Stephens City, VA to Hampton, VA is 210.7 miles and takes about 4h 12m via US 17 and I-64, with a fuel budget near $33 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Virginia, moving southeast from the Shenandoah Valley region to the coast. Expect a predominantly highway experience for most of the drive, making it a straightforward option for a single-day excursion. With only one recommended stop and a relatively short duration, this route is ideal if you're looking for an efficient way to get from point A to point B without extensive planning.
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
105.4 miles from Stephens City, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 11m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 17
75 mi
1h 33m
I 64
64.2 mi
1h 11m
I 66
28.1 mi
30m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
13 mi
14m
James Madison Highway
11.6 mi
16m
I 81
6.1 mi
6m
Eastern Bypass
4.9 mi
6m
Winchester Road
2.4 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
US 17
— 75 mi, about 1h 33m
Traffic on I-295
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 34 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,876 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,445
Quietest
2 AM
~163 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
17.6×
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 Stephens City, VA and Hampton, VA.
1
Start on US 11
136 ft·12 sec·Main Street
2
Turn left onto VA 277
0.1 mi·21 sec·Fairfax Street
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·23 sec
4
Merge onto I 81
6.1 mi·6 min·I 81
Use the straight lane.
5
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 66 East: Front Royal, Washington
6
Continue on I 66
28 mi·30 min·I 66
7
Take the exit onto US 17
0.3 mi·32 sec·US 17
Toward US 17: Warrenton, Fredericksburg
8
Keep slight right at fork onto US 17
0.1 mi·13 sec·US 17
9
Merge onto US 17
2.4 mi·3 min·Winchester Road
10
Continue on US 17
6.5 mi·8 min·James Madison Highway
11
Keep slight right at fork onto US 17
4.9 mi·6 min·Eastern Bypass
Toward US 17 South: FredericksburgUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on US 15; US 17; US 29
5.1 mi·7 min·James Madison Highway
13
Keep slight right at fork onto US 17
27 mi·39 min·US 17
Toward US 17 South
14
Take the exit onto US 17
48 mi·53 min·US 17
Toward I 95 South, US 17 South: RichmondUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
1.9 mi·2 min
Exit 84AToward I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va BeachUse the slight left / straight lanes.
16
Merge onto I 295
13 mi·14 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
For this 4-hour drive, leaving in the morning is your best bet to maximize daylight and avoid potential evening traffic. Since it's a single-day trip, you have flexibility; however, planning for one stop around the halfway mark, potentially near the 75-mile stretch on US 17, can help break up the drive comfortably. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longer highway segments, and factor in the estimated $33 fuel cost. The route is efficient, so you can afford to be flexible with your timing.
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 105.4 miles from Stephens City, VA, or about 2h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 75 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 46 miles or 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 105.4 miles or 2h 11m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 27m
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 Stephens City, 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 Stephens City, VA
This is one driving day of about 210.7 miles and 4h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 miles from Stephens City, 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 US 17 for about 75 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 44.5 and 209.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
44.5 mi into trip|~51m in|US 17 / Eastern Bypass
Keep slight right at fork onto US 17 / Eastern Bypass toward US 17 South: Fredericksburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 17 South: Fredericksburg
8
129.2 mi into trip|~2h 38m in
Take the exit toward I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va Beach
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 84A
Toward I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va B...
8
144.1 mi into trip|~2h 54m 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
209.6 mi into trip|~4h 8m 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
209.7 mi into trip|~4h 9m 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
$31.11 one way
$62.21 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg74 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$34.18
$68.37
premium
$4.49
$37.26
$74.52
diesel
$4.80
$39.78
$79.57
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 73.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
63.2
0
$22.12
$10.11
Efficient EV
52.7
0
$18.44
$8.43
EV Truck/SUV
84.3
1
$29.50
$13.48
Gas CO2
74 kg
EV CO2
25 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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 Jul 19, 2026
Origin
Stephens City, VA
Morning
in Stephens City on Sunday
Local time
7:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
71°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 6 mph21% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued July 18 at 6:53PM EDT until July 18 at 9:00PM EDT by NWS Blacksburg VA
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued July 18 at 2:14PM EDT until July 18 at 9:00PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Destination
Hampton, VA
Morning
in Hampton on Sunday
Local time
7:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
79°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 15 mph53% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued July 18 at 6:53PM EDT until July 18 at 9:00PM EDT by NWS Blacksburg VA
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued July 18 at 2:14PM EDT until July 18 at 9:00PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
64°F
Fredericksburg, VA
105 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
8 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
4h 12m 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...
0 mi from route
~1 min detour
$15
near mile 188.9
Park Closure: Rehabilitation of Colonial Parkway Continues
Cedar Creek & Belle Grove National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley has a long and rich heritage that still inspires today. Native Americans first shaped the land, followed by colonists and settlers. The fertile valley became an important...
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 210.7
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
~64 min detour
Free
near mile 145.3
The Potomac River corridor is rich in both history and recreation, offering a chance to both explore your heritage and choose your adventure along the way. Start your journey here!
27 mi from route
~67 min detour
Free
near mile 36.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly highway, with 82% of the 210.7 miles on interstates and major roads like US 17 and I-64. You'll encounter the longest stretch without a major change in road type for 75 miles on US 17. The route profile is mostly highway, meaning you'll experience a consistent driving environment for the bulk of the trip. Expect frequent exits and merges as you navigate through various populated areas.
82% 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: 75 mi on US 17.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 17 and I 64. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 44.5 miles in near US 17 / Eastern Bypass.
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 19 significant decision points across 210.7 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 44.5 miles (US 17 / Eastern Bypass): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 129.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 144.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
762 ft7 ft
Total Climb
156 ft
Total Descent
912 ft
Highest Point
762 ft
Elevation Range
756 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Stephens City, VA and Hampton, VA, road signs point toward Fredericksburg, Norfolk, Va Beach and Virginia Beach.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 12m. Total distance: 210.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 12m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (82%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 75 miles on US 17. 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 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 44.5 miles (US 17 / Eastern Bypass): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 129.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 144.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Colonial National Historical Park, Cedar Creek & Belle Grove National Historical Park and Fort Monroe National Monument (5 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Hampton, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
