Traveling from Danville to East Hampton, Virginia, covers a 214.3-mile journey that typically takes about 4 hours and 34 minutes to complete. Because this is a turn-heavy local drive, you should plan for a single day of travel rather than splitting it up, though you will want to account for at least one planned stop to stay refreshed. Expect to budget roughly $34 for fuel, depending on your vehicle's efficiency. The route keeps you entirely within the Southeast region of Virginia, transitioning from your starting point to your destination through varied local terrain. It is a straightforward trip that works well as a day excursion if you prepare for the technical nature of the roads.
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
107.2 miles from Danville, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 17m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 85
56.4 mi
1h 1m
Clarksville Bypass
22.9 mi
29m
Philpott Road
19.7 mi
25m
Bill Tuck Highway
18.8 mi
24m
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
Longest stretch:
I 85
— 56.4 mi, about 1h 1m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Danville, VA and East Hampton, VA.
1
Start on VA 293
415 ft·15 sec·South Ridge Street
2
Turn left onto VA 293
0.6 mi·1 min·Patton Street
3
Turn right onto US 360; US 58 BUS
0.6 mi·1 min·River Street
4
Continue on US 360; US 58 BUS
4.2 mi·7 min·South Boston Road
Use the straight lane.
5
Continue on US 58; US 360
5.3 mi·7 min·South Boston Highway
6
Continue on US 58; US 360
20 mi·25 min·Philpott Road
7
Continue on US 58; US 360
19 mi·24 min·Bill Tuck Highway
8
Continue on US 58; VA 49
3.6 mi·4 min·Clarksville Bypass
Use the straight lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto US 58
19 mi·24 min·Clarksville Bypass
Toward US 58 East: Boydton, South Hill
10
Continue on US 1; US 58
3.5 mi·4 min·Highway 1
11
Continue on US 58
3.3 mi·4 min·South Hill Bypass
12
Continue on US 58
0.3 mi·35 sec·East Atlantic Street
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
14
Merge onto I 85
56 mi·1 hr 1 min·I 85
Use the straight lane.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
Exit 69Toward Wythe Street, Washigton Street, Historic Old Towne PetersburgUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·17 sec
Toward US 301 South: Wythe StreetUse the slight right lane.
17
Merge onto US 460 BUS; VA 36
0.6 mi·47 sec·East Wythe Street
Use the left lane.
18
Continue on VA 36
3.6 mi·4 min·East Washington Street
Use the left lane.
19
Continue on VA 36
2.0 mi·2 min·Oaklawn Boulevard
20
Continue on VA 36
2.2 mi·2 min·Winston Churchill Drive
21
Turn right onto VA 10; VA 156 BUS
1.3 mi·2 min·East Randolph Road
22
Continue on VA 10; VA 156 BUS
15 mi·19 min·James River Drive
23
Continue on VA 10
13 mi·15 min·Colonial Trail West
24
At end of road, turn left onto VA 10; VA 31
1.0 mi·1 min·Rolfe Highway
25
Take the exit
149 ft·6 sec
26
Merge onto VA 10
9.8 mi·11 min·Colonial Trail East
27
Continue on VA 10
12 mi·15 min·Old Stage Highway
Use the left lane.
28
Keep slight left at fork onto US 258
2.9 mi·4 min·Brewers Neck Boulevard
29
Turn left onto US 17; US 258; VA 32
2.4 mi·3 min·Carrollton Boulevard
Use the left lane.
30
Continue on US 17; US 258; VA 32
4.4 mi·6 min·James River Bridge
31
Continue on US 17; US 258; VA 32
3.7 mi·7 min·Mercury Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Continue on US 258
4.0 mi·7 min·West Mercury Boulevard
Use the left lane.
33
Turn right onto Southerland Drive
0.2 mi·46 sec·Southerland Drive
34
Arrive at destination
Southerland Drive
Trip Plan
To keep your drive manageable, aim for a morning departure that allows you to handle the turns while you are fresh. Since the route involves a significant amount of local road driving, prioritize a single, well-timed break around the halfway point to avoid fatigue. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge; while the $34 estimate is a solid baseline, the stop-and-go nature of local roads can impact your actual consumption. Because this is a turn-heavy route, ensure your GPS is updated before you head out to navigate the transition between I-85 and the local bypasses accurately. This flexibility allows you to adjust your pace as needed throughout the 4-hour and 34-minute trip.
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 107.2 miles from Danville, VA, or about 2h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 56.4 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 47 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 107.2 miles or 2h 17m 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 39m
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 Danville, 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 Danville, VA
This is one driving day of about 214.3 miles and 4h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 miles from Danville, 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 85 for about 56.4 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 52.8 and 136.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
52.8 mi into trip|~1h 11m in|US 58 / Clarksville Bypass
Keep slight right at fork onto US 58 / Clarksville Bypass toward US 58 East: Boydton, South Hill
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 58 East: Boydton, South Hill
5
79.3 mi into trip|~1h 47m in|I 85
Merge onto I 85
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
135.7 mi into trip|~2h 48m in
Take the exit toward Wythe Street, Washigton Street, Historic Old Towne Petersburg
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 69
Toward Wythe Street, Washigton Street, Historic...
8
136 mi into trip|~2h 49m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 301 South: Wythe Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 301 South: Wythe Street
6
136.2 mi into trip|~2h 49m in|US 460 BUS; VA 36 / East Wythe Street
Merge onto US 460 BUS; VA 36 / East Wythe Street
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.51 one way
$67.02 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg75 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$36.64
$73.28
premium
$4.70
$39.66
$79.32
diesel
$5.61
$47.31
$94.63
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 75 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
64.3
0
$22.50
$10.29
Efficient EV
53.6
0
$18.75
$8.57
EV Truck/SUV
85.7
1
$30.00
$13.72
Gas CO2
75 kg
EV CO2
25 kg (67% 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 15, 2026
Origin
Danville, VA
Late night
in Danville on Sunday
Local time
12:37 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°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
86°F
Colonial Heights, VA
107 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
12 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
4h 34m 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 mix of highway speeds and more technical, local navigation on this 214.3-mile trip. With only 28% of the journey spent on highways, the route relies heavily on local roads like Philpott Road and the Clarksville Bypass, making it a turn-heavy experience rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. You will find your longest uninterrupted stretch on I-85, which covers 56.4 miles of the total distance. Be prepared to shift your driving focus as you move between these high-speed interstate sections and the slower, more winding local segments that define the character of this drive.
Only 28% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 56.4 mi on I 85.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 around 52.8 miles in near US 58 / Clarksville Bypass.
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 15 significant decision points across 214.3 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 52.8 miles (US 58 / Clarksville Bypass): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 79.3 miles (I 85): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 135.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
507 ft10 ft
Total Climb
149 ft
Total Descent
646 ft
Highest Point
507 ft
Elevation Range
497 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Danville, VA and East Hampton, VA, road signs point toward Hill and Historic Old Towne Petersburg.
Danville is a city of 40,000 people (2018) in the state of Virginia on the Banks of the Dan River close to the border with North Carolina. Founded in 1793 , Danville is perhaps best known for its role in the Civil War, when it was an important railroad stop for the Confederacy and became the last Confederate capital after Richmond fell to the North.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 34m. Total distance: 214.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 56.4 miles on I 85. 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 52.8 miles (US 58 / Clarksville Bypass): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 79.3 miles (I 85): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 135.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.1 hours — manageable with a long break at East Hampton, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
