Portsmouth Heights, VA to Union Hall, VA is 225.5 miles and takes about 5h 13m via Portsmouth Boulevard and Highway 58, with a fuel budget near $38 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Southeast region, specifically traversing Virginia. Expect a mix of highway cruising and surface roads as you make your way across the state. With a recommended one-day drive time and a manageable fuel cost, this route is a straightforward option for getting from point A to point B.
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
112.8 miles from Portsmouth Heights, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 34m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Portsmouth Boulevard
62.6 mi
1h 22m
Highway 58
40.4 mi
51m
Governor Harrison Parkway
22.5 mi
30m
Halifax Road
16.3 mi
22m
West Gretna Road
13.7 mi
18m
Chatham Road
12.9 mi
19m
US 29
9.8 mi
11m
Pleasant Shade Drive
6.3 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
Portsmouth Boulevard
— 62.6 mi, about 1h 22m
Traffic on I-264
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 2 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,452 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,835
Quietest
2 AM
~162 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
15.1×
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 Union Hall, 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
18 mi·22 min·Highway 58
25
Turn right onto US 360
1.1 mi·2 min·John Randolph Boulevard
26
Turn left onto VA 34
0.6 mi·1 min·Hodges Street
27
At end of road, turn right onto VA 129
1.8 mi·3 min·North Main Street
28
Continue on VA 129
0.9 mi·1 min·Old Halifax Road
29
Take the ramp
266 ft·7 sec
30
Merge onto US 501
1.9 mi·3 min·Halifax Road
31
Continue on US 501
0.4 mi·1 min·South Main Street
32
Turn left onto VA 360
3.5 mi·5 min·Mountain Road
33
Turn right onto VA 57
13 mi·19 min·Chatham Road
34
Continue on VA 57
14 mi·19 min·Halifax Road
35
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward US 29 North
36
Merge onto US 29
8.0 mi·9 min·US 29
37
Keep slight left at fork onto US 29
1.8 mi·2 min·US 29
Toward US 29 North
38
Take the exit
0.2 mi·39 sec
Toward VA 40
39
Turn left onto VA 40
14 mi·18 min·West Gretna Road
40
Continue on VA 40
4.6 mi·6 min·Old Franklin Turnpike
41
Turn right onto SR 945
1.9 mi·7 min·Kemp Ford Road
42
Arrive at destination
SR 945
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 13m estimated driving time, leaving Portsmouth Heights in the morning should allow you to reach Union Hall with plenty of daylight to spare. The route has only one recommended stop, but with a total distance of 225.5 miles, you can be flexible with breaks as needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you approach the 62.6-mile stretch on Portsmouth Boulevard, where services might be less frequent. The $38 fuel cost is a good estimate, but it's always wise to have a little extra on hand.
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 112.8 miles from Portsmouth Heights, VA, or about 2h 34m 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 50 miles or 1h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 112.8 miles or 2h 34m 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 14m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Union Hall, 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 225.5 miles and 5h 13m.
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 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 22
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
$33.29 one way
$66.58 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg79 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$36.59
$73.17
premium
$4.49
$39.88
$79.76
diesel
$4.80
$42.58
$85.16
Estimated Tolls: $0.32
Old Franklin Turnpike
(4.6 mi)$0.32
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
$33
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 78.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
67.7
0
$23.68
$10.82
Efficient EV
56.4
0
$19.73
$9.02
EV Truck/SUV
90.2
1
$31.57
$14.43
Gas CO2
79 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Portsmouth Heights, VA
Late night
in Portsmouth Heights on Sunday
Local time
5:34 AM
EDT
Current temp
96°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 13 mph23% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 3:08PM EDT by NWS Blacksburg VA
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 3:06PM EDT by NWS Blacksburg VA
Destination
Union Hall, VA
Late night
in Union Hall on Sunday
Local time
5:34 AM
EDT
Current temp
93°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 12 mph64% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 3:08PM EDT by NWS Blacksburg VA
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 3:06PM EDT by NWS Blacksburg VA
86°F
South Boston, 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
3 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 13m 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.
Booker T Washington National Monument
National Monument
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...
7 mi from route
~18 min detour
Free
near mile 225.5
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This 225.5-mile drive is a mixed bag, with 37% of it on highways. You'll encounter your longest stretch on Portsmouth Boulevard, covering 62.6 miles before transitioning to other roads. The route includes Highway 58 and Governor Harrison Parkway, indicating a blend of faster-paced sections and more local travel. Be prepared for a noticeable shift as you move from highway to surface roads.
37% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
42 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 22 significant decision points across 225.5 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
Mostly flat terrain
933 ft7 ft
Total Climb
957 ft
Total Descent
31 ft
Highest Point
933 ft
~225.5 mi in
Elevation Range
926 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 Union Hall, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Danville along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 13m. Total distance: 225.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 13m 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.
Expect about $0.32 in tolls one way, starting with Old Franklin Turnpike. 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.
Yes — we found about 8 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 Union Hall, 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 8 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 — Booker T Washington National Monument and Fort Monroe National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Union Hall, VA before the return drive.
