Embarking from Coeburn, Virginia, this 427.2-mile journey to East Hampton, Virginia, is best tackled over two days. With an estimated driving time of 8 hours and 9 minutes, it's a substantial trip that benefits from an overnight stop. The primary arteries for this drive are I-81, I-64, and the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, making it a largely highway-focused experience. Expect your fuel costs to be around $67 for this Southeast Virginia to Southeast Virginia excursion. This route offers a practical way to traverse the state, with two planned stops to break up the nearly 200 miles you'll cover on I-81.
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
213.6 miles from Coeburn, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 9m 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
11.2 mi
15m
Trail of the Lonesome Pine
7.9 mi
10m
I 77
7.1 mi
7m
US Highway 58 Alternate
6.9 mi
9m
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 196.9 mi, about 3h 35m
Traffic on I-64
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 90 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,062 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,481
Quietest
2 AM
~117 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
17.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Coeburn, VA and East Hampton, VA.
1
Start on this road
86 ft·8 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto 2nd Street Northeast
0.4 mi·55 sec·2nd Street Northeast
3
Continue on VA 72
0.2 mi·23 sec·VA 72
4
Turn left
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward US 58 Alternate East
5
Merge onto US 58 ALT
11 mi·15 min·Bull Run Road
6
Continue on US 58 ALT
365 ft·6 sec·Trail of the Lonesome Pine
7
Continue on US 58 ALT
6.9 mi·9 min·US Highway 58 Alternate
8
Continue on US 58 ALT; VA 71
7.8 mi·10 min·Trail of the Lonesome Pine
9
Turn right onto US 19
13 mi·18 min·US 19
10
Turn left onto US 11
0.5 mi·1 min·West Main Street
11
Turn right onto Preston Street Southwest
0.2 mi·33 sec·Preston Street Southwest
12
At end of road, turn left onto Bradley Street Southwest
0.5 mi·1 min·Bradley Street Southwest
13
At end of road, turn right onto US 58 ALT; VA 75
0.6 mi·1 min·Cummings Street
Use the straight lane.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
15
Merge onto I 81; US 58
57 mi·1 hr 1 min·I 81; US 58
Use the straight lane.
16
Continue on I 77; I 81; US 11; US 52
7.1 mi·7 min·I 77; I 81; US 11; US 52
17
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.
18
Continue on I 64; I 81
0.3 mi·17 sec·I 64; I 81
19
Keep slight right at fork onto I 64
90 mi·1 hr 38 min·I 64
Toward I 64 East: RichmondUse the straight lane.
20
Take the exit
1.2 mi·1 min
Exit 177Toward I 295 North: Washington, NorfolkUse the slight right lane.
21
Continue on I 295
23 mi·25 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
1.3 mi·2 min
Exit 28AToward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia BeachUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Merge onto I 64
61 mi·1 hr 7 min·I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
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.
25
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.
26
Turn right onto Southerland Drive
0.2 mi·46 sec·Southerland Drive
27
Arrive at destination
Southerland Drive
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 8-hour, 9-minute drive, consider starting early to maximize daylight. Since this trip is recommended for two days, planning your overnight stop strategically will be key. You'll have two designated stops along the way, and it's wise to fuel up before embarking on the longest stretch of 196.9 miles on I-81, as services can be more spread out on interstates. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you approach the latter half of your journey, to ensure a smooth arrival in East Hampton.
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 213.6 miles from Coeburn, VA, or about 4h 9m 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 94 miles or 1h 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 213.6 miles or 4h 9m 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 213.6 miles or 4h 9m
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 6h 59m
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 Coeburn, 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 Coeburn, VA
Aim for roughly 214 miles and 4.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into East Hampton, VA
Aim for roughly 214 miles and 4.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 94 miles from Coeburn, 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 105.9 and 422.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
105.9 mi into trip|~2h 10m 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
335.9 mi into trip|~6h 23m 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
360 mi into trip|~6h 49m 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
422.6 mi into trip|~8h 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
422.8 mi into trip|~8h 1m 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
$63.07 one way
$126.14 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg150 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$69.31
$138.62
premium
$4.49
$75.55
$151.10
diesel
$4.80
$80.66
$161.33
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$63
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$193–$303
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 149.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $45 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
128.2
1
$44.86
$20.51
Efficient EV
106.8
1
$37.38
$17.09
EV Truck/SUV
170.9
2
$59.81
$27.34
Gas CO2
149 kg
EV CO2
50 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Coeburn, VA
Night
in Coeburn on Saturday
Local time
9:30 PM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Mostly Clear
0 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Destination
East Hampton, VA
Night
in East Hampton on Saturday
Local time
9:30 PM
EDT
Current temp
79°F
Mostly Clear
SW 3 to 7 mph2% 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.
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
10 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
8h 9m 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 427.2
Park Closure: Road Closure and Fishing Pier Impact
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
~17 min detour
$15
near mile 397.8
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
~56 min detour
Free
near mile 176.8
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...
29 mi from route
~72 min detour
Free
near mile 353.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 89% of the journey taking place on major interstates. You'll experience long, uninterrupted stretches, including the longest single segment of 196.9 miles on I-81. While the majority of the drive is on high-speed highways, the transition onto I-64 and the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway will still maintain a consistent pace. Expect a driving experience characterized by efficient travel rather than winding scenic byways.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 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?
9/10
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 105.9 miles in near I 81; US 11.
Driving Effort9/10
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 17 significant decision points across 427.2 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 105.9 miles (I 81; US 11): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 335.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 360 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
2,330 ft10 ft
Total Climb
775 ft
Total Descent
2,753 ft
Highest Point
2,330 ft
~91.6 mi in
Elevation Range
2,320 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Coeburn, VA and East Hampton, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk and Virginia Beach.
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 214 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 33 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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. There are 33 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 105.9 miles (I 81; US 11): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 335.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 360 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 8.2 hours each way, a round trip means 16.3 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.
