Spanning 170.8 miles, this trek from Annandale to East Hampton is a straightforward journey that typically takes about 3 hours and 19 minutes. Because the total duration is quite manageable, it serves as an ideal day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $27 for fuel to complete the transit. Navigating through the Southeast region of Virginia, the path relies on local infrastructure rather than major interstates. It is a practical choice for those who prefer staying off the heavy highway systems and want a direct route between these two points.
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
85.4 miles from Annandale, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 40m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
61.4 mi
1h 7m
I 95
48.6 mi
53m
Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
36.9 mi
43m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
13 mi
14m
VA 134
4.4 mi
8m
Backlick Road
1.7 mi
3m
Edsall Road
1.1 mi
2m
Southerland Drive
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 61.4 mi, about 1h 7m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Annandale, VA and East Hampton, VA.
1
Start on VA 236
0.1 mi·17 sec·Little River Turnpike
2
Turn right onto SR 617
1.7 mi·3 min·Backlick Road
Use the left lane.
3
Turn left onto SR 648
1.1 mi·2 min·Edsall Road
Use the left lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward I 395 South: Richmond
5
Merge onto I 395
0.6 mi·45 sec·Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on I 395
36 mi·43 min·Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
Exit 1AToward I 95 South: RichmondUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
49 mi·53 min·I 95
Use the straight lane.
8
Take the exit
1.9 mi·2 min
Exit 84AToward I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va BeachUse the slight left / straight lanes.
9
Merge onto I 295
13 mi·14 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
61 mi·1 hr 7 min·I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
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.
13
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.
14
Turn right onto Southerland Drive
0.2 mi·46 sec·Southerland Drive
15
Arrive at destination
Southerland Drive
Trip Plan
Given the local nature of this 170.8-mile drive, flexibility is your greatest asset. Plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs, as the constant turns can be more fatiguing than highway driving. If you want to avoid the heaviest traffic, try to schedule your departure during off-peak hours to keep your transit time closer to the 3-hour and 19-minute estimate. Since you aren't relying on high-speed interstates, keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before heading out, as local road stops can be less predictable than those along major highways. A concrete tip for this trip: double-check your navigation settings to ensure you are comfortable with the specific local road sequence before you leave Annandale.
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 85.4 miles from Annandale, VA, or about 1h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 61.4 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 38 miles or 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 85.4 miles or 1h 40m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 42m
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 Annandale, 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 Annandale, VA
This is one driving day of about 170.8 miles and 3h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 miles from Annandale, 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 61.4 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 40 and 166.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
40 mi into trip|~50m in|I 95
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
88.6 mi into trip|~1h 44m in
Take the exit toward I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va Beach
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 84A
Toward I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va B...
8
103.5 mi into trip|~2h 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
166.2 mi into trip|~3h 11m 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
166.4 mi into trip|~3h 11m 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
$26.71 one way
$53.42 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg60 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$29.20
$58.41
premium
$4.70
$31.61
$63.22
diesel
$5.61
$37.71
$75.42
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 59.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
51.2
0
$17.93
$8.20
Efficient EV
42.7
0
$14.95
$6.83
EV Truck/SUV
68.3
0
$23.91
$10.93
Gas CO2
60 kg
EV CO2
20 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 18, 2026
Origin
Annandale, VA
Late night
in Annandale on Sunday
Local time
3:48 AM
EDT
Current temp
83°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
East Hampton, VA
Late night
in East Hampton on Sunday
Local time
3:48 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
21 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 19m 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?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that keeps you engaged behind the wheel. Unlike a monotonous interstate grind, this route features a 0% highway share, requiring your full attention as you navigate through Backlick Road, Edsall Road, and I-395 South. You will find that the road surface and traffic patterns change frequently, demanding a more active driving style than a standard freeway cruise. Because the path is composed entirely of local roads, you won't experience the long, uninterrupted stretches found on major corridors. Prepare for a dynamic experience that mirrors the character of regional Virginia backroads.
67% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 61.4 mi on I 64.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and I 95. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 40 miles in near I 95.
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 13 significant decision points across 170.8 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 40 miles (I 95): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 88.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 103.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 Annandale, VA and East Hampton, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk, Va Beach and Virginia Beach.
Norfolk
88.6 mi in|~1h 44m
Va Beach
88.6 mi in|~1h 44m
Virginia Beach
103.5 mi in|~2h
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 19m. Total distance: 170.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 61.4 miles on I 64. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 40 miles (I 95): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 88.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 103.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.7 hours — manageable with a long break at East Hampton, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
