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Trip from Hampton, VA to Cana, VA

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

6h 20m

Distance

316.1 mi

509 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$49

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min
4 AM
6h 8m ★
6 AM
6h 20m
8 AM
6h 45m
10 AM
6h 29m
12 PM
6h 27m
3 PM
6h 30m
5 PM
6h 44m
8 PM
6h 13m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

independent city in Virginia, United States

Hampton, VA

Wikimedia Commons

census designated place in Carroll County, Virginia, United States

Cana, VA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 316.1-mile journey from Hampton, VA, to Cana, VA, is estimated to take about 6 hours and 20 minutes of driving time. Designed as a single-day trip, it should fit comfortably within one day. Expect to spend around $51 on fuel for this drive. The route is characterized by frequent turns, suggesting a more involved local road experience rather than long stretches of highway. Given that both the origin and destination are in the Southeast region, you'll be staying within familiar territory, making this a straightforward excursion. With only one recommended stop, you can plan your day efficiently.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

158 miles from Hampton, VA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 17m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 85 88.4 mi 1h 39m
Portsmouth Boulevard 62.1 mi 1h 21m
Julian R Allsbrook Highway 24.9 mi 29m
John Gold Memorial Expressway 20.9 mi 23m
I 40 20.3 mi 24m
I 95 19.5 mi 20m
Hampton Roads Beltway 14.7 mi 18m
Winston-Salem Northern Beltway 11.1 mi 12m
Longest stretch: I 85 — 88.4 mi, about 1h 39m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Hampton, VA and Cana, 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 West Use the left lane.
5

Merge onto I 64

0.1 mi · 11 sec · Hampton Roads Beltway
6

Take the exit onto Hampton Roads Beltway

6.8 mi · 8 min · Hampton Roads Beltway
Exit 264 Toward I 664 South: Downtown, Newport News, Suffolk Use the slight right lane.
7

Continue on I 664

4.3 mi · 5 min · Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel
8

Continue on I 664

7.8 mi · 9 min · Hampton Roads Beltway
9

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min
Exit 13A Toward US 13 South, US 58 West, US 460 West: Suffolk Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Merge onto US 13; US 58; US 460

2.0 mi · 2 min · West Military Highway
11

Continue on US 13; US 58; US 460

62 mi · 1 hr 21 min · Portsmouth Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
12

Continue on US 58

4.5 mi · 5 min · Courtland Road
13

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 22 sec
Toward I 95 South: Rocky Mt N.C.
14

Merge onto I 95

19 mi · 20 min · I 95
15

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 26 sec
Toward US 158: Roanoke Rapids, Murfreesboro, Weldon
16

Turn right onto US 158

0.8 mi · 1 min · Julian R Allsbrook Highway
17

Turn straight onto US 158

2.9 mi · 3 min · East Littleton Road
18

Continue on US 158

24 mi · 28 min · Julian R Allsbrook Highway
19

Continue on US 158 Bypass

5.1 mi · 5 min · US 158 Bypass
20

Continue on US 158; US 401

1.2 mi · 1 min · US 158; US 401
21

At end of road, turn left onto US 1; US 158

8.7 mi · 10 min · US 1; US 158
22

Turn right onto Flemingtown Road

0.2 mi · 11 sec · Flemingtown Road
23

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 28 sec
24

Merge onto I 85

1.9 mi · 2 min · I 85
25

Keep slight right at fork onto I 85

44 mi · 48 min · I 85
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26

Keep slight left at fork onto I 85; US 70

42 mi · 48 min · I 85; US 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27

Keep slight right at fork onto I 40

7.7 mi · 9 min · I 40
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
28

Keep slight right at fork onto I 40; US 220

13 mi · 15 min · I 40; US 220
Use the straight lane.
29

Keep slight right at fork onto US 421

6.5 mi · 7 min · Salem Parkway
Exit 206 Toward US 421 North: Kernersville Use the straight lane.
30

Take the exit

0.8 mi · 1 min
Exit 227 Toward NC 74 West Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31

Continue on NC 74

11 mi · 12 min · Winston-Salem Northern Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32

Keep slight left at fork onto NC 74

1.8 mi · 2 min · NC 74
Toward US 52 North: Mount Airy Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33

Merge onto US 52

21 mi · 23 min · John Gold Memorial Expressway
Use the straight lane.
34

Keep slight right at fork onto US 52

11 mi · 12 min · South Andy Griffith Parkway
35

Continue on US 52

2.6 mi · 2 min · Fancy Gap Highway
36

Arrive at destination

US 52

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 6-hour and 20-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Hampton to maximize daylight. Since this is a single-day trip covering 316.1 miles, plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs and refuel, perhaps around the halfway point. The $51 estimated fuel cost is a good budget to keep in mind. Given the 'turn-heavy' nature of this route, pay close attention to your GPS and road signs, especially as you transition between different local roads. This will help you avoid unnecessary detours and keep your journey smooth.

