Traveling from Hampton to Amherst covers 176.2 miles and typically takes about 3 hours and 45 minutes of driving time. Because this is a manageable distance, it works perfectly as a single-day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about booking overnight accommodations. You can expect to spend roughly $28 on fuel for the journey, making it a budget-friendly way to move from the Southeast coast toward the interior. The route primarily utilizes West Pembroke Avenue, North Armistead Avenue, and I-64 West to navigate out of the Hampton area. Since you are staying within Virginia, the transition between these two regions is straightforward and efficient. Overall, this trip is ideal for those who prefer a direct drive without the logistical headache of a multi-day itinerary.
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
88.1 miles from Hampton, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 47m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
69.1 mi
1h 16m
Anderson Highway
40.8 mi
53m
West James Anderson Highway
17.1 mi
22m
Richmond Highway
14.7 mi
20m
Midlothian Turnpike
9.9 mi
16m
East James Anderson Highway
8.1 mi
9m
Powhite Parkway
3.5 mi
4m
Downtown Expressway
2.5 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 69.1 mi, about 1h 16m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hampton, VA and Amherst, VA.
1
Start on North King Street
126 ft·5 sec·North King Street
2
Turn left onto VA 351
0.3 mi·42 sec·West Pembroke Avenue
3
Turn right onto VA 134
0.9 mi·1 min·North Armistead Avenue
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward I 64 WestUse the left lane.
5
Merge onto I 64
2.5 mi·3 min·Hampton Roads Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64
69 mi·1 hr 16 min·I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 193AToward VA 33 West: Nine Mile RoadUse the slight right lane.
8
Turn straight onto VA 33
1.0 mi·1 min·Nine Mile Road
9
Enter roundabout onto North 25th Street
148 ft·2 sec·North 25th Street
10
Continue on North 25th Street
0.5 mi·48 sec·North 25th Street
11
Enter roundabout onto North 25th Street
100 ft·2 sec·North 25th Street
12
Continue on North 25th Street
0.5 mi·1 min·North 25th Street
13
Turn right onto US 60
0.3 mi·29 sec·East Main Street
14
Turn left onto South 21st Street
0.1 mi·17 sec·South 21st Street
15
At end of road, turn right onto Dock Street
0.4 mi·49 sec·Dock Street
16
At end of road, turn right onto US 360; US 60 ALT
306 ft·12 sec·South 14th Street
Use the left / right lanes.
17
Turn left onto East Canal Street
0.2 mi·36 sec·East Canal Street
18
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·14 sec
Toward VA 195 Toll West
19
Merge onto VA 195
2.5 mi·3 min·Downtown Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto VA 146
1.1 mi·1 min·VA 146
Toward Powhite ParkwayUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
21
Merge onto VA 76
1.0 mi·1 min·Powhite Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork onto VA 76
1.0 mi·1 min·E-ZPass Only (Powhite Parkway)
23
Merge onto VA 76
2.5 mi·3 min·Powhite Parkway
24
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward US 60: Midlothian TurnpikeUse the slight right lane.
25
Continue on this road
0.1 mi·19 sec·this road
Toward US 60: Midlothian Turnpike
26
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward US 60 West: Midlothian Turnpike, MidlothianUse the slight right lane.
27
Merge onto US 60
9.9 mi·16 min·Midlothian Turnpike
Use the straight / right lanes.
