This 300.9-mile drive from Portsmouth Heights, VA, to Cana, VA, is a manageable one-day trip, taking approximately 6 hours and 2 minutes to complete. The route is primarily highway-focused, with 62% of your travel on major roads like I-85 and Portsmouth Boulevard. With an estimated fuel cost of $48, this journey offers a straightforward path through the Southeast region. It’s a practical choice for a single day's travel, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop.
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
150.4 miles from Portsmouth Heights, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 8m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 85
88.4 mi
1h 39m
Portsmouth Boulevard
62.6 mi
1h 22m
Julian R Allsbrook Highway
24.9 mi
29m
John Gold Memorial Expressway
20.9 mi
23m
I 40
20.3 mi
24m
I 95
19.5 mi
20m
Winston-Salem Northern Beltway
11.1 mi
12m
South Andy Griffith Parkway
10.7 mi
12m
Longest stretch:
I 85
— 88.4 mi, about 1h 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Portsmouth Heights, VA and Cana, VA.
1
Start on Vick Street
0.1 mi·28 sec·Vick Street
2
At end of road, turn right onto Shea Street
0.2 mi·47 sec·Shea Street
3
At end of road, turn left onto VA 337
0.5 mi·1 min·Portsmouth Boulevard
4
Turn right onto VA 239
0.6 mi·1 min·Victory Boulevard
Use the right lane.
5
Turn right onto Belmont Avenue
355 ft·7 sec·Belmont Avenue
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward I 264 West: Bowers Hill
7
Merge onto I 264
2.1 mi·2 min·I 264
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·47 sec
Toward I 664: Bowers Hill, Suffolk, RichmondUse the slight right lane.
9
Merge onto I 664
0.4 mi·31 sec·Hampton Roads Beltway
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·54 sec
Exit 13A-BToward US 13, US 58, US 460, VA 191 North: Suffolk, Military HighwayUse the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
12
Continue on US 13; US 58; US 460
2.4 mi·3 min·West Military Highway
13
Continue on US 13; US 58; US 460
62 mi·1 hr 21 min·Portsmouth Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Continue on US 58
4.5 mi·5 min·Courtland Road
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward I 95 South: Rocky Mt N.C.
16
Merge onto I 95
19 mi·20 min·I 95
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward US 158: Roanoke Rapids, Murfreesboro, Weldon
18
Turn right onto US 158
0.8 mi·1 min·Julian R Allsbrook Highway
19
Turn straight onto US 158
2.9 mi·3 min·East Littleton Road
20
Continue on US 158
24 mi·28 min·Julian R Allsbrook Highway
21
Continue on US 158 Bypass
5.1 mi·5 min·US 158 Bypass
22
Continue on US 158; US 401
1.2 mi·1 min·US 158; US 401
23
At end of road, turn left onto US 1; US 158
8.7 mi·10 min·US 1; US 158
24
Turn right onto Flemingtown Road
0.2 mi·11 sec·Flemingtown Road
25
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
26
Merge onto I 85
1.9 mi·2 min·I 85
27
Keep slight right at fork onto I 85
44 mi·48 min·I 85
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Keep slight left at fork onto I 85; US 70
42 mi·48 min·I 85; US 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
7.7 mi·9 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
30
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40; US 220
13 mi·15 min·I 40; US 220
Use the straight lane.
31
Keep slight right at fork onto US 421
6.5 mi·7 min·Salem Parkway
Exit 206Toward US 421 North: KernersvilleUse the straight lane.
32
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 227Toward NC 74 WestUse the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Continue on NC 74
11 mi·12 min·Winston-Salem Northern Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Keep slight left at fork onto NC 74
1.8 mi·2 min·NC 74
Toward US 52 North: Mount AiryUse the straight / slight right lanes.
35
Merge onto US 52
21 mi·23 min·John Gold Memorial Expressway
Use the straight lane.
36
Keep slight right at fork onto US 52
11 mi·12 min·South Andy Griffith Parkway
37
Continue on US 52
2.6 mi·2 min·Fancy Gap Highway
38
Arrive at destination
US 52
Trip Plan
Given the 6-hour duration, starting your drive from Portsmouth Heights, VA, in the morning is advisable to make good time. You'll only have one recommended stop, so plan your breaks strategically, perhaps around the halfway point or before the longest 88.4-mile stretch on I-85. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the $48 estimated cost reflects a significant portion of the drive being on higher-speed roads. This route is well-suited for a single day, giving you flexibility to depart at a time that best suits your schedule.
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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 150.4 miles from Portsmouth Heights, VA, or about 3h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 88.4 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 66 miles or 1h 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 150.4 miles or 3h 8m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 59m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cana, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Portsmouth Heights, VA
This is one driving day of about 300.9 miles and 6h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 66 miles from Portsmouth Heights, 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 85 for about 88.4 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 27
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.7 and 264.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
3.7 mi into trip|~7m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 664: Bowers Hill, Suffolk, Richmond
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 664: Bowers Hill, Suffolk, Richmond
8
4.8 mi into trip|~8m in
Take the exit toward US 13, US 58, US 460, VA 191 North: Suffolk, Military Highway
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 13A-B
Toward US 13, US 58, US 460, VA 191 North: Suff...
8
246.4 mi into trip|~4h 58m in|US 421 / Salem Parkway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 421 / Salem Parkway toward US 421 North: Kernersville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Exit 206
Toward US 421 North: Kernersville
7
252.9 mi into trip|~5h 6m in
Take the exit toward NC 74 West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 227
Toward NC 74 West
7
264.9 mi into trip|~5h 21m in|NC 74
Keep slight left at fork onto NC 74 toward US 52 North: Mount Airy
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 52 North: Mount Airy
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$47.05 one way
$94.11 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg105 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$51.45
$102.90
premium
$4.70
$55.69
$111.38
diesel
$5.61
$66.43
$132.87
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$47
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$72–$97
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 105.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
90.3
1
$31.59
$14.44
Efficient EV
75.2
0
$26.33
$12.04
EV Truck/SUV
120.4
1
$42.13
$19.26
Gas CO2
105 kg
EV CO2
35 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 Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Portsmouth Heights, VA
Late night
in Portsmouth Heights on Sunday
Local time
12:50 AM
EDT
Current temp
85°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Cana, VA
Late night
in Cana on Sunday
Local time
12:50 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
56°F
Henderson, NC
150 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
13 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
6h 2m 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.
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...
14 mi from route
~35 min detour
Free
Park Closure: Road Closure and Fishing Pier Impact
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this 300.9-mile trip, with 62% of the mileage on major roadways. You'll encounter your longest uninterrupted stretch of 88.4 miles on I-85, offering a consistent pace. The route transitions between major highways and other significant roads like Portsmouth Boulevard and Julian R Allsbrook Highway. This blend suggests a drive that is largely efficient but includes segments that might feel more like conventional driving.
62% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
38 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 88.4 mi on I 85.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 85 and Portsmouth Boulevard. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.7 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 27 significant decision points across 300.9 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 3.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 246.4 miles (US 421 / Salem Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Portsmouth Heights, VA and Cana, VA, road signs point toward Murfreesboro and Weldon.
Murfreesboro
94.3 mi in|~2h 2m
Weldon
94.3 mi in|~2h 2m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 2m. Total distance: 300.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 2m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 88.4 miles on I 85. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 23 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 Cana, 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. There are 23 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 246.4 miles (US 421 / Salem Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Fort Monroe National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.0 hours each way, a round trip means 12.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Cana, VA before the return drive.
