Origin
Great Falls, VA
Late night in Great Falls on Sunday
Local time
3:33 AM
EDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 39m
Distance
185.4 mi
298 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$29
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Great Falls, VA
Wilson Rodriguez
Hampton, VA
Wikimedia Commons
This 185.4-mile drive from Great Falls, VA, to Hampton, VA, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 39 minutes. Primarily utilizing I-95 and I-64, with a segment on Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway, this route is focused on efficient travel through Virginia. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $29, making it a budget-friendly option. With 61% of the drive on highways, expect a straightforward and practical commute. This trip is ideal for those looking to cover ground quickly within the Southeast region.
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
92.7 miles from Great Falls, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 53m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 64 | 64.2 mi | 1h 11m |
| I 95 | 48.6 mi | 53m |
| Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway | 35.7 mi | 42m |
| Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway | 13 mi | 14m |
| Capital Beltway | 10.1 mi | 12m |
| Leesburg Pike | 3.4 mi | 5m |
| Walker Road | 2 mi | 4m |
| Dulles Toll Road | 1.4 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Great Falls, VA and Hampton, VA.
Start on VA 193
Turn left onto SR 681
At end of road, turn left onto SR 743
Turn left onto VA 7
Take the exit
Merge onto VA 267
Keep slight right at fork onto VA 267
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 495
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 395
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
Take the exit
Merge onto I 295
Take the exit
Merge onto I 64
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Turn straight onto Rip Rap Road
Turn sharp left onto VA 134
Turn left onto VA 351
Turn right onto North King Street
Continue on North King Street
Arrive at destination
Given the relatively short duration of under 4 hours, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day journey. To maximize your time and minimize traffic, consider departing Great Falls, VA, early in the morning. You'll have one major highway, I-64, for a stretch of 64.2 miles, so plan your needs accordingly before reaching that segment. The $29 fuel cost is a good estimate, but it's always wise to have a little extra buffer. With only one recommended stop, you have the flexibility to stop when needed or push through to Hampton efficiently.
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 41 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 92.7 miles or 1h 53m 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
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hampton, VA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Great Falls, 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 Great Falls, VA
This is one driving day of about 185.4 miles and 3h 39m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
93 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 41 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 92.7 miles from Great Falls, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 64 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 64.2 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 19 and 184.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 South, SR 644 East: Richmond, Franconia
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
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
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
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
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
Regular Gas
$28.99 one way
$57.98 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $31.70 | $63.40 |
| premium | $4.70 | $34.31 | $68.63 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $40.93 | $81.87 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.28
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
$29
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 64.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 55.6 | 0 | $19.47 | $8.90 |
| Efficient EV | 46.4 | 0 | $16.22 | $7.42 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 74.2 | 0 | $25.96 | $11.87 |
Gas CO2
65 kg
EV CO2
22 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Great Falls on Sunday
Local time
3:33 AM
EDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Destination
Late night in Hampton on Sunday
Local time
3:33 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
49°F
Bowling Green, VA
93 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 on this route, with 61% of the drive taking place on interstates. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 64.2 miles on I-64, so be prepared for sustained highway driving. While the overall profile is that of a highway commute, the transition between major arteries like I-95 and I-64 will mark the primary change in your driving environment. This route prioritizes directness over scenic detours, offering a consistent pace for most of its 185.4 miles.
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 19 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 24 significant decision points across 185.4 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 19 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 103.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 118.8 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 Great Falls, VA and Hampton, VA, road signs point toward Franconia, Norfolk, Va Beach and Virginia Beach.
Franconia
Norfolk
Va Beach
Virginia Beach
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 39m. Total distance: 185.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.
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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