This 67.1-mile journey from Exmore, VA to Portsmouth Heights, VA takes approximately 1 hour and 38 minutes to complete. It's a straightforward, single-day trip, so no overnight stays are necessary. The estimated fuel cost for this drive is around $10. You'll primarily be navigating along Lankford Highway and the Chesapeake Bay–Tunnel, with a portion on the Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway. Both your starting and ending points are within the Southeast region, keeping the drive geographically focused. This route offers a practical travel option without extensive planning required.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
33.5 miles from Exmore, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 47m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Lankford Highway
29.7 mi
41m
Chesapeake Bay Bridge–Tunnel
17.7 mi
24m
Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway
7.9 mi
12m
Northampton Boulevard
5.1 mi
7m
Hampton Roads Beltway
1.5 mi
1m
Main Street
1.3 mi
3m
Portsmouth Boulevard
0.9 mi
2m
US 460 ALT
0.6 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Lankford Highway
— 29.7 mi, about 41m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Exmore, VA and Portsmouth Heights, VA.
1
Start on Westfield Avenue
47 ft·4 sec·Westfield Avenue
2
Turn right onto US 13 BUS
1.3 mi·3 min·Main Street
3
Turn left onto US 13
29 mi·39 min·Lankford Highway
4
Merge onto US 13
1.1 mi·1 min·Lankford Highway
5
Continue on US 13
18 mi·24 min·Chesapeake Bay Bridge–Tunnel
6
Continue on US 13
5.1 mi·7 min·Northampton Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.1 mi·14 sec
Toward I 64 East, I 64 West: Downtown Norfolk, Chesapeake, Suffolk, Hampton, Richmond
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 64 East: Downtown Norfolk, Chesapeake, SuffolkUse the slight left lane.
9
Merge onto I 64
1.5 mi·1 min·Hampton Roads Beltway
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·14 sec
Exit 284AToward I 264 East, I 264 West: Va Beach, Downtown Norfolk, PortsmouthUse the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·42 sec
Toward I 264 West: NorfolkUse the straight / slight left lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·19 sec
Toward I 264 West, US 13 South: Norfolk, Military Highway
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·57 sec
Toward I 264 West: Norfolk, Portsmouth
14
Merge onto I 264
7.9 mi·12 min·Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit onto US 460 ALT
0.6 mi·1 min·US 460 ALT
Exit 4Toward VA 337 West: Portsmouth BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
16
Turn left onto US 460 ALT; VA 337
0.9 mi·2 min·Portsmouth Boulevard
17
Turn right onto Shea Street
0.2 mi·51 sec·Shea Street
18
Turn left onto Vick Street
0.1 mi·27 sec·Vick Street
19
Arrive at destination
Vick Street
Trip Plan
With a total duration of just under two hours, this drive offers plenty of flexibility. You can easily depart at your leisure, perhaps after a relaxed morning in Exmore. Since there are no designated stops in the data, consider a short break midway if needed, especially during the 29.7-mile stretch on Lankford Highway. The $10 fuel cost is quite reasonable, so you shouldn't need to worry too much about finding gas stations, but it's always wise to top off before you leave. Keep an eye out for changes in road type as you progress toward Portsmouth Heights.
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 33.5 miles from Exmore, VA, or about 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 29.7 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 15 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 33.5 miles or 47m 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 20m
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 Exmore, VA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Exmore, VA
This is one driving day of about 67.1 miles and 1h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 15 miles from Exmore, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Lankford Highway for about 29.7 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 54 and 65.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
54 mi into trip|~1h 16m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 64 East: Downtown Norfolk, Chesapeake, Suffolk
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 64 East: Downtown Norfolk, Chesapeake,...
8
56.1 mi into trip|~1h 19m in
Take the exit toward I 264 East, I 264 West: Va Beach, Downtown Norfolk, Portsmouth
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 284A
Toward I 264 East, I 264 West: Va Beach, Downto...
7
56.2 mi into trip|~1h 19m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 264 West: Norfolk
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward I 264 West: Norfolk
6
56.8 mi into trip|~1h 20m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 264 West, US 13 South: Norfolk, Military Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 264 West, US 13 South: Norfolk, Milita...
7
65.3 mi into trip|~1h 33m in|US 460 ALT
Take the exit onto US 460 ALT toward VA 337 West: Portsmouth Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 4
Toward VA 337 West: Portsmouth Boulevard
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$10.49 one way
$20.99 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg24 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$11.47
$22.95
premium
$4.70
$12.42
$24.84
diesel
$5.61
$14.81
$29.63
Estimated Tolls: $4.00
Chesapeake Bay Bridge
$4.00
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$10
Tolls
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 23.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
20.1
0
$7.05
$3.22
Efficient EV
16.8
0
$5.87
$2.68
EV Truck/SUV
26.8
0
$9.39
$4.29
Gas CO2
23 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (65% 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 21, 2026
Origin
Exmore, VA
Morning
in Exmore on Tuesday
Local time
11:26 AM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Portsmouth Heights, VA
Morning
in Portsmouth Heights on Tuesday
Local time
11:26 AM
EDT
Current temp
55°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
2 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
1h 38m 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...
11 mi from route
~28 min detour
Free
near mile 46.2
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?
Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' profile for this 67.1-mile trip, with only 13% of it being on highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 29.7 miles on Lankford Highway. This suggests a driving experience that involves frequent changes in direction and speed, rather than a consistent highway cruise. You'll likely experience a mix of local road driving with some faster segments as you transition onto the expressways. Be prepared for a more engaged driving experience with this profile.
Only 13% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 29.7 mi on Lankford Highway.
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 54 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 67.1 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 54 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 56.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 56.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
Between Exmore, VA and Portsmouth Heights, VA, road signs point toward Chesapeake, Suffolk, Hampton, Richmond, Norfolk and Portsmouth - among others.
Chesapeake
53.9 mi in|~1h 16m
Suffolk
53.9 mi in|~1h 16m
Hampton
53.9 mi in|~1h 16m
Richmond
53.9 mi in|~1h 16m
Norfolk
56.1 mi in|~1h 19m
Portsmouth
56.1 mi in|~1h 19m
Military Highway
56.8 mi in|~1h 20m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 38m. Total distance: 67.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 29.7 miles on Lankford Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $4.00 in tolls one way, starting with Chesapeake Bay Bridge. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
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 54 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 56.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 56.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Heights, VA before heading back.
