Covington, VA to East Hampton, VA is 255.4 miles and takes about 4h 46m via I 64, with a fuel budget near $42 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip primarily stays within Virginia, moving from the Southeast region to the Southeast region. With 89% of the drive on highways, you'll find it's a straightforward path for a single-day trip. Expect a mostly highway experience that makes for efficient travel between these two points.
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
127.7 miles from Covington, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 20m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
223.5 mi
4h 3m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
22.9 mi
25m
VA 134
4.4 mi
8m
North Craig Avenue
0.8 mi
1m
South Durant Road
0.4 mi
<1m
West Main Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Southerland Drive
0.2 mi
<1m
West Locust Street
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 223.5 mi, about 4h 3m
Traffic on I-64
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 184 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,021 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,501
Quietest
2 AM
~117 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
17.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 105 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 Covington, VA and East Hampton, VA.
1
Start on West Main Street
0.3 mi·54 sec·West Main Street
2
Turn left onto North Lexington Avenue
350 ft·9 sec·North Lexington Avenue
3
Turn right onto West Locust Street
0.1 mi·14 sec·West Locust Street
4
Continue on VA 154
0.8 mi·1 min·North Craig Avenue
5
Continue on VA 154
0.4 mi·48 sec·South Durant Road
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·26 sec
7
Merge onto I 64
72 mi·1 hr 17 min·I 64
Use the straight lane.
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
For this 4h 46m drive, leaving in the morning is your best bet to maximize daylight and avoid potential rush hour traffic closer to East Hampton. Since it's a single-day trip, you have the flexibility to stop as needed, but with only one designated stop area on this route, plan your breaks accordingly. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without a major town is 223.5 miles on I 64, so ensure you refuel before hitting that segment if needed. The estimated fuel cost is around $42, which is a good baseline for budgeting.
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 127.7 miles from Covington, VA, or about 2h 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 223.5 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 56 miles or 1h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 127.7 miles or 2h 20m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 51m
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 Covington, 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 Covington, VA
This is one driving day of about 255.4 miles and 4h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 miles from Covington, 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 223.5 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 74 and 251 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
74 mi into trip|~1h 22m 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
164.1 mi into trip|~3h 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
188.2 mi into trip|~3h 26m 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
250.8 mi into trip|~4h 37m 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
251 mi into trip|~4h 37m 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
$40.57 one way
$81.14 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg89 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$44.24
$88.49
premium
$4.78
$48.06
$96.13
diesel
$6.18
$62.13
$124.26
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 89.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
EV Charging Along Route
25 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
Lexington, VA - Hotel Drive - Tesla Supercharger
Lexington, VA
Tesla
12 DCFC
Staunton, VA - Richmond Avenue - Tesla Supercharger
Staunton, VA
Tesla
12 DCFC
Lexington, VA - East Nelson Street - Tesla Supercharger
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
76.6
0
$26.82
$12.26
Efficient EV
63.9
0
$22.35
$10.22
EV Truck/SUV
102.2
1
$35.76
$16.35
Gas CO2
89 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Covington, VA
Morning
in Covington on Monday
Local time
8:03 AM
EDT
Current temp
33°F
Clear
0 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Coastal Flood Watch
Coastal Flood Watch issued October 19 at 4:09AM EDT until October 22 at 1:00AM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Coastal Flood Watch
Coastal Flood Watch issued October 19 at 4:09AM EDT until October 22 at 1:00AM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Destination
East Hampton, VA
Morning
in East Hampton on Monday
Local time
8:03 AM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Mostly Clear
NE 21 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Coastal Flood Watch
Coastal Flood Watch issued October 19 at 4:09AM EDT until October 22 at 1:00AM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Coastal Flood Watch
Coastal Flood Watch issued October 19 at 4:09AM EDT until October 22 at 1:00AM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 46m 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.
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 255.4
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...
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 185
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway, with 89% of the route on major roads like I 64. You'll experience a long stretch of 223.5 miles on I 64, meaning extended periods of consistent cruising. The transition to surface roads will occur toward the end of your trip. Expect a high volume of exits and merging traffic as you approach your destination.
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: 223.5 mi on I 64.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 74 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 10 significant decision points across 255.4 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 74 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 164.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 188.2 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
1,820 ft10 ft
Total Climb
820 ft
Total Descent
2,051 ft
Highest Point
1,820 ft
~54.7 mi in
Elevation Range
1,810 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Covington, VA and East Hampton, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk and Virginia Beach.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 46m. Total distance: 255.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 46m 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 223.5 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 74 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 164.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 188.2 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 Petersburg National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.5 hours — manageable with a long break at East Hampton, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
