Traveling from Lorton to Portsmouth covers 182.1 miles and typically takes about 3 hours and 9 minutes of driving time. Because the trip is relatively short, it is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $29 on fuel for the journey, keeping your travel budget manageable. Your path begins in Northern Virginia and moves toward the coast, navigating through the Southeast region of the state. It is a straightforward trek that works well for a quick weekend getaway or a necessary commute between these two points.
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
90 miles from Lorton, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 42m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
62.7 mi
1h 9m
I 95
48.6 mi
53m
Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
29.4 mi
34m
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
College Drive
1.4 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 62.7 mi, about 1h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lorton, VA and Portsmouth, VA.
1
Start on SR 747
308 ft·41 sec·Sanger Street
2
Continue on SR 747
417 ft·22 sec·Sanger Street
3
Turn right onto SR 642
519 ft·17 sec·Lorton Road
Use the right lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·29 sec
Toward I 95 South: RichmondUse the left lane.
5
Merge onto I 95
29 mi·34 min·Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
49 mi·53 min·I 95
Use the straight lane.
7
Take the exit
1.9 mi·2 min
Exit 84AToward I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va BeachUse the slight left / straight lanes.
8
Merge onto I 295
13 mi·14 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
1.3 mi·2 min
Exit 28AToward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia BeachUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 64
63 mi·1 hr 9 min·I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.5 mi·36 sec
Exit 264Toward I 664 South: Downtown Newport News, Suffolk, ChesapeakeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 664
6.1 mi·7 min·Hampton Roads Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 664
4.3 mi·5 min·Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel
14
Continue on I 664
1.1 mi·1 min·Hampton Roads Beltway
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 8BToward VA 135 South: College Drive, ChurchlandUse the right lane.
16
Continue on VA 135
1.4 mi·2 min·College Drive
Use the straight lane.
17
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward VA 164 East: Downtown Portsmouth
18
Merge onto VA 164
5.8 mi·7 min·Western Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Merge onto US 58; VA 164
0.7 mi·46 sec·Martin Luther King Freeway
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward VA 141 South: Downtown PortsmouthUse the right lane.
21
Turn straight onto US 58
1.2 mi·2 min·London Boulevard
22
Turn right onto VA 141
0.1 mi·11 sec·Effingham Street
Use the right lane.
23
Turn left onto High Street
0.5 mi·1 min·High Street
Use the left lane.
24
Continue on High Street
201 ft·20 sec·High Street
Use the left lane.
25
Arrive at destination
High Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 3-hour and 9-minute drive, plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs and break up the turn-heavy segments. Since you are navigating local roads early on, try to avoid peak rush hours to ensure your travel time stays close to the 3-hour estimate. Budgeting roughly $29 for fuel will keep your finances on track for the round trip. A helpful tip for this specific route is to double-check your navigation before leaving Sanger Street, as the local road transitions can be tricky to follow. Since the trip is short and manageable within a single day, you have the flexibility to depart whenever suits your schedule best.
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 90 miles from Lorton, VA, or about 1h 42m 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 40 miles or 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 90 miles or 1h 42m 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 47m
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 Lorton, 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 Lorton, VA
This is one driving day of about 180 miles and 3h 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 40 miles from Lorton, 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 169.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
0.1 mi into trip|~1m in|SR 642 / Lorton Road
Turn right onto SR 642 / Lorton Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
8
78.4 mi into trip|~1h 29m 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
93.3 mi into trip|~1h 45m 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
157.3 mi into trip|~2h 58m 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
169.3 mi into trip|~3h 13m 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
$28.15 one way
$56.30 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg63 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$30.78
$61.55
premium
$4.70
$33.31
$66.63
diesel
$5.61
$39.74
$79.48
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 63 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
54
0
$18.90
$8.64
Efficient EV
45
0
$15.75
$7.20
EV Truck/SUV
72
0
$25.20
$11.52
Gas CO2
63 kg
EV CO2
21 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 15, 2026
Origin
Lorton, VA
Morning
in Lorton on Sunday
Local time
6:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Portsmouth, VA
Morning
in Portsmouth on Sunday
Local time
6:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°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
11 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
3h 29m 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 136.6
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...
6 mi from route
~16 min detour
Free
near mile 155.2
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
~65 min detour
Free
near mile 93.1
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 that demands your full attention as you transition off the main highways. While the route incorporates I-95 South, the journey is characterized by a significant reliance on local roads like Sanger Street and Lorton Road rather than a monotonous interstate grind. Because this is a turn-heavy profile, you will find yourself navigating more technical segments than a standard highway cruise. Staying alert is key, as the road conditions shift frequently between local thoroughfares and larger arterial roads. This drive is all about managing your speed and lane positioning through the varied road types that define the 182.1-mile path.
65% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 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 0.1 miles in near SR 642 / Lorton Road.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 180 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 0.1 miles (SR 642 / Lorton Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 78.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 93.3 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 Lorton, VA and Portsmouth, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk, Va Beach, Virginia Beach, Suffolk, Chesapeake and Churchland.
Norfolk
78.4 mi in|~1h 29m
Va Beach
78.4 mi in|~1h 29m
Virginia Beach
93.3 mi in|~1h 45m
Suffolk
157.3 mi in|~2h 58m
Chesapeake
157.3 mi in|~2h 58m
Churchland
169.3 mi in|~3h 13m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 29m. Total distance: 180 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 29m drive, comfortable solo distance.
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.
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, 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 0.1 miles (SR 642 / Lorton Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 78.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 93.3 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.
Possible but tiring. At 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Portsmouth, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
