This 179.6-mile drive from McLean, VA to Hampton, VA can be completed in about 3 hours and 30 minutes, making it a very manageable one-day trip. The route primarily utilizes major highways, with a highway share of 63%, so expect efficient travel. With an estimated fuel cost of $28, it's an economical choice for a quick getaway. Since both destinations are within the Southeast region of Virginia, you won't encounter major regional shifts, but rather a focused journey. This route is well-suited for a single day, allowing you to maximize your time at your destination.
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
89.8 miles from McLean, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 47m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 30m. Total distance: 179.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 30m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Drive Character
This is largely a highway-focused drive, with 63% of the journey on interstates. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on I-64, I-95, and the Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 64.2 miles on I-64, offering a period of consistent speed. While primarily interstate, the experience will involve typical highway conditions as you transition between these major arteries heading southeast.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 23 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 64.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and I 95. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 13.1 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 20 significant decision points across 179.6 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 13.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 98.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 112.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 20 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
13.1 mi into trip|~20m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 South, SR 644 East: Richmond, Franconia
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 95 South, SR 644 East: Richmond, Franc...
8
98.1 mi into trip|~1h 56m in
Take the exit toward I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va Beach
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 84A
Toward I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va B...
8
112.9 mi into trip|~2h 13m in
Take the exit toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach
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 28A
Toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach
8
178.4 mi into trip|~3h 27m in
Take the exit toward Armistead Avenue, Langley Air Force Base
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 265C
Toward Armistead Avenue, Langley Air Force Base
9
178.5 mi into trip|~3h 27m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Armistead Avenue, Langley Air Force Base
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left / right lanes.
Toward Armistead Avenue, Langley Air Force Base
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between McLean, VA and Hampton, VA, road signs point toward Franconia, Norfolk, Va Beach and Virginia Beach.
Franconia
13.1 mi in|~20m
Norfolk
98.1 mi in|~1h 56m
Va Beach
98.1 mi in|~1h 56m
Virginia Beach
112.9 mi in|~2h 13m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
64.2 mi
1h 11m
I 95
48.6 mi
53m
Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
35.7 mi
42m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
13 mi
14m
Capital Beltway
9.7 mi
12m
Dolley Madison Boulevard
2 mi
4m
North Armistead Avenue
0.4 mi
1m
Old Dominion Drive
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 64.2 mi, about 1h 11m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between McLean, VA and Hampton, VA.
1
Start on Elm Street
0.1 mi·23 sec·Elm Street
2
Turn left onto Beverly Road
365 ft·15 sec·Beverly Road
Use the left lane.
3
Turn right onto VA 309
0.3 mi·48 sec·Old Dominion Drive
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Turn left onto VA 123
2.0 mi·4 min·Dolley Madison Boulevard
Use the left lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward I 495 South
6
Merge onto I 495
9.7 mi·12 min·Capital Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 57AToward I 95 South: RichmondUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward I 95 South, SR 644 East: Richmond, FranconiaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·33 sec
Toward I 95 South: Richmond
10
Merge onto I 395
36 mi·42 min·Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
49 mi·53 min·I 95
Use the straight lane.
12
Take the exit
1.9 mi·2 min
Exit 84AToward I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va BeachUse the slight left / straight lanes.
13
Merge onto I 295
13 mi·14 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
1.3 mi·2 min
Exit 28AToward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia BeachUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto I 64
64 mi·1 hr 11 min·I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.1 mi·25 sec
Exit 265CToward Armistead Avenue, Langley Air Force BaseUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork
199 ft·6 sec
Toward Armistead Avenue, Langley Air Force BaseUse the left / right lanes.
18
Turn straight onto Rip Rap Road
0.2 mi·21 sec·Rip Rap Road
19
Turn sharp left onto VA 134
0.4 mi·1 min·North Armistead Avenue
20
Turn left onto VA 351
0.3 mi·39 sec·West Pembroke Avenue
21
Turn right onto North King Street
524 ft·19 sec·North King Street
22
Continue on North King Street
432 ft·18 sec·North King Street
23
Arrive at destination
North King Street
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour 30-minute duration, leaving McLean, VA in the morning is ideal to arrive in Hampton with plenty of daylight. This is a straightforward drive with only one recommended stop, so you have flexibility in when and where you choose to pause. Keep an eye on traffic, especially around the I-95 corridor, as congestion can impact your travel time. The $28 fuel cost is a good estimate, but it's always wise to start with a full tank to avoid unnecessary stops on this relatively short 179.6-mile trip.
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 89.8 miles from McLean, VA, or about 1h 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 64.2 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 40 miles or 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 89.8 miles or 1h 47m 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 Hampton, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving McLean, 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 McLean, VA
This is one driving day of about 179.6 miles and 3h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 40 miles from McLean, 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 64.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 89.8 mi from McLean, VA
· 1h 47m into the drive
The midpoint is around 89.8 miles from McLean, 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 64.2 miles.
Arriving in Hampton, VA
The final approach into Hampton, 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 Hampton, 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 154.8
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...
3 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 179.6
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!
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...
27 mi from route
~67 min detour
Free
near mile 111.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.09 one way
$56.17 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg63 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$30.71
$61.42
premium
$4.70
$33.24
$66.48
diesel
$5.61
$39.65
$79.31
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 62.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
53.9
0
$18.86
$8.62
Efficient EV
44.9
0
$15.71
$7.18
EV Truck/SUV
71.8
0
$25.14
$11.49
Gas CO2
63 kg
EV CO2
21 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 16, 2026
Origin
McLean, VA
Late night
in McLean on Friday
Local time
3:19 AM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Hampton, VA
Late night
in Hampton on Friday
Local time
3:19 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
53°F
Ashland, VA
90 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
6 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
3h 30m 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 McLean, VA to Hampton, VA covers 179.6 miles and takes about 3h 30m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 64, I 95, Henry G. Shirley 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 89.8 miles from McLean, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $28.09 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 20 significant decision points across 179.6 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 13.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 98.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 112.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between McLean, VA and Hampton, VA, road signs point toward Franconia, Norfolk, Va Beach and Virginia Beach.
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.
Data sources
The figures on this page are computed from open government and mapping datasets, not crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from
OSRM
over
OpenStreetMap.
Fuel cost uses
EIA
weekly regional averages.
National park proximity is from the
NPS API.
Full methodology, refresh cadence, and limitations are documented on the
methodology page.
