The drive from Shawsville, VA to Hampton, VA covers 278.7 miles and takes about 5h 13m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 64, I 81, Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 154.2 miles on I 64.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $43.58 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
139.3 miles from Shawsville, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 36m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 13m. Total distance: 278.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 5h 13m highway drive covering 278.7 miles, with most of the trip on I 64 and I 81. The longest continuous stretch is about 154.2 miles on I 64.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 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 97.9 miles in near I 64.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 278.7 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.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
97.9 mi into trip|~1h 51m 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 straight lane.
Toward I 64 East: Richmond
8
187.9 mi into trip|~3h 29m 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
212 mi into trip|~3h 56m 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
277.5 mi into trip|~5h 10m 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
277.6 mi into trip|~5h 10m 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 Shawsville, VA and Hampton, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk and Virginia Beach.
Norfolk
187.9 mi in|~3h 29m
Virginia Beach
212 mi in|~3h 56m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
154.2 mi
2h 49m
I 81
89 mi
1h 38m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
22.9 mi
25m
Roanoke Road
8.4 mi
11m
North Armistead Avenue
0.4 mi
1m
West Pembroke Avenue
0.3 mi
<1m
North King Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Rip Rap Road
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 154.2 mi, about 2h 49m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Shawsville, VA and Hampton, VA.
1
Start on SR 637
242 ft·10 sec·Alleghany Spring Road
2
Continue on SR 637
161 ft·7 sec·Alleghany Spring Road
3
Turn left onto US 11; US 460
8.4 mi·11 min·Roanoke Road
4
Turn left onto SR 647
0.1 mi·17 sec·Dow Hollow Road
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·37 sec
6
Merge onto I 81
89 mi·1 hr 38 min·I 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 64
90 mi·1 hr 38 min·I 64
Toward I 64 East: RichmondUse the straight lane.
8
Take the exit
1.2 mi·1 min
Exit 177Toward I 295 North: Washington, NorfolkUse the slight right lane.
9
Continue on I 295
23 mi·25 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
1.3 mi·2 min
Exit 28AToward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia BeachUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 64
64 mi·1 hr 11 min·I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.1 mi·25 sec
Exit 265CToward Armistead Avenue, Langley Air Force BaseUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork
199 ft·6 sec
Toward Armistead Avenue, Langley Air Force BaseUse the left / right lanes.
14
Turn straight onto Rip Rap Road
0.2 mi·21 sec·Rip Rap Road
15
Turn sharp left onto VA 134
0.4 mi·1 min·North Armistead Avenue
16
Turn left onto VA 351
0.3 mi·39 sec·West Pembroke Avenue
17
Turn right onto North King Street
524 ft·19 sec·North King Street
18
Continue on North King Street
432 ft·18 sec·North King Street
19
Arrive at destination
North King Street
Trip Plan
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 139.3 miles from Shawsville, VA, or about 2h 36m 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 61 miles or 1h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 139.3 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 15m
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 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 278.7 miles and 5h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 61 miles from Shawsville, 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 139.3 mi from Shawsville, VA
· 2h 36m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
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 259.5
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 278.7
Booker T. Washington was born a slave in April 1856 on the 207-acre farm of James Burroughs. After the Civil War, Washington became the first principal of Tuskegee Normal and Industrial School. Later...
22 mi from route
~54 min detour
Free
near mile 19.2
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...
26 mi from route
~65 min detour
Free
near mile 211.4
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
83.6
1
$29.26
$13.38
Efficient EV
69.7
0
$24.39
$11.15
EV Truck/SUV
111.5
1
$39.02
$17.84
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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 14, 2026
Origin
Shawsville, VA
Morning
in Shawsville on Friday
Local time
9:17 AM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Hampton, VA
Morning
in Hampton on Friday
Local time
9:17 AM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Partly Cloudy
SW 12 mph3% chanceLive forecast
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
10 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
5h 13m 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 Shawsville, VA to Hampton, VA covers 278.7 miles and takes about 5h 13m 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 139.3 miles from Shawsville, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $43.58 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 12 significant decision points across 278.7 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 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.
Between Shawsville, VA and Hampton, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk and Virginia Beach.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Colonial National Historical Park, Fort Monroe National Monument and Booker T Washington National Monument. There are 4 parks within detour distance of this route.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from
OSRM
over
OpenStreetMap.
Fuel cost uses
EIA
weekly regional averages.
EV charging comes from the
NREL Alternative Fuels
dataset.
National park proximity is from the
NPS API.
Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our
methodology page
documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
