Altavista to Portsmouth is 209.2 miles and takes about 4h 44m via Prince Edward Highway, Richmond Highway, and Patrick Henry Highway, with a fuel budget near $35 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Virginia, connecting the Southeast region of the state. You'll mostly be on surface roads, making it a more relaxed pace than a pure interstate drive. This route is a good option if you're looking for a straightforward, single-day drive without extensive highway time, perfect for a quick hop between towns in the Old Dominion.
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
104.6 miles from Altavista, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 24m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Prince Edward Highway
24.1 mi
29m
Richmond Highway
20.1 mi
24m
Patrick Henry Highway
17.2 mi
21m
James River Drive
14.6 mi
19m
Hull Street Road
13.7 mi
19m
Colonial Trail West
13.3 mi
15m
World War II Veterans Memorial Highway
12.1 mi
14m
Old Stage Highway
12 mi
15m
Longest stretch:
Prince Edward Highway
— 24.1 mi, about 29m
Traffic on I-95
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 4 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~4,933 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~549 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9×
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 Altavista, VA and Portsmouth, VA.
1
Start on US 29 BUS
30 ft·5 sec·Main Street
2
Turn right onto Franklin Avenue
364 ft·14 sec·Franklin Avenue
3
Turn right onto 7th Street
0.9 mi·2 min·7th Street
4
Turn left onto US 29 BUS
1.9 mi·3 min·Main Street
5
Take the ramp onto US 29 BUS
9.4 mi·12 min·US 29 BUS
Toward US 29 North
6
Turn right onto VA 24
4.3 mi·7 min·Colonial Highway
7
At end of road, turn left onto US 501; VA 24
340 ft·8 sec·Brookneal Highway
8
Continue on US 501; VA 24
9.2 mi·17 min·Village Highway
9
Enter roundabout onto VA 24
113 ft·2 sec·Village Highway
10
Continue on VA 24
1.2 mi·2 min·Village Highway
11
Turn right onto US 460; VA 24
20 mi·24 min·Richmond Highway
12
Continue on US 460
24 mi·29 min·Prince Edward Highway
13
Turn left onto VA 307
9.3 mi·12 min·Holly Farms Road
14
Turn left onto US 360
17 mi·21 min·Patrick Henry Highway
15
Continue on US 360
14 mi·19 min·Hull Street Road
Use the straight lane.
16
Turn right onto SR 754
0.9 mi·1 min·Commonwealth Centre Parkway
Use the right lane.
17
Take the ramp
62 ft·1 sec
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward VA 288 SouthUse the slight right lane.
19
Merge onto VA 288
12 mi·14 min·World War II Veterans Memorial Highway
20
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward I 95 South: PetersburgUse the slight right lane.
21
Merge onto I 95
1.5 mi·1 min·Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
22
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 61AToward VA 10 East: HopewellUse the right lane.
23
Continue on VA 10
6.8 mi·10 min·West Hundred Road
Use the left / uturn lanes.
24
Continue on VA 10
2.9 mi·4 min·West Randolph Road
25
Continue on VA 10; VA 156 BUS
15 mi·19 min·James River Drive
26
Continue on VA 10
13 mi·15 min·Colonial Trail West
27
At end of road, turn left onto VA 10; VA 31
1.0 mi·1 min·Rolfe Highway
28
Take the exit
149 ft·6 sec
29
Merge onto VA 10
9.8 mi·11 min·Colonial Trail East
30
Continue on VA 10
12 mi·15 min·Old Stage Highway
Use the left lane.
31
Keep slight left at fork onto US 258
2.8 mi·3 min·Brewers Neck Boulevard
32
Take the exit
0.1 mi·19 sec
33
Merge onto US 17
2.3 mi·3 min·Carrollton Boulevard
34
Continue on US 17
6.2 mi·10 min·Bridge Road
Use the left lane.
35
Keep slight right at fork onto VA 164
7.4 mi·9 min·Western Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
36
Merge onto US 58; VA 164
0.7 mi·46 sec·Martin Luther King Freeway
37
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward VA 141 South: Downtown PortsmouthUse the right lane.
