Origin
Ettrick, VA
Morning in Ettrick on Sunday
Local time
8:00 AM
EDT
Current temp
87°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Ettrick, VA to Portsmouth Heights, VA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 53m
Distance
82.4 mi
133 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 46m
★
6 AM
1h 54m
8 AM
2h 10m
10 AM
2h 0m
12 PM
1h 58m
3 PM
2h 0m
5 PM
2h 10m
8 PM
1h 49m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ettrick, VA
Tima Miroshnichenko
Portsmouth Heights, VA
Daniel Miller
Trip Overview
Ettrick, VA to Portsmouth Heights, VA is 82.4 miles and takes about 1h 53m via James River Drive, Colonial Trail West, and Old Stage Highway, with a fuel budget near $13 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Virginia's Southeast region, offering a straightforward, same-day journey. Expect a local road experience for the entire drive, with no highway segments to worry about. It's a practical option if you're looking for a direct route without the complexities of interstate travel.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
41.2 miles from Ettrick, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 54m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| James River Drive | 14.6 mi | 19m |
| Colonial Trail West | 13.3 mi | 15m |
| Old Stage Highway | 12 mi | 15m |
| Colonial Trail East | 9.8 mi | 11m |
| Bridge Road | 6.8 mi | 11m |
| Portsmouth Boulevard | 3.5 mi | 6m |
| East Washington Street | 3.5 mi | 4m |
| Hampton Roads Beltway | 3.1 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
James River Drive
— 14.6 mi, about 19m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ettrick, VA and Portsmouth Heights, VA.
1
Start on East River Road
0.1 mi
·
34 sec
·
East River Road
2
Turn right onto SR 1107
516 ft
·
14 sec
·
Granger Street
3
At end of road, turn left onto VA 36
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Chesterfield Avenue
Use the left lane.
4
Continue on VA 36
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
Fleet Street
5
Turn left onto VA 36
0.5 mi
·
56 sec
·
Grove Avenue
6
Continue on VA 36
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
West Old Street
7
Turn right onto VA 36
484 ft
·
18 sec
·
North Sycamore Street
8
Turn left onto East Bank Street
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
East Bank Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
9
At end of road, turn left onto VA 36
3.5 mi
·
4 min
·
East Washington Street
Use the left lane.
10
Continue on VA 36
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Oaklawn Boulevard
11
Continue on VA 36
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Winston Churchill Drive
12
Turn right onto VA 10; VA 156 BUS
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
East Randolph Road
13
Continue on VA 10; VA 156 BUS
15 mi
·
19 min
·
James River Drive
14
Continue on VA 10
13 mi
·
15 min
·
Colonial Trail West
15
At end of road, turn left onto VA 10; VA 31
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Rolfe Highway
16
Take the exit
149 ft
·
6 sec
17
Merge onto VA 10
9.8 mi
·
11 min
·
Colonial Trail East
18
Continue on VA 10
12 mi
·
15 min
·
Old Stage Highway
Use the left lane.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto US 258
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Brewers Neck Boulevard
20
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
21
Merge onto US 17
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Carrollton Boulevard
22
Continue on US 17
6.2 mi
·
10 min
·
Bridge Road
Use the left lane.
23
Keep slight left at fork onto US 17
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Bridge Road
Use the straight lane.
24
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
25
Merge onto I 664
3.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Hampton Roads Beltway
26
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Exit 11B
Toward VA 337 East: Portsmouth Boulevard, Portsmouth
Use the right lane.
27
Turn straight onto VA 337
3.5 mi
·
6 min
·
Portsmouth Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
28
Turn left onto Byers Avenue
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Byers Avenue
Use the left lane.
29
Turn right onto Vick Street
464 ft
·
20 sec
·
Vick Street
30
Arrive at destination
Vick Street
Trip Plan
Given the 1 hour and 53-minute duration, this trip is easily manageable in a single day. Consider departing in the morning to take advantage of daylight and allow for a relaxed pace, though the relatively short distance offers flexibility. With a fuel cost estimated at $13, you won't need to worry about frequent refueling stops, but it's always wise to start with a full tank. Pay attention to the numerous turns, especially on James River Drive, as they are a defining feature of this 82.4-mile drive.
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 41.2 miles from Ettrick, VA, or about 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 14.6 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 18 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 41.2 miles or 54m 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 32m
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 Ettrick, VA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Ettrick, VA
This is one driving day of about 82.4 miles and 1h 53m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Ettrick, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on James River Drive for about 14.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
41 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 18 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 41.2 miles from Ettrick, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 205 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 78.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
SR 1107 / Granger Street
Turn right onto SR 1107 / Granger Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
VA 36 / Chesterfield Avenue
At end of road, turn left onto VA 36 / Chesterfield Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
3 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
VA 36 / East Washington Street
At end of road, turn left onto VA 36 / East Washington Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
74.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 39m in
|
US 17 / Bridge Road
Keep slight left at fork onto US 17 / Bridge Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
78.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 44m in
Take the exit toward VA 337 East: Portsmouth Boulevard, Portsmouth
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 11B
Toward VA 337 East: Portsmouth Boulevard, Ports...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.89 one way
$25.77 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
29 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $14.09 | $28.18 |
| premium | $4.70 | $15.25 | $30.50 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $18.19 | $36.39 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 24.7 | 0 | $8.65 | $3.96 |
| Efficient EV | 20.6 | 0 | $7.21 | $3.30 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 33 | 0 | $11.54 | $5.27 |
Gas CO2
29 kg
EV CO2
10 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.
Destination
Portsmouth Heights, VA
Morning in Portsmouth Heights on Sunday
Local time
8:00 AM
EDT
Current temp
85°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
71°F
Williamsburg, VA
41 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
2 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 53m 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.
Petersburg National Battlefield
National Battlefield
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...
4 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
Park Closure: Eastern Front Tour Road south of Route 36 - Closed
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...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
$15
near mile 48.3
View on nps.gov
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
~33 min detour
Free
near mile 68.2
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is characterized by frequent turns, making it feel more like navigating local roads than a typical highway drive. With a 0% highway share, you'll spend the entire 1 hour and 53 minutes on surface streets. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 14.6 miles along James River Drive. Be prepared for a dynamic driving experience, as the road conditions and turns will keep you engaged throughout the 82.4-mile journey.
Only 0% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 14.6 mi on James River Drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near SR 1107 / Granger Street.
Driving Effort
10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 82.4 miles you will encounter 20 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 0.1 miles (SR 1107 / Granger Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (VA 36 / Chesterfield Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 3 miles (VA 36 / East Washington Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Ettrick, VA to Portsmouth Heights, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Portsmouth along the way.
Portsmouth
78.2 mi in
|
~1h 44m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 53m. Total distance: 82.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 53m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 14.6 miles on James River Drive. 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 Heights, 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 0.1 miles (SR 1107 / Granger Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (VA 36 / Chesterfield Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 3 miles (VA 36 / East Washington Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Petersburg National Battlefield, Colonial National Historical Park and 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 Heights, VA before heading back.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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