Spanning 186 miles across Virginia, this drive connects Bristow to Portsmouth in approximately 3 hours and 16 minutes. Since the entire journey remains within the Southeast region, you will experience a consistent landscape transition as you head toward the coast. This route works perfectly as a straightforward day trip, meaning you likely won't need to book an overnight stay unless you have business or personal commitments at the destination. Expect to budget around $30 for fuel to cover the distance comfortably. By sticking to a one-day itinerary, you gain the freedom to manage your own schedule without the stress of hotel logistics.
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
92.5 miles from Bristow, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 51m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
66.8 mi
1h 14m
I 64
62.7 mi
1h 9m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
13 mi
14m
Bristow Road
9.1 mi
15m
Hampton Roads Beltway
7.2 mi
9m
Dumfries Road
7 mi
10m
Western Freeway
5.8 mi
7m
Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel
4.3 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 66.8 mi, about 1h 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bristow, VA and Portsmouth, VA.
1
Start on SR 619
9.1 mi·15 min·Bristow Road
2
Turn right onto VA 234
7.0 mi·10 min·Dumfries Road
3
Take the exit
0.4 mi·58 sec
4
Merge onto I 95
18 mi·20 min·I 95
Use the straight lane.
5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
49 mi·53 min·I 95
Use the straight lane.
6
Take the exit
1.9 mi·2 min
Exit 84AToward I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va BeachUse the slight left / straight lanes.
7
Merge onto I 295
13 mi·14 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
1.3 mi·2 min
Exit 28AToward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia BeachUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 64
63 mi·1 hr 9 min·I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.5 mi·36 sec
Exit 264Toward I 664 South: Downtown Newport News, Suffolk, ChesapeakeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 664
6.1 mi·7 min·Hampton Roads Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 664
4.3 mi·5 min·Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel
13
Continue on I 664
1.1 mi·1 min·Hampton Roads Beltway
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 8BToward VA 135 South: College Drive, ChurchlandUse the right lane.
15
Continue on VA 135
1.4 mi·2 min·College Drive
Use the straight lane.
16
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward VA 164 East: Downtown Portsmouth
17
Merge onto VA 164
5.8 mi·7 min·Western Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Merge onto US 58; VA 164
0.7 mi·46 sec·Martin Luther King Freeway
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward VA 141 South: Downtown PortsmouthUse the right lane.
20
Turn straight onto US 58
1.2 mi·2 min·London Boulevard
21
Turn right onto VA 141
0.1 mi·11 sec·Effingham Street
Use the right lane.
22
Turn left onto High Street
0.5 mi·1 min·High Street
Use the left lane.
23
Continue on High Street
201 ft·20 sec·High Street
Use the left lane.
24
Arrive at destination
High Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short 3-hour and 16-minute drive, you have the flexibility to depart whenever fits your morning routine. Plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs and break up the turn-heavy nature of the local roads. Keep your $30 fuel budget in mind, and consider topping off your tank before leaving Bristow to ensure a smooth, worry-free trip. Because you are navigating a combination of Dumfries Road and the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, keep a close watch on your GPS to ensure you don't miss any critical turns. Embracing the stop-and-go nature of this regional route is the best way to keep your focus sharp until you arrive in 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 92.5 miles from Bristow, VA, or about 1h 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 66.8 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 41 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 92.5 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 2h 58m
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 Bristow, 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 Bristow, VA
This is one driving day of about 184.9 miles and 3h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 41 miles from Bristow, 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 66.8 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 34.7 and 174.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
34.7 mi into trip|~48m 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
83.3 mi into trip|~1h 41m 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
98.2 mi into trip|~1h 57m 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
162.1 mi into trip|~3h 10m 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
174.2 mi into trip|~3h 25m 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
$28.91 one way
$57.83 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg65 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$31.61
$63.23
premium
$4.70
$34.22
$68.44
diesel
$5.61
$40.82
$81.65
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 64.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
55.5
0
$19.41
$8.88
Efficient EV
46.2
0
$16.18
$7.40
EV Truck/SUV
74
0
$25.89
$11.83
Gas CO2
65 kg
EV CO2
22 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 16, 2026
Origin
Bristow, VA
Afternoon
in Bristow on Sunday
Local time
1:29 PM
EDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Portsmouth, VA
Afternoon
in Portsmouth on Sunday
Local time
1:29 PM
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
17 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 41m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise on this 186-mile journey. Your navigation will guide you through a mix of routes, including Dumfries Road, I-295 South, and the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway. Because this path relies on local roads rather than high-speed highway stretches, you should stay alert for frequent turns and changing traffic patterns. The character of the road is technical and requires your full attention behind the wheel. Unlike a straight shot on a major artery, this route demands active driving to navigate the various transitions between regional corridors.
74% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 66.8 mi on I 95.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 34.7 miles in near I 95.
Driving Effort9/10
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 17 significant decision points across 184.9 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 34.7 miles (I 95): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 83.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 98.2 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 Bristow, VA and Portsmouth, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk, Va Beach, Virginia Beach, Suffolk, Chesapeake and Churchland.
Norfolk
83.3 mi in|~1h 41m
Va Beach
83.3 mi in|~1h 41m
Virginia Beach
98.2 mi in|~1h 57m
Suffolk
162.1 mi in|~3h 10m
Chesapeake
162.1 mi in|~3h 10m
Churchland
174.2 mi in|~3h 25m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 41m. Total distance: 184.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 41m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (74%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 66.8 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 34.7 miles (I 95): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 83.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 98.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Portsmouth, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
