Portsmouth Heights to Colonial Heights is 411.7 miles and takes about 7h 40m via I 64, I 81, 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, connecting two points in the Southeast region. The route is primarily highway driving, suggesting a straightforward and efficient transit. Given the duration, it's manageable as a single-day trip, but you might consider an overnight if you prefer a more relaxed pace. This is a practical drive for getting from point A to point B with minimal fuss.
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
205.8 miles from Portsmouth Heights, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 54m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
182.8 mi
3h 20m
I 81
182.4 mi
3h 19m
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 64
— 182.8 mi, about 3h 20m
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 Portsmouth Heights, VA and Colonial Heights, 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
65 mi·1 hr 9 min·I 81; US 52
Use the straight lane.
22
Take the exit
0.4 mi·52 sec
Toward Old Airport Road, Bonham Road
23
Turn right onto Old Airport Road
0.1 mi·15 sec·Old Airport Road
24
Turn right onto US 11; US 19
506 ft·12 sec·Lee Highway
25
Arrive at destination
US 11; US 19
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 7h 40m drive, consider an early morning departure to avoid potential traffic delays, especially as you approach urban areas. With two recommended stops, you can break up the 411.7 miles effectively. The longest stretch you'll cover is 182.8 miles on I 64, so plan your first break before or shortly after this segment. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the estimated cost is $64, and it's always wise to top up before heading into less populated stretches. The mostly highway profile means you'll have plenty of service areas available.
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 205.8 miles from Portsmouth Heights, VA, or about 3h 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 182.8 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 91 miles or 1h 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 205.8 miles or 3h 54m 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 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Colonial Heights, 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 411.7 miles and 7h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 91 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 64 for about 182.8 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 18
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
$60.78 one way
$121.56 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg144 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$66.80
$133.59
premium
$4.49
$72.81
$145.62
diesel
$4.80
$77.74
$155.47
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$61
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$86–$111
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 144 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $43 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
123.5
1
$43.23
$19.76
Efficient EV
102.9
1
$36.02
$16.47
EV Truck/SUV
164.7
2
$57.64
$26.35
Gas CO2
144 kg
EV CO2
48 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
Portsmouth Heights, VA
Night
in Portsmouth Heights on Saturday
Local time
9:28 PM
EDT
Current temp
76°F
Mostly Clear
SW 2 to 6 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Colonial Heights, VA
Night
in Colonial Heights on Saturday
Local time
9:28 PM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Mostly Clear
0 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
7 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 40m 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
~9 min detour
$15
near mile 42.6
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...
7 mi from route
~18 min detour
Free
near mile 14.2
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
~51 min detour
Free
near mile 269.7
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...
27 mi from route
~67 min detour
Free
near mile 85.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
With 89% of the drive on highways, expect mostly high-speed cruising. The longest stretch without a significant change in road type is 182.8 miles on I 64. You'll encounter a high density of exits and interchanges for most of this trip, requiring constant attention. The transition to surface roads will occur late in the drive, but the bulk of your time will be spent on major interstates like I 64 and I 81.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 182.8 mi on I 64.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and I 81. 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 18 significant decision points across 411.7 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
2,364 ft7 ft
Total Climb
2,933 ft
Total Descent
1,135 ft
Highest Point
2,364 ft
~352.9 mi in
Elevation Range
2,357 ft
Notable High Points
1,569 ft at ~205.8 miles+576 ft prominence
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 Colonial Heights, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Rocky Mount along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 40m. Total distance: 411.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 40m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 182.8 miles on I 64. 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 Colonial 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 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 7.7 hours each way, a round trip means 15.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Colonial Heights, VA before the return drive.
