Origin
Lakeside, VA
Morning in Lakeside on Sunday
Local time
10:56 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lakeside, 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
2h 2m
Distance
100.2 mi
161 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$16
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 54m
★
6 AM
2h 2m
8 AM
2h 20m
10 AM
2h 9m
12 PM
2h 7m
3 PM
2h 9m
5 PM
2h 19m
8 PM
1h 57m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lakeside, VA
HONG SON
Portsmouth Heights, VA
Daniel Miller
Trip Overview
Lakeside, VA to Portsmouth Heights, VA is 100.2 miles and takes about 2h 2m via I 64, with a fuel budget near $16 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This highway-focused drive stays within Virginia, moving you from the Southeast region to the Southeast region. It's a straightforward trip, mostly on interstates, making it a practical choice if you need to get between these two points efficiently. You'll spend most of your time on major highways, so don't expect a leisurely cruise, but rather a direct path to your destination.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
50.1 miles from Lakeside, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 59m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 64 | 73.9 mi | 1h 23m |
| Hampton Roads Beltway | 12.1 mi | 15m |
| Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel | 4.3 mi | 5m |
| Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike | 3.9 mi | 5m |
| Portsmouth Boulevard | 3.5 mi | 6m |
| Dumbarton Road | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Lakeside Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Cedar Croft Street | 0.3 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 73.9 mi, about 1h 23m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lakeside, VA and Portsmouth Heights, VA.
1
Start on Cedar Croft Street
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Cedar Croft Street
2
Turn left onto Dumbarton Road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Dumbarton Road
3
Turn right onto VA 161
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
·
Lakeside Avenue
4
Continue on VA 161
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
Hermitage Road
5
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
6
Merge onto I 95
3.9 mi
·
5 min
·
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 64
74 mi
·
1 hr 23 min
·
I 64
Exit 75
Toward I 64 East: Williamsburg, Norfolk
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
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.
9
Merge onto I 664
6.1 mi
·
7 min
·
Hampton Roads Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 664
4.3 mi
·
5 min
·
Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel
11
Continue on I 664
5.9 mi
·
7 min
·
Hampton Roads Beltway
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Exit 11B
Toward VA 337 East: Portsmouth Boulevard, Portsmouth
Use the right lane.
13
Turn straight onto VA 337
3.5 mi
·
6 min
·
Portsmouth Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Turn left onto Byers Avenue
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Byers Avenue
Use the left lane.
15
Turn right onto Vick Street
464 ft
·
20 sec
·
Vick Street
16
Arrive at destination
Vick Street
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 2 hours and 2 minutes, this trip is easily manageable in a single day. Consider departing mid-morning to avoid the worst of any potential rush hour traffic around the major beltway sections. With the longest stretch being over 70 miles, plan your fuel stops accordingly before you embark, as opportunities might be less frequent on the interstate itself. This flexibility means you can depart at your convenience and still arrive with plenty of daylight to spare.
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 50.1 miles from Lakeside, VA, or about 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 73.9 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 22 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 50.1 miles or 59m 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 36m
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 Lakeside, 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 Lakeside, VA
This is one driving day of about 100.2 miles and 2h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Lakeside, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 64 for about 73.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
50 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 22 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 50.1 miles from Lakeside, 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 73.9 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 115 decision points cluster between mile 1.5 and 96.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
1.5 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
I 95 / Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
Merge onto I 95 / Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
5.3 mi into trip
|
~9m in
|
I 64
Keep slight right at fork onto I 64 toward I 64 East: Williamsburg, Norfolk
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 75
Toward I 64 East: Williamsburg, Norfolk
8
79.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 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...
5
79.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 33m in
|
I 664 / Hampton Roads Beltway
Merge onto I 664 / Hampton Roads Beltway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
96.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 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
$15.67 one way
$31.34 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
35 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $17.13 | $34.27 |
| premium | $4.70 | $18.54 | $37.09 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $22.12 | $44.25 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.27
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
(3.9 mi)
$0.27
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
$16
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 35.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 30.1 | 0 | $10.52 | $4.81 |
| Efficient EV | 25.1 | 0 | $8.77 | $4.01 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 40.1 | 0 | $14.03 | $6.41 |
Gas CO2
35 kg
EV CO2
12 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
10:56 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
25 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 2m 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
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...
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
$15
near mile 58.8
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...
4 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 79.5
View on nps.gov
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...
24 mi from route
~60 min detour
Free
near mile 10.4
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 predominantly a highway drive, with 78% of it utilizing major interstate roads. You'll encounter a significant stretch of 73.9 miles on I 64 without needing to exit, offering a consistent pace. The Hampton Roads Beltway and the Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel are key segments that contribute to the highway feel. Expect a smooth, albeit sometimes busy, journey primarily on well-maintained, high-speed roads.
78% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 73.9 mi on I 64.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and Hampton Roads Beltway. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.5 miles in near I 95 / Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 100.2 miles you will encounter 11 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 1.5 miles (I 95 / Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 5.3 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 79.2 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Lakeside, VA and Portsmouth Heights, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk, Suffolk and Chesapeake.
Norfolk
5.3 mi in
|
~9m
|
via I 64
Suffolk
79.2 mi in
|
~1h 32m
Chesapeake
79.2 mi in
|
~1h 32m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 2m. Total distance: 100.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (78%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 73.9 miles on I 64. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.27 in tolls one way, starting with Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike. 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.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.5 miles (I 95 / Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 5.3 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 79.2 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 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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