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
Traffic on I-64
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 90 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,062 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,481
Quietest
2 AM
~117 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
17.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
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: RoanokeUse 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: RichmondUse the straight lane.
9
Take the exit
1.2 mi·1 min
Exit 177Toward I 295 North: Washington, NorfolkUse 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 28AToward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia BeachUse 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 264Toward I 664 South: Downtown Newport News, Suffolk, ChesapeakeUse 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 8BToward VA 135 South: College Drive, ChurchlandUse 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 PortsmouthUse 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 17
5 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
$55.72 one way
$111.44 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg132 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$61.23
$122.46
premium
$4.49
$66.74
$133.49
diesel
$4.80
$71.26
$142.52
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$56
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$81–$106
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, 2026-07-13.
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.
Forecast as of Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Marion, VA
Late night
in Marion on Sunday
Local time
5:11 AM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Mostly Clear
0 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Portsmouth, VA
Late night
in Portsmouth on Sunday
Local time
5:11 AM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Mostly Clear
SW 2 to 6 mph1% chanceLive 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
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.
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...
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
$15
near mile 338.3
Park Closure: Jamestown Island Loop Drive to Temporarily Close to Vehicles
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...
8 mi from route
~19 min detour
Free
near mile 351.4
Booker T. Washington was born a slave in April 1856 on the 207-acre farm of James Burroughs. After the Civil War, Washington became the first principal of Tuskegee Normal and Industrial School. Later...
20 mi from route
~51 min detour
Free
near mile 104.1
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...
28 mi from route
~70 min detour
Free
near mile 286.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
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 Effort9/10
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.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,456 ft9 ft
Total Climb
855 ft
Total Descent
3,014 ft
Highest Point
2,456 ft
~27 mi in
Elevation Range
2,447 ft
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.
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.
Yes — we found about 31 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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. There are 31 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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.
Yes — Colonial National Historical Park, Fort Monroe National Monument and Booker T Washington National Monument (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
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.
