Emporia, VA to Portsmouth, VA is 76.6 miles and takes about 1h 43m via US 58 and I-264, with a fuel budget near $12 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This highway-focused drive stays within Virginia, connecting two points in the Southeast region. Expect a straightforward journey predominantly on major roadways, making it a practical choice for a quick trip. With a recommended one-day duration, this route is ideal for those seeking an efficient transfer between these two locations without extensive detours.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
38.3 miles from Emporia, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 51m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 58
65.8 mi
1h 25m
I 264
5.5 mi
7m
US 13
1.2 mi
2m
East Atlantic Street
0.8 mi
1m
Hampton Roads Beltway
0.6 mi
<1m
Lee Street
0.5 mi
1m
Hicksford Avenue
0.4 mi
<1m
Crawford Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
US 58
— 65.8 mi, about 1h 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Emporia, VA and Portsmouth, VA.
1
Start on Hicksford Avenue
0.4 mi·51 sec·Hicksford Avenue
2
Continue on Lee Street
0.5 mi·1 min·Lee Street
3
At end of road, turn right onto Southampton Street
0.2 mi·27 sec·Southampton Street
4
Turn right onto US 58 BUS
0.8 mi·1 min·East Atlantic Street
5
Turn right onto US 58
66 mi·1 hr 25 min·US 58
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit onto US 13; US 460
0.7 mi·1 min·US 13; US 460
Toward I 264 East, I 64, US 13 North: Portsmouth, Norfolk, Va Beach
7
Keep slight left at fork onto US 13; US 460
0.4 mi·56 sec·US 13; US 460
Toward I 264 East, I 64, US 13 North: Portsmouth, Norfolk, Va Beach
8
Merge onto I 664; US 13; US 460
0.6 mi·42 sec·Hampton Roads Beltway
9
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 15AToward I 264 East: Portsmouth, Norfolk
10
Continue on I 264
5.5 mi·7 min·I 264
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·20 sec
Exit 7BToward VA 141 North: Effingham Street, Crawford StreetUse the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward Crawford Street, Downtown, PortsmouthUse the straight / right lanes.
13
Turn slight left onto Pavilion Drive
0.2 mi·29 sec·Pavilion Drive
Use the straight lane.
14
Turn right onto Bart Street
368 ft·7 sec·Bart Street
15
Enter roundabout onto Crawford Street
285 ft·6 sec·Crawford Street
16
Continue on Crawford Street
0.2 mi·26 sec·Crawford Street
17
Turn left onto High Street
165 ft·12 sec·High Street
Use the left lane.
18
Arrive at destination
High Street
Trip Plan
Given the short duration of just over an hour and a half, this trip is easily manageable in a single day. You can depart at your leisure, perhaps mid-morning to avoid rush hour, and still arrive well before evening. With only 76.6 miles, you won't need to worry about extensive fuel stops, and the estimated $12 fuel cost is minimal. The longest stretch on US 58 means you can settle in for a good portion of the drive without frequent exits, but keep an eye out for the transition onto I-264 as you approach Portsmouth.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 38.3 miles from Emporia, VA, or about 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 65.8 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 17 miles or 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 38.3 miles or 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 1h 26m
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 Emporia, VA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Emporia, VA
This is one driving day of about 76.6 miles and 1h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Emporia, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 58 for about 65.8 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.8 and 75.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
1.8 mi into trip|~3m in|US 58
Turn right onto US 58
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
68.3 mi into trip|~1h 31m in|US 13; US 460
Keep slight left at fork onto US 13; US 460 toward I 264 East, I 64, US 13 North: Portsmouth, Norfolk, Va Beach
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 264 East, I 64, US 13 North: Portsmout...
6
69.3 mi into trip|~1h 32m in
Take the exit toward I 264 East: Portsmouth, Norfolk
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 15A
Toward I 264 East: Portsmouth, Norfolk
8
75.5 mi into trip|~1h 41m in
Take the exit toward VA 141 North: Effingham Street, Crawford Street
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 7B
Toward VA 141 North: Effingham Street, Crawford...
9
75.7 mi into trip|~1h 41m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Crawford Street, Downtown, Portsmouth
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward Crawford Street, Downtown, Portsmouth
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.98 one way
$23.96 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg27 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$13.10
$26.19
premium
$4.70
$14.18
$28.35
diesel
$5.61
$16.91
$33.82
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 26.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
23
0
$8.04
$3.68
Efficient EV
19.2
0
$6.70
$3.06
EV Truck/SUV
30.6
0
$10.72
$4.90
Gas CO2
27 kg
EV CO2
9 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 16, 2026
Origin
Emporia, VA
Morning
in Emporia on Sunday
Local time
10:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Portsmouth, VA
Morning
in Portsmouth on Sunday
Local time
10:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
50°F
Franklin, VA
38 mi in
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
18 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
1h 43m 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.
Fort Monroe National Monument
National Monument
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...
13 mi from route
~31 min detour
Free
near mile 76.6
Park Closure: Road Closure and Fishing Pier Impact
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is largely a highway-focused drive, with 95% of the journey utilizing major roads like US 58 and I-264. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 65.8 miles on US 58, offering a sustained period of highway travel. The profile suggests a consistent driving experience, minimizing complex intersections or slower local roads. This makes for a predictable and efficient trip, allowing you to maintain a steady pace for most of the 76.6 miles.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 65.8 mi on US 58.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 58 and I 264. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.8 miles in near US 58.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 76.6 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.8 miles (US 58): Lane positioning matters here; at 68.3 miles (US 13; US 460): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 69.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 Emporia, VA and Portsmouth, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk and Va Beach.
Norfolk
67.6 mi in|~1h 29m|via US 13; US 460
Va Beach
67.6 mi in|~1h 29m|via US 13; US 460
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 43m. Total distance: 76.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 43m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 65.8 miles on US 58. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.8 miles (US 58): Lane positioning matters here; at 68.3 miles (US 13; US 460): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 69.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Fort Monroe National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Portsmouth, VA before heading back.
