Portsmouth Heights, VA to Stephens City, VA is 226.9 miles and takes about 4h 35m via I 64, I 95, and Warrenton Road, with a fuel budget near $35 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Virginia, beginning in the Southeast region and ending in the same area. You'll spend most of your time on highways, making it a straightforward drive for a single day. Consider this route if you're looking for an efficient way to cover ground within the state 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
113.5 miles from Portsmouth Heights, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 14m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
62.5 mi
1h 9m
I 95
47.3 mi
51m
Warrenton Road
22.9 mi
33m
US 17
18.6 mi
20m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
11.9 mi
12m
James Madison Highway
11.3 mi
15m
Hampton Roads Beltway
9.7 mi
12m
I 66
9.6 mi
10m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 62.5 mi, about 1h 9m
Traffic on I-295
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 34 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,876 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,445
Quietest
2 AM
~163 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 Stephens City, 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
12 mi·12 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
17
Take the exit
2.4 mi·2 min
Exit 43AToward I 95 North: WashingtonUse 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 right at fork
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward US 17 Business: Falmouth
21
Turn left onto US 17
23 mi·33 min·Warrenton Road
Use the straight lane.
22
Continue on US 17
4.2 mi·7 min·Marsh Road
23
Turn right onto US 15; US 29
4.6 mi·6 min·James Madison Highway
24
Continue on US 15; US 17; US 29
2.4 mi·3 min·Eastern Bypass
25
Keep slight right at fork onto US 17
2.3 mi·3 min·Eastern Bypass
Toward US 17 North
26
Continue on US 17
6.7 mi·9 min·James Madison Highway
27
Continue on US 17
2.7 mi·3 min·Winchester Road
28
Turn left onto US 17
19 mi·20 min·US 17
Use the left lane.
29
Continue on I 66
9.6 mi·10 min·I 66
30
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 1BToward I 81 North: WinchesterUse the slight right lane.
31
Merge onto I 81
5.8 mi·6 min·I 81
Toward I 81 North: Winchester
32
Take the exit
0.3 mi·52 sec
Exit 307Toward VA 277: Stephens CityUse the slight right lane.
33
Turn left onto VA 277
359 ft·12 sec·Fairfax Pike
34
Continue on VA 277
0.2 mi·35 sec·Fairfax Street
35
Turn right onto US 11
136 ft·4 sec·Main Street
36
Arrive at destination
US 11
Trip Plan
For this 4.5-hour drive, leaving in the morning is your best bet to maximize daylight and avoid potential rush hour congestion. You'll only need one stop, so plan it strategically around the halfway point or where you might need a break. With a fuel cost estimated at $35, it’s an economical trip. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you transition off the main interstates onto Warrenton Road, as services might be less frequent. This is a very manageable one-day drive, allowing for flexibility in your departure time.
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 113.5 miles from Portsmouth Heights, VA, or about 2h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 62.5 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 50 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 113.5 miles or 2h 14m 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 48m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Stephens City, 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 226.9 miles and 4h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 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 62.5 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 24
5 decision points cluster between mile 18.9 and 219.8 — 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
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
7
95.8 mi into trip|~1h 54m in
Take the exit toward I 95 North: Washington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 43A
Toward I 95 North: Washington
8
219.8 mi into trip|~4h 26m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 81 North: Winchester
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 1B
Toward I 81 North: Winchester
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.09 one way
$72.18 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg79 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.41
$39.35
$78.70
premium
$4.78
$42.69
$85.38
diesel
$5.35
$47.79
$95.58
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: 79.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
68.1
0
$23.82
$10.89
Efficient EV
56.7
0
$19.85
$9.08
EV Truck/SUV
90.8
1
$31.77
$14.52
Gas CO2
79 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (66% 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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Portsmouth Heights, VA
Afternoon
in Portsmouth Heights on Wednesday
Local time
2:59 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Partly Cloudy
SW 8 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Stephens City, VA
Afternoon
in Stephens City on Wednesday
Local time
2:59 PM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Partly Cloudy
NW 2 mph0% chanceLive forecast
81°F
Fredericksburg, VA
113 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 35m 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...
0 mi from route
$15
near mile 39.1
Park Closure: Jamestown Island Loop Drive to Temporarily Close to Vehicles
Park Closure: Rehabilitation of Colonial Parkway Continues
Cedar Creek & Belle Grove National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley has a long and rich heritage that still inspires today. Native Americans first shaped the land, followed by colonists and settlers. The fertile valley became an important...
1 mi from route
~4 min detour
Free
near mile 219.1
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
~17 min detour
Free
near mile 15.7
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
~69 min detour
Free
near mile 78.3
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!
28 mi from route
~69 min detour
Free
near mile 195.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly highway, with 63% of the total mileage on interstates. You'll encounter the longest continuous stretch on I 64, covering 62.5 miles. Expect a significant amount of highway cruising, but be prepared for the transition to surface roads like Warrenton Road as you approach your destination. The highway portion means frequent exits and potential for merging traffic, especially during peak times.
63% 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: 62.5 mi on I 64.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and I 95. 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 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 24 significant decision points across 226.9 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 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 82.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
762 ft7 ft
Total Climb
875 ft
Total Descent
119 ft
Highest Point
762 ft
~226.9 mi in
Elevation Range
756 ft
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 Stephens City, VA, road signs point toward Richmond and Rocky Mount.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 35m. Total distance: 226.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 62.5 miles on I 64. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 13 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 Stephens City, 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 13 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 82.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Colonial National Historical Park, Cedar Creek & Belle Grove National Historical Park and Fort Monroe National Monument (5 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Stephens City, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
