This 434.7-mile journey from Wise, VA to Hampton, VA will take approximately 8 hours and 22 minutes of pure driving time. Given the distance and duration, it's best planned as a two-day trip to allow for a relaxed pace and necessary breaks. The route relies heavily on major interstates, with 87% of the drive on highways, including I-81 and I-64. You can expect a fuel cost of around $68 for this trip. This highway-focused drive will efficiently move you across Virginia, making it a straightforward option for reaching your destination.
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
217.3 miles from Wise, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 19m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 81
196.9 mi
3h 35m
I 64
154.5 mi
2h 49m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
22.9 mi
25m
US 19
12.7 mi
18m
Bull Run Road
11.2 mi
15m
Trail of the Lonesome Pine
7.9 mi
10m
I 77
7.1 mi
7m
US Highway 58 Alternate
6.9 mi
9m
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 196.9 mi, about 3h 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wise, VA and Hampton, VA.
1
Start on SR 640
0.1 mi·19 sec·East Main Street
2
Turn left onto Park Avenue Northeast
0.2 mi·44 sec·Park Avenue Northeast
3
Turn right onto Darden Drive Northeast
1.0 mi·2 min·Darden Drive Northeast
Use the right lane.
4
Continue on SR 646
5.3 mi·9 min·Coeburn Mountain Road
5
Continue on SR 646
0.9 mi·1 min·Wise Mountain Road Northwest
6
At end of road, turn right onto VA 72
0.3 mi·35 sec·Laurel Avenue
7
Turn sharp left onto VA 72; VA 158
0.7 mi·1 min·Front Street East
8
Turn sharp right onto VA 72
0.2 mi·23 sec·VA 72
9
Turn left
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward US 58 Alternate East
10
Merge onto US 58 ALT
11 mi·15 min·Bull Run Road
11
Continue on US 58 ALT
365 ft·6 sec·Trail of the Lonesome Pine
12
Continue on US 58 ALT
6.9 mi·9 min·US Highway 58 Alternate
13
Continue on US 58 ALT; VA 71
7.8 mi·10 min·Trail of the Lonesome Pine
14
Turn right onto US 19
13 mi·18 min·US 19
15
Turn left onto US 11
0.5 mi·1 min·West Main Street
16
Turn right onto Preston Street Southwest
0.2 mi·33 sec·Preston Street Southwest
17
At end of road, turn left onto Bradley Street Southwest
0.5 mi·1 min·Bradley Street Southwest
18
At end of road, turn right onto US 58 ALT; VA 75
0.6 mi·1 min·Cummings Street
Use the straight lane.
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
20
Merge onto I 81; US 58
57 mi·1 hr 1 min·I 81; US 58
Use the straight lane.
21
Continue on I 77; I 81; US 11; US 52
7.1 mi·7 min·I 77; I 81; US 11; US 52
22
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.
23
Continue on I 64; I 81
0.3 mi·17 sec·I 64; I 81
24
Keep slight right at fork onto I 64
90 mi·1 hr 38 min·I 64
Toward I 64 East: RichmondUse the straight lane.
25
Take the exit
1.2 mi·1 min
Exit 177Toward I 295 North: Washington, NorfolkUse the slight right lane.
26
Continue on I 295
23 mi·25 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Take the exit
1.3 mi·2 min
Exit 28AToward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia BeachUse the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Merge onto I 64
64 mi·1 hr 11 min·I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Take the exit
0.1 mi·25 sec
Exit 265CToward Armistead Avenue, Langley Air Force BaseUse the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Keep slight right at fork
199 ft·6 sec
Toward Armistead Avenue, Langley Air Force BaseUse the left / right lanes.
31
Turn straight onto Rip Rap Road
0.2 mi·21 sec·Rip Rap Road
32
Turn sharp left onto VA 134
0.4 mi·1 min·North Armistead Avenue
33
Turn left onto VA 351
0.3 mi·39 sec·West Pembroke Avenue
34
Turn right onto North King Street
524 ft·19 sec·North King Street
35
Continue on North King Street
432 ft·18 sec·North King Street
36
Arrive at destination
North King Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 8-hour, 22-minute drive, splitting it over two days is highly recommended. Plan your first day to cover the longest stretch of 196.9 miles on I-81, aiming for a comfortable overnight stop. This allows you to break up the highway-focused 434.7-mile journey and arrive in Hampton refreshed. Factor in at least two stops for fuel and rest, especially during the longer segments. With a fuel cost estimated at $68, be sure to top off your tank before departing Wise, VA.
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 217.3 miles from Wise, VA, or about 4h 19m 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 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 217.3 miles or 4h 19m 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 217.3 miles or 4h 19m
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 Hampton, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Wise, 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 Wise, VA
Aim for roughly 217 miles and 4.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Hampton, VA
Aim for roughly 217 miles and 4.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 96 miles from Wise, 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 24
5 decision points cluster between mile 114 and 433.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
114 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
343.9 mi into trip|~6h 38m 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
368 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
433.5 mi into trip|~8h 19m 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
433.6 mi into trip|~8h 19m 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
$67.98 one way
$135.95 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg152 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$74.33
$148.65
premium
$4.70
$80.45
$160.91
diesel
$5.61
$95.98
$191.95
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: 152.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $46 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
130.4
1
$45.64
$20.87
Efficient EV
108.7
1
$38.04
$17.39
EV Truck/SUV
173.9
2
$60.86
$27.82
Gas CO2
152 kg
EV CO2
51 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 15, 2026
Origin
Wise, VA
Night
in Wise on Saturday
Local time
9:23 PM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Hampton, VA
Night
in Hampton on Saturday
Local time
9:23 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
16 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
8h 22m 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.
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 434.7
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...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
$15
near mile 419.7
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...
21 mi from route
~52 min detour
Free
near mile 179.9
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...
28 mi from route
~70 min detour
Free
near mile 374.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Prepare for a predominantly highway-focused drive, with 87% of your travel on major interstates like I-81 and I-64. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 196.9 miles on I-81, so be ready for sustained highway speeds. While the profile suggests a straightforward driving experience, keep in mind that long stretches on the interstate can become monotonous. The Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway is also part of the main road network, indicating significant portions will be on high-speed, multi-lane roads designed for efficient travel.
87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
36 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 114 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 24 significant decision points across 434.7 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 114 miles (I 81; US 11): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 343.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 368 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 Wise, VA and Hampton, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk and Virginia Beach.
Norfolk
343.9 mi in|~6h 38m
Virginia Beach
368 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 217 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 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 114 miles (I 81; US 11): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 343.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 368 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 8.4 hours each way, a round trip means 16.7 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.
