Origin
Portsmouth Heights, VA
Morning in Portsmouth Heights on Sunday
Local time
6:32 AM
EDT
Current temp
85°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Portsmouth Heights, VA to Great Falls, VA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 1m
Distance
202 mi
325 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$32
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 48m
★
6 AM
4h 1m
8 AM
4h 27m
10 AM
4h 10m
12 PM
4h 8m
3 PM
4h 12m
5 PM
4h 26m
8 PM
3h 53m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Portsmouth Heights, VA
Daniel Miller
Great Falls, VA
Wilson Rodriguez
Trip Overview
Portsmouth Heights, VA to Great Falls, VA is 202 miles and takes about 4 hours and 1 minute via I 95, with a fuel budget near $32 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Virginia, traversing the Southeast region. Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience as you make your way north. Given the relatively short duration, this route is well-suited for a single-day journey, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. It's a straightforward drive that gets you from point A to point B efficiently.
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
101 miles from Portsmouth Heights, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 95 | 82.3 mi | 1h 33m |
| I 64 | 62.5 mi | 1h 9m |
| Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway | 11.9 mi | 12m |
| Capital Beltway | 10.5 mi | 12m |
| Hampton Roads Beltway | 9.7 mi | 12m |
| Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel | 4.3 mi | 5m |
| Leesburg Pike | 3.2 mi | 4m |
| Portsmouth Boulevard | 2.1 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 82.3 mi, about 1h 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Portsmouth Heights, VA and Great Falls, 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
12 mi
·
12 min
·
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
17
Take the exit
2.4 mi
·
2 min
Exit 43A
Toward I 95 North: Washington
Use the slight left lane.
18
Merge onto I 95
46 mi
·
49 min
·
I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight right at fork onto I 95; US 17
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
I 95; US 17
20
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi
·
1 min
21
Merge onto I 95
35 mi
·
41 min
·
I 95
Use the slight left lane.
22
Keep slight right at fork onto I 395
0.6 mi
·
52 sec
·
Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
Exit 170A; 170B
Toward I 395 North, I 495 North: Washington, Tysons Corner
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
23
Take the exit
1.4 mi
·
1 min
Exit 170B
Toward I 495 North: Tysons Corner
Use the slight right lane.
24
Merge onto I 495
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Capital Beltway
25
Keep slight right at fork onto I 495
9.5 mi
·
11 min
·
Capital Beltway
Use the straight lane.
26
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Exit 45
Toward VA 267 Toll West: Reston, Herndon, Dulles Airport
Use the slight left lane.
27
Merge onto VA 267
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Dulles Toll Road
28
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
22 sec
29
Merge onto VA 267
263 ft
·
4 sec
·
Dulles Toll Road
30
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Exit 16
Toward VA 7: Tysons Corner, Leesburg, Leesburg Pike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
Toward VA 7 West: Leesburg Pike, Leesburg
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
32
Merge onto VA 7
3.2 mi
·
4 min
·
Leesburg Pike
33
Turn right onto SR 743
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Colvin Run Road
Use the right lane.
34
Turn right onto SR 681
2.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Walker Road
35
Turn right onto VA 193
26 ft
·
0 sec
·
Georgetown Pike
Use the right lane.
36
Arrive at destination
VA 193
Trip Plan
For this 4-hour drive, consider an early morning departure from Portsmouth Heights to maximize your daylight hours and avoid potential traffic, especially as you approach the Northern Virginia area. With only one recommended stop and a longest stretch of 82.3 miles, you can comfortably complete this drive in a single day. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as extended highway driving can consume fuel steadily; plan your refueling stops accordingly. The $32 fuel cost provides a good estimate for budgeting. This is a flexible drive, so you can choose to stop more or less frequently based on your preference.
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 101 miles from Portsmouth Heights, VA, or about 2h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 82.3 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 44 miles or 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 101 miles or 2h in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 12m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Great Falls, 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 202 miles and 4h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 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 95 for about 82.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
101 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 44 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 101 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 95 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 82.3 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 305 decision points cluster between mile 18.9 and 196.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
9
181.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 31m in
|
I 395 / Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 395 / Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway toward I 395 North, I 495 North: Washington, Tysons Corner
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Exit 170A; 170B
Toward I 395 North, I 495 North: Washington, Ty...
9
195.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 50m in
Take the exit toward VA 7: Tysons Corner, Leesburg, Leesburg Pike
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 16
Toward VA 7: Tysons Corner, Leesburg, Leesburg...
9
196.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 50m in
Keep slight right at fork toward VA 7 West: Leesburg Pike, Leesburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward VA 7 West: Leesburg Pike, Leesburg
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.59 one way
$63.18 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
71 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $34.54 | $69.08 |
| premium | $4.70 | $37.39 | $74.77 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $44.60 | $89.20 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.23
Dulles Toll Road
(1.1 mi)
$0.23
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 70.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 60.6 | 0 | $21.21 | $9.70 |
| Efficient EV | 50.5 | 0 | $17.67 | $8.08 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 80.8 | 1 | $28.28 | $12.93 |
Gas CO2
71 kg
EV CO2
24 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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
Great Falls, VA
Morning in Great Falls on Sunday
Local time
6:32 AM
EDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
53°F
Ashland, VA
101 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
9 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
4h 1m 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.
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
~7 min detour
$15
near mile 41.8
Park Closure: Rehabilitation of Colonial Parkway Continues
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...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
Free
near mile 20.9
View on nps.gov
Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail
National Scenic Trail
The Potomac River corridor is rich in both history and recreation, offering a chance to both explore your heritage and choose your adventure along the way. Start your journey here!
16 mi from route
~41 min detour
Free
near mile 202
View on nps.gov
Petersburg National Battlefield
National Battlefield
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...
26 mi from route
~65 min detour
Free
near mile 83.6
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is largely defined by its highway focus, with 72% of the journey utilizing major interstates. You'll encounter a significant stretch of 82.3 miles on I 95, offering a consistent pace for a considerable portion of the drive. The main roads include I 95, I 64, and the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, indicating a blend of major interstate travel. Expect a driving experience that prioritizes speed and directness over winding backroads.
72% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
36 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 82.3 mi on I 95.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and I 64. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 18.9 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 30 significant decision points across 202 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 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; at 181.5 miles (I 395 / Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Great Falls, VA, road signs point toward Richmond, Rocky Mount and Tysons Corner.
Richmond
18.9 mi in
|
~28m
Rocky Mount
82.2 mi in
|
~1h 38m
Tysons Corner
181.5 mi in
|
~3h 31m
|
via I 395
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 1m. Total distance: 202 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 1m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (72%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 82.3 miles on I 95. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.23 in tolls one way, starting with Dulles Toll Road. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
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 Great Falls, 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 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; at 181.5 miles (I 395 / Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Colonial National Historical Park, Fort Monroe National Monument and Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Great Falls, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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