Origin
Hampton, VA
Night in Hampton on Saturday
Local time
9:26 PM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Hampton, VA to Gate City, VA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
7h 55m
Distance
424.2 mi
683 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$66
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
7h 47m
★
6 AM
7h 55m
8 AM
8h 13m
10 AM
8h 2m
12 PM
8h 0m
3 PM
8h 3m
5 PM
8h 12m
8 PM
7h 50m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Hampton, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Gate City, VA
Pham Ngoc Anh
Trip Overview
This 424.2-mile drive from Hampton, VA to Gate City, VA will take approximately 7 hours and 55 minutes. With a fuel cost estimated at $68, this route is designed for a single day of travel, though you'll want to be prepared for a 'turn-heavy local drive' profile. Since both your origin and destination are in the Southeast region, you'll remain within familiar territory throughout your journey. The drive involves 2 planned stops, making it manageable without an overnight stay. Consider this an honest assessment for your trip planning.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
212.1 miles from Hampton, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 55m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 81 | 191 mi | 3h 28m |
| I 64 | 181.4 mi | 3h 18m |
| Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway | 22.6 mi | 24m |
| US 11W | 9.5 mi | 11m |
| Bloomingdale Pike | 5.1 mi | 8m |
| Wadlow Gap Highway | 4.7 mi | 5m |
| Hampton Roads Beltway | 2.5 mi | 3m |
| I 77 | 1.3 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 191 mi, about 3h 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hampton, VA and Gate City, 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
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 200
Toward I 295, US 60: Washington, Rocky Mount NC
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork
1.3 mi
·
2 min
Toward I 295 North: Washington
Use 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 53A
Toward I 64 West: Charlottesville
11
Merge onto I 64
120 mi
·
2 hr 10 min
·
I 64
Toward I 64 West: Charlottesville
Use the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
117 mi
·
2 hr 9 min
·
I 81
Use the straight lane.
13
Continue on I 77; I 81; US 52
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
I 77; I 81; US 52
Use the straight lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81; US 52
74 mi
·
1 hr 19 min
·
I 81; US 52
Use the straight lane.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
Exit 74B
Toward US 11W South: Kingsport
16
Merge onto US 11W
9.5 mi
·
11 min
·
US 11W
17
Turn right onto Ollis Bowers Hill Road
357 ft
·
22 sec
·
Ollis Bowers Hill Road
18
Turn left onto Bloomingdale Pike
5.1 mi
·
8 min
·
Bloomingdale Pike
19
Turn right onto TN 93
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
·
North John B Dennis Highway
20
Continue on SR 93
4.7 mi
·
5 min
·
Wadlow Gap Highway
21
Turn right onto US 23; US 58; US 421
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
·
Main Street
22
Continue on US 23; US 58; US 421
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
US Highway 23
23
Turn slight right onto US 23 BUS; US 58 BUS; US 421 BUS
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Kane Street
24
Turn left onto US 23 BUS; US 58 BUS; US 421 BUS
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
·
West Jackson Street
25
Turn right onto SR 665
73 ft
·
7 sec
·
Mianville Road
26
Turn left
48 ft
·
3 sec
27
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 7-hour and 55-minute duration, starting early from Hampton, VA is advisable to make the most of daylight hours. With 2 stops planned over 424.2 miles, aim to pace yourself by taking a break roughly every 2-3 hours to stay refreshed. The fuel cost is estimated at $68, so factor that into your budget. Pay close attention to local signage, as the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile means you'll be making frequent turns, so double-checking your navigation is key, especially as you approach Gate City, VA.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 212.1 miles from Hampton, VA, or about 3h 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 191 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 93 miles or 1h 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 212.1 miles or 3h 55m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 42m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gate City, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Hampton, VA
This is one driving day of about 424.2 miles and 7h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 93 miles from Hampton, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 81 for about 191 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
212 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 93 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 212.1 miles from Hampton, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 81 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 191 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 205 decision points cluster between mile 3.9 and 89.9 — 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
6
89.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 42m in
|
I 64
Merge onto I 64 toward I 64 West: Charlottesville
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 64 West: Charlottesville
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$66.34 one way
$132.67 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
148 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $72.53 | $145.06 |
| premium | $4.70 | $78.51 | $157.02 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $93.66 | $187.32 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$66
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$91–$116
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 148.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $45 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 127.3 | 1 | $44.54 | $20.36 |
| Efficient EV | 106.1 | 1 | $37.12 | $16.97 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 169.7 | 2 | $59.39 | $27.15 |
Gas CO2
148 kg
EV CO2
50 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Gate City, VA
Night in Gate City on Saturday
Local time
9:26 PM
EDT
Current temp
46°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
16 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
7h 55m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' experience for much of this 424.2-mile journey, with a highway share of 0%. This means you'll be navigating local roads for the entire duration, which will contribute to the 7-hour and 55-minute travel time. The absence of long highway stretches means you should anticipate frequent changes in speed and direction. Be ready for a more engaged driving experience as you traverse through various local environments.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 191 mi on I 81.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and I 64. 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 Effort
9/10
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 20 significant decision points across 424.2 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 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.
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 Gate City, 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 7h 55m. Total distance: 424.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 55m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 191 miles on I 81. 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 Gate City, 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 2 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.9 hours each way, a round trip means 15.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Gate City, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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