Origin
Marion, VA
Late night in Marion on Sunday
Local time
5:56 AM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Marion, VA to Portsmouth, VA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
7h 3m
Distance
377.4 mi
607 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$59
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 52m
★
6 AM
7h 4m
8 AM
7h 26m
10 AM
7h 12m
12 PM
7h 9m
3 PM
7h 13m
5 PM
7h 25m
8 PM
6h 57m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Marion, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Portsmouth, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 377.4-mile journey from Marion, VA to Portsmouth, VA is a substantial drive, estimated to take about 7 hours and 3 minutes. It's primarily a highway-focused trip, with 89% of the route on major interstates, making it a feasible day trip for those looking to cover ground efficiently. The estimated fuel cost for this drive is around $59, and you'll have two planned stops along the way. This route stays within the Southeast region, offering a consistent driving experience as you traverse the state of Virginia. It's a practical option if you need to get from Southwest Virginia to the Hampton Roads area without many detours.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
188.7 miles from Marion, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 28m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 81 | 175 mi | 3h 11m |
| I 64 | 152.9 mi | 2h 47m |
| Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway | 22.9 mi | 25m |
| 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 |
| London Boulevard | 1.2 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 175 mi, about 3h 11m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Marion, VA and Portsmouth, VA.
1
Start on East Main Street
0.1 mi
·
34 sec
·
East Main Street
2
Turn left onto VA 16
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
South Commerce Street
3
Continue on VA 16
399 ft
·
15 sec
·
State Highway 16
4
Turn left
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
5
Merge onto I 81
35 mi
·
37 min
·
I 81
Use the straight lane.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81; US 11
140 mi
·
2 hr 33 min
·
I 81; US 11
Toward I 81 North, US 11 North: Roanoke
Use the straight lane.
7
Continue on I 64; I 81
0.3 mi
·
17 sec
·
I 64; I 81
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 64
90 mi
·
1 hr 38 min
·
I 64
Toward I 64 East: Richmond
Use the straight lane.
9
Take the exit
1.2 mi
·
1 min
Exit 177
Toward I 295 North: Washington, Norfolk
Use the slight right lane.
10
Continue on I 295
23 mi
·
25 min
·
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
1.3 mi
·
2 min
Exit 28A
Toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 64
63 mi
·
1 hr 9 min
·
I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
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.
14
Merge onto I 664
6.1 mi
·
7 min
·
Hampton Roads Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on I 664
4.3 mi
·
5 min
·
Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel
16
Continue on I 664
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Hampton Roads Beltway
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 8B
Toward VA 135 South: College Drive, Churchland
Use the right lane.
18
Continue on VA 135
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
College Drive
Use the straight lane.
19
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Toward VA 164 East: Downtown Portsmouth
20
Merge onto VA 164
5.8 mi
·
7 min
·
Western Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Merge onto US 58; VA 164
0.7 mi
·
46 sec
·
Martin Luther King Freeway
22
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Toward VA 141 South: Downtown Portsmouth
Use the right lane.
23
Turn straight onto US 58
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
London Boulevard
24
Turn right onto VA 141
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
Effingham Street
Use the right lane.
25
Turn left onto High Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
High Street
Use the left lane.
26
Continue on High Street
201 ft
·
20 sec
·
High Street
Use the left lane.
27
Arrive at destination
High Street
Trip Plan
Given the 7-hour duration, starting your drive from Marion, VA early in the morning is advisable to arrive in Portsmouth, VA before evening. While the drive is manageable in one day, planning for two stops will help break up the 377.4 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the longest stretch of 175 miles on I-81, as services can sometimes be spaced out on interstates. A good tip for this route is to utilize your GPS for real-time traffic updates on I-64 approaching the Hampton Roads area, as this section can experience congestion.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 188.7 miles from Marion, VA, or about 3h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 175 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 83 miles or 1h 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 188.7 miles or 3h 28m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 51m
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 Marion, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Marion, VA
This is one driving day of about 377.4 miles and 7h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 83 miles from Marion, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 81 for about 175 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
189 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 83 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 188.7 miles from Marion, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 81 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 175 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 175 decision points cluster between mile 36.6 and 366.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
36.6 mi into trip
|
~41m in
|
I 81; US 11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81; US 11 toward I 81 North, US 11 North: Roanoke
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 81 North, US 11 North: Roanoke
8
266.6 mi into trip
|
~4h 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
290.7 mi into trip
|
~5h 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
354.6 mi into trip
|
~6h 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
366.7 mi into trip
|
~6h 47m 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
$59.02 one way
$118.03 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
132 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $64.53 | $129.06 |
| premium | $4.70 | $69.85 | $139.70 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $83.33 | $166.65 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$59
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$84–$109
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 132 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $40 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 113.2 | 1 | $39.63 | $18.12 |
| Efficient EV | 94.4 | 1 | $33.02 | $15.10 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 151 | 1 | $52.84 | $24.15 |
Gas CO2
132 kg
EV CO2
44 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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, VA
Late night in Portsmouth on Sunday
Local time
5:56 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
17 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
7h 3m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highly highway-oriented experience on this route, as 89% of it utilizes major interstates. You'll spend a significant amount of time on I-81 and I-64, including the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you’ll encounter is 175 miles on I-81, so be prepared for extended periods of steady driving. While primarily interstate, the nature of these highways can offer varied scenery, though the focus remains on efficient travel rather than winding backroads. This profile suggests a drive where maintaining speed and covering distance is the main objective.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 175 mi on I 81.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and I 64. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 36.6 miles in near I 81; US 11.
Driving Effort
9/10
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 17 significant decision points across 377.4 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 36.6 miles (I 81; US 11): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 266.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 290.7 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 Marion, VA and Portsmouth, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Suffolk and Chesapeake.
Norfolk
266.6 mi in
|
~4h 53m
Virginia Beach
290.7 mi in
|
~5h 20m
Suffolk
354.6 mi in
|
~6h 32m
Chesapeake
354.6 mi in
|
~6h 32m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 3m. Total distance: 377.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 3m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 175 miles on I 81. 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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 36.6 miles (I 81; US 11): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 266.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 290.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.1 hours each way, a round trip means 14.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Portsmouth, VA before the return drive.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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