Trip from Pulaski, VA to Hampton, VA

Drive Time

5h 50m

Distance

309.4 mi

498 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$50

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
5h 38m ★
6 AM
5h 51m
8 AM
6h 17m
10 AM
6h 0m
12 PM
5h 58m
3 PM
6h 1m
5 PM
6h 16m
8 PM
5h 43m

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

Downtown Pulaski, VA, VA

Pulaski, VA

Eric Joseph

Downtown Hampton, VA, VA

Hampton, VA

Sarah O'Shea

Trip Overview

Spanning 309.4 miles from Pulaski to Hampton, this straightforward trek across Virginia takes approximately 5 hours and 50 minutes of driving time. Because the route is primarily highway-focused, you can comfortably complete the journey in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to budget around $50 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Southeast locations. Navigating primarily via I-81, the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, and I-64, you will find this is a functional, efficient path rather than a winding scenic detour. It is an ideal choice for travelers prioritizing speed and direct access over leisurely exploration.

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

154.7 miles from Pulaski, VA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 56m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a high-speed, interstate-heavy experience, as 89% of this trip is comprised of highway driving. The road maintains a steady, efficient pace, allowing you to cover significant ground quickly. You will encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 154.2 miles while cruising along I-64, which defines the rhythm of the latter half of your journey. Transitioning from the mountainous terrain near Pulaski onto the major arterial highways requires consistent focus, as the traffic volume tends to remain high throughout the corridor. You should prepare for a consistent, utilitarian drive that favors reliability and speed over technical, winding backroads.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 20 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 154.2 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and I 81. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 128.6 miles in near I 64.

Route Complexity 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 309.4 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 128.6 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 218.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 242.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 14 key points

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

7
128.6 mi into trip | ~2h 28m in | I 64

Keep slight right at fork onto I 64 toward I 64 East: Richmond

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane. Toward I 64 East: Richmond
8
218.6 mi into trip | ~4h 6m in

Take the exit toward I 295 North: Washington, Norfolk

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 177 Toward I 295 North: Washington, Norfolk
8
242.7 mi into trip | ~4h 33m 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
308.2 mi into trip | ~5h 47m 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
308.3 mi into trip | ~5h 48m 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 Pulaski, VA and Hampton, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk and Virginia Beach.

Norfolk

218.6 mi in | ~4h 6m

Virginia Beach

242.7 mi in | ~4h 33m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 64 154.2 mi 2h 49m
I 81 122.5 mi 2h 15m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway 22.9 mi 25m
Bob White Boulevard 2 mi 4m
Newbern Road 1.5 mi 2m
East Main Street 1.4 mi 3m
Cleburne Boulevard 0.7 mi 1m
North Armistead Avenue 0.4 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 64 — 154.2 mi, about 2h 49m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on US 11

48 ft · 8 sec · North Washington Avenue
2

Turn left onto VA 99

1.4 mi · 3 min · East Main Street
3

Turn left onto SR 611

2.0 mi · 4 min · Bob White Boulevard
Use the left lane.
4

Continue on SR 611

1.5 mi · 2 min · Newbern Road
5

Turn left onto Cleburne Boulevard

0.7 mi · 1 min · Cleburne Boulevard
6

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 44 sec
7

Merge onto I 81

123 mi · 2 hr 15 min · I 81
Use the straight lane.
8

Keep slight right at fork onto I 64

90 mi · 1 hr 38 min · I 64
Toward I 64 East: Richmond Use the none lane.
9

Take the exit

1.2 mi · 1 min
Exit 177 Toward I 295 North: Washington, Norfolk Use the slight right lane.
10

Continue on I 295

23 mi · 25 min · Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the none lane.
11

Take the exit

1.3 mi · 2 min
Exit 28A Toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Merge onto I 64

64 mi · 1 hr 11 min · I 64
Use the none lane.
13

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 25 sec
Exit 265C Toward Armistead Avenue, Langley Air Force Base Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Keep slight right at fork

199 ft · 6 sec
Toward Armistead Avenue, Langley Air Force Base Use the left / right lanes.
15

Turn straight onto Rip Rap Road

0.2 mi · 21 sec · Rip Rap Road
16

Turn sharp left onto VA 134

0.4 mi · 1 min · North Armistead Avenue
17

Turn left onto VA 351

0.3 mi · 39 sec · West Pembroke Avenue
18

Turn right onto North King Street

524 ft · 19 sec · North King Street
19

Continue on North King Street

432 ft · 18 sec · North King Street
20

Arrive at destination

North King Street

Trip Plan

To keep your travel efficient, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs during the nearly six-hour trek. Leaving early in the morning is your best bet to avoid potential congestion on the busier sections of I-81 and I-64. Since the trip is manageable in one day, keep your itinerary flexible so you can adjust your pace based on real-time traffic conditions. Factor your $50 fuel expense into your budget early, and consider topping off your tank before hitting the longest 154.2-mile stretch to ensure you aren't forced to stop at higher-priced highway stations. Staying alert during the long highway segments is the most important factor for a successful arrival in Hampton.

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 154.7 miles from Pulaski, VA, or about 2h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 154.2 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 80 miles or 1h 34m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 154.7 miles or 2h 56m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 46m

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 Pulaski, 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 Pulaski, VA

This is one driving day of about 309.4 miles and 5h 50m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Pulaski, 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 154.2 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 154.7 mi from Pulaski, VA · 2h 56m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Oakland, MD

155 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

Oakland, MD

Fuel and coffee

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

Cumberland, MD

Meal break

The midpoint is around 154.7 miles from Pulaski, 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 154.2 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.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$49.52 one way

$99.03 round trip

$4.07/gal 25.4 MPG avg 108 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.43 $53.95 $107.90
premium $4.78 $58.20 $116.40
diesel $5.64 $68.74 $137.48

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$50

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$75–$100

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 108.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $32 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 92.8 1 $32.49 $14.85
Efficient EV 77.4 0 $27.07 $12.38
EV Truck/SUV 123.8 1 $43.32 $19.80

Gas CO2

108 kg

EV CO2

36 kg (67% less)

Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.

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

Pulaski, VA

Evening in Pulaski on Sunday

Local time

5:10 PM

EDT

Current temp

60°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Hampton, VA

Evening in Hampton on Sunday

Local time

5:10 PM

EDT

Current temp

67°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

76°F

Oakland, MD

155 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

5h 50m 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 Pulaski, VA to Hampton, VA covers 309.4 miles and takes about 5h 50m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 64, I 81, 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 154.7 miles from Pulaski, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $49.52 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 14 significant decision points across 309.4 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 128.6 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 218.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 242.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Pulaski, VA and Hampton, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk and Virginia Beach.

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Explore More

Return Trip

Hampton, VA to Pulaski, VA

Plan the drive back the other way.

310.8 mi 5h 49m

Explore more options from Pulaski, VA or browse trips ending in Hampton, VA.

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