Portsmouth Heights, VA to Martinsville, VA is 221.9 miles and takes about 4h 59m via Portsmouth Boulevard and Highway 58, with a fuel budget near $34 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Southeast region, moving from one Virginia locale to another. Expect a mix of highway driving and surface roads as you make your way across the state. It's a manageable one-day drive if you get an early start, with just one recommended stop to break up the 4h 59m total travel time.
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
110.9 miles from Portsmouth Heights, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 31m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Portsmouth Boulevard
62.6 mi
1h 22m
Highway 58
41.2 mi
53m
Governor Harrison Parkway
22.5 mi
30m
Philpott Road
19.7 mi
25m
US 58
15.6 mi
20m
Danville Expressway
13.9 mi
16m
Pleasant Shade Drive
6.3 mi
8m
South Boston Highway
5.3 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
Portsmouth Boulevard
— 62.6 mi, about 1h 22m
Traffic on I-264
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 4 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,486 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,985
Quietest
2 AM
~161 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
15.4×
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 Martinsville, 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
5.2 mi·7 min·Courtland Road
15
Continue on US 58
6.3 mi·8 min·Pleasant Shade Drive
16
Continue on US 58
23 mi·30 min·Governor Harrison Parkway
17
Continue on US 58
1.2 mi·2 min·Piney Pond Road
18
Continue on US 58
3.5 mi·5 min·Highway 58
19
Continue on US 58
1.1 mi·1 min·East Atlantic Street
20
Continue on US 58
3.5 mi·4 min·South Hill Bypass
21
Continue on US 1; US 58
3.2 mi·4 min·Highway 1
22
Continue on US 58
19 mi·24 min·Highway 58
23
Turn straight onto US 58
4.0 mi·5 min·Clarksville Bypass
Toward US 58 West, US 15 South, VA 49 South: South Boston, DanvilleUse the straight lane.
24
Continue on US 58; VA 49
19 mi·24 min·Highway 58
Use the left lane.
25
Continue on US 58; US 360
20 mi·25 min·Philpott Road
26
Continue on US 58; US 360
5.3 mi·7 min·South Boston Highway
27
Continue on US 58; US 360
3.1 mi·5 min·South Boston Road
28
Take the ramp onto US 58
0.3 mi·39 sec·US 58
Toward US 29 South, US 58 West: Greesboro, Martinsville
29
Merge onto US 29; US 58
14 mi·16 min·Danville Expressway
30
Keep slight left at fork onto US 58
15 mi·20 min·US 58
31
Continue on US 58 BUS
3.6 mi·5 min·A L Philpott Highway
Toward US 58 West: Business, Martinsville
32
Continue on US 58 BUS; VA 57
0.9 mi·1 min·East Church Street
33
Turn right onto Hooker Street
0.3 mi·45 sec·Hooker Street
34
Turn right onto Fairy Street
116 ft·4 sec·Fairy Street
35
Turn left onto VA 457
0.9 mi·1 min·Commonwealth Boulevard East
36
Turn sharp left onto Liberty Street
0.2 mi·30 sec·Liberty Street
37
Turn right onto Franklin Street
0.1 mi·16 sec·Franklin Street
38
Arrive at destination
Walnut Street
Trip Plan
For this 4h 59m drive, leaving Portsmouth Heights, VA in the morning is ideal to maximize daylight and allow for your single recommended stop. The $34 fuel cost is an estimate, so keeping an eye on your gauge is wise, especially before heading out on the 62.6-mile stretch on Portsmouth Boulevard. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility. Consider a brief stop around the halfway point to stretch your legs and refuel if needed, ensuring a comfortable arrival in Martinsville, VA.
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 110.9 miles from Portsmouth Heights, VA, or about 2h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 62.6 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 49 miles or 1h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 110.9 miles or 2h 31m 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 4m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Martinsville, 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 221.9 miles and 4h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 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 Portsmouth Boulevard for about 62.6 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 0.1 and 135.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|Shea Street
At end of road, turn right onto Shea Street
Navigation decision point
6
0.8 mi into trip|~2m in|VA 239 / Victory Boulevard
Turn right onto VA 239 / Victory Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
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...
5
135.6 mi into trip|~3h 3m in|US 58 / Clarksville Bypass
Turn straight onto US 58 / Clarksville Bypass toward US 58 West, US 15 South, VA 49 South: South Boston, Danville
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward US 58 West, US 15 South, VA 49 South: So...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.00 one way
$72.00 round trip
$4.12/gal25.4 MPG avg78 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$40.31
$80.62
premium
$5.00
$43.65
$87.31
diesel
$6.21
$54.24
$108.49
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 77.6 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
66.6
0
$23.30
$10.65
Efficient EV
55.5
0
$19.42
$8.88
EV Truck/SUV
88.8
1
$31.07
$14.20
Gas CO2
78 kg
EV CO2
26 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.
Forecast as of Oct 16, 2026
Origin
Portsmouth Heights, VA
Morning
in Portsmouth Heights on Saturday
Local time
9:07 AM
EDT
Current temp
88°F
Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny
SW 6 to 13 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Martinsville, VA
Morning
in Martinsville on Saturday
Local time
9:07 AM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Areas Of Fog then Sunny
SW 2 to 9 mph13% chanceLive forecast
49°F
Henderson, NC
111 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
4 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 59m 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.
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?
This route is a mixed highway and surface road experience, with 44% of the total 221.9 miles on highways. You'll encounter a significant stretch of 62.6 miles on Portsmouth Boulevard before transitioning to other roads. Given the highway share and the longest continuous segment, expect periods of consistent cruising interspersed with more frequent intersections and potential slowdowns as you move between different road types.
44% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
38 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 62.6 mi on Portsmouth Boulevard.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Shea Street.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 221.9 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 0.1 miles (Shea Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.8 miles (VA 239 / Victory Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,020 ft7 ft
Total Climb
1,105 ft
Total Descent
92 ft
Highest Point
1,020 ft
~221.9 mi in
Elevation Range
1,013 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 Martinsville, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Danville along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 59m. Total distance: 221.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 62.6 miles on Portsmouth Boulevard. 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 Martinsville, 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 0.1 miles (Shea Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.8 miles (VA 239 / Victory Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Fort Monroe National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 5.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 10.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Martinsville, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
