Origin
Pulaski, VA
Evening in Pulaski on Sunday
Local time
5:10 PM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
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Create accountDrive 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
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Pulaski, VA
Eric Joseph
Hampton, VA
Sarah O'Shea
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 .
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.
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.
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.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Keep slight right at fork onto I 64 toward I 64 East: Richmond
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
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
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
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
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
Between Pulaski, VA and Hampton, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk and Virginia Beach.
Norfolk
Virginia Beach
| 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 |
Step-by-step road directions between Pulaski, VA and Hampton, VA.
Start on US 11
Turn left onto VA 99
Turn left onto SR 611
Continue on SR 611
Turn left onto Cleburne Boulevard
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 81
Keep slight right at fork onto I 64
Take the exit
Continue on I 295
Take the exit
Merge onto I 64
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Turn straight onto Rip Rap Road
Turn sharp left onto VA 134
Turn left onto VA 351
Turn right onto North King Street
Continue on North King Street
Arrive at destination
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
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 checkTop up before I 64 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 154.2 miles.
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.
Regular Gas
$49.52 one way
$99.03 round trip
| 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Pulaski on Sunday
Local time
5:10 PM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Destination
Evening in Hampton on Sunday
Local time
5:10 PM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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