Hampton, VA to Great Falls, VA is 184.8 miles and takes about 3h 36m via I 95, with a fuel budget near $29 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Southeast region, connecting two points in Virginia. It's a straightforward, highway-focused drive that should feel familiar to anyone who has traveled interstates before. With a total duration under four hours, it's an easy day trip or a quick segment of a longer journey. Consider this route if you're looking for efficiency and a direct path between these two locations.
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
92.4 miles from Hampton, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 45m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 36m. Total distance: 184.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 36m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (78%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This drive is predominantly highway, with 78% of the journey on major interstates like I 95 and I 64. You'll experience a mostly uninterrupted flow on the interstate, including one stretch of 82.3 miles on I 95 where you can settle into a rhythm. The Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway also contributes to the high-speed nature of this route. Expect a consistent driving experience that prioritizes reaching your destination efficiently over varied scenery.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 29 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 95 is the longest continuous segment at about 82.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
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 65 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 27 significant decision points across 184.8 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 65 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 164.4 miles (I 395 / Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 176.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 27 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
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
9
164.4 mi into trip|~3h 7m in|I 395 / Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 395 / Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway toward I 395 North, I 495 North: Washington, Tysons Corner
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Exit 170A; 170B
Toward I 395 North, I 495 North: Washington, Ty...
8
176.9 mi into trip|~3h 22m in
Take the exit toward VA 267 Toll West: Reston, Herndon, Dulles Airport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 45
Toward VA 267 Toll West: Reston, Herndon, Dulle...
9
178.7 mi into trip|~3h 25m in
Take the exit toward VA 7: Tysons Corner, Leesburg, Leesburg Pike
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 16
Toward VA 7: Tysons Corner, Leesburg, Leesburg...
9
179 mi into trip|~3h 26m in
Keep slight right at fork toward VA 7 West: Leesburg Pike, Leesburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward VA 7 West: Leesburg Pike, Leesburg
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Hampton, VA and Great Falls, VA, road signs point toward Rocky Mount and Tysons Corner.
Rocky Mount
65 mi in|~1h 14m
Tysons Corner
164.4 mi in|~3h 7m|via I 395
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
82.3 mi
1h 33m
I 64
61.1 mi
1h 7m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
11.9 mi
12m
Capital Beltway
10.5 mi
12m
Leesburg Pike
3.2 mi
4m
Hampton Roads Beltway
2.5 mi
3m
Walker Road
2 mi
4m
Dulles Toll Road
1.1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 82.3 mi, about 1h 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hampton, VA and Great Falls, 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
12 mi·12 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
10
Take the exit
2.4 mi·2 min
Exit 43AToward I 95 North: WashingtonUse the slight left lane.
11
Merge onto I 95
46 mi·49 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 95; US 17
1.6 mi·1 min·I 95; US 17
13
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
14
Merge onto I 95
35 mi·41 min·I 95
Use the slight left lane.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 395
0.6 mi·52 sec·Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
Exit 170A; 170BToward I 395 North, I 495 North: Washington, Tysons CornerUse the straight / slight left lanes.
16
Take the exit
1.4 mi·1 min
Exit 170BToward I 495 North: Tysons CornerUse the slight right lane.
17
Merge onto I 495
1.0 mi·1 min·Capital Beltway
18
Keep slight right at fork onto I 495
9.5 mi·11 min·Capital Beltway
Use the straight lane.
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
Exit 45Toward VA 267 Toll West: Reston, Herndon, Dulles AirportUse the slight left lane.
20
Merge onto VA 267
1.1 mi·1 min·Dulles Toll Road
21
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·22 sec
22
Merge onto VA 267
263 ft·4 sec·Dulles Toll Road
23
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Exit 16Toward VA 7: Tysons Corner, Leesburg, Leesburg PikeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·17 sec
Toward VA 7 West: Leesburg Pike, LeesburgUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
25
Merge onto VA 7
3.2 mi·4 min·Leesburg Pike
26
Turn right onto SR 743
0.5 mi·1 min·Colvin Run Road
Use the right lane.
27
Turn right onto SR 681
2.0 mi·4 min·Walker Road
28
Turn right onto VA 193
26 ft·0 sec·Georgetown Pike
Use the right lane.
29
Arrive at destination
VA 193
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 36m drive time, leaving Hampton, VA in the morning will comfortably get you to Great Falls, VA well before evening. You'll only have one designated stop on this route, so plan your fuel and rest breaks accordingly, especially since the longest stretch without a major exit is over 80 miles. The $29 fuel cost is an estimate, so check current prices before you depart. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility; a mid-morning departure is a good way to avoid the worst of any potential traffic near major urban areas.
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 92.4 miles from Hampton, VA, or about 1h 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 82.3 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 41 miles or 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 92.4 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 52m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Great Falls, 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 184.8 miles and 3h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 41 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 95 for about 82.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 92.4 mi from Hampton, VA
· 1h 45m into the drive
The midpoint is around 92.4 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 95 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 82.3 miles.
Arriving in Great Falls, VA
The final approach into Great Falls, 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 Great Falls, VA.
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 19.1
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...
The Potomac River corridor is rich in both history and recreation, offering a chance to both explore your heritage and choose your adventure along the way. Start your journey here!
16 mi from route
~41 min detour
Free
near mile 184.8
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...
26 mi from route
~65 min detour
Free
near mile 63.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.90 one way
$57.80 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg65 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$31.60
$63.20
premium
$4.70
$34.20
$68.41
diesel
$5.61
$40.80
$81.60
Estimated Tolls: $0.23
Dulles Toll Road
(1.1 mi)$0.23
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 64.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
55.4
0
$19.40
$8.87
Efficient EV
46.2
0
$16.17
$7.39
EV Truck/SUV
73.9
0
$25.87
$11.83
Gas CO2
65 kg
EV CO2
22 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
Evening
in Hampton on Friday
Local time
8:16 PM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Great Falls, VA
Evening
in Great Falls on Friday
Local time
8:16 PM
EDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
49°F
Bowling Green, VA
92 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
7 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
3h 36m 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 Great Falls, VA covers 184.8 miles and takes about 3h 36m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 95, 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 92.4 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 $28.90 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 27 significant decision points across 184.8 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 65 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 164.4 miles (I 395 / Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 176.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Hampton, VA and Great Falls, VA, road signs point toward Rocky Mount and Tysons Corner.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Colonial National Historical Park, Fort Monroe National Monument and Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail. There are 4 parks within detour distance of this route.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
