Belle Haven, VA to Portsmouth Heights, VA is 192.3 miles and takes about 3h 46m via I 95, I 64, and Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, with a fuel budget near $30 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Southeast region, specifically in Virginia for its entirety. Expect a straightforward drive largely on major interstates, making it a practical choice for a quick journey. With a drive time under four hours, it's well-suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay.
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
96.2 miles from Belle Haven, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 51m 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
12.1 mi
15m
Capital Beltway (Local)
5 mi
6m
Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel
4.3 mi
5m
Portsmouth Boulevard
3.5 mi
6m
Fort Hunt Road
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 85.8 mi, about 1h 37m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Belle Haven, VA and Portsmouth Heights, VA.
1
Start on Hunting Cove Place
0.1 mi·31 sec·Hunting Cove Place
2
At end of road, turn left onto SR 629
0.4 mi·55 sec·Fort Hunt Road
3
Turn right onto US 1
0.1 mi·18 sec·Richmond Highway
Use the right lane.
4
Take the exit
0.2 mi·19 sec
Toward I 95, I 495: Baltimore, RichmondUse the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·49 sec
Toward I 95 South, I 495 West: RichmondUse the slight left lane.
6
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 95 South, I 495 WestUse the slight right lane.
7
Merge onto I 95; I 495
5.0 mi·6 min·Capital Beltway (Local)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
37 mi·43 min·I 95
Use the slight left lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
49 mi·53 min·I 95
Use the straight lane.
10
Take the exit
1.9 mi·2 min
Exit 84AToward I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va BeachUse the slight left / straight lanes.
11
Merge onto I 295
13 mi·14 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
1.3 mi·2 min
Exit 28AToward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia BeachUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 64
63 mi·1 hr 9 min·I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.5 mi·36 sec
Exit 264Toward I 664 South: Downtown Newport News, Suffolk, ChesapeakeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto I 664
6.1 mi·7 min·Hampton Roads Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on I 664
4.3 mi·5 min·Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel
17
Continue on I 664
5.9 mi·7 min·Hampton Roads Beltway
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Exit 11BToward VA 337 East: Portsmouth Boulevard, PortsmouthUse the right lane.
19
Turn straight onto VA 337
3.5 mi·6 min·Portsmouth Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Turn left onto Byers Avenue
0.3 mi·1 min·Byers Avenue
Use the left lane.
21
Turn right onto Vick Street
464 ft·20 sec·Vick Street
22
Arrive at destination
Vick Street
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 46m duration, you can comfortably complete this trip in one day. Aim to depart in the morning to maximize daylight and allow for any unexpected traffic. With a fuel cost estimated at $30, plan your stops accordingly, ensuring you have sufficient gas before embarking on the longest stretch of 85.8 miles on I 95. While there's only one recommended stop, keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as service areas can be spaced out on interstates.
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 96.2 miles from Belle Haven, VA, or about 1h 51m 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 42 miles or 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 96.2 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 1m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Portsmouth Heights, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Belle Haven, 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 Belle Haven, VA
This is one driving day of about 192.3 miles and 3h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 42 miles from Belle Haven, 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.7 and 107.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
0.7 mi into trip|~1m in
Take the exit toward I 95, I 495: Baltimore, Richmond
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, I 495: Baltimore, Richmond
8
0.8 mi into trip|~2m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 South, I 495 West: Richmond
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 95 South, I 495 West: Richmond
8
1.2 mi into trip|~2m 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
92.5 mi into trip|~1h 47m 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
107.4 mi into trip|~2h 3m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.07 one way
$60.14 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg67 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$32.88
$65.76
premium
$4.70
$35.59
$71.18
diesel
$5.61
$42.46
$84.91
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: 67.3 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
57.7
0
$20.19
$9.23
Efficient EV
48.1
0
$16.83
$7.69
EV Truck/SUV
76.9
0
$26.92
$12.31
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
Belle Haven, VA
Morning
in Belle Haven on Sunday
Local time
6:29 AM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Portsmouth Heights, VA
Morning
in Portsmouth Heights on Sunday
Local time
6:29 AM
EDT
Current temp
85°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
27 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
3h 46m on the road
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.
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...
1 mi from route
~2 min detour
$15
near mile 152.5
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...
5 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 172.4
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...
27 mi from route
~66 min detour
Free
near mile 106.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 77% of the journey on major interstates. You'll encounter long, uninterrupted stretches, including an 85.8-mile segment on I 95. The profile suggests mostly high-speed travel, so be prepared for a consistent pace for much of the 192.3 miles. While the primary focus is on efficient travel via highways like I 95 and I 64, the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway offers a slightly different experience as you approach your destination.
77% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 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 0.7 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 18 significant decision points across 192.3 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 0.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 0.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Belle Haven, VA and Portsmouth Heights, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk, Va Beach, Virginia Beach, Suffolk and Chesapeake.
Norfolk
92.5 mi in|~1h 47m
Va Beach
92.5 mi in|~1h 47m
Virginia Beach
107.4 mi in|~2h 3m
Suffolk
171.3 mi in|~3h 16m
Chesapeake
171.3 mi in|~3h 16m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 46m. Total distance: 192.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 46m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (77%). 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.
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 Heights, 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 0.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 0.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Colonial National Historical Park, Fort Monroe National Monument and Petersburg National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.8 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 Heights, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
