Spanning 445 miles across Virginia, this journey from Big Stone Gap to East Hampton requires about 8 hours and 34 minutes of time behind the wheel. Because the route is quite lengthy, you should plan on a two-day trip to avoid fatigue. You can expect to spend approximately $71 on fuel for the trek. Since the route stays entirely within the Southeast region, the landscape remains consistent as you transition between these two points. Budgeting for two stops will keep your pace manageable, as this is a technical, turn-heavy drive rather than a quick interstate sprint.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
222.6 miles from Big Stone Gap, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 24m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 81
196.9 mi
3h 35m
I 64
151.7 mi
2h 46m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
22.9 mi
25m
US 19
12.7 mi
18m
Bull Run Road
12.5 mi
17m
Orby Cantrell Highway
8.3 mi
10m
Trail of the Lonesome Pine
7.9 mi
10m
Norton Coeburn Road
7.8 mi
11m
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 196.9 mi, about 3h 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Big Stone Gap, VA and East Hampton, VA.
1
Start on SR 610
0.2 mi·29 sec·4th Avenue East
2
Turn straight onto SR 610
0.3 mi·32 sec·Powell Valley Road
3
Enter roundabout onto SR 610
66 ft·1 sec·Powell Valley Road
4
Continue on SR 610
0.3 mi·49 sec·Powell Valley Road
5
Turn left
0.3 mi·36 sec
6
Merge onto US 23; US 58 ALT
8.3 mi·10 min·Orby Cantrell Highway
7
Take the exit onto US 58 ALT
0.2 mi·27 sec·US 58 ALT
8
Keep slight right at fork onto US 58 ALT
302 ft·8 sec·US 58 ALT
9
Merge onto US 58 ALT
7.8 mi·11 min·Norton Coeburn Road
10
Continue on US 58 ALT
13 mi·17 min·Bull Run Road
11
Continue on US 58 ALT
365 ft·6 sec·Trail of the Lonesome Pine
12
Continue on US 58 ALT
6.9 mi·9 min·US Highway 58 Alternate
13
Continue on US 58 ALT; VA 71
7.8 mi·10 min·Trail of the Lonesome Pine
14
Turn right onto US 19
13 mi·18 min·US 19
15
Turn left onto US 11
0.5 mi·1 min·West Main Street
16
Turn right onto Preston Street Southwest
0.2 mi·33 sec·Preston Street Southwest
17
At end of road, turn left onto Bradley Street Southwest
0.5 mi·1 min·Bradley Street Southwest
18
At end of road, turn right onto US 58 ALT; VA 75
0.6 mi·1 min·Cummings Street
Use the straight lane.
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
20
Merge onto I 81; US 58
57 mi·1 hr 1 min·I 81; US 58
Use the straight lane.
21
Continue on I 77; I 81; US 11; US 52
7.1 mi·7 min·I 77; I 81; US 11; US 52
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81; US 11
140 mi·2 hr 33 min·I 81; US 11
Toward I 81 North, US 11 North: RoanokeUse the straight lane.
23
Continue on I 64; I 81
0.3 mi·17 sec·I 64; I 81
24
Keep slight right at fork onto I 64
90 mi·1 hr 38 min·I 64
Toward I 64 East: RichmondUse the straight lane.
25
Take the exit
1.2 mi·1 min
Exit 177Toward I 295 North: Washington, NorfolkUse the slight right lane.
26
Continue on I 295
23 mi·25 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Take the exit
1.3 mi·2 min
Exit 28AToward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia BeachUse the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Merge onto I 64
61 mi·1 hr 7 min·I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
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.
30
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.
31
Turn right onto Southerland Drive
0.2 mi·46 sec·Southerland Drive
32
Arrive at destination
Southerland Drive
Trip Plan
Given the 8-hour and 34-minute duration, splitting the drive over two days is the smartest way to maintain your energy levels. Since you are navigating local roads exclusively, keep a close watch on your navigation to ensure you stay on the correct path through the turns. Try to depart early in the morning to maximize daylight, as the technical nature of the roads can be more challenging after dark. With a $71 fuel budget, consider filling up before you leave Big Stone Gap to avoid hunting for stations on smaller, winding roads. Use your two planned stops to stretch and reset, ensuring you remain alert for the duration of the 445-mile journey.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 222.6 miles from Big Stone Gap, VA, or about 4h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 196.9 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 98 miles or 2h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 222.6 miles or 4h 24m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 222.6 miles or 4h 24m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 7h 24m
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 Big Stone Gap, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Big Stone Gap, VA
Aim for roughly 223 miles and 4.3 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into East Hampton, VA
Aim for roughly 223 miles and 4.3 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 98 miles from Big Stone Gap, VA.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 81 for about 196.9 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 123.9 and 440.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
123.9 mi into trip|~2h 36m in|I 81; US 11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81; US 11 toward I 81 North, US 11 North: Roanoke
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 81 North, US 11 North: Roanoke
8
353.9 mi into trip|~6h 48m 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
378 mi into trip|~7h 15m 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
440.7 mi into trip|~8h 25m 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
440.9 mi into trip|~8h 26m 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
$69.64 one way
$139.27 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg156 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$76.14
$152.28
premium
$4.70
$82.42
$164.83
diesel
$5.61
$98.32
$196.63
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$70
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$200–$310
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 155.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $47 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
133.6
1
$46.76
$21.37
Efficient EV
111.3
1
$38.96
$17.81
EV Truck/SUV
178.1
2
$62.34
$28.50
Gas CO2
156 kg
EV CO2
52 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Big Stone Gap, VA
Night
in Big Stone Gap on Saturday
Local time
9:31 PM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
East Hampton, VA
Night
in East Hampton on Saturday
Local time
9:31 PM
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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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
3 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
8h 34m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Fort Monroe National Monument
National Monument
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...
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Free
near mile 445.3
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...
7 mi from route
~18 min detour
$15
near mile 429.9
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
~55 min detour
Free
near mile 184.2
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...
28 mi from route
~69 min detour
Free
near mile 383.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a hands-on experience on this trip, as the route relies entirely on local roads rather than high-speed interstates. You will spend your time navigating Powell Valley Road, Orby Cantrell Highway, and Norton Coeburn Road, which means a highway share of 0%. The character of the drive is defined by frequent turns and winding stretches that demand your full attention. Because there is no monotonous highway cruising, you will find yourself constantly engaged with the road layout. Plan for a technical drive that prioritizes local character over speed.
85% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 196.9 mi on I 81.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and I 64. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 123.9 miles in near I 81; US 11.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 445.3 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 123.9 miles (I 81; US 11): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 353.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 378 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 Big Stone Gap, VA and East Hampton, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk and Virginia Beach.
Norfolk
353.9 mi in|~6h 48m
Virginia Beach
378 mi in|~7h 15m
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 196.9 miles on I 81. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 223 miles on day one.
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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 123.9 miles (I 81; US 11): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 353.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 378 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Fort Monroe National Monument, Colonial National Historical Park and Booker T Washington National Monument (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 8.6 hours each way, a round trip means 17.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at East Hampton, VA before the return drive.
