Hampton, VA to Stuart, VA is 281.6 miles and takes about 5h 48m via Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike, I 64, and US 58, with a fuel budget near $44 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Virginia, moving from the Southeast region of the state to its southern part. You'll spend most of your time on highways, making for a straightforward drive. Given the relatively short duration, it's a manageable one-day trip, perfect for getting between these two points efficiently.
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
140.8 miles from Hampton, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 44m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
55.8 mi
1h
I 64
51.2 mi
56m
US 58
48.5 mi
1h 2m
Highway 58
37.7 mi
48m
Philpott Road
19.7 mi
25m
Danville Expressway
13.9 mi
16m
Roxbury Road
13.3 mi
17m
South Boston Highway
5.3 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
— 55.8 mi, about 1h
Traffic on I-85
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 48 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~887 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,234
Quietest
2 AM
~140 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Stuart, 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
51 mi·56 min·I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Exit 211Toward VA 106: Talleysville, RoxburyUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork
152 ft·7 sec
9
Turn left onto VA 106
3.2 mi·4 min·Emmaus Church Road
10
Continue on VA 106
13 mi·17 min·Roxbury Road
11
Continue on VA 106; VA 156
1.9 mi·2 min·Jordan Point Road
12
Turn right onto VA 10; VA 106; VA 156
2.0 mi·2 min·James River Drive
13
Continue on VA 10; VA 156 BUS
1.2 mi·2 min·East Randolph Road
14
Turn left onto VA 156 Business
1.8 mi·2 min·Winston Churchill Drive
15
Continue on VA 36
0.4 mi·26 sec·Oaklawn Boulevard
16
Continue on VA 36
1.0 mi·1 min·Woodlawn Street
17
Continue on VA 36
1.0 mi·1 min·Oaklawn Boulevard
18
Continue on VA 36
4.3 mi·5 min·East Washington Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.5 mi·58 sec
Toward I 85 South, I 95 South
20
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward I 85 South, US 460 West: DurhamUse the slight left lane.
21
Merge onto I 85
56 mi·1 hr·Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 12BToward US 58 West, SR 47: South Hill, Chase CityUse the slight right lane.
23
Keep slight left at fork
252 ft·9 sec
Exit 12BToward US 58 West, SR 47: South Hill, Chase City
24
Turn right onto US 58
503 ft·12 sec·East Atlantic Street
25
Continue on US 58
3.5 mi·4 min·South Hill Bypass
26
Continue on US 1; US 58
3.2 mi·4 min·Highway 1
27
Continue on US 58
19 mi·24 min·Highway 58
28
Turn straight onto US 58
4.0 mi·5 min·Clarksville Bypass
Toward US 58 West, US 15 South, VA 49 South: South Boston, DanvilleUse the straight lane.
29
Continue on US 58; VA 49
19 mi·24 min·Highway 58
Use the left lane.
30
Continue on US 58; US 360
20 mi·25 min·Philpott Road
31
Continue on US 58; US 360
5.3 mi·7 min·South Boston Highway
32
Continue on US 58; US 360
3.1 mi·5 min·South Boston Road
33
Take the ramp onto US 58
0.3 mi·39 sec·US 58
Toward US 29 South, US 58 West: Greesboro, Martinsville
34
Merge onto US 29; US 58
14 mi·16 min·Danville Expressway
35
Keep slight left at fork onto US 58
15 mi·20 min·US 58
36
Take the exit onto US 58
10 mi·12 min·US 58
Toward US 58 West: Stuart, Roanoke
37
Take the exit onto US 58
23 mi·29 min·US 58
Toward US 58 West: Stuart
38
Turn left onto US 58 BUS
0.5 mi·1 min·East Blue Ridge Street
39
Arrive at destination
US 58 BUS
Trip Plan
For this 5-hour, 48-minute drive, leaving Hampton, VA in the morning is your best bet to maximize daylight. With only one recommended stop and the bulk of the mileage on highways, you can easily complete this trip in a single day. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $44 estimated cost suggests a need for at least one fill-up. The longest stretch without an exit is 55.8 miles on the Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike, so plan your last restroom break before entering that section.
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 140.8 miles from Hampton, VA, or about 2h 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 55.8 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 62 miles or 1h 12m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 140.8 miles or 2h 44m 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 42m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Stuart, 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 281.6 miles and 5h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 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 Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike for about 55.8 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 3.9 and 142.1 — 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
55.1 mi into trip|~1h 3m in
Take the exit toward VA 106: Talleysville, Roxbury
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 211
Toward VA 106: Talleysville, Roxbury
8
85.9 mi into trip|~1h 44m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 85 South, US 460 West: Durham
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 85 South, US 460 West: Durham
8
141.9 mi into trip|~2h 45m in
Take the exit toward US 58 West, SR 47: South Hill, Chase City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 12B
Toward US 58 West, SR 47: South Hill, Chase Cit...
8
142.1 mi into trip|~2h 45m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 58 West, SR 47: South Hill, Chase City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 12B
Toward US 58 West, SR 47: South Hill, Chase Cit...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$44.79 one way
$89.58 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg99 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.41
$48.84
$97.67
premium
$4.78
$52.98
$105.97
diesel
$5.35
$59.31
$118.63
Estimated Tolls: $3.91
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
(55.8 mi)$3.91
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$45
Tolls
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$74–$99
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 98.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
84.5
1
$29.57
$13.52
Efficient EV
70.4
0
$24.64
$11.26
EV Truck/SUV
112.6
1
$39.42
$18.02
Gas CO2
99 kg
EV CO2
33 kg (67% 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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Hampton, VA
Afternoon
in Hampton on Wednesday
Local time
2:58 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Mostly Cloudy
SW 13 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Stuart, VA
Afternoon
in Stuart on Wednesday
Local time
2:58 PM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Mostly Clear
W 2 mph0% chanceLive forecast
82°F
Lawrenceville, VA
141 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
4 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
5h 48m 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...
2 mi from route
~6 min detour
$15
near mile 19.4
Park Closure: Jamestown Island Loop Drive to Temporarily Close to Vehicles
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...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 87.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway driving, with 75% of the 281.6 miles on major roads like the Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike and I-64. You'll encounter your longest continuous stretch without exiting on the Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike, covering 55.8 miles. Expect a significant number of exits and merges as you navigate these high-speed corridors, especially in the initial stages before transitioning to US 58.
75% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
39 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 55.8 mi on Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike 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 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 23 significant decision points across 281.6 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 55.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 85.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,340 ft7 ft
Total Climb
1,424 ft
Total Descent
91 ft
Highest Point
1,340 ft
~281.6 mi in
Elevation Range
1,333 ft
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 Stuart, VA, road signs point toward Roxbury, Chase City, Danville, Martinsville and Roanoke.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 48m. Total distance: 281.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (75%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 55.8 miles on Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $3.91 in tolls one way, starting with Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
Yes — we found about 14 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 Stuart, 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 14 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 55.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 85.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.8 hours each way, a round trip means 11.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Stuart, VA before the return drive.
