Trip from Petersburg, VA to Hampton, VA

Drive Time

3h 49m

Distance

188.1 mi

303 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$30

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min

4 AM

3h 36m ★

6 AM

3h 49m

8 AM

4h 15m

10 AM

3h 58m

12 PM

3h 56m

3 PM

3h 59m

5 PM

4h 13m

8 PM

3h 42m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Petersburg, VA

Filip Filipovic

Hampton, VA

Sarah O'Shea

Trip Overview

If you are planning to travel from Petersburg to Hampton, you are looking at a 188.1-mile trek across Southeast Virginia. The journey typically takes about 3 hours and 49 minutes, making it a manageable day trip that does not require an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via US 17, I-64, and the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway. Budgeting around $30 for fuel should cover your needs for the duration of the trip. Since the drive is entirely within the Southeast region, you can expect a consistent atmosphere as you transition between these two historic areas. It is a straightforward route that offers a practical balance of highway efficiency for those looking to reach their destination without unnecessary detours.

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

94.1 miles from Petersburg, VA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 1m into the drive .

Drive Character

This route is heavily highway-focused, with 79% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. You will find that the character of the road shifts as you transition between the interstate and the regional highways. Be prepared for a significant 75-mile stretch on US 17, which serves as the longest uninterrupted portion of your drive. While the interstate sections allow for steady progress, the highway-heavy profile means you should anticipate a consistent pace behind the wheel. Expect a mix of fast-moving traffic and standard road conditions throughout the nearly four-hour duration.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 24 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

US 17 is the longest continuous segment at about 75 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 17 and I 64. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 21.9 miles in near US 17 / Eastern Bypass.

Route Complexity 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 188.1 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 21.9 miles (US 17 / Eastern Bypass): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 106.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 121.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 19 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

21.9 mi into trip | ~28m in | US 17 / Eastern Bypass

Keep slight right at fork onto US 17 / Eastern Bypass toward US 17 South: Fredericksburg

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane. Toward US 17 South: Fredericksburg

106.6 mi into trip | ~2h 15m 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...

121.5 mi into trip | ~2h 31m 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

186.9 mi into trip | ~3h 45m 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

187.1 mi into trip | ~3h 46m 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 Along This Route

Between Petersburg, VA and Hampton, VA, road signs point toward Fredericksburg, Norfolk, Va Beach and Virginia Beach.

Fredericksburg

12.7 mi in | ~16m | via US 17

Norfolk

106.6 mi in | ~2h 15m

Va Beach

106.6 mi in | ~2h 15m

Virginia Beach

121.5 mi in | ~2h 31m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
US 17	75 mi	1h 33m
I 64	64.2 mi	1h 11m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway	13 mi	14m
James Madison Highway	11.6 mi	16m
I 66	9.4 mi	10m
Eastern Bypass	4.9 mi	6m
John Marshall Highway	3 mi	5m
Winchester Road	2.4 mi	3m

Longest stretch: US 17 — 75 mi, about 1h 33m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Petersburg, VA and Hampton, VA.

Start on VA 55

3.0 mi · 5 min · John Marshall Highway

Turn left onto SR 688

240 ft · 6 sec · Leeds Manor Road

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 26 sec

Toward Washington

Merge onto I 66

9.4 mi · 10 min · I 66

Take the exit onto US 17

0.3 mi · 32 sec · US 17

Toward US 17: Warrenton, Fredericksburg

Keep slight right at fork onto US 17

0.1 mi · 13 sec · US 17

Merge onto US 17

2.4 mi · 3 min · Winchester Road

Continue on US 17

6.5 mi · 8 min · James Madison Highway

Keep slight right at fork onto US 17

4.9 mi · 6 min · Eastern Bypass

Toward US 17 South: Fredericksburg Use the none lane.

Continue on US 15; US 17; US 29

5.1 mi · 7 min · James Madison Highway

Keep slight right at fork onto US 17

27 mi · 39 min · US 17

Toward US 17 South Use the none lane.

Take the exit onto US 17

48 mi · 53 min · US 17

Toward I 95 South, US 17 South: Richmond Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

1.9 mi · 2 min

Exit 84A Toward I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va Beach Use the slight left / straight lanes.

Merge onto I 295

13 mi · 14 min · Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

1.3 mi · 2 min

Exit 28A Toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 64

64 mi · 1 hr 11 min · I 64

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 25 sec

Exit 265C Toward Armistead Avenue, Langley Air Force Base Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork

199 ft · 6 sec

Toward Armistead Avenue, Langley Air Force Base Use the left / right lanes.

Turn straight onto Rip Rap Road

0.2 mi · 21 sec · Rip Rap Road

Turn sharp left onto VA 134

0.4 mi · 1 min · North Armistead Avenue

Turn left onto VA 351

0.3 mi · 39 sec · West Pembroke Avenue

Turn right onto North King Street

524 ft · 19 sec · North King Street

Continue on North King Street

432 ft · 18 sec · North King Street

Arrive at destination

North King Street

Trip Plan

To make the most of your 188.1-mile journey, try to plan for at least one dedicated stop to break up the drive. Since this is a single-day trip, departing early can help you avoid potential congestion on the main transit corridors. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $30 estimate is a baseline that can fluctuate depending on your vehicle's efficiency. Because the route relies heavily on major arteries like I-64, staying flexible with your departure time is a major advantage if you encounter unexpected traffic delays. Always check your navigation system for real-time updates before merging onto the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway to ensure your route remains the most efficient path forward.

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 94.1 miles from Petersburg, VA, or about 2h 1m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 75 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 80 miles or 1h 45m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 94.1 miles or 2h 1m 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 9m

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 Petersburg, 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 Petersburg, VA

This is one driving day of about 188.1 miles and 3h 49m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Petersburg, 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 US 17 for about 75 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 94.1 mi from Petersburg, VA · 2h 1m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

La Plata, MD

94 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

Middletown, MD

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Middletown, MD

Meal break

The midpoint is around 94.1 miles from Petersburg, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 17 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 75 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.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$30.10 one way

$60.21 round trip

$4.07/gal 25.4 MPG avg 66 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.43	$32.80	$65.60
premium	$4.78	$35.38	$70.77
diesel	$5.64	$41.79	$83.58

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$30

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$55–$80

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 65.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	56.4	$19.75	$9.03
Efficient EV	47	$16.46	$7.52
EV Truck/SUV	75.2	$26.33	$12.04

Gas CO2

66 kg

EV CO2

22 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 data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Petersburg, VA

Evening in Petersburg on Sunday

Local time

6:18 PM

EDT

Current temp

64°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Hampton, VA

Evening in Hampton on Sunday

Local time

6:18 PM

EDT

Current temp

67°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

62°F

La Plata, MD

94 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

3 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 49m 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 Petersburg, VA to Hampton, VA covers 188.1 miles and takes about 3h 49m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are US 17, 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 94.1 miles from Petersburg, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $30.10 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.

Between Petersburg, VA and Hampton, VA, road signs point toward Fredericksburg, Norfolk, Va Beach and Virginia Beach.

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Trip from Petersburg, VA to Hampton, VA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Hampton, VA

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Petersburg, VA

Hampton, VA

Same local time

3 degrees warmer at arrival

3h 49m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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