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Trip from Hopewell, 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 38m

Distance

72.4 mi

117 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$11

one way

EV Charging

Good

7 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 23 min
4 AM
1h 31m ★
6 AM
1h 39m
8 AM
1h 54m
10 AM
1h 44m
12 PM
1h 43m
3 PM
1h 45m
5 PM
1h 53m
8 PM
1h 34m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Hopewell, VA, VA

Hopewell, VA

Eric Joseph

Downtown Portsmouth Heights, VA, VA

Portsmouth Heights, VA

Daniel Miller

Trip Overview

This 76.7-mile drive from Hopewell, VA to Portsmouth Heights, VA takes approximately 1 hour and 33 minutes to complete. It's a straightforward day trip, easily manageable within a single day, with an estimated fuel cost of $12. You'll primarily navigate local roads, utilizing James River Drive, Colonial Trail West, and Rolfe Highway for most of your journey. With no highway driving and a focus on local routes, expect a more connected feel to the communities you pass through. Since both destinations are within the Southeast region and the state of Virginia, you won't experience significant regional shifts, but you'll get a good feel for the local landscape.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

36.2 miles from Hopewell, VA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 45m 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
Hampton Roads Beltway 3.1 mi 3m
Brewers Neck Boulevard 2.8 mi 3m
Longest stretch: James River Drive — 14.6 mi, about 19m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Hopewell, VA and Portsmouth Heights, VA.

1

Start on VA 10

2.0 mi · 3 min · East Randolph Road
2

Continue on VA 10; VA 156 BUS

15 mi · 19 min · James River Drive
3

Continue on VA 10

13 mi · 15 min · Colonial Trail West
4

At end of road, turn left onto VA 10; VA 31

1.0 mi · 1 min · Rolfe Highway
5

Take the exit

149 ft · 6 sec
6

Merge onto VA 10

9.8 mi · 11 min · Colonial Trail East
7

Continue on VA 10

12 mi · 15 min · Old Stage Highway
Use the left lane.
8

Keep slight left at fork onto US 258

2.8 mi · 3 min · Brewers Neck Boulevard
9

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 19 sec
10

Merge onto US 17

2.3 mi · 3 min · Carrollton Boulevard
11

Continue on US 17

6.2 mi · 10 min · Bridge Road
Use the left lane.
12

Keep slight left at fork onto US 17

0.6 mi · 1 min · Bridge Road
Use the straight lane.
13

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 37 sec
14

Merge onto I 664

3.1 mi · 3 min · Hampton Roads Beltway
15

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 35 sec
Exit 11B Toward VA 337 East: Portsmouth Boulevard, Portsmouth Use the right lane.
16

Turn straight onto VA 337

3.5 mi · 6 min · Portsmouth Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
17

Turn left onto Byers Avenue

0.3 mi · 1 min · Byers Avenue
Use the left lane.
18

Turn right onto Vick Street

464 ft · 20 sec · Vick Street
19

Arrive at destination

Vick Street

Trip Plan

Given the relatively short duration of 1 hour and 33 minutes, this trip offers great flexibility. You can easily depart at your leisure, perhaps after a leisurely breakfast in Hopewell. The $12 fuel cost is minimal, so keeping your tank topped off shouldn't be a concern. Since there are no designated stops and the longest stretch is not applicable due to the local road nature, you can decide on breaks as needed. A good tip for this route is to pay close attention to your GPS, as the 'turn-heavy' profile means you'll be making frequent turns onto different local roads like Rolfe Highway.

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 36.2 miles from Hopewell, VA, or about 45m 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 16 miles or 21m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 36.2 miles or 45m 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 19m

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 Hopewell, VA so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Hopewell, VA

This is one driving day of about 72.4 miles and 1h 38m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Hopewell, 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.

Downtown Rushmere, VA, VA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Rushmere, VA

36 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.

