Spanning 79.3 miles across Virginia, this drive connects Colonial Heights to East Hampton in approximately 1 hour and 49 minutes. It is a straightforward trip that serves perfectly as a one-day excursion, requiring no overnight stops along the way. You should budget about $13 for fuel to complete the journey. Because this route avoids major interstates entirely, it offers a distinct alternative to high-speed travel through the Southeast. Whether you are heading out for a quick change of scenery or visiting friends, the trip is manageable and efficient for any driver.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
39.7 miles from Colonial Heights, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 53m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
James River Drive
14.6 mi
19m
Colonial Trail West
13.3 mi
15m
Old Stage Highway
12 mi
15m
Colonial Trail East
9.8 mi
11m
James River Bridge
4.4 mi
6m
West Mercury Boulevard
4 mi
7m
Mercury Boulevard
3.7 mi
7m
Temple Avenue
3.7 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
James River Drive
— 14.6 mi, about 19m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Colonial Heights, VA and East Hampton, VA.
1
Start on this road
257 ft·20 sec·this road
2
At end of road, turn right onto East Ellerslie Avenue
0.8 mi·1 min·East Ellerslie Avenue
3
Turn right onto Conduit Road
0.5 mi·1 min·Conduit Road
Use the right lane.
4
Turn left onto VA 144
3.7 mi·6 min·Temple Avenue
5
Merge onto VA 36
0.3 mi·28 sec·East Washington Street
Use the left lane.
6
Continue on VA 36
2.0 mi·2 min·Oaklawn Boulevard
7
Continue on VA 36
2.2 mi·2 min·Winston Churchill Drive
8
Turn right onto VA 10; VA 156 BUS
1.3 mi·2 min·East Randolph Road
9
Continue on VA 10; VA 156 BUS
15 mi·19 min·James River Drive
10
Continue on VA 10
13 mi·15 min·Colonial Trail West
11
At end of road, turn left onto VA 10; VA 31
1.0 mi·1 min·Rolfe Highway
12
Take the exit
149 ft·6 sec
13
Merge onto VA 10
9.8 mi·11 min·Colonial Trail East
14
Continue on VA 10
12 mi·15 min·Old Stage Highway
Use the left lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto US 258
2.9 mi·4 min·Brewers Neck Boulevard
16
Turn left onto US 17; US 258; VA 32
2.4 mi·3 min·Carrollton Boulevard
Use the left lane.
17
Continue on US 17; US 258; VA 32
4.4 mi·6 min·James River Bridge
18
Continue on US 17; US 258; VA 32
3.7 mi·7 min·Mercury Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on US 258
4.0 mi·7 min·West Mercury Boulevard
Use the left lane.
20
Turn right onto Southerland Drive
0.2 mi·46 sec·Southerland Drive
21
Arrive at destination
Southerland Drive
Trip Plan
Since the total drive time is under two hours, you have significant flexibility to depart whenever it suits your schedule. You won't need to plan for formal rest stops given the short duration, but keep in mind that the turn-heavy nature of the local roads can be more taxing than a straight highway shot. Ensure your fuel tank is ready for the $13 estimated cost before you head out, as local roads may have fewer service stations than major corridors. Because the entire 79.3-mile trip is localized, use this time to enjoy the steady rhythm of the backroads without the pressure of a rigid, long-distance itinerary.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 39.7 miles from Colonial Heights, VA, or about 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 14.6 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 17 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 39.7 miles or 53m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 28m
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 Colonial Heights, VA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Colonial Heights, VA
This is one driving day of about 79.3 miles and 1h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Colonial Heights, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on James River Drive for about 14.6 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 38.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip|~0m in|East Ellerslie Avenue
At end of road, turn right onto East Ellerslie Avenue
Navigation decision point
6
0.9 mi into trip|~1m in|Conduit Road
Turn right onto Conduit Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
5.1 mi into trip|~9m in|VA 36 / East Washington Street
Merge onto VA 36 / East Washington Street
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
4
9.6 mi into trip|~14m in|VA 10; VA 156 BUS / East Randolph Road
Turn right onto VA 10; VA 156 BUS / East Randolph Road
Navigation decision point
4
38.7 mi into trip|~51m in|VA 10; VA 31 / Rolfe Highway
At end of road, turn left onto VA 10; VA 31 / Rolfe Highway
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.40 one way
$24.80 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg28 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$13.56
$27.12
premium
$4.70
$14.68
$29.35
diesel
$5.61
$17.51
$35.02
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 27.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
23.8
0
$8.33
$3.81
Efficient EV
19.8
0
$6.94
$3.17
EV Truck/SUV
31.7
0
$11.10
$5.08
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (68% 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
Colonial Heights, VA
Late night
in Colonial Heights on Sunday
Local time
4:00 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
East Hampton, VA
Late night
in East Hampton on Sunday
Local time
4:00 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
52°F
Waverly, VA
40 mi in
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
2 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
1h 49m 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.
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 79.3
Park Closure: Road Closure and Fishing Pier Impact
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...
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...
10 mi from route
~26 min detour
$15
near mile 46.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local experience rather than a monotonous interstate grind, as this route features zero highway miles. You will navigate primarily via James River Drive, Colonial Trail West, and Old Stage Highway. The road maintains a technical feel, with the longest uninterrupted stretch lasting only 14.6 miles on James River Drive. Since the route relies exclusively on local roads, you will find a consistent, steady pace that requires your full attention behind the wheel. It is an ideal path if you prefer backroads over the repetitive nature of larger, multi-lane highways.
Only 0% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 14.6 mi on James River Drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near East Ellerslie Avenue.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 79.3 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (East Ellerslie Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.9 miles (Conduit Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.1 miles (VA 36 / East Washington Street): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 49m. Total distance: 79.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 14.6 miles on James River Drive. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (East Ellerslie Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.9 miles (Conduit Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.1 miles (VA 36 / East Washington Street): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Fort Monroe National Monument, Petersburg National Battlefield and Colonial National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at East Hampton, VA before heading back.
