Origin
Portsmouth Heights, VA
Morning in Portsmouth Heights on Sunday
Local time
6:37 AM
EDT
Current temp
85°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Portsmouth Heights, VA to Woodlake, VA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 18m
Distance
99.4 mi
160 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$16
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 9m
★
6 AM
2h 19m
8 AM
2h 38m
10 AM
2h 26m
12 PM
2h 24m
3 PM
2h 26m
5 PM
2h 37m
8 PM
2h 13m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Portsmouth Heights, VA
Daniel Miller
Woodlake, VA
Daniel Żabiński
Trip Overview
This 99.4-mile journey from Portsmouth Heights, VA to Woodlake, VA is best tackled as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 18 minutes. You'll be navigating primarily on James River Drive, Colonial West, and the World War II Veterans Memorial Highway, with about a third of the drive on highways. The estimated fuel cost for this route is around $16. This drive offers a local feel, making it a straightforward option for a day excursion within Virginia's Southeast region.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
49.7 miles from Portsmouth Heights, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 10m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| James River Drive | 14.6 mi | 19m |
| Colonial Trail West | 13.3 mi | 15m |
| World War II Veterans Memorial Highway | 13 mi | 14m |
| Benns Church Boulevard | 12.1 mi | 15m |
| Colonial Trail East | 9.9 mi | 11m |
| East Hundred Road | 6.6 mi | 9m |
| Bridge Road | 6.5 mi | 11m |
| Hull Street Road | 3.3 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
James River Drive
— 14.6 mi, about 19m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Portsmouth Heights, VA and Woodlake, 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
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Hampton Roads Beltway
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
53 sec
Exit 9A
Toward US 17 North: Bridge Road
Use the right lane.
10
Merge onto VA 164
0.6 mi
·
44 sec
·
Western Freeway
11
Continue on US 17
6.5 mi
·
11 min
·
Bridge Road
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on US 17
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Carrollton Boulevard
13
Turn left onto Brewers Neck Boulevard
2.9 mi
·
4 min
·
Brewers Neck Boulevard
14
Merge onto US 258; VA 10
12 mi
·
15 min
·
Benns Church Boulevard
15
Continue on VA 10
9.9 mi
·
11 min
·
Colonial Trail East
16
Turn left onto VA 10; VA 31
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Rolfe Highway
17
Turn right onto VA 10
13 mi
·
15 min
·
Colonial Trail West
18
Continue on VA 10
15 mi
·
19 min
·
James River Drive
19
Continue on VA 10; VA 156 BUS
2.9 mi
·
4 min
·
East Randolph Road
20
Continue on VA 10
6.6 mi
·
9 min
·
East Hundred Road
Use the left lane.
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Toward I 95 North: Richmond
Use the right lane.
22
Merge onto I 95
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
23
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Exit 62
Toward VA 288 North: Chesterfield
Use the slight right lane.
24
Continue on VA 288
13 mi
·
14 min
·
World War II Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
43 sec
Toward US 360 West: Hull Street Road, Amelia
Use the right lane.
26
Merge onto US 360
3.3 mi
·
5 min
·
Hull Street Road
Use the straight lane.
27
Turn right onto SR 3600
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Woodlake Village Parkway
28
Turn left onto SR 3600
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Woodlake Village Parkway
29
Turn right
344 ft
·
25 sec
30
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
With a duration of just over two hours, this 99.4-mile trip is perfectly suited for a single day, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. The $16 fuel cost is minimal, so you won't need to worry too much about frequent stops for gas. Since there are no designated stops in the data, plan your own breaks as needed. Keep an eye on your navigation, as the "turn-heavy local drive" profile suggests you'll be making frequent turns, especially on the longest stretch of 14.6 miles on James River Drive.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 49.7 miles from Portsmouth Heights, VA, or about 1h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 14.6 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 22 miles or 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 49.7 miles or 1h 10m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Woodlake, 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 99.4 miles and 2h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Portsmouth Heights, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on James River Drive for about 14.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
50 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 22 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 49.7 miles from Portsmouth Heights, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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 175 decision points cluster between mile 2.5 and 94.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
2.5 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
Taylor Road
Turn right onto Taylor Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
6 mi into trip
|
~12m in
Take the exit toward US 17 North: Bridge Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 9A
Toward US 17 North: Bridge Road
6
79.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 49m in
Take the exit toward I 95 North: Richmond
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 95 North: Richmond
7
80.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 51m in
Take the exit toward VA 288 North: Chesterfield
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 62
Toward VA 288 North: Chesterfield
7
94.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 8m in
Take the exit toward US 360 West: Hull Street Road, Amelia
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward US 360 West: Hull Street Road, Amelia
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.54 one way
$31.09 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
35 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $17.00 | $33.99 |
| premium | $4.70 | $18.40 | $36.79 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $21.95 | $43.89 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.08
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
(1.1 mi)
$0.08
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
$16
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 34.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 29.8 | 0 | $10.44 | $4.77 |
| Efficient EV | 24.9 | 0 | $8.70 | $3.98 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 39.8 | 0 | $13.92 | $6.36 |
Gas CO2
35 kg
EV CO2
12 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
Woodlake, VA
Morning in Woodlake on Sunday
Local time
6:37 AM
EDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
52°F
Waverly, VA
50 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
30 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
2h 18m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive for much of this 99.4-mile route. While about 33% of the journey utilizes highways, the majority involves navigating local roads, including stretches on James River Drive, Colonial West, and the World War II Veterans Memorial Highway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 14.6 miles on James River Drive. This means you'll be adjusting your speed and direction frequently, offering a more engaging driving experience than a pure interstate cruise.
Only 3% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 14.6 mi on James River Drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.5 miles in near Taylor Road.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 99.4 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 2.5 miles (Taylor Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 79.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
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 Woodlake, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Amelia along the way.
Amelia
94.3 mi in
|
~2h 8m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 18m. Total distance: 99.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 14.6 miles on James River Drive. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.08 in tolls one way, starting with Richmond-Petersburg 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.
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 Woodlake, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.5 miles (Taylor Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 79.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Woodlake, VA before heading back.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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