Hampton, VA to Roanoke, VA is 264.6 miles and takes about 4h 57m via I 64 and I 81, with a fuel budget near $41 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily stays within Virginia, moving from the Southeast region towards the interior. The route is mostly highway, making for a straightforward trip. It's a good option if you're looking for an efficient way to get between these two points without extensive planning. Consider this a solid, no-frills drive that gets you where you need to go.
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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
132.3 miles from Hampton, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 29m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
181.4 mi
3h 18m
I 81
47.7 mi
52m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
22.6 mi
24m
US 220
5.9 mi
8m
Hampton Roads Beltway
2.5 mi
3m
North Armistead Avenue
0.9 mi
1m
US 220 BUS
0.4 mi
1m
West Pembroke Avenue
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 181.4 mi, about 3h 18m
Traffic on I-64
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 180 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,073 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,563
Quietest
2 AM
~120 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
17.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 105 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hampton, VA and Roanoke, 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
48 mi·52 min·I 81
Use the straight lane.
13
Take the exit onto US 220
5.9 mi·8 min·US 220
Exit 143Toward I 581, US 220 South: Airport, RoanokeUse the slight left lane.
14
Take the exit onto US 220 BUS
0.1 mi·17 sec·US 220 BUS
Toward US 11 South, US 220 Business South: Downtown
15
Keep slight left at fork onto US 220 BUS
0.3 mi·56 sec·US 220 BUS
16
Turn right onto Salem Avenue Southeast
0.2 mi·30 sec·Salem Avenue Southeast
17
Turn left onto South Jefferson Street
477 ft·20 sec·South Jefferson Street
18
Turn right onto Kirk Avenue Southwest
379 ft·22 sec·Kirk Avenue Southwest
19
Turn left
115 ft·13 sec
20
Turn left
132 ft·9 sec
21
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Leaving Hampton, VA in the morning, aiming to arrive in Roanoke, VA before evening, is a practical approach for this 4h 57m drive. With a total distance of 264.6 miles, you can comfortably complete this in one day. The longest stretch without a major change is 181.4 miles on I 64, so plan your mid-drive break around that. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially as you approach Roanoke, as the estimated fuel cost is around $41. Given the mostly highway profile, the flexibility of a single-day trip allows you to depart when you're ready.
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 132.3 miles from Hampton, VA, or about 2h 29m 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 58 miles or 1h 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 132.3 miles or 2h 29m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 1m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Roanoke, 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 264.6 miles and 4h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 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 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.9 and 257.9 — 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
8
257.9 mi into trip|~4h 46m in|US 220
Take the exit onto US 220 toward I 581, US 220 South: Airport, Roanoke
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 143
Toward I 581, US 220 South: Airport, Roanoke
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.03 one way
$84.07 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg93 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$45.84
$91.67
premium
$4.78
$49.79
$99.59
diesel
$6.18
$64.37
$128.74
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 92.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
79.4
0
$27.78
$12.70
Efficient EV
66.2
0
$23.15
$10.58
EV Truck/SUV
105.8
1
$37.04
$16.93
Gas CO2
93 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Hampton, VA
Morning
in Hampton on Monday
Local time
7:46 AM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Mostly Clear
NE 18 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued October 19 at 2:38AM EDT until October 19 at 10:00PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Coastal Flood Watch
Coastal Flood Watch issued October 18 at 9:56PM EDT until October 21 at 10:00AM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Destination
Roanoke, VA
Morning
in Roanoke on Monday
Local time
7:46 AM
EDT
Current temp
36°F
Clear
NW 0 to 3 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued October 19 at 2:38AM EDT until October 19 at 10:00PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Coastal Flood Watch
Coastal Flood Watch issued October 18 at 9:56PM EDT until October 21 at 10:00AM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
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
18 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
4h 57m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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
~9 min detour
$15
near mile 18.2
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...
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...
16 mi from route
~39 min detour
Free
near mile 264.6
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
~65 min detour
Free
near mile 63.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is predominantly highway driving, with 89% of the route on major interstates. You'll experience a substantial stretch of 181.4 miles on I 64, which is a good portion of your travel. The highway portion will likely feature consistent speeds and fewer interruptions. Expect the transition to surface roads to occur later in the drive. The sheer percentage of highway driving suggests a relatively smooth and direct experience for most of the trip.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 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?
9/10
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 Effort9/10
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 19 significant decision points across 264.6 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.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,601 ft7 ft
Total Climb
1,768 ft
Total Descent
851 ft
Highest Point
1,601 ft
~189 mi in
Elevation Range
1,595 ft
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 Roanoke, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Rocky Mount along the way.
Roanoke, Virginia, called the "Star City of the South" and "Magic City," is a charming city with beautiful views. A colorfully lit 100-ft star atop Mill Mountain graces the Roanoke Valley. The city sits between Virginia Tech and Smith Mountain Lake in Southwest Virginia. The Roanoke Valley had a population of around 315,000 in 2020.
Top landmarks
•Hotel Roanoke — Historic hotel in Roanoke, Virginia
•Colony House Motor Lodge — motel in Roanoke, Virginia
•Roanoke City Market Historic District — historic district in Roanoke, Virginia, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 57m. Total distance: 264.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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.
Yes — we found about 17 rest areas or service plazas 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 Roanoke, 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 17 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 Booker T Washington National Monument (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 5.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Roanoke, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
