Grottoes, VA to Portsmouth Heights, VA is 205.2 miles and takes about 4 hours 2 minutes via I 64, with a fuel budget near $32 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route primarily traverses the Southeast region of Virginia, taking you from the Shenandoah Valley area toward the Hampton Roads metropolitan area. Expect a fairly direct and efficient journey, largely on major highways, making it a practical choice for a single-day trip. It’s a straightforward drive that gets you where you need to go with minimal fuss, ideal if your priority is reaching your destination efficiently.
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
102.6 miles from Grottoes, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 1m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
140.1 mi
2h 33m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
22.9 mi
25m
Hampton Roads Beltway
12.1 mi
15m
East Side Highway
10.5 mi
15m
Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel
4.3 mi
5m
Portsmouth Boulevard
3.5 mi
6m
North Delphine Avenue
1.9 mi
3m
Three Notched Mountain Highway
1.7 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 140.1 mi, about 2h 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Grottoes, VA and Portsmouth Heights, VA.
1
Start on 8th Street
79 ft·8 sec·8th Street
2
Turn left onto SR 825
0.3 mi·37 sec·Dogwood Avenue
3
Turn left onto VA 256
0.5 mi·59 sec·3rd Street
4
At end of road, turn right onto US 340
0.2 mi·26 sec·Augusta Avenue
5
Continue on US 340
0.1 mi·10 sec·Eastside Highway
6
Continue on US 340
10 mi·15 min·East Side Highway
7
Continue on US 340
1.5 mi·2 min·Eastside Highway
8
Continue on US 340
1.9 mi·3 min·North Delphine Avenue
9
Turn left onto US 250
1.4 mi·2 min·East Main Street
10
Continue on US 250
1.7 mi·2 min·Three Notched Mountain Highway
11
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·15 sec
Use the right lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward I-64 East: Charlottesville
13
Merge onto I 64
77 mi·1 hr 24 min·I 64
Use the straight lane.
14
Take the exit
1.2 mi·1 min
Exit 177Toward I 295 North: Washington, NorfolkUse the slight right lane.
15
Continue on I 295
23 mi·25 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
1.3 mi·2 min
Exit 28AToward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia BeachUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Merge onto I 64
63 mi·1 hr 9 min·I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.5 mi·36 sec
Exit 264Toward I 664 South: Downtown Newport News, Suffolk, ChesapeakeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Merge onto I 664
6.1 mi·7 min·Hampton Roads Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Continue on I 664
4.3 mi·5 min·Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel
21
Continue on I 664
5.9 mi·7 min·Hampton Roads Beltway
22
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Exit 11BToward VA 337 East: Portsmouth Boulevard, PortsmouthUse the right lane.
23
Turn straight onto VA 337
3.5 mi·6 min·Portsmouth Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
24
Turn left onto Byers Avenue
0.3 mi·1 min·Byers Avenue
Use the left lane.
25
Turn right onto Vick Street
464 ft·20 sec·Vick Street
26
Arrive at destination
Vick Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour drive time, starting your journey in the morning is ideal to ensure you arrive with plenty of daylight. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost estimated at $32, this trip is manageable in a single day without extensive planning. Pay attention to the longest stretch of 140.1 miles on I 64; ensure you have adequate fuel before embarking on this segment. The flexibility of a shorter, single-day trip means you can adjust your departure time slightly based on traffic conditions, especially as you approach the Hampton Roads area.
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 102.6 miles from Grottoes, VA, or about 2h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 140.1 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 45 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 102.6 miles or 2h 1m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 15m
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 Grottoes, 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 Grottoes, VA
This is one driving day of about 205.2 miles and 4h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from Grottoes, 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 140.1 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 18.3 and 201 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
18.3 mi into trip|~28m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I-64 East: Charlottesville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I-64 East: Charlottesville
8
96.1 mi into trip|~1h 53m 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
120.2 mi into trip|~2h 20m 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
184.2 mi into trip|~3h 32m 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
201 mi into trip|~3h 53m 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
$32.09 one way
$64.18 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg72 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$35.09
$70.17
premium
$4.70
$37.98
$75.96
diesel
$5.61
$45.31
$90.61
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 71.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
61.6
0
$21.55
$9.85
Efficient EV
51.3
0
$17.96
$8.21
EV Truck/SUV
82.1
1
$28.73
$13.13
Gas CO2
72 kg
EV CO2
24 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 18, 2026
Origin
Grottoes, VA
Morning
in Grottoes on Sunday
Local time
6:35 AM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Portsmouth Heights, VA
Morning
in Portsmouth Heights on Sunday
Local time
6:35 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Mostly Clear
SE 2 mph1% chanceLive forecast
53°F
Ashland, VA
103 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
8 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
4h 2m 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...
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
$15
near mile 162.9
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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 184.2
Just 75 miles from the bustle of Washington, D.C., Shenandoah National Park is a land bursting with cascading waterfalls, spectacular vistas, fields of wildflowers, and quiet wooded hollows. With over...
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 120.4
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 highway-focused, with 68% of the journey utilizing major roadways. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on I 64, including a long stretch of 140.1 miles uninterrupted. The Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway and Hampton Roads Beltway also contribute to the highway feel. While largely a high-speed transit, the transition between these main arteries will still provide a sense of progression across the state.
68% 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: 140.1 mi on I 64.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
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 18.3 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
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 205.2 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 18.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 96.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 120.2 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.
Between Grottoes, VA and Portsmouth Heights, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Suffolk and Chesapeake.
Norfolk
96.1 mi in|~1h 53m
Virginia Beach
120.2 mi in|~2h 20m
Suffolk
184.2 mi in|~3h 32m
Chesapeake
184.2 mi in|~3h 32m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 2m. Total distance: 205.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 140.1 miles on I 64. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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.
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 18.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 96.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 120.2 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 Shenandoah National Park (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Portsmouth Heights, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
