This 157.7-mile drive from East Hampton, VA to Chase City, VA takes approximately 3 hours and 24 minutes. Primarily utilizing the Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike, James River Drive, and Richmond-Raleigh Highway, you'll experience a mixed drive profile. With a fuel cost estimated at $25 and only one recommended stop, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip. The journey is contained entirely within Virginia, making it a straightforward regional exploration. It offers a practical way to cover ground without feeling overly rushed, ideal for a day trip where you want to maximize your time at your destination.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
78.9 miles from East Hampton, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 46m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
55.8 mi
1h
James River Drive
14.6 mi
19m
Richmond-Raleigh Highway
13.6 mi
21m
Colonial Trail West
13.3 mi
15m
Benns Church Boulevard
12.1 mi
15m
Colonial Trail East
9.9 mi
11m
East Mercury Boulevard
7.8 mi
14m
Highway Forty-Seven
6.7 mi
10m
Longest stretch:
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
— 55.8 mi, about 1h
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between East Hampton, VA and Chase City, VA.
1
Start on Southerland Drive
0.2 mi·46 sec·Southerland Drive
2
Turn left onto US 258
7.8 mi·14 min·East Mercury Boulevard
Use the left lane.
3
Continue on US 17; US 258; VA 32
4.4 mi·6 min·James River Bridge
4
Continue on US 17; US 258; VA 32
2.4 mi·3 min·Carrollton Boulevard
Use the left lane.
5
Turn right onto US 258; VA 32
2.9 mi·4 min·Brewers Neck Boulevard
6
Merge onto US 258; VA 10
12 mi·15 min·Benns Church Boulevard
7
Continue on VA 10
9.9 mi·11 min·Colonial Trail East
8
Turn left onto VA 10; VA 31
1.0 mi·1 min·Rolfe Highway
9
Turn right onto VA 10
13 mi·15 min·Colonial Trail West
10
Continue on VA 10
15 mi·19 min·James River Drive
11
Continue on VA 10; VA 156 BUS
1.2 mi·2 min·East Randolph Road
12
Turn left onto VA 156 Business
1.8 mi·2 min·Winston Churchill Drive
13
Continue on VA 36
0.4 mi·26 sec·Oaklawn Boulevard
14
Continue on VA 36
1.0 mi·1 min·Woodlawn Street
15
Continue on VA 36
1.0 mi·1 min·Oaklawn Boulevard
16
Continue on VA 36
4.3 mi·5 min·East Washington Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.5 mi·58 sec
Toward I 85 South, I 95 South
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward I 85 South, US 460 West: DurhamUse the slight left lane.
19
Merge onto I 85
56 mi·1 hr·Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 12BToward US 58 West, SR 47: South Hill, Chase CityUse the slight right lane.
21
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·20 sec
22
Turn straight onto US 58 BUS
0.3 mi·42 sec·East Atlantic Street
23
Turn slight left
121 ft·5 sec
24
Turn left onto Maple Lane
396 ft·14 sec·Maple Lane
25
Turn right onto East Main Street
1.1 mi·2 min·East Main Street
26
Turn right onto South Thomas Street
369 ft·18 sec·South Thomas Street
27
Turn left onto VA 47
0.8 mi·1 min·West Atlantic Street
28
Continue on VA 47
6.7 mi·10 min·Highway Forty-Seven
29
Continue on VA 47
14 mi·21 min·Richmond-Raleigh Highway
30
Arrive at destination
VA 47
Trip Plan
For this 1-day, 157.7-mile trip, departing in the morning will give you ample time to reach Chase City with daylight to spare. With an estimated fuel cost of $25 and only one stop suggested, you have flexibility in your timing. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before heading into the 55.8-mile stretch on the Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike, to ensure a smooth journey. The mixed drive profile means you'll have opportunities to stretch your legs if needed, but a single stop should suffice for this relatively short drive.
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 78.9 miles from East Hampton, VA, or about 1h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 55.8 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 35 miles or 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 78.9 miles or 1h 46m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Chase City, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving East Hampton, 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 East Hampton, VA
This is one driving day of about 157.7 miles and 3h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from East Hampton, 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 Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike for about 55.8 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 0.2 and 134.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|US 258 / East Mercury Boulevard
Turn left onto US 258 / East Mercury Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
78.2 mi into trip|~1h 44m in
Take the exit toward I 85 South, I 95 South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 85 South, I 95 South
8
78.6 mi into trip|~1h 45m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 85 South, US 460 West: Durham
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 85 South, US 460 West: Durham
8
134.6 mi into trip|~2h 47m in
Take the exit toward US 58 West, SR 47: South Hill, Chase City
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 12B
Toward US 58 West, SR 47: South Hill, Chase Cit...
5
134.9 mi into trip|~2h 47m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.66 one way
$49.32 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg55 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$26.96
$53.93
premium
$4.70
$29.19
$58.37
diesel
$5.61
$34.82
$69.64
Estimated Tolls: $3.91
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
(55.8 mi)$3.91
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Tolls
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 55.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
47.3
0
$16.56
$7.57
Efficient EV
39.4
0
$13.80
$6.31
EV Truck/SUV
63.1
0
$22.08
$10.09
Gas CO2
55 kg
EV CO2
18 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 18, 2026
Origin
East Hampton, VA
Morning
in East Hampton on Sunday
Local time
6:02 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Chase City, VA
Morning
in Chase City on Sunday
Local time
6:02 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
80°F
Hopewell, VA
79 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
13 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
3h 24m 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
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...
11 mi from route
~26 min detour
$15
near mile 32.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a 35% highway share on this 157.7-mile journey, meaning you'll encounter a blend of faster-paced travel and more local road driving. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 55.8 miles along the Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike, offering a good period of consistent travel. As you progress, the route transitions, providing a varied driving experience that keeps things interesting. This mixed drive profile means you won't be stuck in a monotonous interstate grind for the entire 3 hours and 24 minutes.
35% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 55.8 mi on Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near US 258 / East Mercury Boulevard.
Driving Effort7/10
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 157.7 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 0.2 miles (US 258 / East Mercury Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 78.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 78.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 24m. Total distance: 157.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 55.8 miles on Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $3.91 in tolls one way, starting with Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
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 Chase City, 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 0.2 miles (US 258 / East Mercury Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 78.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 78.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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.
Possible but tiring. At 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Chase City, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
