Traveling from Blacksburg to East Hampton covers 294.3 miles across Virginia, a journey that typically takes about 5 hours and 37 minutes. Because this is a turn-heavy local drive rather than a straightforward interstate sprint, it is best approached as a full-day commitment. You should budget approximately $47 for fuel to complete the trip. While it can be accomplished in a single day, the winding nature of the roads requires your full attention, making a one-day timeline feel active rather than restful. Whether you are moving between these two Southeast locations for work or leisure, planning for at least one dedicated stop will help you maintain energy 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
147.1 miles from Blacksburg, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 50m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
151.4 mi
2h 45m
I 81
102.4 mi
1h 54m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
22.9 mi
25m
US 460
4.8 mi
5m
VA 134
4.4 mi
8m
North Main Street
2.6 mi
7m
Roanoke Street
1.1 mi
2m
Southerland Drive
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 151.4 mi, about 2h 45m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Blacksburg, VA and East Hampton, VA.
1
Start on US 460 BUS
2.6 mi·7 min·North Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
2
Take the ramp
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward US 460 East: RoanokeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
3
Merge onto US 460
4.8 mi·5 min·US 460
Use the straight lane.
4
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Exit 2Toward US 11, US 460 Business: Christiansburg
5
Turn left onto US 11; US 460 BUS
1.1 mi·2 min·Roanoke Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
6
Take the ramp
1.0 mi·2 min
Toward I 81 North, US 460 East: Salem, RoanokeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 81
102 mi·1 hr 54 min·I 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 64
90 mi·1 hr 38 min·I 64
Toward I 64 East: RichmondUse the straight lane.
9
Take the exit
1.2 mi·1 min
Exit 177Toward I 295 North: Washington, NorfolkUse the slight right lane.
10
Continue on I 295
23 mi·25 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
1.3 mi·2 min
Exit 28AToward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia BeachUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 64
61 mi·1 hr 7 min·I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
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.
14
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.
15
Turn right onto Southerland Drive
0.2 mi·46 sec·Southerland Drive
16
Arrive at destination
Southerland Drive
Trip Plan
To keep your drive manageable, plan to depart early in the morning to account for the 5-hour and 37-minute duration. Since the route relies entirely on local roads, factor in extra time for traffic signals and lower speed limits compared to major highways. You only need to plan for one major stop to refuel and stretch, which keeps your $47 fuel budget on track. Because this is a turn-heavy drive, ensure your GPS is mounted clearly so you can anticipate upcoming maneuvers on US 460 East or US 11 without distraction. Embracing the flexibility of a local route allows you to pull over safely whenever you need a break, making the journey much more comfortable.
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 147.1 miles from Blacksburg, VA, or about 2h 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 151.4 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 65 miles or 1h 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 147.1 miles or 2h 50m 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 35m
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 Blacksburg, 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 Blacksburg, VA
This is one driving day of about 294.3 miles and 5h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 65 miles from Blacksburg, 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 151.4 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 112.9 and 289.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
112.9 mi into trip|~2h 13m 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
202.9 mi into trip|~3h 51m 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
227 mi into trip|~4h 18m 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
289.7 mi into trip|~5h 28m 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
289.9 mi into trip|~5h 29m 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
$46.02 one way
$92.04 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg103 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$50.32
$100.64
premium
$4.70
$54.47
$108.94
diesel
$5.61
$64.98
$129.96
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$46
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 103 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
88.3
1
$30.90
$14.13
Efficient EV
73.6
0
$25.75
$11.77
EV Truck/SUV
117.7
1
$41.20
$18.84
Gas CO2
103 kg
EV CO2
34 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 18, 2026
Origin
Blacksburg, VA
Late night
in Blacksburg on Sunday
Local time
12:37 AM
EDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
East Hampton, VA
Late night
in East Hampton on Sunday
Local time
12:37 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
19 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 37m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a hands-on driving experience as this route moves away from high-speed interstate travel. With a 0% highway share, you will spend the entire 294.3-mile trip navigating local roads, including stretches of US 460 East, US 11, and Roanoke Street. The personality of this drive is inherently technical, defined by constant turns and the rhythmic pace of local thoroughfares. You won't find long, monotonous interstate stretches here; instead, the road demands consistent engagement as you transition through various local corridors. Prepare for a slower, more deliberate pace that rewards drivers who prefer staying alert on secondary roads over cruising on a highway.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 151.4 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 81. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 112.9 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 14 significant decision points across 294.3 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 112.9 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 202.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 227 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,073 ft10 ft
Total Climb
431 ft
Total Descent
2,494 ft
Highest Point
2,073 ft
Elevation Range
2,063 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Blacksburg, VA and East Hampton, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk and Virginia Beach.
Norfolk
202.9 mi in|~3h 51m
Virginia Beach
227 mi in|~4h 18m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 37m. Total distance: 294.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 37m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 151.4 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 112.9 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 202.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 227 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.6 hours each way, a round trip means 11.3 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.
