Origin
Shawsville, VA
Evening in Shawsville on Sunday
Local time
8:53 PM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
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Create accountDrive Time
5h 15m
Distance
279.3 mi
449 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$45
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.
Shawsville, VA
Eric Joseph
East Hampton, VA
Sarah O'Shea
Spanning 279.3 miles across Virginia, this drive connects Shawsville to East Hampton in about 5 hours and 15 minutes. Because the route remains entirely within the Southeast region, you will experience a consistent landscape as you navigate from the mountains toward the coast. With a recommended duration of a single day, this trip is manageable without needing an overnight stay. You should budget roughly $45 for fuel to cover the distance. Whether you are heading out for business or a quick getaway, the trip is straightforward enough to complete in one push, provided you are prepared for a full day behind the wheel.
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
139.7 miles from Shawsville, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 36m into the drive .
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 88% of your journey takes place on major roads like I-81, I-64, and the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway. You will spend a significant portion of your time on the interstate, including a longest uninterrupted stretch of 151.4 miles on I-64. This is a high-speed, efficient transit rather than a winding backroads tour. While the pace is steady and fast-moving, the character of the drive is defined by these long, consistent highway miles that allow you to cover ground quickly. Keep your focus sharp, as the transition between these major arteries requires steady attention to highway signage.
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 97.9 miles in near I 64.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 9 significant decision points across 279.3 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 97.9 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 187.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 212 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 onto VA 134 toward US 258 South, US 258 North, VA 134 South: Mercury Boulevard, James River Bridge, Coliseum
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork onto VA 134 toward US 258 North, VA 134 South: Mercury Boulevard, Coliseum
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Between Shawsville, VA and East Hampton, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk and Virginia Beach.
Norfolk
Virginia Beach
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 64 | 151.4 mi | 2h 45m |
| I 81 | 89 mi | 1h 38m |
| Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway | 22.9 mi | 25m |
| Roanoke Road | 8.4 mi | 11m |
| VA 134 | 4.4 mi | 8m |
| Southerland Drive | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Dow Hollow Road | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Alleghany Spring Road | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Shawsville, VA and East Hampton, VA.
Start on SR 637
Continue on SR 637
Turn left onto US 11; US 460
Turn left onto SR 647
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 onto VA 134
Keep slight right at fork onto VA 134
Turn right onto Southerland Drive
Arrive at destination
Planning for this trip is simple since it fits easily into one day, but you should still factor in at least one planned stop to break up the five-hour drive. Leaving early in the morning helps you avoid potential congestion on the busier stretches of I-81 and I-64. Since you will be spending the vast majority of your time on high-speed interstates, ensure your vehicle is fueled up and ready for sustained highway speeds. A concrete tip for this specific route is to monitor your fuel levels before hitting the 151.4-mile I-64 stretch, as finding a convenient station can sometimes be tricky once you are locked into that long segment. Stay flexible with your departure time to account for traffic fluctuations on these major Virginia corridors.
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 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 139.7 miles or 2h 36m 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 16m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near East Hampton, VA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Shawsville, 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 Shawsville, VA
This is one driving day of about 279.3 miles and 5h 15m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 139.7 mi from Shawsville, VA · 2h 36m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
140 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 139.7 miles from Shawsville, 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 151.4 miles.
The final approach into East 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 East 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
$44.70 one way
$89.40 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $48.70 | $97.40 |
| premium | $4.78 | $52.54 | $105.08 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $62.05 | $124.10 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$45
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 97.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 83.8 | 1 | $29.33 | $13.41 |
| Efficient EV | 69.8 | 0 | $24.44 | $11.17 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 111.7 | 1 | $39.10 | $17.88 |
Gas CO2
98 kg
EV CO2
33 kg (66% 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 Shawsville on Sunday
Local time
8:53 PM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
Destination
Evening in East Hampton on Sunday
Local time
8:53 PM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
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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