Juan's Mexican Cafe and Cantina
Near the start, right off the route
Newport News, Virginia
Hours: 11 am–10 pm
+17578775826
Visit websiteCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 30m
Distance
179 mi
288 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$28
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
East Hampton, VA
Sarah O'Shea
Vienna, VA
Wikimedia Commons
This 179-mile drive from East Hampton, VA, to Vienna, VA, is designed for a single day, taking approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes. You'll spend about 82% of your time on highways, making it a straightforward trip with a fuel cost estimated at $28. The route primarily utilizes I-95 and I-64, along with the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, offering a direct path through Virginia's Southeast region. Given its manageable duration, this trip is perfectly suited for a day excursion, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay.
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
89.5 miles from East Hampton, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 43m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 95 | 82.3 mi | 1h 33m |
| I 64 | 61.1 mi | 1h 7m |
| Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway | 11.9 mi | 12m |
| Capital Beltway | 6.7 mi | 8m |
| East Mercury Boulevard | 3.7 mi | 6m |
| I 66 | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| Nutley Street Southwest | 1 mi | 2m |
| VA 134 | 0.9 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between East Hampton, VA and Vienna, VA.
Start on Southerland Drive
Turn left onto US 258
Take the ramp onto VA 134
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 295
Take the exit
Merge onto I 95
Keep slight right at fork onto I 95; US 17
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 95
Keep slight right at fork onto I 395
Take the exit
Merge onto I 495
Keep slight right at fork onto I 495
Take the exit
Merge onto I 66
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Keep slight right at fork
Turn straight onto VA 243
Turn right onto VA 123
Arrive at destination
For this 3-hour, 30-minute drive, consider an early morning departure to maximize your day and potentially avoid heavier traffic, especially as you approach the Northern Virginia area. With only one recommended stop and a relatively short distance, you have flexibility in pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the longest stretch without exiting is over 82 miles on I-95. Planning your single stop around the midpoint of the drive can help break up the journey effectively.
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.
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 39 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 89.5 miles or 1h 43m 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 47m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Vienna, VA than in the middle of the route.
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 179 miles and 3h 30m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
90 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
A short stop after about 39 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 89.5 miles from East Hampton, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 95 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 82.3 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Best meal stop · first break window
Newport News, Virginia
Near the start, right off the route
Hours: 11 am–10 pm
+17578775826
Angela's Italian Restaurant
Spotsylvania Courthouse, Virginia
Sugar Palm Thai Restaurant
Alexandria, Virginia
Best coffee break · first break window
Newport News, Virginia
Near the start, right off the route
Hours: 7 am–10 pm
+17577553134
Merge Cafe (Stafford)
Stafford, Virginia
Curitiba Art Cafe
Fredericksburg, Virginia
Near the start, right off the route
Newport News, Virginia
Hours: 11 am–10 pm
+17578775826
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Spotsylvania Courthouse, Virginia
Hours: 10 am–10 pm
+15405825250
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Alexandria, Virginia
Hours: 11 am–10 pm
+17033541077
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Newport News, Virginia
Hours: 10 am–7 pm
+17573695533
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Ashland, Virginia
Hours: 11 am–8 pm
+18047982933
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Ashland, Virginia
Hours: 11 am–8 pm
+18047983287
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Quinton, Virginia
Hours: 6 am–1 pm
+18042464145
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Ashland, Virginia
Hours: 7 am–2 pm
+18043688671
Visit websiteNear the start, right off the route
Newport News, Virginia
Hours: 7 am–10 pm
+17577553134
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Stafford, Virginia
Hours: 10 am–9 pm
+15404264142
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Fredericksburg, Virginia
Hours: 10 am–7 pm
Visit websiteNear the end, ~9 min detour
Alexandria, Virginia
Hours: 7 am–8 pm
+17032128211
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, ~12 min detour
Glen Allen, Virginia
Hours: 10 am–8 pm
+18044001505
Near the start, right off the route
Newport News, Virginia
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18336322778
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Newport News, Virginia
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18777983752
Visit websiteNear the start, right off the route
Newport News, Virginia
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteNear the start, right off the route
Newport News, Virginia
+18668167584
Visit websiteNear the start, ~9 min detour
Hampton, Virginia
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18774943833
Visit websiteNear the start, ~10 min detour
Newport News, Virginia
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18774943833
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Newport News, Virginia
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Hampton, Virginia
+18333994638
Visit websiteLater in the drive, right off the route
Fredericksburg, VA
Hours: 8:30 am–5 pm
+15407868344
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Ruther Glen, Virginia
Later in the drive, right off the route
Fredericksburg, Virginia
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+15408584242
Visit websiteLater in the drive, right off the route
Fredericksburg, Virginia
+15402264261
Visit websiteNear the start, right off the route
Hampton, Virginia
Hours: 8 am–6 pm
+17577276348
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Springfield, Virginia
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+15715064322
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Hampton, Virginia
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+17577270900
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Williamsburg, Virginia
Hours: 2–9 pm
+17576032594
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Fredericksburg, Virginia
Hours: 12–9 pm
+15403861351
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Woodbridge, Virginia
Hours: 4–8 pm
+15712618677
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
5 decision points cluster between mile 65.9 and 177.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
Keep slight right at fork onto I 395 / Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway toward I 395 North, I 495 North: Washington, Tysons Corner
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward I 66 West: Vienna, Front Royal
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward VA 243: Nutley Street, Vienna, Fairfax
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward VA 243 North: Nutley Street, Vienna
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$27.99 one way
$55.98 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $30.61 | $61.21 |
| premium | $4.70 | $33.13 | $66.26 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $39.52 | $79.04 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 62.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 53.7 | 0 | $18.79 | $8.59 |
| Efficient EV | 44.8 | 0 | $15.66 | $7.16 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 71.6 | 0 | $25.06 | $11.46 |
Gas CO2
63 kg
EV CO2
21 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in East Hampton on Tuesday
Local time
10:20 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Destination
Morning in Vienna on Tuesday
Local time
10:20 AM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
51°F
Ashland, VA
90 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
National Historical Park
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...
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...
National Scenic Trail
The Potomac River corridor is rich in both history and recreation, offering a chance to both explore your heritage and choose your adventure along the way. Start your journey here!
National Battlefield
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Expect a highway-focused experience for this journey, with 82% of the drive on interstates. The majority of your travel will be on I-95, where you'll encounter the longest uninterrupted stretch of 82.3 miles. While primarily interstate, the route incorporates sections of I-64 and the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, offering a consistent pace. This drive is characterized by its efficiency, prioritizing direct travel over leisurely scenic detours.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and I 64. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 65.9 miles in.
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 21 significant decision points across 179 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 65.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 165.2 miles (I 395 / Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 174 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between East Hampton, VA and Vienna, VA, road signs point toward Rocky Mount and Tysons Corner.
Rocky Mount
Tysons Corner
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 30m. Total distance: 179 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 30m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (82%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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