Portsmouth Heights, VA to Bristol, VA is 417.3 miles and takes about 7h 47m via I 81, I 64, and Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, with a fuel budget near $64 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Virginia, moving from the Southeast region to the Southeast region. You'll be on the highway for most of this drive, making it a straightforward option for a single-day trip. Consider this route if you're looking for an efficient way to cover ground across the state, with minimal need to navigate complex surface streets.
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
208.6 miles from Portsmouth Heights, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 58m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 81
185.7 mi
3h 23m
I 64
182.8 mi
3h 20m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
22.6 mi
24m
Hampton Roads Beltway
9.7 mi
12m
Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel
4.3 mi
5m
Portsmouth Boulevard
2.1 mi
4m
Taylor Road
2 mi
4m
I 77
1.3 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 185.7 mi, about 3h 23m
Traffic on I-64
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 180 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,073 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,563
Quietest
2 AM
~120 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
17.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 105 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 Portsmouth Heights, VA and Bristol, VA.
1
Start on Vick Street
143 ft·6 sec·Vick Street
2
Continue on Vick Street
320 ft·17 sec·Vick Street
3
Turn left onto Byers Avenue
0.3 mi·1 min·Byers Avenue
4
Turn right onto VA 337
2.1 mi·4 min·Portsmouth Boulevard
5
Turn right onto Taylor Road
2.0 mi·4 min·Taylor Road
Use the right lane.
6
Turn left onto Pughsville Road
525 ft·16 sec·Pughsville Road
7
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·47 sec
Toward I 664 North: Newport NewsUse the slight right lane.
8
Merge onto I 664
3.5 mi·4 min·Hampton Roads Beltway
9
Continue on I 664
4.3 mi·5 min·Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel
10
Continue on I 664
6.2 mi·7 min·Hampton Roads Beltway
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·53 sec
Exit 1AToward I 64 West: Williamsburg, RichmondUse the slight left lane.
12
Merge onto I 64
1.4 mi·1 min·I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64
61 mi·1 hr 7 min·I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.5 mi·32 sec
Exit 200Toward I 295, US 60: Washington, Rocky Mount NCUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork
1.3 mi·2 min
Toward I 295 North: WashingtonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto I 295
23 mi·24 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
17
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·55 sec
Exit 53AToward I 64 West: Charlottesville
18
Merge onto I 64
120 mi·2 hr 10 min·I 64
Toward I 64 West: CharlottesvilleUse the slight right lane.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
117 mi·2 hr 9 min·I 81
Use the straight lane.
20
Continue on I 77; I 81; US 52
1.3 mi·1 min·I 77; I 81; US 52
Use the straight lane.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81; US 52
69 mi·1 hr 13 min·I 81; US 52
Use the straight lane.
22
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 381: Bristol
23
Continue on I 381
1.0 mi·1 min·I 381
24
Continue on Commonwealth Avenue
1.1 mi·1 min·Commonwealth Avenue
Use the straight lane.
25
Turn left onto Sullins Street
114 ft·4 sec·Sullins Street
26
Arrive at destination
Sullins Street
Trip Plan
For this 7-hour drive, leaving early in the morning from Portsmouth Heights is your best bet to complete the trip before evening. With only 2 recommended stops, plan them strategically on I 81, perhaps around the halfway point, to break up the longest stretch of 185.7 miles. The fuel cost is estimated at $64, so ensure your tank is full before departing and be aware of fuel availability along I 81. Given the mostly highway profile, keep an eye out for the transition to surface roads as you near Bristol, VA.
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 208.6 miles from Portsmouth Heights, VA, or about 3h 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 185.7 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 92 miles or 1h 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 208.6 miles or 3h 58m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bristol, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Portsmouth Heights, 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 Portsmouth Heights, VA
This is one driving day of about 417.3 miles and 7h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 92 miles from Portsmouth Heights, 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 185.7 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.5 and 82.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
2.5 mi into trip|~5m in|Taylor Road
Turn right onto Taylor Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
9
18.9 mi into trip|~28m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 64 West: Williamsburg, Richmond
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 1A
Toward I 64 West: Williamsburg, Richmond
6
21.1 mi into trip|~31m in|I 64
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
82.2 mi into trip|~1h 38m in
Take the exit toward I 295, US 60: Washington, Rocky Mount NC
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 200
Toward I 295, US 60: Washington, Rocky Mount NC
7
82.6 mi into trip|~1h 39m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 295 North: Washington
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 295 North: Washington
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$66.29 one way
$132.58 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg146 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$72.29
$144.58
premium
$4.78
$78.53
$157.06
diesel
$6.18
$101.52
$203.03
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$66
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$91–$116
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 146 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $44 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
125.2
1
$43.82
$20.03
Efficient EV
104.3
1
$36.51
$16.69
EV Truck/SUV
166.9
2
$58.42
$26.71
Gas CO2
146 kg
EV CO2
49 kg (66% 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 Oct 18, 2026
Origin
Portsmouth Heights, VA
Late night
in Portsmouth Heights on Monday
Local time
5:35 AM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Partly Cloudy
N 16 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 18 at 5:22AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Baltimore MD/Washington DC
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 18 at 3:26AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Charleston WV
Destination
Bristol, VA
Late night
in Bristol on Monday
Local time
5:35 AM
EDT
Current temp
34°F
Areas Of Frost
NE 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 18 at 5:22AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Baltimore MD/Washington DC
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 18 at 3:26AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Charleston WV
66°F
Bedford, VA
209 mi in
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
14 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
7h 47m 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...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
$15
near mile 43.2
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...
7 mi from route
~18 min detour
Free
near mile 14.4
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...
21 mi from route
~54 min detour
Free
near mile 273.4
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
~69 min detour
Free
near mile 86.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway, with 89% of the route on major roads like I 81 and I 64. You'll experience a significant stretch of 185.7 miles on I 81 without needing to exit. The latter part of the drive will transition to surface roads as you approach your destination. Expect a consistent cruising pace on the interstate for the majority of your travel time.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 185.7 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 2.5 miles in near Taylor Road.
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 417.3 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 2.5 miles (Taylor Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 18.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 21.1 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,501 ft7 ft
Total Climb
2,968 ft
Total Descent
1,295 ft
Highest Point
2,501 ft
~357.7 mi in
Elevation Range
2,495 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Portsmouth Heights, VA to Bristol, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Rocky Mount along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 47m. Total distance: 417.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 47m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 185.7 miles on I 81. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 33 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 Bristol, 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 33 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.5 miles (Taylor Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 18.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 21.1 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 7.8 hours each way, a round trip means 15.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Bristol, VA before the return drive.
