Origin
Falmouth, VA
Morning in Falmouth on Sunday
Local time
7:57 AM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Falmouth, VA to Portsmouth, VA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 56m
Distance
148.1 mi
238 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$23
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 45m
★
6 AM
2h 56m
8 AM
3h 18m
10 AM
3h 4m
12 PM
3h 2m
3 PM
3h 5m
5 PM
3h 17m
8 PM
2h 49m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Falmouth, VA
Stephen Noulton
Portsmouth, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 148.1-mile drive from Falmouth, VA, to Portsmouth, VA, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 56 minutes. The journey primarily utilizes major highways, including I-95 and I-64, making for a straightforward transit. With an estimated fuel cost of around $23, this route offers an economical option for travel within the Southeast region. The highway-focused profile suggests a consistent pace, with one recommended stop to break up the drive. This route is ideal for those looking for an efficient way to get from point A to point B without extensive detours.
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
74 miles from Falmouth, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 27m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 64 | 62.7 mi | 1h 9m |
| I 95 | 40 mi | 43m |
| Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway | 13 mi | 14m |
| Hampton Roads Beltway | 7.2 mi | 9m |
| Western Freeway | 5.8 mi | 7m |
| Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel | 4.3 mi | 5m |
| Emancipation Highway | 3.3 mi | 6m |
| Patriot Highway | 2.6 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 62.7 mi, about 1h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Falmouth, VA and Portsmouth, VA.
1
Start on VA 218
18 ft
·
0 sec
·
Butler Road
2
Turn left onto US 1; US 17 BUS
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
Cambridge Street
3
Continue on US 1; US 17 BUS
3.3 mi
·
6 min
·
Emancipation Highway
Use the left lane.
4
Continue on US 1
2.2 mi
·
4 min
·
Patriot Highway
Use the straight lane.
5
Continue on US 1
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
·
Patriot Highway
6
Turn left
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Toward I 95 South
Use the left lane.
7
Merge onto I 95
40 mi
·
43 min
·
I 95
Use the straight lane.
8
Take the exit
1.9 mi
·
2 min
Exit 84A
Toward I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va Beach
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
9
Merge onto I 295
13 mi
·
14 min
·
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
1.3 mi
·
2 min
Exit 28A
Toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 64
63 mi
·
1 hr 9 min
·
I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
36 sec
Exit 264
Toward I 664 South: Downtown Newport News, Suffolk, Chesapeake
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 664
6.1 mi
·
7 min
·
Hampton Roads Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on I 664
4.3 mi
·
5 min
·
Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel
15
Continue on I 664
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Hampton Roads Beltway
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 8B
Toward VA 135 South: College Drive, Churchland
Use the right lane.
17
Continue on VA 135
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
College Drive
Use the straight lane.
18
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Toward VA 164 East: Downtown Portsmouth
19
Merge onto VA 164
5.8 mi
·
7 min
·
Western Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Merge onto US 58; VA 164
0.7 mi
·
46 sec
·
Martin Luther King Freeway
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Toward VA 141 South: Downtown Portsmouth
Use the right lane.
22
Turn straight onto US 58
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
London Boulevard
23
Turn right onto VA 141
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
Effingham Street
Use the right lane.
24
Turn left onto High Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
High Street
Use the left lane.
25
Continue on High Street
201 ft
·
20 sec
·
High Street
Use the left lane.
26
Arrive at destination
High Street
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of under 3 hours, this trip is perfectly suited for a single day. Consider departing in the morning to take advantage of lighter traffic, especially as you approach urban areas. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility on when and where to pull over, but keep an eye on your fuel levels, particularly during the 62.7-mile stretch on I-64. The estimated fuel cost of $23 makes budgeting straightforward for this 148.1-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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 74 miles from Falmouth, VA, or about 1h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 62.7 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 33 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 74 miles or 1h 27m 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 20m
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 Falmouth, 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 Falmouth, VA
This is one driving day of about 148.1 miles and 2h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 miles from Falmouth, 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 62.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
74 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 33 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 74 miles from Falmouth, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 64 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 62.7 miles.
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 155 decision points cluster between mile 6.3 and 137.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
6.3 mi into trip
|
~12m in
Turn left toward I 95 South
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 95 South
8
46.5 mi into trip
|
~56m 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
61.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 12m 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
125.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 24m 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
137.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 39m 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
$23.16 one way
$46.32 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
52 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $25.32 | $50.65 |
| premium | $4.70 | $27.41 | $54.82 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $32.70 | $65.40 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 51.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 44.4 | 0 | $15.55 | $7.11 |
| Efficient EV | 37 | 0 | $12.96 | $5.92 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 59.2 | 0 | $20.73 | $9.48 |
Gas CO2
52 kg
EV CO2
17 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.
Destination
Portsmouth, VA
Morning in Portsmouth on Sunday
Local time
7:57 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
71°F
Williamsburg, VA
74 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
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
2h 56m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience for 74% of this 148.1-mile journey. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on interstates like I-64 and I-95, which are designed for steady progress. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 62.7 miles on I-64, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent driving. While not overly technical, the route offers a predictable driving rhythm, allowing you to maintain a good pace for most of the 2 hours and 56 minutes.
74% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 62.7 mi on I 64.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and I 95. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 6.3 miles in.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 148.1 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 6.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 46.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 61.4 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Falmouth, VA and Portsmouth, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk, Va Beach, Virginia Beach, Suffolk, Chesapeake and Churchland.
Norfolk
46.5 mi in
|
~56m
Va Beach
46.5 mi in
|
~56m
Virginia Beach
61.4 mi in
|
~1h 12m
Suffolk
125.3 mi in
|
~2h 24m
Chesapeake
125.3 mi in
|
~2h 24m
Churchland
137.4 mi in
|
~2h 39m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 56m. Total distance: 148.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 56m 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 62.7 miles on I 64. 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.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 6.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 46.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 61.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Portsmouth, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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