Portsmouth Heights, VA to Woodbridge, VA is 172.9 miles and takes about 3h 23m via I 95 and I 64, with a fuel budget near $27 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Southeast region, specifically within Virginia, making it a straightforward trip for those familiar with the area. Given its relatively short duration and highway focus, it's ideal for a single-day journey. Expect a predominantly interstate experience, so pack some good tunes and be prepared for typical highway traffic, especially as you approach your destination. This route is best suited for travelers prioritizing efficiency to get from point A to point B.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
86.5 miles from Portsmouth Heights, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 44m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
71.3 mi
1h 19m
I 64
62.5 mi
1h 9m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
11.9 mi
12m
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
Horner Road
1.1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 71.3 mi, about 1h 19m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Portsmouth Heights, VA and Woodbridge, 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 left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
21
Merge onto I 95
24 mi·27 min·I 95
Use the slight left lane.
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 158A-BToward VA 294: Woodbridge, ManassasUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·48 sec
Exit 158AToward VA 294 East: Prince William Parkway, WoodbridgeUse the slight right lane.
24
Turn straight onto VA 294
0.2 mi·24 sec·Prince William Parkway
25
Turn left onto SR 1299
0.2 mi·28 sec·Summerland Drive
Use the left lane.
26
At end of road, turn right onto SR 639
1.1 mi·2 min·Horner Road
Use the right lane.
27
Turn right onto SR 906
0.4 mi·39 sec·Occoquan Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
28
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Starting your trip from Portsmouth Heights, VA, in the morning is advisable to avoid the heaviest traffic, particularly as you get closer to the Washington D.C. metropolitan area where Woodbridge is located. With a drive time of just over 3 hours, this route is easily manageable in a single day, so you won't need overnight accommodations. You'll encounter one major fuel cost estimate of around $27, so plan your refueling stops accordingly, perhaps before you leave or midway through your longest stretch on I 95. Keep an eye on traffic reports, as congestion can significantly impact your 3h 23m estimated travel 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 86.5 miles from Portsmouth Heights, VA, or about 1h 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 71.3 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 38 miles or 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 86.5 miles or 1h 44m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 45m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Woodbridge, 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 172.9 miles and 3h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 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 71.3 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 18.9 and 170.8 — 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
8
170.5 mi into trip|~3h 18m in
Take the exit toward VA 294: Woodbridge, Manassas
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 158A-B
Toward VA 294: Woodbridge, Manassas
9
170.8 mi into trip|~3h 18m in
Keep slight right at fork toward VA 294 East: Prince William Parkway, Woodbridge
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 158A
Toward VA 294 East: Prince William Parkway, Woo...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.04 one way
$54.08 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg61 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$29.56
$59.13
premium
$4.70
$32.00
$64.00
diesel
$5.61
$38.17
$76.35
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 60.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
51.9
0
$18.15
$8.30
Efficient EV
43.2
0
$15.13
$6.92
EV Truck/SUV
69.2
0
$24.21
$11.07
Gas CO2
60 kg
EV CO2
20 kg (67% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Portsmouth Heights, VA
Morning
in Portsmouth Heights on Sunday
Local time
6:32 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Mostly Clear
SE 2 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Woodbridge, VA
Morning
in Woodbridge on Sunday
Local time
6:32 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Mostly Clear
NE 2 mph0% chanceLive 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
1 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
3h 23m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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 41.7
Park Closure: Rehabilitation of Colonial Parkway Continues
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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 17.9
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 83.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 77% of the journey on major roadways like I 95 and I 64. You'll experience long, uninterrupted stretches, including one segment of 71.3 miles primarily on I 95. The Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway also plays a role in this route. While the majority of the drive is on high-speed interstates, the overall character is one of moving efficiently through the landscape rather than exploring it. Be prepared for the consistent pace of interstate travel for most of the 3h 23m duration.
77% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 71.3 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 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 21 significant decision points across 172.9 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.
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 Woodbridge, VA, road signs point toward Richmond and Rocky Mount.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 23m. Total distance: 172.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (77%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 71.3 miles on I 95. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 1 rest area or service plaza 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 Woodbridge, 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 1 rest area 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, Fort Monroe National Monument and Petersburg National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Woodbridge, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
