like I-64 can be unpredictable. Given the total duration of nearly three hours, you should comfortably fit one well-timed stop into your itinerary to stretch your legs and refresh. Aim to depart outside of peak commuting hours to avoid congestion, especially when navigating through the Hampton Roads area. Since the route is dominated by high-speed highway driving, ensure your vehicle is prepped for sustained speeds before you leave. Keeping your fuel budget around $24 in mind, consider topping off your tank before hitting the longest 116.4-mile stretch of the interstate to ensure you reach your destination without unnecessary detours.
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 1h 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 73.5 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 16m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Charlottesville, VA than in the middle of the route.
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 147 miles and 2h 47m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 73.5 mi from Hampton, VA · 1h 24m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
74 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 73.5 miles from Hampton, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 64 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 116.4 miles.
The final approach into Charlottesville, 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 Charlottesville, 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.
Regular Gas
$23.53 one way
$47.05 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $25.63 | $51.26 |
| premium | $4.78 | $27.65 | $55.30 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $32.66 | $65.32 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 51.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 44.1 | 0 | $15.43 | $7.06 |
| Efficient EV | 36.8 | 0 | $12.86 | $5.88 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 58.8 | 0 | $20.58 | $9.41 |
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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Hampton on Sunday
Local time
5:15 PM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Sunny
Destination
Evening in Charlottesville on Sunday
Local time
5:15 PM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Sunny
Along the Route
86°F
Middletown, MD
74 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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