Popular next leg

Rushmere, VA to Portsmouth Heights, VA

30.4 mi · 47m

Pacing Suggestions

Waverly, VA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 16 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Rushmere, VA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 36.2 miles from Hopewell, 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.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Coffee Stop

Gather Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Chesapeake, Virginia

Near the end, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 67.2

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

Visit website

Sandlot Cafe & Catering

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 5.2

Hopewell, Virginia

Hours: Closed

+18043343338

Gather Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 67.2

Chesapeake, Virginia

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

Visit website

Ordnance Cafe

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour

Fort Gregg-Adams, Virginia

Ford Charge Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 67.2

Chesapeake, Virginia

Hours: Open 24 hours

Tesla Supercharger

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 72.4

Portsmouth, Virginia

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Nissan Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 67.2

Chesapeake, Virginia

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+33172676914

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

2.0 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 67.2

Chesapeake, Virginia

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 67.2

Chesapeake, Virginia

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

InCharge Energy Charging Station

Near the end, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 67.2

Chesapeake, Virginia

+18333994638

Visit website

InCharge Energy Charging Station

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour

Hopewell, Virginia

+18333994638

Visit website

Isle of Wight County Museum

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 46.6

Smithfield, Virginia

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+17573561223

Visit website

Chippokes Farm and Forestry Museum

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 36.2

Surry, Virginia

Hours: 9 am–4 pm

+17572943439

Visit website

Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 72.4

Portsmouth, Virginia

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+17573938591

Visit website

Wishing Tree

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 72.4

Norfolk, Virginia

Hours: Open 24 hours

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 29.8 and 72.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

4
29.8 mi into trip | ~37m in | VA 10; VA 31 / Rolfe Highway

At end of road, turn left onto VA 10; VA 31 / Rolfe Highway

Navigation decision point

4
52.8 mi into trip | ~1h 6m in | US 258 / Brewers Neck Boulevard

Keep slight left at fork onto US 258 / Brewers Neck Boulevard

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

6
64.3 mi into trip | ~1h 24m 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
68.3 mi into trip | ~1h 30m 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...
5
72.1 mi into trip | ~1h 37m in | Byers Avenue

Turn left onto Byers Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$11.32 one way

$22.64 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 25 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $12.38 $24.76
premium $4.70 $13.40 $26.80
diesel $5.61 $15.99 $31.97

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$11

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$36–$61

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 25.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 21.7 0 $7.60 $3.48
Efficient EV 18.1 0 $6.34 $2.90
EV Truck/SUV 29 0 $10.14 $4.63

Gas CO2

25 kg

EV CO2

8 kg (68% 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

Hopewell, VA

Morning in Hopewell on Sunday

Local time

8:11 AM

EDT

Current temp

80°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Portsmouth Heights, VA

Morning in Portsmouth Heights on Sunday

Local time

8:11 AM

EDT

Current temp

85°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

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

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.

Colonial National Historical Park

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...

10 mi from route ~26 min detour $15 near mile 37.5
Park Closure: Rehabilitation of Colonial Parkway Continues
View on nps.gov
Fort Monroe National Monument

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 ~32 min detour Free near mile 64.9
View on nps.gov
Petersburg National Battlefield

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...

13 mi from route ~33 min detour Free
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a 'turn-heavy' local drive on this route, with a 0% highway share. This means you'll be navigating a continuous series of turns and local road segments for the entire 76.7 miles. There's no long, uninterrupted highway stretch to settle into; instead, your driving experience will be characterized by frequent adjustments and a direct engagement with the local infrastructure. The roads like James River Drive and Colonial Trail West will guide you through a more intimate journey, rather than a fast-paced transit.

Only 0% 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: 14.6 mi on James River Drive.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

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 29.8 miles in near VA 10; VA 31 / Rolfe Highway.

Driving Effort 9/10

Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 72.4 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 29.8 miles (VA 10; VA 31 / Rolfe Highway): Navigation decision point; at 52.8 miles (US 258 / Brewers Neck Boulevard): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 64.3 miles (US 17 / Bridge Road): 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.

On the drive from Hopewell, VA to Portsmouth Heights, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Portsmouth along the way.

Portsmouth

68.3 mi in | ~1h 30m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 38m. Total distance: 72.4 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 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 29.8 miles (VA 10; VA 31 / Rolfe Highway): Navigation decision point; at 52.8 miles (US 258 / Brewers Neck Boulevard): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 64.3 miles (US 17 / Bridge Road): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes — Colonial National Historical Park, Fort Monroe National Monument and Petersburg National Battlefield. 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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