If you are planning a trip from Amherst to East Hampton, expect a 180.4-mile journey that takes approximately 3 hours and 48 minutes to complete. This drive stays entirely within Virginia, keeping you within the Southeast region for the duration of your travel. Because the total time on the road is under four hours, it works perfectly as a straightforward day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. You should budget about $29 for fuel to cover the distance. Since the route relies on local roads rather than major interstates, it offers a more personal, grounded experience for those who prefer avoiding heavy highway traffic.
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
90.2 miles from Amherst, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
72 mi
1h 20m
Anderson Highway
40.8 mi
53m
West James Anderson Highway
17.1 mi
22m
Richmond Highway
14.7 mi
20m
Powhite Parkway
11.5 mi
15m
East James Anderson Highway
8.1 mi
9m
Old Hundred Road
5.1 mi
8m
VA 134
4.4 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 72 mi, about 1h 20m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Amherst, VA and East Hampton, VA.
1
Start on Goodwin Street
146 ft·11 sec·Goodwin Street
2
Turn left onto 2nd Street
0.2 mi·39 sec·2nd Street
3
Turn left onto SR T1112
314 ft·8 sec·Washington Street
4
Turn right onto US 60
15 mi·20 min·Richmond Highway
5
Continue on US 60
4.1 mi·5 min·Anderson Highway
6
Continue on US 60
17 mi·22 min·West James Anderson Highway
7
Continue on US 60
8.1 mi·9 min·East James Anderson Highway
8
Continue on US 60
37 mi·48 min·Anderson Highway
9
Continue on US 60
0.9 mi·1 min·Midlothian Turnpike
10
Turn right onto SR 652
2.5 mi·3 min·Old Hundred Road
Use the straight lane.
11
Enter roundabout onto SR 652
147 ft·5 sec·Old Hundred Road
12
Continue on SR 652
2.5 mi·4 min·Old Hundred Road
Use the straight lane.
13
Continue on VA 76
9.7 mi·12 min·Powhite Parkway
Use the left / straight lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto VA 76
1.8 mi·2 min·Powhite Parkway
Use the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto VA 146
0.9 mi·1 min·VA 146
Use the slight right lane.
16
Merge onto VA 195
2.9 mi·3 min·Downtown Expressway
Use the straight lane.
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward I 95 North: Washington, Charlottesville, Norfolk, Richmond International AirportUse the slight left lane.
18
Merge onto I 95
0.7 mi·54 sec·Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi·14 sec
Exit 75Toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach, 7th StreetUse the slight right lane.
20
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·23 sec
Toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia BeachUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Merge onto I 64
72 mi·1 hr 20 min·I 64
Use the straight lane.
22
Take the exit onto VA 134
0.2 mi·28 sec·VA 134
Exit 263Toward US 258 South, US 258 North, VA 134 South: Mercury Boulevard, James River Bridge, ColiseumUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight right at fork onto VA 134
4.2 mi·7 min·VA 134
Toward US 258 North, VA 134 South: Mercury Boulevard, ColiseumUse the slight right lane.
24
Turn right onto Southerland Drive
0.2 mi·46 sec·Southerland Drive
25
Arrive at destination
Southerland Drive
Trip Plan
Given the turn-heavy nature of the route, plan for a steady pace rather than rushing through the 3 hours and 48 minutes of driving time. Since the trip is relatively short, you only need to factor in one planned stop to keep your energy up and stay focused on the local roads. Departing in the morning will give you the best visibility for navigating the turns on Washington Street and Richmond Highway. Make sure your vehicle is prepared for the stop-and-go nature of local driving, as this will impact how you handle the $29 fuel expenditure. Flexibility is your greatest asset here, so don't hesitate to pull over for a quick break if the technical driving begins to feel repetitive.
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 90.2 miles from Amherst, VA, or about 2h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 72 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 40 miles or 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 90.2 miles or 2h 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 8m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near East Hampton, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Amherst, 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 Amherst, VA
This is one driving day of about 180.4 miles and 3h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 40 miles from Amherst, 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 72 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 102.3 and 176 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
102.3 mi into trip|~2h 16m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 North: Washington, Charlottesville, Norfolk, Richmond International Airport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 95 North: Washington, Charlottesville,...
8
103.3 mi into trip|~2h 18m in
Take the exit toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach, 7th Street
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 75
Toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach, 7th...
9
103.5 mi into trip|~2h 18m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach
8
175.8 mi into trip|~3h 39m in|VA 134
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
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 263
Toward US 258 South, US 258 North, VA 134 South...
8
176 mi into trip|~3h 40m in|VA 134
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
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 258 North, VA 134 South: Mercury Boul...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.21 one way
$56.42 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg63 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$30.85
$61.69
premium
$4.70
$33.39
$66.78
diesel
$5.61
$39.83
$79.66
Estimated Tolls: $0.12
Midlothian Turnpike
(0.9 mi)$0.07
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
(0.7 mi)$0.05
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 63.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
54.1
0
$18.94
$8.66
Efficient EV
45.1
0
$15.79
$7.22
EV Truck/SUV
72.2
0
$25.26
$11.55
Gas CO2
63 kg
EV CO2
21 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 as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Amherst, VA
Late night
in Amherst on Sunday
Local time
12:17 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
East Hampton, VA
Late night
in East Hampton on Sunday
Local time
12:17 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live 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
3h 48m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. You will spend your time navigating 2nd Street, Washington Street, and the Richmond Highway, as this route features a 0% highway share. Because the path avoids interstates, the pace is dictated by local traffic and the winding nature of these roads. You won't find any long, monotonous highway stretches here; instead, the route requires constant adjustments as you transition between these specific local thoroughfares. Expect a drive that feels more like a series of connected neighborhood and regional connectors than a high-speed transit route.
52% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 72 mi on I 64.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 102.3 miles in.
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 16 significant decision points across 180.4 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 102.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 103.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 103.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Amherst, VA and East Hampton, VA, road signs point toward Charlottesville, Norfolk, Richmond International Airport and Virginia Beach.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 48m. Total distance: 180.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 72 miles on I 64. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.12 in tolls one way, starting with Midlothian Turnpike. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at East Hampton, VA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 102.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 103.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 103.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.6 hours — manageable with a long break at East Hampton, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
