Origin
Hampton, VA
Evening in Hampton on Sunday
Local time
6:18 PM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Hampton, VA to Virginia Beach, VA
Drive Time
44m
Distance
31 mi
50 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 41m
★
6 AM
0h 45m
8 AM
0h 52m
10 AM
0h 47m
12 PM
0h 47m
3 PM
0h 48m
5 PM
0h 52m
8 PM
0h 43m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Hampton, VA
Sarah O'Shea
Trip Overview
Spanning just 31 miles, this quick trip from Hampton to Virginia Beach is an easy transition within Virginia’s Southeast region. You can expect to reach your destination in about 44 minutes, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day excursion. Budgeting approximately $5 for fuel keeps this drive very cost-effective, allowing you to focus your resources on your destination. Because the journey is relatively short, there is no need to plan for overnight stays or mid-trip hotel stops. Navigating through the Hampton Roads area, you will rely on a combination of the Hampton Roads Beltway, the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel, and the Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway. It is a straightforward route that provides a reliable link between these two coastal cities.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
15.5 miles from Hampton, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 22m into the drive .
Drive Character
This 31-mile route offers a mixed driving experience, balancing major infrastructure with standard expressway travel. With 39% of the trip spent on highways, you will encounter varying road types as you transition across the region. You should prepare for a consistent pace, highlighted by a longest uninterrupted stretch of 12.7 miles while navigating the Hampton Roads Beltway. While the drive is efficient, the variety of roads means your focus will shift from the specific demands of the bridge-tunnel crossing to the flow of the expressway. It is a functional, no-nonsense drive that rewards drivers who stay alert to changing traffic patterns on these busy thoroughfares.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Hampton Roads Beltway is the longest continuous segment at about 12.7 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 early in the drive near VA 351 / East Pembroke Avenue.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 31 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: near the start (VA 351 / East Pembroke Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (Eaton Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 17.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
VA 351 / East Pembroke Avenue
Turn right onto VA 351 / East Pembroke Avenue
Navigation decision point
6
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Eaton Street
Turn right onto Eaton Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
8
17.6 mi into trip
|
~25m in
Take the exit toward I 264 East, I 264 West: Va Beach, Downtown Norfolk, Portsmouth
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 284A
Toward I 264 East, I 264 West: Va Beach, Downto...
7
17.8 mi into trip
|
~25m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 264 East: Va Beach
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward I 264 East: Va Beach
6
30.6 mi into trip
|
~43m in
|
Arctic Avenue
Turn left onto Arctic Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Towns Along This Route
Between Hampton, VA and Virginia Beach, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk and Portsmouth.
Norfolk
17.6 mi in
|
~25m
Portsmouth
17.6 mi in
|
~25m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Hampton Roads Beltway | 12.7 mi | 16m |
| Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway | 11.8 mi | 16m |
| Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel | 3.5 mi | 4m |
| Settlers Landing Road | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| 21st Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Eaton Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Arctic Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| US 60 | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Hampton Roads Beltway
— 12.7 mi, about 16m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hampton, VA and Virginia Beach, VA.
1
Start on North King Street
126 ft
·
7 sec
·
North King Street
2
Turn right onto VA 351
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
East Pembroke Avenue
3
Turn right onto Eaton Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Eaton Street
Use the none lane.
4
Turn left onto US 60; VA 143
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Settlers Landing Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
5
Take the ramp onto US 60
0.2 mi
·
38 sec
·
US 60
Toward US 60 East, I 64 East
6
Merge onto I 64; US 60
0.7 mi
·
57 sec
·
Hampton Roads Beltway
Use the none lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64; US 60
342 ft
·
5 sec
·
Hampton Roads Beltway
8
Continue on I 64; US 60
3.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
9
Continue on I 64; US 60
12 mi
·
15 min
·
Hampton Roads Beltway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
Exit 284A
Toward I 264 East, I 264 West: Va Beach, Downtown Norfolk, Portsmouth
Use the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 264 East: Va Beach
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
12
Merge onto I 264
12 mi
·
16 min
·
Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway
Use the none lane.
13
Continue on 21st Street
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
·
21st Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Turn left onto Arctic Avenue
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
·
Arctic Avenue
Use the left lane.
15
Turn right onto 25th Street
454 ft
·
12 sec
·
25th Street
16
Arrive at destination
25th Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a short, 44-minute drive, you have the flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule rather than worrying about long-haul fatigue. However, because you are crossing major transit corridors like the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel, it is wise to check real-time traffic reports before you leave to avoid potential congestion. You will not need to plan for formal rest stops, but keeping your fuel tank topped off for $5 is a smart move before you hit the road. If you are heading out during peak commuting hours, try to build in a little extra time to account for the volume on the Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway. Taking advantage of the route's brevity allows you to maximize your time once you arrive in Virginia Beach.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 15.5 miles from Hampton, VA, or about 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 12.7 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 31 miles or 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 15.5 miles or 22m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 37m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Virginia Beach, 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 31 miles and 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Hampton, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Hampton Roads Beltway for about 12.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 15.5 mi from Hampton, VA · 22m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
16 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 31 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 15.5 miles from Hampton, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Virginia Beach, VA
The final approach into Virginia Beach, 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 Virginia Beach, VA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$4.96 one way
$9.92 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
11 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $5.41 | $10.81 |
| premium | $4.78 | $5.83 | $11.66 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $6.89 | $13.77 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$30–$55
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 10.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 9.3 | 0 | $3.25 | $1.49 |
| Efficient EV | 7.8 | 0 | $2.71 | $1.24 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 12.4 | 0 | $4.34 | $1.98 |
Gas CO2
11 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (64% 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.
Destination
Virginia Beach, VA
Evening in Virginia Beach on Sunday
Local time
6:18 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°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
3 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
44m 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 Virginia Beach, VA covers 31 miles and takes about 44m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Hampton Roads Beltway, Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway, Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 15.5 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 $4.96 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 31 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: near the start (VA 351 / East Pembroke Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (Eaton Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 17.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Hampton, VA and Virginia Beach, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk and Portsmouth.
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