Spanning 279.3 miles across Virginia, this drive connects Shawsville to East Hampton in about 5 hours and 15 minutes. Because the route remains entirely within the Southeast region, you will experience a consistent landscape as you navigate from the mountains toward the coast. With a recommended duration of a single day, this trip is manageable without needing an overnight stay. You should budget roughly $45 for fuel to cover the distance. Whether you are heading out for business or a quick getaway, the trip is straightforward enough to complete in one push, provided you are prepared for a full day behind the wheel.
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
139.7 miles from Shawsville, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 36m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
151.4 mi
2h 45m
I 81
89 mi
1h 38m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
22.9 mi
25m
Roanoke Road
8.4 mi
11m
VA 134
4.4 mi
8m
Southerland Drive
0.2 mi
<1m
Dow Hollow Road
0.1 mi
<1m
Alleghany Spring Road
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 151.4 mi, about 2h 45m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Shawsville, VA and East Hampton, VA.
1
Start on SR 637
242 ft·10 sec·Alleghany Spring Road
2
Continue on SR 637
161 ft·7 sec·Alleghany Spring Road
3
Turn left onto US 11; US 460
8.4 mi·11 min·Roanoke Road
4
Turn left onto SR 647
0.1 mi·17 sec·Dow Hollow Road
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·37 sec
6
Merge onto I 81
89 mi·1 hr 38 min·I 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 64
90 mi·1 hr 38 min·I 64
Toward I 64 East: RichmondUse the straight lane.
8
Take the exit
1.2 mi·1 min
Exit 177Toward I 295 North: Washington, NorfolkUse the slight right lane.
9
Continue on I 295
23 mi·25 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
1.3 mi·2 min
Exit 28AToward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia BeachUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 64
61 mi·1 hr 7 min·I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
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.
13
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.
14
Turn right onto Southerland Drive
0.2 mi·46 sec·Southerland Drive
15
Arrive at destination
Southerland Drive
Trip Plan
Planning for this trip is simple since it fits easily into one day, but you should still factor in at least one planned stop to break up the five-hour drive. Leaving early in the morning helps you avoid potential congestion on the busier stretches of I-81 and I-64. Since you will be spending the vast majority of your time on high-speed interstates, ensure your vehicle is fueled up and ready for sustained highway speeds. A concrete tip for this specific route is to monitor your fuel levels before hitting the 151.4-mile I-64 stretch, as finding a convenient station can sometimes be tricky once you are locked into that long segment. Stay flexible with your departure time to account for traffic fluctuations on these major Virginia corridors.
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 139.7 miles from Shawsville, VA, or about 2h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 151.4 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 61 miles or 1h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 139.7 miles or 2h 36m 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 16m
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 Shawsville, 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 Shawsville, VA
This is one driving day of about 279.3 miles and 5h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 61 miles from Shawsville, 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 151.4 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 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 97.9 and 274.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
97.9 mi into trip|~1h 51m in|I 64
Keep slight right at fork onto I 64 toward I 64 East: Richmond
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 64 East: Richmond
8
187.9 mi into trip|~3h 29m 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
212 mi into trip|~3h 56m 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
274.7 mi into trip|~5h 6m 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
274.9 mi into trip|~5h 7m 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
$43.68 one way
$87.35 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg98 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$47.76
$95.51
premium
$4.70
$51.69
$103.38
diesel
$5.61
$61.67
$123.33
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$44
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 97.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
83.8
1
$29.33
$13.41
Efficient EV
69.8
0
$24.44
$11.17
EV Truck/SUV
111.7
1
$39.10
$17.88
Gas CO2
98 kg
EV CO2
33 kg (66% 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 21, 2026
Origin
Shawsville, VA
Morning
in Shawsville on Tuesday
Local time
9:00 AM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
East Hampton, VA
Morning
in East Hampton on Tuesday
Local time
9:00 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°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
2 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
5h 15m 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.
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...
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Free
near mile 279.3
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...
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
~54 min detour
Free
near mile 19.3
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 211.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 88% of your journey takes place on major roads like I-81, I-64, and the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway. You will spend a significant portion of your time on the interstate, including a longest uninterrupted stretch of 151.4 miles on I-64. This is a high-speed, efficient transit rather than a winding backroads tour. While the pace is steady and fast-moving, the character of the drive is defined by these long, consistent highway miles that allow you to cover ground quickly. Keep your focus sharp, as the transition between these major arteries requires steady attention to highway signage.
88% 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: 151.4 mi on I 64.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 97.9 miles in near I 64.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 9 significant decision points across 279.3 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 97.9 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 187.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 212 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,791 ft11 ft
Total Climb
857 ft
Total Descent
2,276 ft
Highest Point
1,791 ft
~79.8 mi in
Elevation Range
1,781 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Shawsville, VA and East Hampton, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk and Virginia Beach.
Norfolk
187.9 mi in|~3h 29m
Virginia Beach
212 mi in|~3h 56m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 15m. Total distance: 279.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 15m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 151.4 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 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 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 97.9 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 187.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 212 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 5.3 hours each way, a round trip means 10.5 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.
