Connecting Hampton to Richmond is a straightforward 78.1-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 32 minutes. Since both cities are located within the Southeast region of Virginia, you will find the transition between the two areas very seamless. This trip is perfectly suited as a quick day trip, allowing you to easily complete the round trip without needing an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $13 for fuel for this one-way leg. Because the route is compact, it serves as an efficient way to travel between these two major hubs without the fatigue of a long-haul drive.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
39.1 miles from Hampton, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 46m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
72.4 mi
1h 21m
Hampton Roads Beltway
2.5 mi
3m
North Armistead Avenue
0.9 mi
1m
North Lombardy Street
0.6 mi
1m
Brook Road
0.6 mi
1m
West Pembroke Avenue
0.3 mi
<1m
Admiral Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Monument Avenue
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 72.4 mi, about 1h 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hampton, VA and Richmond, 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
72 mi·1 hr 21 min·I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.1 mi·19 sec
Exit 76AToward US 1, US 301: Chamberlayne AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Turn right onto Chamberlayne Avenue
314 ft·10 sec·Chamberlayne Avenue
Use the right lane.
9
Continue on Brook Road
0.6 mi·1 min·Brook Road
10
Turn left onto Admiral Street
0.2 mi·26 sec·Admiral Street
Use the left lane.
11
Enter roundabout onto North Lombardy Street
138 ft·3 sec·North Lombardy Street
12
Continue on North Lombardy Street
0.6 mi·1 min·North Lombardy Street
13
Turn slight right onto Monument Avenue
0.1 mi·20 sec·Monument Avenue
14
Enter roundabout onto Marcus-David Peters Circle
463 ft·13 sec·Marcus-David Peters Circle
15
Arrive at destination
Marcus-David Peters Circle
Trip Plan
Because this drive is relatively short, you have plenty of flexibility in your schedule to avoid peak congestion. Since the entire trip is only 1 hour and 32 minutes, you likely won't need any formal stops, but keep an eye on traffic patterns as you navigate the Hampton Roads Beltway. Aim to depart outside of typical morning or evening rush hours to ensure you maintain that estimated travel time. Given the $13 fuel cost, it is wise to fill up before you leave to avoid stopping mid-route. Always check local traffic alerts before heading out, as the reliance on I-64 means that any road work or accidents can impact your arrival time.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 39.1 miles from Hampton, VA, or about 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 72.4 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 17 miles or 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 39.1 miles or 46m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 16m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Richmond, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Hampton, VA
This is one driving day of about 78.1 miles and 1h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Hampton, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 64 for about 72.4 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.2 and 76.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
1.2 mi into trip|~2m in
Take the ramp toward I 64 West
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 64 West
5
1.5 mi into trip|~3m in|I 64 / Hampton Roads Beltway
Merge onto I 64 / Hampton Roads Beltway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
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
76.3 mi into trip|~1h 28m in
Take the exit toward US 1, US 301: Chamberlayne Avenue
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 76A
Toward US 1, US 301: Chamberlayne Avenue
6
76.4 mi into trip|~1h 28m in|Chamberlayne Avenue
Turn right onto Chamberlayne Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.21 one way
$24.43 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg27 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$13.35
$26.71
premium
$4.70
$14.45
$28.91
diesel
$5.61
$17.24
$34.49
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 27.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
23.4
0
$8.20
$3.75
Efficient EV
19.5
0
$6.83
$3.12
EV Truck/SUV
31.2
0
$10.93
$5.00
Gas CO2
27 kg
EV CO2
9 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 20, 2026
Origin
Hampton, VA
Morning
in Hampton on Tuesday
Local time
6:17 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Richmond, VA
Morning
in Richmond on Tuesday
Local time
6:17 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
72°F
West Point, VA
39 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
1h 32m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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...
0 mi from route
~1 min detour
$15
near mile 21.6
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...
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...
25 mi from route
~61 min detour
Free
near mile 70.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a focused interstate experience, as 93% of this trip is comprised of highway driving. You will spend the vast majority of your time on I-64, which accounts for a 72.4-mile stretch of the total distance. The drive begins with local navigation along North Armistead Avenue and the Hampton Roads Beltway before transitioning into a steady, high-speed pace. It is a functional, highway-heavy route designed for efficiency rather than winding backroads. Once you merge onto the main interstate, you can settle into a consistent driving rhythm for nearly the entire duration of the trip.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 72.4 mi on I 64.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and Hampton Roads Beltway. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.2 miles in.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 78.1 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 1.5 miles (I 64 / Hampton Roads Beltway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 3.9 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Richmond is the capital of Virginia. Richmond has a population of 227,000 (2020) and the adjacent counties of Henrico and Chesterfield combine to create a local population of more than 1.3 million people.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 32m. Total distance: 78.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 72.4 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 Richmond, VA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 1.5 miles (I 64 / Hampton Roads Beltway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 3.9 miles (I 64): 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 Richmond, VA before heading back.
