Origin
Lynchburg, VA
Morning in Lynchburg on Sunday
Local time
11:11 AM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lynchburg, 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
4h 17m
Distance
191.3 mi
308 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$30
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 4m
★
6 AM
4h 17m
8 AM
4h 44m
10 AM
4h 27m
12 PM
4h 24m
3 PM
4h 28m
5 PM
4h 43m
8 PM
4h 9m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lynchburg, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Portsmouth Heights, VA
Daniel Miller
Trip Overview
Lynchburg, VA to Portsmouth Heights, VA is 191.3 miles and takes about 4h 17m via Richmond Highway, Prince Edward Highway, and Patrick Henry Highway, with a fuel budget near $30 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Southeast region and connects two points in Virginia. Expect a more local driving experience rather than a high-speed interstate cruise. It's a manageable single-day trip, making it a good option for a quick transit between these two areas.
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
95.7 miles from Lynchburg, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 7m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Richmond Highway | 27.9 mi | 34m |
| Prince Edward Highway | 24.1 mi | 29m |
| Patrick Henry Highway | 17.2 mi | 21m |
| James River Drive | 14.6 mi | 19m |
| Hull Street Road | 13.7 mi | 19m |
| Colonial Trail West | 13.3 mi | 15m |
| World War II Veterans Memorial Highway | 12.1 mi | 14m |
| Old Stage Highway | 12 mi | 15m |
Longest stretch:
Richmond Highway
— 27.9 mi, about 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lynchburg, VA and Portsmouth Heights, VA.
1
Start on 10th Street
221 ft
·
13 sec
·
10th Street
2
Turn right onto Main Street
0.3 mi
·
53 sec
·
Main Street
3
Turn left onto Washington Street
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
Washington Street
4
Continue on Concord Turnpike
2.9 mi
·
6 min
·
Concord Turnpike
5
Turn left onto US 29; US 460
28 mi
·
34 min
·
Richmond Highway
Use the left lane.
6
Continue on US 460
24 mi
·
29 min
·
Prince Edward Highway
7
Turn left onto VA 307
9.3 mi
·
12 min
·
Holly Farms Road
8
Turn left onto US 360
17 mi
·
21 min
·
Patrick Henry Highway
9
Continue on US 360
14 mi
·
19 min
·
Hull Street Road
Use the straight lane.
10
Turn right onto SR 754
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Commonwealth Centre Parkway
Use the right lane.
11
Take the ramp
62 ft
·
1 sec
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Toward VA 288 South
Use the slight right lane.
13
Merge onto VA 288
12 mi
·
14 min
·
World War II Veterans Memorial Highway
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward I 95 South: Petersburg
Use the slight right lane.
15
Merge onto I 95
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 61A
Toward VA 10 East: Hopewell
Use the right lane.
17
Continue on VA 10
6.8 mi
·
10 min
·
West Hundred Road
Use the left / uturn lanes.
18
Continue on VA 10
2.9 mi
·
4 min
·
West Randolph Road
19
Continue on VA 10; VA 156 BUS
15 mi
·
19 min
·
James River Drive
20
Continue on VA 10
13 mi
·
15 min
·
Colonial Trail West
21
At end of road, turn left onto VA 10; VA 31
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Rolfe Highway
22
Take the exit
149 ft
·
6 sec
23
Merge onto VA 10
9.8 mi
·
11 min
·
Colonial Trail East
24
Continue on VA 10
12 mi
·
15 min
·
Old Stage Highway
Use the left lane.
25
Keep slight left at fork onto US 258
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Brewers Neck Boulevard
26
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
27
Merge onto US 17
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Carrollton Boulevard
28
Continue on US 17
6.2 mi
·
10 min
·
Bridge Road
Use the left lane.
29
Keep slight left at fork onto US 17
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Bridge Road
Use the straight lane.
