Traveling from Hampton to Charlottesville covers 147 miles, typically taking about 2 hours and 47 minutes behind the wheel. Because this journey is manageable within a single day, you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay unless you prefer a slower pace. You can expect to spend approximately $24 on fuel for the trip, making it a budget-friendly way to move between the coast and the inland region of Virginia. Since both locations are located within the Southeast, the transition is relatively seamless. Whether you are heading out for a quick weekend getaway or a necessary commute, this route provides a straightforward connection that keeps travel time efficient.
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
73.5 miles from Hampton, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 24m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
116.4 mi
2h 7m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
22.6 mi
24m
Hampton Roads Beltway
2.5 mi
3m
Monticello Avenue
1 mi
2m
North Armistead Avenue
0.9 mi
1m
VA 20
0.4 mi
1m
West Pembroke Avenue
0.3 mi
<1m
East Market Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 116.4 mi, about 2h 7m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hampton, VA and Charlottesville, 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
61 mi·1 hr 7 min·I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.5 mi·32 sec
Exit 200Toward I 295, US 60: Washington, Rocky Mount NCUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork
1.3 mi·2 min
Toward I 295 North: WashingtonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 295
23 mi·24 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·55 sec
Exit 53AToward I 64 West: Charlottesville
11
Merge onto I 64
55 mi·59 min·I 64
Toward I 64 West: CharlottesvilleUse the slight right lane.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·33 sec
Toward VA 20: Charlottesville, Scottsville
13
Turn right onto VA 20
1.0 mi·2 min·Monticello Avenue
Use the right lane.
14
Turn slight right onto VA 20
0.4 mi·1 min·VA 20
15
Turn left onto US 250 BUS
458 ft·25 sec·East Market Street
16
Turn left onto 7th Street Northeast
286 ft·15 sec·7th Street Northeast
Use the left lane.
17
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Planning for this 147-mile trek is straightforward, though traffic patterns on major interstates like I-64 can be unpredictable. Given the total duration of nearly three hours, you should comfortably fit one well-timed stop into your itinerary to stretch your legs and refresh. Aim to depart outside of peak commuting hours to avoid congestion, especially when navigating through the Hampton Roads area. Since the route is dominated by high-speed highway driving, ensure your vehicle is prepped for sustained speeds before you leave. Keeping your fuel budget around $24 in mind, consider topping off your tank before hitting the longest 116.4-mile stretch of the interstate to ensure you reach your destination without unnecessary detours.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 73.5 miles from Hampton, VA, or about 1h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 116.4 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 32 miles or 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 73.5 miles or 1h 24m 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 16m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Charlottesville, 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 147 miles and 2h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 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 116.4 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.9 and 146.9 — 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.
8
65 mi into trip|~1h 14m in
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
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 200
Toward I 295, US 60: Washington, Rocky Mount NC
7
65.5 mi into trip|~1h 14m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 295 North: Washington
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 295 North: Washington
6
89.4 mi into trip|~1h 42m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 64 West: Charlottesville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 53A
Toward I 64 West: Charlottesville
7
146.9 mi into trip|~2h 47m in|7th Street Northeast
Turn left onto 7th Street Northeast
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.99 one way
$45.98 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg51 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$25.13
$50.27
premium
$4.70
$27.21
$54.41
diesel
$5.61
$32.46
$64.91
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 51.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
44.1
0
$15.43
$7.06
Efficient EV
36.8
0
$12.86
$5.88
EV Truck/SUV
58.8
0
$20.58
$9.41
Gas CO2
51 kg
EV CO2
17 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 11, 2026
Origin
Hampton, VA
Late night
in Hampton on Sunday
Local time
3:33 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Sunny
NE 14 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Charlottesville, VA
Late night
in Charlottesville on Sunday
Local time
3:33 AM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Sunny
NE 6 mph0% chanceLive forecast
53°F
Ashland, VA
74 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
8 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
2h 47m 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...
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...
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
~64 min detour
Free
near mile 65.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is heavily focused on highway travel, with 79% of the route consisting of major thoroughfares. You will spend the vast majority of your time on I-64, which accounts for a 116.4-mile stretch of the journey, alongside segments of the Hampton Roads Beltway and the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway. Expect a steady, interstate-heavy experience that favors speed and efficiency over winding backroads. As you navigate these high-speed lanes, you will find a consistent driving environment that keeps the pace moving steadily from the coast toward Charlottesville. Staying alert is key during these long, uninterrupted miles, as the road character remains largely uniform throughout the duration of the drive.
79% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 116.4 mi on I 64.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway. 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 Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 147 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 65 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 65.5 miles: 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.
On the drive from Hampton, VA to Charlottesville, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Rocky Mount along the way.
Rocky Mount
65 mi in|~1h 14m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 47m. Total distance: 147 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 47m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (79%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 116.4 miles on I 64. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Charlottesville, 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 3.9 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 65 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 65.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Charlottesville, VA before heading back.
