This 176-mile journey from Hampton, VA, to Greenbriar, VA, is a manageable 3.5-hour drive, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day trip. With 81% of the route on highways, expect a straightforward drive focused on efficiency. The estimated fuel cost is around $28, which is quite reasonable for this distance. This trip stays within the Southeast region, so you won't encounter significant geographical shifts. Given its duration and highway-focused profile, this route is ideal if you're looking for a quick and uncomplicated transit between these two Virginia locations.
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 miles from Hampton, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 40m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
73.7 mi
1h 22m
I 64
61.1 mi
1h 7m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
11.9 mi
12m
Ox Road
8.9 mi
13m
Fairfax County Parkway
7.8 mi
11m
Hampton Roads Beltway
2.5 mi
3m
Gordon Boulevard
1 mi
2m
North Armistead Avenue
0.9 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 73.7 mi, about 1h 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hampton, VA and Greenbriar, 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
12 mi·12 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
10
Take the exit
2.4 mi·2 min
Exit 43AToward I 95 North: WashingtonUse the slight left lane.
11
Merge onto I 95
46 mi·49 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 95; US 17
1.6 mi·1 min·I 95; US 17
13
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
14
Merge onto I 95
26 mi·31 min·I 95
Use the slight left lane.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·34 sec
Exit 160BToward VA 123 North: Occoquan, Lake RidgeUse the right lane.
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·17 sec
Toward VA 123 North: Occoquan, Lake Ridge
17
Continue on VA 123
1.0 mi·2 min·Gordon Boulevard
18
Continue on VA 123
8.9 mi·13 min·Ox Road
Use the left lane.
19
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward VA 286 North: Fairfax County Parkway
20
Merge onto VA 286
7.8 mi·11 min·Fairfax County Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi·41 sec
Toward US 50 West
22
Merge onto US 50
0.8 mi·1 min·Route 50
23
Turn left onto SR 4840
0.5 mi·1 min·Majestic Lane
Use the left lane.
24
Turn right onto SR 4831
0.2 mi·41 sec·Poplar Tree Road
25
Turn left onto Pond Way
283 ft·14 sec·Pond Way
26
Turn right onto Pennypacker Lane
285 ft·12 sec·Pennypacker Lane
27
Arrive at destination
Pennypacker Lane
Trip Plan
For this 3.5-hour drive, departing in the morning is advisable to avoid potential midday traffic, especially on I-95. Since it's a relatively short trip with only one planned stop, you have flexibility in your pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the longest stretch without an exit is over 70 miles. A good tip is to utilize the numerous service areas available along I-95, as they offer convenient places to refuel and stretch your legs before reaching Greenbriar.
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 miles from Hampton, VA, or about 1h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 73.7 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 miles or 1h 40m 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 43m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Greenbriar, 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 miles and 3h 30m.
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 95 for about 73.7 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 23
5 decision points cluster between mile 65 and 156.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
7
78.7 mi into trip|~1h 30m in
Take the exit toward I 95 North: Washington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 43A
Toward I 95 North: Washington
8
155.8 mi into trip|~2h 56m in
Take the exit toward VA 123 North: Occoquan, Lake Ridge
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 160B
Toward VA 123 North: Occoquan, Lake Ridge
7
156.1 mi into trip|~2h 57m in
Keep slight left at fork toward VA 123 North: Occoquan, Lake Ridge
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward VA 123 North: Occoquan, Lake Ridge
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.52 one way
$55.05 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg62 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$30.09
$60.19
premium
$4.70
$32.57
$65.15
diesel
$5.61
$38.86
$77.72
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
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 $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
52.8
0
$18.48
$8.45
Efficient EV
44
0
$15.40
$7.04
EV Truck/SUV
70.4
0
$24.64
$11.26
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 17, 2026
Origin
Hampton, VA
Morning
in Hampton on Sunday
Local time
8:02 AM
EDT
Current temp
83°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny
NW 6 mph18% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Greenbriar, VA
Morning
in Greenbriar on Sunday
Local time
8:02 AM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
49°F
Bowling Green, VA
88 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
6 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
3h 30m 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...
3 mi from route
~6 min detour
$15
near mile 24.3
Park Closure: Rehabilitation of Colonial Parkway Continues
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...
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!
20 mi from route
~51 min detour
Free
near mile 176
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
~66 min detour
Free
near mile 66.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
The drive is predominantly highway-focused, with over 80% of the 176 miles utilizing major interstates like I-95 and I-64, plus the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway. You'll encounter one long stretch of 73.7 miles on I-95, offering a period of consistent speed. While primarily an interstate experience, the transitions between these roads are generally smooth. This route prioritizes getting you to your destination efficiently rather than offering winding scenic byways, embodying a functional highway profile.
81% 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: 73.7 mi on I 95.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and I 64. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 65 miles in.
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 23 significant decision points across 176 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 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; at 78.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 Greenbriar, VA, road signs point toward Rocky Mount and Lake Ridge.
Rocky Mount
65 mi in|~1h 14m
Lake Ridge
155.8 mi in|~2h 56m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 30m. Total distance: 176 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 30m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (81%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 73.7 miles on I 95. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 1 rest area or service plaza 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 Greenbriar, 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 1 rest area along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: 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; at 78.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Colonial National Historical Park, Fort Monroe National Monument and Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Greenbriar, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