28
Continue on US 60
37 mi·48 min·Anderson Highway
29
Continue on US 60
8.1 mi·9 min·East James Anderson Highway
30
Continue on US 60
17 mi·22 min·West James Anderson Highway
31
Continue on US 60
4.1 mi·5 min·Anderson Highway
32
Continue on US 60
15 mi·20 min·Richmond Highway
33
Turn sharp left onto SR T1112
432 ft·14 sec·Washington Street
34
Turn right onto 2nd Street
0.2 mi·35 sec·2nd Street
35
Turn right onto Goodwin Street
146 ft·6 sec·Goodwin Street
36
Arrive at destination
Goodwin Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 3 hour and 45 minute journey, try to depart early in the morning to bypass the heaviest local traffic on the initial segments of West Pembroke and North Armistead. Since the route includes one planned stop, use that time to stretch and refuel, keeping in mind the $28 estimated fuel cost for your budget. The flexibility of a one-day trip is your biggest advantage, allowing you to adjust your departure based on local congestion rather than a rigid schedule. Pay close attention to the turn-heavy nature of the route, as navigation can be more demanding than standard interstate travel. If you are prone to motion sickness, account for the frequent turns by planning your stop midway through the drive to ensure a comfortable experience for everyone in the vehicle.
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 88.1 miles from Hampton, VA, or about 1h 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 69.1 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 39 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 88.1 miles or 1h 47m 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 2m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Amherst, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving 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 Hampton, VA
This is one driving day of about 176.2 miles and 3h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from 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 I 64 for about 69.1 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 25
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.9 and 84.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
3.9 mi into trip|~6m 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.
7
73 mi into trip|~1h 23m in
Take the exit toward VA 33 West: Nine Mile Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 193A
Toward VA 33 West: Nine Mile Road
6
76.1 mi into trip|~1h 29m in|US 360; US 60 ALT / South 14th Street
At end of road, turn right onto US 360; US 60 ALT / South 14th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / right lanes.
7
78.9 mi into trip|~1h 33m in|VA 146
Keep slight left at fork onto VA 146 toward Powhite Parkway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward Powhite Parkway
9
84.9 mi into trip|~1h 42m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 60 West: Midlothian Turnpike, Midlothian
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 60 West: Midlothian Turnpike, Midloth...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.55 one way
$55.11 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg62 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$30.13
$60.25
premium
$4.70
$32.61
$65.22
diesel
$5.61
$38.90
$77.81
Estimated Tolls: $0.69
Midlothian Turnpike
(9.9 mi)$0.69
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
$28
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 61.6 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
52.9
0
$18.50
$8.46
Efficient EV
44.1
0
$15.42
$7.05
EV Truck/SUV
70.5
0
$24.67
$11.28
Gas CO2
62 kg
EV CO2
21 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
Hampton, VA
Late night
in Hampton on Sunday
Local time
3:33 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Amherst, VA
Late night
in Amherst on Sunday
Local time
3:33 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
10 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 45m 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.
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...
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 April 9, 1865, the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia in the McLean House in the village of Appomattox Court House, Virginia signaled the effective end of the nation's largest war. Question...
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...
22 mi from route
~54 min detour
Free
near mile 85.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise, as the route requires navigating away from the coast through urban and local connectors before transitioning to the highway. With a 0% highway share noted for the primary segments, you will spend a significant amount of time maneuvering through local traffic patterns and turns. The road’s personality is defined by these technical stretches, which demand more focus than a simple highway slog. As you progress through the 176.2-mile journey, the character of the road shifts from the dense infrastructure of Hampton toward the more varied terrain leading to Amherst. Stay alert behind the wheel, as the constant turns keep the drive engaging and prevent the feeling of a repetitive long-haul trek.
49% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
36 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 69.1 mi on I 64.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 3.9 miles in near I 64.
Driving Effort10/10
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 25 significant decision points across 176.2 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 3.9 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 73 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 76.1 miles (US 360; US 60 ALT / South 14th Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Hampton, VA to Amherst, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Midlothian along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 45m. Total distance: 176.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 69.1 miles on I 64. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.69 in tolls one way, starting with Midlothian 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.
Yes — we found about 4 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 Amherst, 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 4 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.9 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 73 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 76.1 miles (US 360; US 60 ALT / South 14th Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Colonial National Historical Park, Fort Monroe National Monument and Appomattox Court House National Historical Park (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Amherst, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
