Covington, VA to Portsmouth, VA is 274.9 miles and takes about 5h 10m via I 64, Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, and Hampton Roads Beltway, with a fuel budget near $42 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Virginia, moving from the western part of the state towards the coast. Given its relatively short duration and mostly highway profile, it's a straightforward drive for a single day. You'll find the route efficient for getting from point A to point B without significant detours. Plan for a smooth transition as you approach the Hampton Roads area.
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
137.4 miles from Covington, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 31m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
224.7 mi
4h 5m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
22.9 mi
25m
Hampton Roads Beltway
7.2 mi
9m
Western Freeway
5.8 mi
7m
Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel
4.3 mi
5m
College Drive
1.4 mi
2m
London Boulevard
1.2 mi
2m
North Craig Avenue
0.8 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 224.7 mi, about 4h 5m
Traffic on I-64
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 92 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,010 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,421
Quietest
2 AM
~115 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
17.5×
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 Covington, VA and Portsmouth, VA.
1
Start on West Main Street
0.3 mi·54 sec·West Main Street
2
Turn left onto North Lexington Avenue
350 ft·9 sec·North Lexington Avenue
3
Turn right onto West Locust Street
0.1 mi·14 sec·West Locust Street
4
Continue on VA 154
0.8 mi·1 min·North Craig Avenue
5
Continue on VA 154
0.4 mi·48 sec·South Durant Road
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·26 sec
7
Merge onto I 64
72 mi·1 hr 17 min·I 64
Use the straight lane.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 64
90 mi·1 hr 38 min·I 64
Toward I 64 East: RichmondUse the straight lane.
9
Take the exit
1.2 mi·1 min
Exit 177Toward I 295 North: Washington, NorfolkUse the slight right lane.
10
Continue on I 295
23 mi·25 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
1.3 mi·2 min
Exit 28AToward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia BeachUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 64
63 mi·1 hr 9 min·I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.5 mi·36 sec
Exit 264Toward I 664 South: Downtown Newport News, Suffolk, ChesapeakeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto I 664
6.1 mi·7 min·Hampton Roads Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on I 664
4.3 mi·5 min·Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel
16
Continue on I 664
1.1 mi·1 min·Hampton Roads Beltway
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 8BToward VA 135 South: College Drive, ChurchlandUse the right lane.
18
Continue on VA 135
1.4 mi·2 min·College Drive
Use the straight lane.
19
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward VA 164 East: Downtown Portsmouth
20
Merge onto VA 164
5.8 mi·7 min·Western Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Merge onto US 58; VA 164
0.7 mi·46 sec·Martin Luther King Freeway
22
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward VA 141 South: Downtown PortsmouthUse the right lane.
23
Turn straight onto US 58
1.2 mi·2 min·London Boulevard
24
Turn right onto VA 141
0.1 mi·11 sec·Effingham Street
Use the right lane.
25
Turn left onto High Street
0.5 mi·1 min·High Street
Use the left lane.
26
Continue on High Street
201 ft·20 sec·High Street
Use the left lane.
27
Arrive at destination
High Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5-hour drive, consider departing in the morning to allow ample time for the 274.9-mile trip and any brief stops. With a fuel cost estimated at $42, you can budget accordingly. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 224.7 miles on I 64, so plan your fuel and rest stops before or after this segment. As you approach Portsmouth, be prepared for increased traffic density, especially if traveling during peak commuting hours. This route is well-suited for a single-day journey, offering flexibility in your departure time.
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 137.4 miles from Covington, VA, or about 2h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 224.7 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 60 miles or 1h 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 137.4 miles or 2h 31m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 9m
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 Covington, 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 Covington, VA
This is one driving day of about 274.9 miles and 5h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 miles from Covington, 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 224.7 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 74 and 264.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
74 mi into trip|~1h 22m in|I 64
Keep slight right at fork onto I 64 toward I 64 East: Richmond
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 64 East: Richmond
8
164.1 mi into trip|~3h in
Take the exit toward I 295 North: Washington, Norfolk
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 177
Toward I 295 North: Washington, Norfolk
8
188.2 mi into trip|~3h 26m 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
252.1 mi into trip|~4h 39m 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
264.1 mi into trip|~4h 54m 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
$40.59 one way
$81.17 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg96 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$44.60
$89.20
premium
$4.49
$48.62
$97.23
diesel
$4.80
$51.91
$103.81
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 96.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
82.5
1
$28.86
$13.20
Efficient EV
68.7
0
$24.05
$11.00
EV Truck/SUV
110
1
$38.49
$17.59
Gas CO2
96 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Covington, VA
Late night
in Covington on Sunday
Local time
5:12 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Patchy Smoke then Patchy Fog
NW 2 mph8% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Portsmouth, VA
Late night
in Portsmouth on Sunday
Local time
5:12 AM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Areas Of Smoke
S 5 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
5 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
5h 10m 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.
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...
4 mi from route
~11 min detour
$15
near mile 237
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...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
Free
near mile 255.9
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 189.6
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 highways, with 84% of the 274.9 miles being on major roadways like I 64. You'll experience a long stretch of 224.7 miles primarily on I 64, offering consistent cruising. Expect a significant number of exits and merges as you navigate the Hampton Roads Beltway towards the end of your trip. The transition from more open highway driving to busier, urban-influenced road conditions will be noticeable.
84% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 224.7 mi on I 64.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 74 miles in near I 64.
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 16 significant decision points across 274.9 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 74 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 164.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 188.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,831 ft9 ft
Total Climb
711 ft
Total Descent
1,943 ft
Highest Point
1,831 ft
~58.9 mi in
Elevation Range
1,823 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Covington, VA and Portsmouth, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Suffolk and Chesapeake.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 10m. Total distance: 274.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 10m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (84%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 224.7 miles on I 64. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 17 rest areas or service plazas 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 17 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 74 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 164.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 188.2 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. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Portsmouth, VA before the return drive.