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.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 158 miles from Hampton, VA, or about 3h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 88.4 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 70 miles or 1h 32m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 158 miles or 3h 17m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 5h 13m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cana, 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 316.1 miles and 6h 20m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 70 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 85 for about 88.4 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Vance County, North Carolina, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Henderson, NC

158 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.

Pacing Suggestions

Waverly, VA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 70 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Henderson, NC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 158 miles from Hampton, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 85 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 88.4 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 24

5 decision points cluster between mile 1.6 and 280.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

8
1.6 mi into trip | ~3m in | Hampton Roads Beltway

Take the exit onto Hampton Roads Beltway toward I 664 South: Downtown, Newport News, Suffolk

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 264 Toward I 664 South: Downtown, Newport News, Suf...
8
20.5 mi into trip | ~27m in

Take the exit toward US 13 South, US 58 West, US 460 West: Suffolk

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 13A Toward US 13 South, US 58 West, US 460 West: Su...
8
261.6 mi into trip | ~5h 16m in | US 421 / Salem Parkway

Keep slight right at fork onto US 421 / Salem Parkway toward US 421 North: Kernersville

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane. Exit 206 Toward US 421 North: Kernersville
7
268.1 mi into trip | ~5h 24m in

Take the exit toward NC 74 West

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 227 Toward NC 74 West
7
280.1 mi into trip | ~5h 38m in | NC 74

Keep slight left at fork onto NC 74 toward US 52 North: Mount Airy

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward US 52 North: Mount Airy

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$49.43 one way

$98.86 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 111 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $54.05 $108.10
premium $4.70 $58.50 $117.01
diesel $5.61 $69.79 $139.58

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$49

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$74–$99

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 110.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 94.8 1 $33.19 $15.17
Efficient EV 79 0 $27.66 $12.64
EV Truck/SUV 126.4 1 $44.25 $20.23

Gas CO2

111 kg

EV CO2

37 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 Apr 20, 2026

Origin

Hampton, VA

Late night in Hampton on Tuesday

Local time

5:46 AM

EDT

Current temp

72°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Cana, VA

Late night in Cana on Tuesday

Local time

5:46 AM

EDT

Current temp

76°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

74°F

Henderson, NC

158 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

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

4 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

6h 20m on the road

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

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

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...

3 mi from route ~6 min detour Free
Park Closure: Road Closure and Fishing Pier Impact
View on nps.gov
Colonial National Historical Park

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...

20 mi from route ~51 min detour $15
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

This drive is best described as 'turn-heavy,' meaning you'll encounter numerous changes in direction as you navigate local roads. With a 0% highway share, anticipate a continuous engagement with your steering wheel. The longest uninterrupted stretch isn't specified, but the overall profile suggests a dynamic route rather than a monotonous cruise. You'll likely experience a variety of road conditions and speeds as you move through different communities. This type of drive requires consistent attention, offering a hands-on driving experience.

58% 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: 88.4 mi on I 85.

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 1.6 miles in near Hampton Roads Beltway.

Driving Effort 10/10

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 24 significant decision points across 316.1 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 1.6 miles (Hampton Roads Beltway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 20.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 261.6 miles (US 421 / Salem Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.

Between Hampton, VA and Cana, VA, road signs point toward Murfreesboro and Weldon.

Murfreesboro

109.5 mi in | ~2h 19m

Weldon

109.5 mi in | ~2h 19m

About the Cities

Starting in Hampton, VA

Full guide →

Hampton is a city in the Hampton Roads region of Virginia.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 20m. Total distance: 316.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h 20m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Scenic Drive

Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 88.4 miles on I 85. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

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 Cana, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 1.6 miles (Hampton Roads Beltway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 20.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 261.6 miles (US 421 / Salem Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes — Fort Monroe National Monument and Colonial National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Not recommended in a single day. At 6.3 hours each way, a round trip means 12.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Cana, VA before the return drive.

How this page is built

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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