38
Turn straight onto US 58
1.2 mi·2 min·London Boulevard
39
Turn right onto VA 141
0.1 mi·11 sec·Effingham Street
Use the right lane.
40
Turn left onto High Street
0.5 mi·1 min·High Street
Use the left lane.
41
Continue on High Street
201 ft·20 sec·High Street
Use the left lane.
42
Arrive at destination
High Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 44m estimated drive time, starting your trip in Altavista after breakfast is ideal for reaching Portsmouth well before evening. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $35, you have flexibility to take your time. Pay attention to the ~24-mile stretches on Prince Edward Highway, as these may offer fewer immediate services than more developed areas. Since this is a single-day drive, consider topping off your fuel tank before departing Altavista to ensure a smooth, uninterrupted trip to Portsmouth.
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 104.6 miles from Altavista, VA, or about 2h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 24.1 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 1h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 104.6 miles or 2h 24m 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 51m
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 Altavista, 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 Altavista, VA
This is one driving day of about 209.2 miles and 4h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 miles from Altavista, 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 Prince Edward Highway for about 24.1 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 26
5 decision points cluster between mile 111.5 and 199 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
111.5 mi into trip|~2h 34m in|SR 754 / Commonwealth Centre Parkway
Turn right onto SR 754 / Commonwealth Centre Parkway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
8
112.4 mi into trip|~2h 35m in
Keep slight right at fork toward VA 288 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward VA 288 South
7
124.8 mi into trip|~2h 50m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 95 South: Petersburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 95 South: Petersburg
7
126.6 mi into trip|~2h 53m in
Take the exit toward VA 10 East: Hopewell
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 61A
Toward VA 10 East: Hopewell
6
199 mi into trip|~4h 29m in|VA 164 / Western Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto VA 164 / Western Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.89 one way
$61.77 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg73 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$33.94
$67.88
premium
$4.49
$37.00
$73.99
diesel
$4.80
$39.50
$79.00
Estimated Tolls: $0.10
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
(1.5 mi)$0.10
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 73.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
62.8
0
$21.97
$10.04
Efficient EV
52.3
0
$18.31
$8.37
EV Truck/SUV
83.7
1
$29.29
$13.39
Gas CO2
73 kg
EV CO2
24 kg (67% 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 18, 2026
Origin
Altavista, VA
Late night
in Altavista on Monday
Local time
5:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Areas Of Smoke
E 1 mph6% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 1:18AM EDT by NWS Morristown TN
Destination
Portsmouth, VA
Late night
in Portsmouth on Monday
Local time
5:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Areas Of Smoke
SE 5 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 1:18AM EDT by NWS Morristown TN
86°F
Woodlake, 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
3 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 44m 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.
Appomattox Court House National Historical Park
National Historical Park
On April 9, 1865, the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia in the McLean House in the village of Appomattox Court House, Virginia signaled the effective end of the nation's largest war. Question...
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...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
$15
near mile 173.2
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...
11 mi from route
~28 min detour
Free
near mile 202
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...
13 mi from route
~32 min detour
Free
near mile 129.9
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly on surface roads, with only about 10% of the route utilizing highways. You'll experience about 24.1 miles of continuous driving on Prince Edward Highway. Expect less time merging onto high-speed traffic and more time cruising through towns and rural areas. The profile suggests a consistent pace without the frequent acceleration and deceleration common on major interstates.
Only 10% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
42 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 24.1 mi on Prince Edward Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 111.5 miles in near SR 754 / Commonwealth Centre Parkway.
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 26 significant decision points across 209.2 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 111.5 miles (SR 754 / Commonwealth Centre Parkway): Lane positioning matters here; at 112.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 124.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 44m. Total distance: 209.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 24.1 miles on Prince Edward Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.10 in tolls one way, starting with Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
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 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 111.5 miles (SR 754 / Commonwealth Centre Parkway): Lane positioning matters here; at 112.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 124.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Appomattox Court House National Historical Park, Colonial 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 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Portsmouth, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
