The drive from Hampton, VA to Colonial Heights, VA covers 394.5 miles and takes about 7h 16m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 81, I 64, Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 182.4 miles on I 81.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $61.69 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
197.3 miles from Hampton, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 39m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 16m. Total distance: 394.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 16m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Drive Character
This is a 7h 16m highway drive covering 394.5 miles, with most of the trip on I 81 and I 64. The longest continuous stretch is about 182.4 miles on I 81.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 81 is the longest continuous segment at about 182.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and I 64. 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 15 significant decision points across 394.5 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 15 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 Colonial Heights, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Rocky Mount along the way.
Rocky Mount
65 mi in|~1h 14m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 81
182.4 mi
3h 19m
I 64
181.4 mi
3h 18m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
22.6 mi
24m
Hampton Roads Beltway
2.5 mi
3m
I 77
1.3 mi
1m
North Armistead Avenue
0.9 mi
1m
West Pembroke Avenue
0.3 mi
<1m
Old Airport Road
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 182.4 mi, about 3h 19m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hampton, VA and Colonial Heights, 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
120 mi·2 hr 10 min·I 64
Toward I 64 West: CharlottesvilleUse the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
117 mi·2 hr 9 min·I 81
Use the straight lane.
13
Continue on I 77; I 81; US 52
1.3 mi·1 min·I 77; I 81; US 52
Use the straight lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81; US 52
65 mi·1 hr 9 min·I 81; US 52
Use the straight lane.
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi·52 sec
Toward Old Airport Road, Bonham Road
16
Turn right onto Old Airport Road
0.1 mi·15 sec·Old Airport Road
17
Turn right onto US 11; US 19
506 ft·12 sec·Lee Highway
18
Arrive at destination
US 11; US 19
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 197.3 miles from Hampton, VA, or about 3h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 182.4 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 87 miles or 1h 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 197.3 miles or 3h 39m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 11m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Colonial Heights, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Hampton, VA
This is one driving day of about 394.5 miles and 7h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 87 miles from Hampton, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 81 for about 182.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 197.3 mi from Hampton, VA
· 3h 39m into the drive
The midpoint is around 197.3 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 81 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 182.4 miles.
Arriving in Colonial Heights, VA
The final approach into Colonial Heights, 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 Colonial Heights, 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.
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...
3 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
Park Closure: Road Closure and Fishing Pier Impact
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...
Booker T. Washington was born a slave in April 1856 on the 207-acre farm of James Burroughs. After the Civil War, Washington became the first principal of Tuskegee Normal and Industrial School. Later...
22 mi from route
~54 min detour
Free
near mile 258.5
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...
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $41 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
118.4
1
$41.42
$18.94
Efficient EV
98.6
1
$34.52
$15.78
EV Truck/SUV
157.8
1
$55.23
$25.25
Gas CO2
138 kg
EV CO2
46 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Afternoon
in Hampton on Thursday
Local time
3:59 PM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Colonial Heights, VA
Afternoon
in Colonial Heights on Thursday
Local time
3:59 PM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
23 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
7h 16m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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 Colonial Heights, VA covers 394.5 miles and takes about 7h 16m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 81, I 64, Korean War Veterans Memorial 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 197.3 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 $61.69 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 394.5 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 Colonial Heights, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Rocky Mount along the way.
