This 167.4-mile drive from Franconia, VA to Hampton, VA is a straightforward, highway-focused trip that can easily be completed in a single day, taking approximately 3 hours and 14 minutes. With a fuel cost estimated at $26, it's an economical option for a quick getaway or transition. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on major interstates like I-95 and I-64, making it a functional route rather than a scenic tour. The drive traverses within the Southeast region, staying within Virginia. Given its manageable length and highway concentration, this route is well-suited for a day trip, allowing for flexibility in your departure and arrival times.
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
83.7 miles from Franconia, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 37m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
64.2 mi
1h 11m
I 95
48.6 mi
53m
Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
34.7 mi
40m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
13 mi
14m
Franconia Road
1.7 mi
4m
North Armistead Avenue
0.4 mi
1m
West Pembroke Avenue
0.3 mi
<1m
North King Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 64.2 mi, about 1h 11m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Franconia, VA and Hampton, VA.
1
Start on SR 644
113 ft·4 sec·Franconia Road
2
Continue on SR 644
1.3 mi·3 min·Franconia Road
Use the left lane.
3
Continue on Franconia Road
0.4 mi·1 min·Franconia Road
Toward I 95, I 395, I 495: Frontier Drive, Loisdale Road, Commerce StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Take the ramp
277 ft·6 sec
Toward I 95 North, I 95 SouthUse the slight right lane.
5
Keep slight right at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 95 South: RichmondUse the slight right lane.
6
Merge onto I 95
35 mi·40 min·Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
49 mi·53 min·I 95
Use the straight lane.
8
Take the exit
1.9 mi·2 min
Exit 84AToward I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va BeachUse the slight left / straight lanes.
9
Merge onto I 295
13 mi·14 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
1.3 mi·2 min
Exit 28AToward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia BeachUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 64
64 mi·1 hr 11 min·I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.1 mi·25 sec
Exit 265CToward Armistead Avenue, Langley Air Force BaseUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork
199 ft·6 sec
Toward Armistead Avenue, Langley Air Force BaseUse the left / right lanes.
14
Turn straight onto Rip Rap Road
0.2 mi·21 sec·Rip Rap Road
15
Turn sharp left onto VA 134
0.4 mi·1 min·North Armistead Avenue
16
Turn left onto VA 351
0.3 mi·39 sec·West Pembroke Avenue
17
Turn right onto North King Street
524 ft·19 sec·North King Street
18
Continue on North King Street
432 ft·18 sec·North King Street
19
Arrive at destination
North King Street
Trip Plan
For this 3-hour, 14-minute drive, consider an early morning departure to avoid potential traffic, especially as you navigate through or near urban areas. With only one recommended stop, you have plenty of flexibility to break up the 167.4 miles as needed, perhaps for a quick fuel refill or a brief stretch. The estimated fuel cost of $26 is a good baseline, but always factor in potential price fluctuations. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, particularly before embarking on the longest stretch of 64.2 miles on I-64, to ensure you have ample gas to reach your destination or the next available service area.
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 83.7 miles from Franconia, VA, or about 1h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 64.2 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 37 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 83.7 miles or 1h 37m 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 38m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hampton, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Franconia, 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 Franconia, VA
This is one driving day of about 167.4 miles and 3h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from Franconia, 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 64.2 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 1.8 and 166.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
1.8 mi into trip|~4m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 95 South: Richmond
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 95 South: Richmond
8
85.9 mi into trip|~1h 40m in
Take the exit toward I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va Beach
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 84A
Toward I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va B...
8
100.8 mi into trip|~1h 56m 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
166.2 mi into trip|~3h 10m in
Take the exit toward Armistead Avenue, Langley Air Force Base
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 265C
Toward Armistead Avenue, Langley Air Force Base
9
166.4 mi into trip|~3h 11m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Armistead Avenue, Langley Air Force Base
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left / right lanes.
Toward Armistead Avenue, Langley Air Force Base
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.18 one way
$52.36 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg59 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$28.62
$57.25
premium
$4.70
$30.98
$61.96
diesel
$5.61
$36.96
$73.92
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
50.2
0
$17.58
$8.04
Efficient EV
41.9
0
$14.65
$6.70
EV Truck/SUV
67
0
$23.44
$10.71
Gas CO2
59 kg
EV CO2
20 kg (66% 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
Franconia, VA
Morning
in Franconia on Tuesday
Local time
8:13 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Mostly Clear
NE 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Hampton, VA
Morning
in Hampton on Tuesday
Local time
8:13 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live 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.
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
11 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
3h 14m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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.
Colonial National Historical Park
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...
1 mi from route
~2 min detour
$15
near mile 144.3
Park Closure: Rehabilitation of Colonial Parkway Continues
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...
3 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 167.4
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...
26 mi from route
~66 min detour
Free
near mile 103.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a drive that is predominantly highway-focused, with 67% of the journey on interstates. You'll experience a significant stretch of 64.2 miles on I-64 without interruption, which can feel like a steady cruise. The main roads include Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway, I-95, and I-64, indicating a consistent, fast-paced travel experience. This isn't a route for winding country roads; rather, it's designed for efficient travel, prioritizing speed and directness over leisurely exploration. The character remains largely consistent as you move from one major highway to the next.
67% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 64.2 mi on I 64.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and I 95. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.8 miles in.
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 167.4 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 1.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 85.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 100.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Franconia, VA and Hampton, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk, Va Beach and Virginia Beach.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 14m. Total distance: 167.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 64.2 miles on I 64. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 1 rest area or service plaza 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 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. There are 1 rest area along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 85.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 100.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Colonial National Historical Park, Fort Monroe National Monument and Petersburg National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Hampton, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