30
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
31
Merge onto I 664
3.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Hampton Roads Beltway
32
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Exit 11B
Toward VA 337 East: Portsmouth Boulevard, Portsmouth
Use the right lane.
33
Turn straight onto VA 337
3.5 mi
·
6 min
·
Portsmouth Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
34
Turn left onto Byers Avenue
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Byers Avenue
Use the left lane.
35
Turn right onto Vick Street
464 ft
·
20 sec
·
Vick Street
36
Arrive at destination
Vick Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour driving time, leaving Lynchburg in the morning will allow you to reach Portsmouth Heights with plenty of daylight remaining. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost estimate of $30, you can plan your budget accordingly. Pay attention to the transition points between Richmond Highway, Prince Edward Highway, and Patrick Henry Highway, as these often signal changes in the road type and speed. Since this is a single-day drive, you have flexibility to depart a bit later if needed, but an earlier start ensures a relaxed pace.
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 95.7 miles from Lynchburg, VA, or about 2h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 27.9 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 42 miles or 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 95.7 miles or 2h 7m 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 25m
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 Lynchburg, 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 Lynchburg, VA
This is one driving day of about 191.3 miles and 4h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 42 miles from Lynchburg, 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 Richmond Highway for about 27.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
96 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 42 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 95.7 miles from Lynchburg, 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.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 235 decision points cluster between mile 95.7 and 187.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
95.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 7m in
|
SR 754 / Commonwealth Centre Parkway
Turn right onto SR 754 / Commonwealth Centre Parkway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
8
96.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 8m in
Keep slight right at fork toward VA 288 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward VA 288 South
7
109 mi into trip
|
~2h 23m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 95 South: Petersburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 95 South: Petersburg
7
110.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 26m in
Take the exit toward VA 10 East: Hopewell
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 61A
Toward VA 10 East: Hopewell
8
187.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 8m 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
$29.92 one way
$59.83 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
67 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $32.71 | $65.42 |
| premium | $4.70 | $35.41 | $70.81 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $42.24 | $84.47 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.30
Concord Turnpike
(2.9 mi)
$0.20
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
(1.5 mi)
$0.10
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
$30
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 66.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 57.4 | 0 | $20.09 | $9.18 |
| Efficient EV | 47.8 | 0 | $16.74 | $7.65 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 76.5 | 0 | $26.78 | $12.24 |
Gas CO2
67 kg
EV CO2
22 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 Heights, VA
Morning in Portsmouth Heights on Sunday
Local time
11:11 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
1 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 17m 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.
Appomattox Court House National Historical Park
National Historical Park
On April 9, 1865, the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia in the McLean House in the village of Appomattox Court House, Virginia signaled the effective end of the nation's largest war. Question...
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Free
near mile 19.8
View on nps.gov
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...
11 mi from route
~28 min detour
$15
near mile 158.3
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...
12 mi from route
~30 min detour
Free
near mile 112.1
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...
13 mi from route
~34 min detour
Free
near mile 178.1
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive involves a significant amount of time on non-highway roads, with only about 33% of the route on higher-speed highways. You'll encounter frequent turns and changes in speed limits, especially after leaving the limited highway sections. The longest continuous stretch without a significant turn or change in road type is 27.9 miles on Richmond Highway. Be prepared for traffic signals and local intersections.
Only 3% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
36 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 27.9 mi on Richmond Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 95.7 miles in near SR 754 / Commonwealth Centre Parkway.
Driving Effort
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 191.3 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 95.7 miles (SR 754 / Commonwealth Centre Parkway): Lane positioning matters here; at 96.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 109 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 17m. Total distance: 191.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 17m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 27.9 miles on Richmond Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.30 in tolls one way, starting with Concord 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.
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 95.7 miles (SR 754 / Commonwealth Centre Parkway): Lane positioning matters here; at 96.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 109 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Appomattox Court House National Historical Park, Colonial National Historical Park and Petersburg National Battlefield (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Portsmouth Heights, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
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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