Spanning 194 miles across Virginia, this drive connects Alexandria to Portsmouth in approximately 3 hours and 48 minutes. The route is highly efficient for a single-day trip, making it a straightforward choice if you are looking to get between these two points without the need for an overnight stay. Expect to spend roughly $31 in fuel for the journey, depending on your vehicle's efficiency. By primarily utilizing I-95 and I-64, you will navigate through the Southeast region of the state. Because the drive is relatively short and manageable, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure time around your personal schedule.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
97 miles from Alexandria, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 53m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
85.8 mi
1h 37m
I 64
62.7 mi
1h 9m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
13 mi
14m
Hampton Roads Beltway
7.2 mi
9m
Western Freeway
5.8 mi
7m
Capital Beltway (Local)
5 mi
6m
Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel
4.3 mi
5m
College Drive
1.4 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 85.8 mi, about 1h 37m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Alexandria, VA and Portsmouth, VA.
1
Start on VA 400
75 ft·6 sec·South Washington Street
2
Turn right onto King Street
314 ft·14 sec·King Street
3
Turn right onto South Saint Asaph Street
0.2 mi·41 sec·South Saint Asaph Street
4
Turn right onto Duke Street
334 ft·18 sec·Duke Street
5
Turn left onto VA 400
0.2 mi·50 sec·South Washington Street
6
Turn right onto Gibbon Street
0.2 mi·37 sec·Gibbon Street
7
Turn left onto US 1
0.2 mi·34 sec·South Patrick Street
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
8
Take the exit
438 ft·10 sec
Toward I 95 South, I 495 West, I 95 North, I 495 East: Richmond, BaltimoreUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 95 South, I 495 WestUse the slight right lane.
10
Merge onto I 95; I 495
5.0 mi·6 min·Capital Beltway (Local)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
37 mi·43 min·I 95
Use the slight left lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
49 mi·53 min·I 95
Use the straight lane.
13
Take the exit
1.9 mi·2 min
Exit 84AToward I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va BeachUse the slight left / straight lanes.
14
Merge onto I 295
13 mi·14 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
1.3 mi·2 min
Exit 28AToward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia BeachUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto I 64
63 mi·1 hr 9 min·I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.5 mi·36 sec
Exit 264Toward I 664 South: Downtown Newport News, Suffolk, ChesapeakeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Merge onto I 664
6.1 mi·7 min·Hampton Roads Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on I 664
4.3 mi·5 min·Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel
20
Continue on I 664
1.1 mi·1 min·Hampton Roads Beltway
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 8BToward VA 135 South: College Drive, ChurchlandUse the right lane.
22
Continue on VA 135
1.4 mi·2 min·College Drive
Use the straight lane.
23
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward VA 164 East: Downtown Portsmouth
24
Merge onto VA 164
5.8 mi·7 min·Western Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Merge onto US 58; VA 164
0.7 mi·46 sec·Martin Luther King Freeway
26
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward VA 141 South: Downtown PortsmouthUse the right lane.
27
Turn straight onto US 58
1.2 mi·2 min·London Boulevard
28
Turn right onto VA 141
0.1 mi·11 sec·Effingham Street
Use the right lane.
29
Turn left onto High Street
0.5 mi·1 min·High Street
Use the left lane.
30
Continue on High Street
201 ft·20 sec·High Street
Use the left lane.
31
Arrive at destination
High Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a sub-four-hour drive, you can easily complete the journey in one push, though planning for at least one stop is recommended to break up the monotony of the interstate. Keep a close watch on traffic patterns, especially when navigating the heavy-traffic corridors of I-95, as congestion can fluctuate significantly throughout the day. To ensure a smoother experience, try to time your departure to avoid peak commuting hours. Having your $31 fuel budget ready is a good baseline, but always account for potential idling time in traffic. A practical tip for this route is to utilize the single planned stop to check real-time traffic updates for I-64, allowing you to adjust your approach into Portsmouth as needed.
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 97 miles from Alexandria, VA, or about 1h 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 85.8 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 43 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 97 miles or 1h 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 3h 3m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Portsmouth, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Alexandria, 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 Alexandria, VA
This is one driving day of about 194 miles and 3h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 43 miles from Alexandria, 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 95 for about 85.8 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 0.9 and 171.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
0.9 mi into trip|~3m in
Take the exit toward I 95 South, I 495 West, I 95 North, I 495 East: Richmond, Baltimore
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.
Toward I 95 South, I 495 West, I 95 North, I 49...
8
1 mi into trip|~3m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 95 South, I 495 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 95 South, I 495 West
8
92.4 mi into trip|~1h 48m 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
107.3 mi into trip|~2h 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
171.2 mi into trip|~3h 17m in
Take the exit toward I 664 South: Downtown Newport News, Suffolk, Chesapeake
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 264
Toward I 664 South: Downtown Newport News, Suff...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.34 one way
$60.67 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg68 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$33.17
$66.34
premium
$4.70
$35.91
$71.81
diesel
$5.61
$42.83
$85.67
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 67.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
58.2
0
$20.37
$9.31
Efficient EV
48.5
0
$16.97
$7.76
EV Truck/SUV
77.6
0
$27.16
$12.42
Gas CO2
68 kg
EV CO2
23 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 Apr 14, 2026
Origin
Alexandria, VA
Morning
in Alexandria on Sunday
Local time
7:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Partly Cloudy
SW 5 mph6% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Portsmouth, VA
Morning
in Portsmouth on Sunday
Local time
7:58 AM
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
1 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
3h 48m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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 80% of the trip spent on highways, this is a quintessential interstate-focused drive designed for steady progress. You will tackle a significant portion of the route on I-95, which features a longest uninterrupted stretch of 85.8 miles. As you transition onto the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway and I-64, the character of the road remains consistent with high-speed travel. Behind the wheel, you should prepare for a focused, highway-heavy experience that prioritizes speed and directness over winding scenic detours. It is a functional, no-nonsense commute that gets you to your destination with predictable efficiency.
80% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 85.8 mi on I 95.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and I 64. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.9 miles in.
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 24 significant decision points across 194 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 0.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 92.4 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 Alexandria, VA and Portsmouth, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk, Va Beach, Virginia Beach, Suffolk, Chesapeake and Churchland.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 48m. Total distance: 194 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (80%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 85.8 miles on I 95. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 1 rest area or service plaza within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Portsmouth, 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. There are 1 rest area along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 92.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Portsmouth, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
