Angela's Italian Restaurant
Early in the drive, short detour
Spotsylvania Courthouse, Virginia
Hours: 10 am–10 pm
+15405825250
Visit websiteCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 25m
Distance
172.2 mi
277 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$27
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bealeton, VA
Eric Joseph
Portsmouth, VA
Wikimedia Commons
This 173.7-mile journey from Bealeton, VA to Portsmouth, VA is designed for a single day, taking approximately 2 hours and 56 minutes of driving time. Expect a fuel cost of around $28 for this trip. The route primarily utilizes local roads, indicated by its 'Turn-heavy local drive' profile, with no highway share. This makes it a more engaging, albeit potentially slower, travel experience compared to interstate driving. Since it's a manageable distance and duration, it's well-suited for a day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop.
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
86.1 miles from Bealeton, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 43m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 64 | 62.7 mi | 1h 9m |
| US 17 | 47.9 mi | 53m |
| Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway | 13 mi | 14m |
| Marsh Road | 12.7 mi | 17m |
| Warrenton Road | 9.7 mi | 14m |
| Hampton Roads Beltway | 7.2 mi | 9m |
| Western Freeway | 5.8 mi | 7m |
| Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel | 4.3 mi | 5m |
Step-by-step road directions between Bealeton, VA and Portsmouth, VA.
Start on SR 661
Turn right onto US 17
Continue on US 17
Take the exit onto US 17
Take the exit
Merge onto I 295
Take the exit
Merge onto I 64
Take the exit
Merge onto I 664
Continue on I 664
Continue on I 664
Take the exit
Continue on VA 135
Take the ramp
Merge onto VA 164
Merge onto US 58; VA 164
Take the exit
Turn straight onto US 58
Turn right onto VA 141
Turn left onto High Street
Continue on High Street
Arrive at destination
Given the 2 hour 56 minute duration and the 'Turn-heavy local drive' profile, planning to depart in the morning will give you ample time to reach Portsmouth, VA. Since this is a single-day trip covering 173.7 miles with a $28 estimated fuel cost, you won't need to budget for overnight stays. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you navigate local roads where gas stations might be less frequent than on major highways. The frequent turns mean you'll likely make more frequent, shorter stops naturally, so pace yourself and enjoy the local scenery as you go. A good tip for this route is to ensure your GPS is up-to-date, as navigating many turns can be made easier with accurate real-time directions.
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.
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 38 miles or 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 86.1 miles or 1h 43m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 45m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Portsmouth, VA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Bealeton, 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 Bealeton, VA
This is one driving day of about 172.2 miles and 3h 25m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
86 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
A short stop after about 38 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 86.1 miles from Bealeton, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 64 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 62.7 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Top Restaurant
Spotsylvania Courthouse, Virginia
Early in the drive, short detour
Hours: 10 am–10 pm
+15405825250
Mason-Dixon Cafe
Fredericksburg, Virginia
Peter Chang
Williamsburg, Virginia
Top Coffee Stop
Norfolk, Virginia
Near the end, short detour
Hours: 7:30 am–10 pm
+17576250461
Curitiba Art Cafe
Fredericksburg, Virginia
Dubai Girls Cafe
Glen Allen, Virginia
Early in the drive, short detour
Spotsylvania Courthouse, Virginia
Hours: 10 am–10 pm
+15405825250
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Fredericksburg, Virginia
Hours: 8 am–9 pm
+15403711950
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Williamsburg, Virginia
Hours: 11 am–9:30 pm
+17573455829
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Williamsburg, Virginia
Hours: 4 pm–1 am
+17579032697
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Ashland, Virginia
Hours: 11 am–9 pm
+18047982933
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Ashland, Virginia
Hours: 11 am–8 pm
+18047983287
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Williamsburg, Virginia
Hours: 7 am–9 pm
+17572580007
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, ~9 min detour
Sandston, Virginia
Hours: 11 am–10 pm
+18042222250
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Norfolk, Virginia
Hours: 7:30 am–10 pm
+17576250461
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Fredericksburg, Virginia
Hours: 10 am–7 pm
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Glen Allen, Virginia
Hours: 10 am–8 pm
+18044001505
Later in the drive, ~10 min detour
Newport News, Virginia
Hours: 7 am–10 pm
+17577553134
Visit websiteLater in the drive, ~12 min detour
Yorktown, Virginia
Hours: 9 am–4 pm
+17578723020
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Portsmouth, Virginia
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18777983752
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Hampton, Virginia
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18774943833
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Williamsburg, Virginia
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Norfolk, Virginia
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18774943833
Visit websiteNear the end, ~9 min detour
Newport News, Virginia
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18774943833
Visit websiteNear the end, ~11 min detour
Chesapeake, Virginia
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Chesapeake, Virginia
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+33172676914
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Hampton, Virginia
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteNear the start, right off the route
Fredericksburg, VA
Hours: 8:30 am–5 pm
+15407868344
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Ruther Glen, Virginia
Near the start, right off the route
Fredericksburg, Virginia
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+15408584242
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Portsmouth, Virginia
Hours: 10 am–4 pm
+17573938591
Visit websiteNear the start, right off the route
Fredericksburg, Virginia
+15402264261
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Fredericksburg, Virginia
Hours: 12–9 pm
+15403861351
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Falmouth, Virginia
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+15406541015
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Hampton, Virginia
+17578254657
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Fredericksburg, Virginia
Hours: 7 am–7 pm
+15403721086
Near the start, short detour
Fredericksburg, Virginia
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+15406933200
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
5 decision points cluster between mile 22.7 and 161.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Take the exit onto US 17 toward I 95 South, US 17 South: Richmond
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
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
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
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
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
Regular Gas
$26.93 one way
$53.86 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $29.44 | $58.89 |
| premium | $4.70 | $31.87 | $63.74 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $38.02 | $76.04 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 60.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 51.7 | 0 | $18.08 | $8.27 |
| Efficient EV | 43.1 | 0 | $15.07 | $6.89 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 68.9 | 0 | $24.11 | $11.02 |
Gas CO2
60 kg
EV CO2
20 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in Bealeton on Sunday
Local time
6:02 AM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Destination
Morning in Portsmouth on Sunday
Local time
6:02 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Prepare for a route with a decidedly local feel, characterized by frequent turns rather than long, uninterrupted stretches. With a 0% highway share, you'll be navigating a network of surface streets and county roads for the entire 173.7 miles. The profile suggests a 'Turn-heavy local drive,' meaning you'll be constantly adjusting your direction, which can make the drive more engaging but also requires consistent attention. There isn't a 'longest stretch' of highway to speak of, so expect a continuous series of turns and changes in scenery as you progress through the Southeast region.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and US 17. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 22.7 miles in near US 17.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 172.2 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 22.7 miles (US 17): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 70.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 85.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Bealeton, VA and Portsmouth, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk, Va Beach, Virginia Beach, Suffolk, Chesapeake and Churchland.
Norfolk
Va Beach
Virginia Beach
Suffolk
Chesapeake
Churchland
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 25m. Total distance: 172.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 25m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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