Spanning 403.4 miles across Virginia, this cross-state journey connects Raven to Hampton in approximately 7 hours and 39 minutes. Given the significant travel time, this trek is best suited for a single, long day of driving if you prefer to reach your destination quickly. You should budget about $65 for fuel to cover the distance comfortably. Because the entire route stays within the Southeast region, you will experience a consistent cultural backdrop while transitioning from the rural landscape of Raven toward the coast. While manageable in one go, staying alert is key as you navigate this substantial trek from the western reaches of the state to the tidewater area.
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
201.7 miles from Raven, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 53m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
154.5 mi
2h 49m
I 81
139.7 mi
2h 33m
Governor G C Peery Highway
27.3 mi
35m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
22.9 mi
25m
US 52
19.7 mi
22m
I 77
16 mi
17m
Trail of the Lonesome Pine
9.8 mi
11m
US 460 BUS
2.7 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 154.5 mi, about 2h 49m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Raven, VA and Hampton, VA.
1
Start on State Route 806
19 ft·0 sec·State Route 806
2
Continue on VA 67
1.1 mi·1 min·Raven Road
3
Turn right onto US 460; VA 67
1.3 mi·2 min·Gov George C Perry Highway
4
Take the exit onto US 460 BUS; VA 67
2.7 mi·4 min·US 460 BUS; VA 67
5
Take the ramp
250 ft·7 sec
Toward US 460 East: Claypool Hill
6
Merge onto US 460
2.4 mi·4 min·Governor George C Peery Highway
7
Turn left onto US 19; US 460
27 mi·35 min·Governor G C Peery Highway
8
Continue on US 19; US 460
9.8 mi·11 min·Trail of the Lonesome Pine
Use the straight lane.
9
Take the exit onto US 52 Truck
2.3 mi·2 min·US 52 Truck
10
Take the exit onto US 52
20 mi·22 min·US 52
11
Continue on I 77
16 mi·17 min·I 77
Use the straight lane.
12
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.
13
Continue on I 64; I 81
0.3 mi·17 sec·I 64; I 81
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 64
90 mi·1 hr 38 min·I 64
Toward I 64 East: RichmondUse the straight lane.
15
Take the exit
1.2 mi·1 min
Exit 177Toward I 295 North: Washington, NorfolkUse the slight right lane.
16
Continue on I 295
23 mi·25 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
1.3 mi·2 min
Exit 28AToward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia BeachUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Merge onto I 64
64 mi·1 hr 11 min·I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.1 mi·25 sec
Exit 265CToward Armistead Avenue, Langley Air Force BaseUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight right at fork
199 ft·6 sec
Toward Armistead Avenue, Langley Air Force BaseUse the left / right lanes.
21
Turn straight onto Rip Rap Road
0.2 mi·21 sec·Rip Rap Road
22
Turn sharp left onto VA 134
0.4 mi·1 min·North Armistead Avenue
23
Turn left onto VA 351
0.3 mi·39 sec·West Pembroke Avenue
24
Turn right onto North King Street
524 ft·19 sec·North King Street
25
Continue on North King Street
432 ft·18 sec·North King Street
26
Arrive at destination
North King Street
Trip Plan
To tackle this 403.4-mile route effectively, plan for at least two strategic stops to break up the nearly eight-hour duration. Leaving early in the morning is your best strategy to avoid fatigue and ensure you reach Hampton before the end of the day. Since the drive relies so heavily on major interstates, monitor traffic reports for I-64 and I-81, as these arteries can experience congestion that might extend your total travel time. Keep your fuel budget of $65 in mind when selecting service stations, as prices can fluctuate significantly between rural sections and more populated corridors. Staying flexible with your two planned stops will help you maintain a steady, safe pace throughout the day.
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 201.7 miles from Raven, VA, or about 3h 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 154.5 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 89 miles or 1h 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 201.7 miles or 3h 53m 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 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hampton, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Raven, 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 Raven, VA
This is one driving day of about 403.4 miles and 7h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 89 miles from Raven, 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 154.5 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 82.6 and 402.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
82.6 mi into trip|~1h 42m 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
312.6 mi into trip|~5h 54m 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
336.7 mi into trip|~6h 21m 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
402.2 mi into trip|~7h 35m in
Take the exit toward Armistead Avenue, Langley Air Force Base
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 265C
Toward Armistead Avenue, Langley Air Force Base
9
402.3 mi into trip|~7h 36m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Armistead Avenue, Langley Air Force Base
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left / right lanes.
Toward Armistead Avenue, Langley Air Force Base
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$63.08 one way
$126.17 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg141 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$68.98
$137.95
premium
$4.70
$74.66
$149.32
diesel
$5.61
$89.07
$178.13
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: 141.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $42 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
121
1
$42.36
$19.36
Efficient EV
100.9
1
$35.30
$16.14
EV Truck/SUV
161.4
2
$56.48
$25.82
Gas CO2
141 kg
EV CO2
47 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 18, 2026
Origin
Raven, VA
Night
in Raven on Saturday
Local time
9:24 PM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Hampton, VA
Night
in Hampton on Saturday
Local time
9:24 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.
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
5 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 39m 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
near mile 403.4
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...
6 mi from route
~14 min detour
$15
near mile 375.5
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...
22 mi from route
~55 min detour
Free
near mile 153
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...
27 mi from route
~69 min detour
Free
near mile 333.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a trip dominated by high-speed transit, as 83% of your journey is spent on major highways. You will rely heavily on I-64, I-81, and the Governor G. C. Peery Highway to bridge the gap between your starting point and the coast. The longest uninterrupted push occurs on I-64, which demands 154.5 miles of focus behind the wheel. The road personality shifts from the localized, winding feel of the Governor G. C. Peery Highway to the broader, faster pace of the interstate system. Be prepared for a straightforward, highway-focused drive that prioritizes efficiency over technical, backroad maneuvers.
83% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 154.5 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 82.6 miles in near I 81; US 11.
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 17 significant decision points across 403.4 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 82.6 miles (I 81; US 11): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 312.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 336.7 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 Raven, VA and Hampton, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk and Virginia Beach.
Norfolk
312.6 mi in|~5h 54m
Virginia Beach
336.7 mi in|~6h 21m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 39m. Total distance: 403.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 39m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 154.5 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 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 82.6 miles (I 81; US 11): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 312.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 336.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 7.7 hours each way, a round trip means 15.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Hampton, VA before the return drive.
