Origin
Portsmouth Heights, VA
Night in Portsmouth Heights on Saturday
Local time
11:17 PM
EDT
Current temp
85°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Portsmouth Heights, VA to Fairlawn, VA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 5m
Distance
268.9 mi
433 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$42
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 52m
★
6 AM
5h 5m
8 AM
5h 32m
10 AM
5h 15m
12 PM
5h 12m
3 PM
5h 16m
5 PM
5h 31m
8 PM
4h 57m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Portsmouth Heights, VA
Daniel Miller
Fairlawn, VA
Eric Joseph
Trip Overview
Portsmouth Heights, VA to Fairlawn, VA is 268.9 miles and takes about 5h 5m via I 64, with a fuel budget near $42 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Virginia, moving from the Southeast region to the Southeast region. Expect a straightforward drive primarily on major highways. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost that's quite manageable, this route is ideal for a quick, efficient journey. Consider this trip if you're looking for minimal fuss and a direct path between these two points.
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
134.5 miles from Portsmouth Heights, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 37m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 64 | 223.2 mi | 4h 4m |
| 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 |
| East Madison Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| US 60 | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 223.2 mi, about 4h 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Portsmouth Heights, VA and Fairlawn, 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 News
Use 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 1A
Toward I 64 West: Williamsburg, Richmond
Use 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 200
Toward I 295, US 60: Washington, Rocky Mount NC
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork
1.3 mi
·
2 min
Toward I 295 North: Washington
Use 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 53A
Toward I 64 West: Charlottesville
18
Merge onto I 64
120 mi
·
2 hr 10 min
·
I 64
Toward I 64 West: Charlottesville
Use the slight right lane.
19
Keep slight right at fork onto I 64
40 mi
·
43 min
·
I 64
Toward I 64 West: Lexington, Charleston
Use the straight lane.
20
Take the exit onto US 60; US 220
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
US 60; US 220
Toward US 60 West, US 220 North: Covington, Hot Springs
21
Turn left onto US 60; US 220
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East Madison Street
22
Turn left onto South Carlton Drive
385 ft
·
25 sec
·
South Carlton Drive
23
Turn right onto East Scotland Road
0.2 mi
·
51 sec
·
East Scotland Road
24
Arrive at destination
East Scotland Road
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 5m estimated drive time, departing in the morning is your best bet to complete this 268.9-mile journey within daylight hours. With only one recommended stop and a highway-focused profile, you can easily cover the distance in a single day. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without a major exit is 223.2 miles. Plan your fuel stop accordingly, perhaps around the 150-mile mark, to ensure you're comfortable. The $42 fuel cost is a good estimate, but always check current prices before you depart.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 134.5 miles from Portsmouth Heights, VA, or about 2h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 223.2 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 59 miles or 1h 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 134.5 miles or 2h 37m 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 10m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fairlawn, 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 268.9 miles and 5h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 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 64 for about 223.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
134 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 59 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 134.5 miles from Portsmouth Heights, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 64 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 223.2 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 185 decision points cluster between mile 2.5 and 227.3 — 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
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
8
227.3 mi into trip
|
~4h 18m in
|
I 64
Keep slight right at fork onto I 64 toward I 64 West: Lexington, Charleston
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 64 West: Lexington, Charleston
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.05 one way
$84.10 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
94 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $45.98 | $91.96 |
| premium | $4.70 | $49.77 | $99.54 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $59.37 | $118.74 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 94.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 80.7 | 0 | $28.23 | $12.91 |
| Efficient EV | 67.2 | 0 | $23.53 | $10.76 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 107.6 | 1 | $37.65 | $17.21 |
Gas CO2
94 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Fairlawn, VA
Night in Fairlawn on Saturday
Local time
11:17 PM
EDT
Current temp
46°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
39 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
5h 5m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is largely a highway-focused drive, with 83% of the journey taking place on major interstates like I 64 and the Hampton Roads Beltway. You'll experience the efficiency of these high-speed roads for the majority of your travel. The longest uninterrupted stretch measures 223.2 miles on I 64, meaning you can settle in for a significant period without needing to exit. While primarily highway, the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway offers a slight variation before you merge back onto the main interstate system. Prepare for a consistent driving pace for most of this 268.9-mile trip.
83% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 223.2 mi on I 64.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway. 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 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 18 significant decision points across 268.9 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 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 82.2 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 Portsmouth Heights, VA and Fairlawn, VA, road signs point toward Richmond, Rocky Mount and Charleston.
Richmond
18.9 mi in
|
~28m
Rocky Mount
82.2 mi in
|
~1h 38m
Charleston
227.3 mi in
|
~4h 18m
|
via I 64
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 5m. Total distance: 268.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 5m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (83%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 223.2 miles on I 64. 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 Fairlawn, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
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 82.2 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 5.1 hours each way, a round trip means 10.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Fairlawn, 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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