Spanning 436 miles across Virginia, this drive connects East Hampton to Norton in approximately 8 hours and 23 minutes of pure travel time. Because of the length, trying to tackle this in a single day is exhausting, so I recommend splitting the journey into two days to keep your energy up. You will primarily utilize I-64, I-81, and the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway to make your way across the state. Budgeting around $70 for fuel is a safe estimate for the trip. Since both endpoints are located within the Southeast region, the route maintains a consistent regional feel, but the transition from the eastern part of the state to the western mountains makes for a significant change in topography. This highway-focused path is best suited for travelers who prioritize efficiency over local detours.
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
218 miles from East Hampton, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 3m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
181.4 mi
3h 18m
I 81
172.9 mi
3h 9m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
22.6 mi
24m
US Highway 58
14.7 mi
20m
Castlewood Drive
12.5 mi
17m
Porterfield Highway
10.3 mi
14m
Norton Coeburn Road
8.3 mi
12m
East Mercury Boulevard
3.7 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 181.4 mi, about 3h 18m
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 East Hampton, VA and Norton, VA.
1
Start on Southerland Drive
0.2 mi·46 sec·Southerland Drive
2
Turn left onto US 258
3.7 mi·6 min·East Mercury Boulevard
Use the left lane.
3
Take the ramp onto VA 134
0.9 mi·1 min·VA 134
Toward I 64 West, SR 134 North: Williamsburg, Richmond
4
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64
61 mi·1 hr 7 min·I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.5 mi·32 sec
Exit 200Toward I 295, US 60: Washington, Rocky Mount NCUse the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork
1.3 mi·2 min
Toward I 295 North: WashingtonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 295
23 mi·24 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·55 sec
Exit 53AToward I 64 West: Charlottesville
9
Merge onto I 64
120 mi·2 hr 10 min·I 64
Toward I 64 West: CharlottesvilleUse the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
117 mi·2 hr 9 min·I 81
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on I 77; I 81; US 52
1.3 mi·1 min·I 77; I 81; US 52
Use the straight lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81; US 52
56 mi·59 min·I 81; US 52
Use the straight lane.
13
Take the exit onto US 58 ALT
0.2 mi·25 sec·US 58 ALT
Toward US 58 Alternate, VA 75: Abingdon, South Holston Dam
14
Turn right onto US 58 ALT; VA 75
0.8 mi·2 min·Cummings Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
15
At end of road, turn left onto Valley Street Northwest
0.3 mi·48 sec·Valley Street Northwest
Use the left lane.
16
At end of road, turn right onto US 58 ALT
0.9 mi·2 min·Russell Road Northwest
Use the right lane.
17
Turn slight right onto US 19; US 58 ALT
10 mi·14 min·Porterfield Highway
18
Continue on US 19; US 58 ALT
1.9 mi·2 min·US 19; US 58 ALT
19
Turn left onto US 58 ALT
15 mi·20 min·US Highway 58
Use the left lane.
20
Continue on US 58 ALT
348 ft·6 sec·Trail of the Lonesome Pine
21
Continue on US 58 ALT
13 mi·17 min·Castlewood Drive
22
Continue on US 58 ALT
8.0 mi·11 min·Norton Coeburn Road
23
Continue on US 58 ALT
0.4 mi·43 sec·Norton Coeburn Road
24
Continue on US 23 BUS
0.6 mi·2 min·Park Avenue Northwest
Use the straight / left lanes.
25
Turn left onto 8th Street Southwest
130 ft·9 sec·8th Street Southwest
26
Turn left
145 ft·10 sec
27
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To manage this 436-mile trek effectively, aim to depart early in the morning to beat congestion, particularly near the busier interstate interchanges. Given the recommended two-day split, plan for at least two intentional stops to stretch your legs and refuel your vehicle. Keep an eye on your gas gauge during the final leg on the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, as fuel availability can fluctuate compared to the frequent service stations found along the I-64 and I-81 corridors. Since this is a long-haul drive, breaking the trip into roughly equal halves will prevent fatigue from setting in before you arrive in Norton. Prioritize checking your tire pressure before leaving East Hampton, as consistent highway speeds place extra demand on your vehicle over the course of the day.
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 218 miles from East Hampton, VA, or about 4h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 181.4 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 96 miles or 1h 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 218 miles or 4h 3m 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 218 miles or 4h 3m
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 56m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Norton, 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.
+
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 East Hampton, VA
Aim for roughly 218 miles and 4.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Norton, VA
Aim for roughly 218 miles and 4.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 96 miles from East Hampton, 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 64 for about 181.4 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 4.8 and 386.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
4.8 mi into trip|~9m in|I 64
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
65.9 mi into trip|~1h 16m in
Take the exit toward I 295, US 60: Washington, Rocky Mount NC
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 200
Toward I 295, US 60: Washington, Rocky Mount NC
7
66.3 mi into trip|~1h 17m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 295 North: Washington
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 295 North: Washington
6
90.2 mi into trip|~1h 44m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 64 West: Charlottesville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 53A
Toward I 64 West: Charlottesville
7
386.3 mi into trip|~7h 9m in|Valley Street Northwest
At end of road, turn left onto Valley Street Northwest
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$64.37 one way
$128.74 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg153 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$70.74
$141.48
premium
$4.49
$77.11
$154.21
diesel
$4.80
$82.33
$164.65
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$64
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$194–$304
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 152.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $46 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
130.8
1
$45.78
$20.93
Efficient EV
109
1
$38.15
$17.44
EV Truck/SUV
174.4
2
$61.04
$27.90
Gas CO2
153 kg
EV CO2
51 kg (67% 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
East Hampton, VA
Night
in East Hampton on Saturday
Local time
9:31 PM
EDT
Current temp
79°F
Mostly Clear
SW 3 to 7 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Norton, VA
Night
in Norton on Saturday
Local time
9:31 PM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Mostly Clear
0 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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
8h 23m 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...
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...
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...
21 mi from route
~52 min detour
Free
near mile 255.6
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
~71 min detour
Free
near mile 60.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a trip dominated by high-speed transit, as 86% of this route takes place on major highways. You will settle into a rhythm quickly, especially during the longest uninterrupted stretch of 181.4 miles on I-64. The character of the road is heavily interstate-focused, providing a consistent, fast-paced experience that requires steady focus behind the wheel. As you transition from the interstate system onto the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, the road environment shifts to accommodate the final push toward Norton. While this is not a technical or winding backroads journey, the sheer distance means you will experience varying traffic patterns and road conditions throughout the 8-hour duration.
86% 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: 181.4 mi on I 64.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and I 81. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.8 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 17 significant decision points across 436 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 4.8 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 65.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 66.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
2,525 ft10 ft
Total Climb
3,124 ft
Total Descent
1,001 ft
Highest Point
2,525 ft
~342.6 mi in
Elevation Range
2,515 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between East Hampton, VA and Norton, VA, road signs point toward Rocky Mount and Holston Dam.
The longest stretch is about 181.4 miles on I 64. 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 218 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 Norton, 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 4.8 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 65.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 66.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 8.4 hours each way, a round trip means 16.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Norton, VA before the return drive.
