Spanning 436.8 miles across Virginia, this journey connects Norton to East Hampton in approximately 8 hours and 23 minutes. Because of the significant distance, I recommend treating this as a two-day trip rather than attempting it in a single push. You will primarily navigate via I-81, I-64, and the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, making it a highway-focused transit through the Southeast. Budgeting around $70 for fuel is a smart move to keep your finances on track. While the drive is straightforward, splitting the travel ensures you arrive refreshed rather than exhausted from a full day behind the wheel.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
218.4 miles from Norton, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 18m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 81
196.9 mi
3h 35m
I 64
151.7 mi
2h 46m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
22.9 mi
25m
US 19
12.7 mi
18m
Bull Run Road
12.5 mi
17m
Norton Coeburn Road
8.3 mi
12m
Trail of the Lonesome Pine
7.9 mi
10m
I 77
7.1 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 196.9 mi, about 3h 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Norton, VA and East Hampton, VA.
1
Start on this road
145 ft·11 sec·this road
2
At end of road, turn right onto 8th Street Southwest
130 ft·10 sec·8th Street Southwest
3
Turn right onto US 23 BUS
0.6 mi·1 min·Park Avenue Northwest
Use the straight lane.
4
Continue on US 58 ALT
8.3 mi·12 min·Norton Coeburn Road
Use the straight lane.
5
Continue on US 58 ALT
13 mi·17 min·Bull Run Road
6
Continue on US 58 ALT
365 ft·6 sec·Trail of the Lonesome Pine
7
Continue on US 58 ALT
6.9 mi·9 min·US Highway 58 Alternate
8
Continue on US 58 ALT; VA 71
7.8 mi·10 min·Trail of the Lonesome Pine
9
Turn right onto US 19
13 mi·18 min·US 19
10
Turn left onto US 11
0.5 mi·1 min·West Main Street
11
Turn right onto Preston Street Southwest
0.2 mi·33 sec·Preston Street Southwest
12
At end of road, turn left onto Bradley Street Southwest
0.5 mi·1 min·Bradley Street Southwest
13
At end of road, turn right onto US 58 ALT; VA 75
0.6 mi·1 min·Cummings Street
Use the straight lane.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
15
Merge onto I 81; US 58
57 mi·1 hr 1 min·I 81; US 58
Use the straight lane.
16
Continue on I 77; I 81; US 11; US 52
7.1 mi·7 min·I 77; I 81; US 11; US 52
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81; US 11
140 mi·2 hr 33 min·I 81; US 11
Toward I 81 North, US 11 North: RoanokeUse the straight lane.
18
Continue on I 64; I 81
0.3 mi·17 sec·I 64; I 81
19
Keep slight right at fork onto I 64
90 mi·1 hr 38 min·I 64
Toward I 64 East: RichmondUse the straight lane.
20
Take the exit
1.2 mi·1 min
Exit 177Toward I 295 North: Washington, NorfolkUse the slight right lane.
21
Continue on I 295
23 mi·25 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
1.3 mi·2 min
Exit 28AToward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia BeachUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Merge onto I 64
61 mi·1 hr 7 min·I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit onto VA 134
0.2 mi·28 sec·VA 134
Exit 263Toward US 258 South, US 258 North, VA 134 South: Mercury Boulevard, James River Bridge, ColiseumUse the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight right at fork onto VA 134
4.2 mi·7 min·VA 134
Toward US 258 North, VA 134 South: Mercury Boulevard, ColiseumUse the slight right lane.
26
Turn right onto Southerland Drive
0.2 mi·46 sec·Southerland Drive
27
Arrive at destination
Southerland Drive
Trip Plan
To manage the 8-hour duration effectively, I suggest planning for at least two deliberate stops to stretch your legs and refuel. Since the route is heavily reliant on major corridors, try to depart early in the morning to avoid peak congestion that often impacts interstate travel. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the long 196.9-mile stretch on I-81, as consistent speeds can deplete your tank faster than expected. If you decide to split the journey over two days, look for lodging options near the halfway point to balance your driving time. Staying flexible with your departure window will help you navigate the heavy highway volume more comfortably.
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.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 218.4 miles from Norton, VA, or about 4h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 196.9 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 96 miles or 2h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 218.4 miles or 4h 18m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 218.4 miles or 4h 18m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 7h 13m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near East Hampton, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Norton, 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.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Norton, VA
Aim for roughly 218 miles and 4.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into East Hampton, VA
Aim for roughly 218 miles and 4.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 96 miles from Norton, VA.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 81 for about 196.9 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 115.5 and 432.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
115.5 mi into trip|~2h 25m in|I 81; US 11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81; US 11 toward I 81 North, US 11 North: Roanoke
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 81 North, US 11 North: Roanoke
8
345.4 mi into trip|~6h 37m in
Take the exit toward I 295 North: Washington, Norfolk
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 177
Toward I 295 North: Washington, Norfolk
8
369.5 mi into trip|~7h 4m in
Take the exit toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach
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 28A
Toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach
8
432.2 mi into trip|~8h 15m in|VA 134
Take the exit onto VA 134 toward US 258 South, US 258 North, VA 134 South: Mercury Boulevard, James River Bridge, Coliseum
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 263
Toward US 258 South, US 258 North, VA 134 South...
8
432.4 mi into trip|~8h 15m in|VA 134
Keep slight right at fork onto VA 134 toward US 258 North, VA 134 South: Mercury Boulevard, Coliseum
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 258 North, VA 134 South: Mercury Boul...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$68.31 one way
$136.61 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg153 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$74.69
$149.37
premium
$4.70
$80.84
$161.68
diesel
$5.61
$96.44
$192.88
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$68
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$198–$308
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 152.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $46 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
131
1
$45.86
$20.97
Efficient EV
109.2
1
$38.22
$17.47
EV Truck/SUV
174.7
2
$61.15
$27.96
Gas CO2
153 kg
EV CO2
51 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Norton, VA
Night
in Norton on Saturday
Local time
9:27 PM
EDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
East Hampton, VA
Night
in East Hampton on Saturday
Local time
9:27 PM
EDT
Current temp
62°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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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
9 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
8h 23m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
With 87% of the route consisting of highway driving, expect a consistent, high-speed pace for the majority of your trip. You will spend a substantial amount of time on I-81, which features the longest uninterrupted stretch of 196.9 miles. The experience is largely an interstate grind, prioritizing efficiency over local backroads. As you move between the segments of the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway and the major interstates, the character of the road remains utilitarian. This is a drive designed for covering ground quickly while maintaining a steady flow of traffic.
87% 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: 196.9 mi on I 81.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and I 64. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 115.5 miles in near I 81; US 11.
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 16 significant decision points across 436.8 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 115.5 miles (I 81; US 11): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 345.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 369.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Norton, VA and East Hampton, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk and Virginia Beach.
Norfolk
345.4 mi in|~6h 37m
Virginia Beach
369.5 mi in|~7h 4m
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 196.9 miles on I 81. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 218 miles on day one.
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 East Hampton, 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 115.5 miles (I 81; US 11): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 345.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 369.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 8.4 hours each way, a round trip means 16.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at East Hampton, VA before the return drive.
