The drive from Hampton, VA to Gretna, VA covers 216 miles and takes about 4h 39m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 64, Anderson Highway, Wards Road for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is mixed drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 69.1 miles on I 64.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $33.78 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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
108 miles from Hampton, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 16m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 39m. Total distance: 216 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
The drive from Hampton, VA to Gretna, VA covers 216 miles and takes about 4h 39m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 42 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 69.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. 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 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 29 significant decision points across 216 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 73 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 76.1 miles (US 360; US 60 ALT / South 14th Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 29 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.
7
73 mi into trip|~1h 23m in
Take the exit toward VA 33 West: Nine Mile Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 193A
Toward VA 33 West: Nine Mile Road
6
76.1 mi into trip|~1h 29m in|US 360; US 60 ALT / South 14th Street
At end of road, turn right onto US 360; US 60 ALT / South 14th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / right lanes.
7
78.9 mi into trip|~1h 33m in|VA 146
Keep slight left at fork onto VA 146 toward Powhite Parkway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward Powhite Parkway
9
84.9 mi into trip|~1h 42m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 60 West: Midlothian Turnpike, Midlothian
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 60 West: Midlothian Turnpike, Midloth...
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 Gretna, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Midlothian along the way.
Midlothian
84.9 mi in|~1h 42m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
69.1 mi
1h 16m
Anderson Highway
36.7 mi
48m
Wards Road
24.1 mi
29m
Village Highway
10.4 mi
19m
Old Courthouse Road
10 mi
11m
Midlothian Turnpike
9.9 mi
16m
Richmond Highway
8.6 mi
10m
Mount Rush Highway
8.6 mi
9m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 69.1 mi, about 1h 16m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hampton, VA and Gretna, 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
69 mi·1 hr 16 min·I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 193AToward VA 33 West: Nine Mile RoadUse the slight right lane.
8
Turn straight onto VA 33
1.0 mi·1 min·Nine Mile Road
9
Enter roundabout onto North 25th Street
148 ft·2 sec·North 25th Street
10
Continue on North 25th Street
0.5 mi·48 sec·North 25th Street
11
Enter roundabout onto North 25th Street
100 ft·2 sec·North 25th Street
12
Continue on North 25th Street
0.5 mi·1 min·North 25th Street
13
Turn right onto US 60
0.3 mi·29 sec·East Main Street
14
Turn left onto South 21st Street
0.1 mi·17 sec·South 21st Street
15
At end of road, turn right onto Dock Street
0.4 mi·49 sec·Dock Street
16
At end of road, turn right onto US 360; US 60 ALT
306 ft·12 sec·South 14th Street
Use the left / right lanes.
17
Turn left onto East Canal Street
0.2 mi·36 sec·East Canal Street
18
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·14 sec
Toward VA 195 Toll West
19
Merge onto VA 195
2.5 mi·3 min·Downtown Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto VA 146
1.1 mi·1 min·VA 146
Toward Powhite ParkwayUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
21
Merge onto VA 76
1.0 mi·1 min·Powhite Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork onto VA 76
1.0 mi·1 min·E-ZPass Only (Powhite Parkway)
23
Merge onto VA 76
2.5 mi·3 min·Powhite Parkway
24
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward US 60: Midlothian TurnpikeUse the slight right lane.
25
Continue on this road
0.1 mi·19 sec·this road
Toward US 60: Midlothian Turnpike
26
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward US 60 West: Midlothian Turnpike, MidlothianUse the slight right lane.
27
Merge onto US 60
9.9 mi·16 min·Midlothian Turnpike
Use the straight / right lanes.
28
Continue on US 60
37 mi·48 min·Anderson Highway
29
Continue on US 60
8.1 mi·9 min·East James Anderson Highway
30
Continue on US 60
7.8 mi·9 min·West James Anderson Highway
31
Turn slight left onto VA 24
8.6 mi·9 min·Mount Rush Highway
32
Continue on VA 24
10 mi·11 min·Old Courthouse Road
33
Take the exit onto VA 24
0.2 mi·29 sec·VA 24
Toward US 460 West, VA 24 West
34
Merge onto US 460; VA 24
8.6 mi·10 min·Richmond Highway
35
Turn left onto VA 24
1.2 mi·2 min·Village Highway
36
Enter roundabout onto VA 24
112 ft·2 sec·Village Highway
37
Continue on VA 24
9.2 mi·17 min·Village Highway
38
Take the exit onto VA 24
4.3 mi·7 min·VA 24
39
Turn left onto US 29
24 mi·29 min·Wards Road
40
Keep slight left at fork onto US 29 BUS
1.9 mi·4 min·US 29 BUS
Toward US 29 Business South: Gretna
41
Turn left onto SR 792
0.1 mi·19 sec·Northside Drive
42
Arrive at destination
SR 792
Trip Plan
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 108 miles from Hampton, VA, or about 2h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 69.1 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 48 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 108 miles or 2h 16m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gretna, 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 216 miles and 4h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 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 69.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 108 mi from Hampton, VA
· 2h 16m into the drive
The midpoint is around 108 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 69.1 miles.
Arriving in Gretna, VA
The final approach into Gretna, 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 Gretna, 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.
Appomattox Court House National Historical Park
National Historical Park
On April 9, 1865, the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia in the McLean House in the village of Appomattox Court House, Virginia signaled the effective end of the nation's largest war. Question...
0 mi from route
~1 min detour
Free
near mile 163.9
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...
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...
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...
21 mi from route
~53 min detour
Free
near mile 208.5
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...
23 mi from route
~58 min detour
Free
near mile 89.4
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
64.8
0
$22.68
$10.37
Efficient EV
54
0
$18.90
$8.64
EV Truck/SUV
86.4
1
$30.24
$13.82
Gas CO2
76 kg
EV CO2
25 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Hampton, VA
Late night
in Hampton on Saturday
Local time
5:38 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Gretna, VA
Late night
in Gretna on Saturday
Local time
5:38 AM
EDT
Current temp
48°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
21 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
4h 39m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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 Gretna, VA covers 216 miles and takes about 4h 39m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 64, Anderson Highway, Wards Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 108 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 $33.78 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 29 significant decision points across 216 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 73 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 76.1 miles (US 360; US 60 ALT / South 14th Street): Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Hampton, VA to Gretna, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Midlothian along the way.
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, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
