This 400.2-mile drive from Hampton, VA to Richlands, VA is a substantial journey, estimated to take around 7 hours and 33 minutes of driving time. Primarily utilizing I-64, I-81, and I-77, it's a highway-focused experience that can be managed as a single day trip if you start early. With a projected fuel cost of approximately $63, this route offers a direct path through the Southeast region of Virginia. The long stretches on the interstate mean you can cover significant ground efficiently, making it a practical choice for reaching your destination without needing an overnight stop.
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
200.1 miles from Hampton, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 42m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
181.4 mi
3h 18m
I 81
117.1 mi
2h 9m
I 77
28.4 mi
31m
Governor G C Peery Highway
27.2 mi
34m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
22.6 mi
24m
Big Laurel Highway
9.9 mi
11m
John Nash Boulevard
2.5 mi
2m
Hampton Roads Beltway
2.5 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 181.4 mi, about 3h 18m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hampton, VA and Richlands, 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
120 mi·2 hr 10 min·I 64
Toward I 64 West: CharlottesvilleUse 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 right at fork onto I 77
27 mi·30 min·I 77
Toward I 77 North: Bluefield, Charleston W. Va.Use the slight right lane.
15
Take the exit onto US 52
0.3 mi·1 min·US 52
Exit 1Toward US 52 North: Bluefield
16
Turn right onto US 52
2.5 mi·2 min·John Nash Boulevard
17
Take the exit onto US 52
0.3 mi·37 sec·US 52
Toward US 460 West: Bluefield
18
Merge onto US 52; US 460; US 52 Truck
9.9 mi·11 min·Big Laurel Highway
Use the left / straight lanes.
19
Continue on US 19; US 460
27 mi·34 min·Governor G C Peery Highway
20
Take the exit onto US 460
386 ft·10 sec·US 460
21
Merge onto US 460
2.4 mi·4 min·Governor George C Peery Highway
22
Take the exit
156 ft·4 sec
Toward US 460 BUS: Cedar Bluff, Richlands
23
Turn right onto SR F608
0.1 mi·12 sec·SR F608
24
At end of road, turn right onto US 460 BUS
0.5 mi·51 sec·Cedar Valley Drive
25
Continue on US 460 BUS
1.2 mi·1 min·West Front Street
26
Turn left onto Virginia Avenue
88 ft·2 sec·Virginia Avenue
27
Arrive at destination
Virginia Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 7-hour 33-minute driving duration, an early morning departure from Hampton is highly recommended to complete this 400.2-mile trip in one day. With two planned stops, aim to break up the drive roughly in half to maintain alertness. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 181.4-mile stretch on I-64, and plan your refueling accordingly. The $63 fuel cost is an estimate, so check current prices. This route is designed for efficient travel, so focus on steady progress and enjoying the journey across Virginia.
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 200.1 miles from Hampton, VA, or about 3h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 181.4 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 88 miles or 1h 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 200.1 miles or 3h 42m 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 17m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Richlands, 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 400.2 miles and 7h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 88 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 64 for about 181.4 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 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.9 and 328.6 — 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
8
328.6 mi into trip|~6h 4m in|I 77
Keep slight right at fork onto I 77 toward I 77 North: Bluefield, Charleston W. Va.
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 77 North: Bluefield, Charleston W. Va.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$62.58 one way
$125.16 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg140 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$68.43
$136.86
premium
$4.70
$74.07
$148.14
diesel
$5.61
$88.36
$176.72
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$63
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$88–$113
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 140 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $42 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
120.1
1
$42.02
$19.21
Efficient EV
100.1
1
$35.02
$16.01
EV Truck/SUV
160.1
2
$56.03
$25.61
Gas CO2
140 kg
EV CO2
47 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.
Forecast as of Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Hampton, VA
Night
in Hampton on Saturday
Local time
9:24 PM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Richlands, VA
Night
in Richlands on Saturday
Local time
9:24 PM
EDT
Current temp
70°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
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
7h 33m 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
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
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...
Booker T. Washington was born a slave in April 1856 on the 207-acre farm of James Burroughs. After the Civil War, Washington became the first principal of Tuskegee Normal and Industrial School. Later...
23 mi from route
~57 min detour
Free
near mile 262.2
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive, with 82% of the 400.2 miles on interstates. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 181.4 miles on I-64, allowing for substantial progress without frequent exits. While the majority of the route is on high-speed interstates like I-64, I-81, and I-77, the overall character is geared towards covering distance efficiently rather than winding scenic byways. This means you'll experience the typical flow of interstate travel for most of your journey.
82% 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: 181.4 mi on I 64.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and I 81. 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 22 significant decision points across 400.2 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.
Between Hampton, VA and Richlands, VA, road signs point toward Rocky Mount and Charleston W. Va..
Rocky Mount
65 mi in|~1h 14m
Charleston W. Va.
328.6 mi in|~6h 4m|via I 77
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 33m. Total distance: 400.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 33m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 181.4 miles on I 64. 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 Richlands, 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.
Yes — Fort Monroe National Monument, Colonial National Historical Park and Booker T Washington National Monument (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.6 hours each way, a round trip means 15.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Richlands, VA before the return drive.
