This 190.2-mile drive from Annandale, VA, to Portsmouth, VA, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 44 minutes. You'll be spending about 62% of your time on major highways, primarily I-95 and I-64, with the Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway also playing a role. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $30. Given its focused highway profile and manageable duration, this route is well-suited for a straightforward day trip without the need for an overnight stop. You'll traverse within the Southeast region throughout your travel.
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
95.1 miles from Annandale, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 51m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
62.7 mi
1h 9m
I 95
48.6 mi
53m
Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
36.9 mi
43m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
13 mi
14m
Hampton Roads Beltway
7.2 mi
9m
Western Freeway
5.8 mi
7m
Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel
4.3 mi
5m
Backlick Road
1.7 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 62.7 mi, about 1h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Annandale, VA and Portsmouth, VA.
1
Start on VA 236
0.1 mi·17 sec·Little River Turnpike
2
Turn right onto SR 617
1.7 mi·3 min·Backlick Road
Use the left lane.
3
Turn left onto SR 648
1.1 mi·2 min·Edsall Road
Use the left lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward I 395 South: Richmond
5
Merge onto I 395
0.6 mi·45 sec·Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on I 395
36 mi·43 min·Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
Exit 1AToward I 95 South: RichmondUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
49 mi·53 min·I 95
Use the straight lane.
8
Take the exit
1.9 mi·2 min
Exit 84AToward I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va BeachUse the slight left / straight lanes.
9
Merge onto I 295
13 mi·14 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
63 mi·1 hr 9 min·I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.5 mi·36 sec
Exit 264Toward I 664 South: Downtown Newport News, Suffolk, ChesapeakeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 664
6.1 mi·7 min·Hampton Roads Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on I 664
4.3 mi·5 min·Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel
15
Continue on I 664
1.1 mi·1 min·Hampton Roads Beltway
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 8BToward VA 135 South: College Drive, ChurchlandUse the right lane.
17
Continue on VA 135
1.4 mi·2 min·College Drive
Use the straight lane.
18
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward VA 164 East: Downtown Portsmouth
19
Merge onto VA 164
5.8 mi·7 min·Western Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Merge onto US 58; VA 164
0.7 mi·46 sec·Martin Luther King Freeway
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward VA 141 South: Downtown PortsmouthUse the right lane.
22
Turn straight onto US 58
1.2 mi·2 min·London Boulevard
23
Turn right onto VA 141
0.1 mi·11 sec·Effingham Street
Use the right lane.
24
Turn left onto High Street
0.5 mi·1 min·High Street
Use the left lane.
25
Continue on High Street
201 ft·20 sec·High Street
Use the left lane.
26
Arrive at destination
High Street
Trip Plan
Planning your departure time is key for this 3-hour and 44-minute drive to Portsmouth, VA. Leaving Annandale, VA, early in the morning or later in the evening can help you avoid the heaviest traffic, especially around the Washington D.C. metro area. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost of approximately $30, this trip offers flexibility. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach the longest stretch of 62.7 miles on I-64 to ensure you have enough to reach your destination or a convenient exit.
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 95.1 miles from Annandale, VA, or about 1h 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 62.7 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 42 miles or 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 95.1 miles or 1h 51m 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
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 Annandale, 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 Annandale, VA
This is one driving day of about 190.2 miles and 3h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 42 miles from Annandale, 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 62.7 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 40 and 179.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
40 mi into trip|~50m in|I 95
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
88.6 mi into trip|~1h 44m 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
103.5 mi into trip|~2h 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
167.4 mi into trip|~3h 12m 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...
8
179.5 mi into trip|~3h 27m in
Take the exit toward VA 135 South: College Drive, Churchland
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 8B
Toward VA 135 South: College Drive, Churchland
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.74 one way
$59.49 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg67 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$32.52
$65.04
premium
$4.70
$35.20
$70.40
diesel
$5.61
$41.99
$83.99
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: 66.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
57.1
0
$19.97
$9.13
Efficient EV
47.6
0
$16.64
$7.61
EV Truck/SUV
76.1
0
$26.63
$12.17
Gas CO2
67 kg
EV CO2
22 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 Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Annandale, VA
Late night
in Annandale on Sunday
Local time
4:07 AM
EDT
Current temp
83°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Portsmouth, VA
Late night
in Portsmouth on Sunday
Local time
4:07 AM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Mostly Clear
SE 3 mph1% chanceLive 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
20 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 44m 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.
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...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
$15
near mile 150.9
Park Closure: Rehabilitation of Colonial Parkway Continues
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...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
Free
near mile 170.5
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 105
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!
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 drive for the majority of this 190.2-mile journey, with 62% of the route utilizing major interstates like I-64 and I-95. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 62.7 miles on I-64, offering a period of consistent travel. While primarily an interstate experience, the route is designed for efficient travel rather than scenic exploration. The roads are generally well-maintained and designed for higher speeds, making for a predictable driving experience.
62% 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: 62.7 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 95. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 40 miles in near I 95.
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 19 significant decision points across 190.2 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 40 miles (I 95): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 88.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 103.5 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 Annandale, VA and Portsmouth, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk, Va Beach, Virginia Beach, Suffolk, Chesapeake and Churchland.
Norfolk
88.6 mi in|~1h 44m
Va Beach
88.6 mi in|~1h 44m
Virginia Beach
103.5 mi in|~2h
Suffolk
167.4 mi in|~3h 12m
Chesapeake
167.4 mi in|~3h 12m
Churchland
179.5 mi in|~3h 27m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 44m. Total distance: 190.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 62.7 miles on I 64. 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 40 miles (I 95): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 88.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 103.5 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, Fort Monroe National Monument and Petersburg National Battlefield (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Portsmouth, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
