Portsmouth, VA to Big Stone Gap, VA is 463.5 miles and takes about 8h 56m via I 64 and I 81, with a fuel budget near $71 and enough daylight to finish in a day if you start early, though it's best as an overnight trip. This route stays within Virginia, taking you from the Southeast region of the state towards the mountainous Southwest. With 82% of the drive on highways, expect a predominantly fast-paced transit with limited stops. You'll need to plan for two recommended stops to break up the nearly 9-hour drive comfortably over two days.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
231.7 miles from Portsmouth, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 21m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
182.8 mi
3h 20m
I 81
172.9 mi
3h 9m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
22.6 mi
24m
US Highway 58
14.7 mi
20m
Castlewood Drive
12.5 mi
17m
Porterfield Highway
10.3 mi
14m
Orby Cantrell Highway
8.5 mi
10m
Norton Coeburn Road
8 mi
11m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 182.8 mi, about 3h 20m
Traffic on I-64
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 180 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,073 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,563
Quietest
2 AM
~120 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
17.3×
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, VA and Big Stone Gap, VA.
1
Start on High Street
0.5 mi·56 sec·High Street
2
Turn right onto VA 141
0.1 mi·11 sec·Effingham Street
3
Turn left onto VA 141
1.1 mi·1 min·London Boulevard
Use the right lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·18 sec
Toward US 58, VA 164: Western Freeway, Midtown TunnelUse the slight right lane.
5
Merge onto US 58; VA 164
0.3 mi·34 sec·Martin Luther King Freeway
6
Continue on VA 164
6.0 mi·8 min·Western Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·14 sec
Toward VA 135: College DriveUse the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·10 sec
Toward VA 135 North: College DriveUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
9
Turn straight onto VA 135
1.1 mi·1 min·College Drive
Use the left lane.
10
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·57 sec
Toward I 664 North: Newport News, Hampton
11
Merge onto I 664
0.8 mi·1 min·Hampton Roads Beltway
12
Continue on I 664
4.3 mi·5 min·Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel
13
Continue on I 664
6.2 mi·7 min·Hampton Roads Beltway
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·53 sec
Exit 1AToward I 64 West: Williamsburg, RichmondUse the slight left lane.
15
Merge onto I 64
1.4 mi·1 min·I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64
61 mi·1 hr 7 min·I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.5 mi·32 sec
Exit 200Toward I 295, US 60: Washington, Rocky Mount NCUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork
1.3 mi·2 min
Toward I 295 North: WashingtonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Merge onto I 295
23 mi·24 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
20
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·55 sec
Exit 53AToward I 64 West: Charlottesville
21
Merge onto I 64
120 mi·2 hr 10 min·I 64
Toward I 64 West: CharlottesvilleUse the slight right lane.
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
117 mi·2 hr 9 min·I 81
Use the straight lane.
23
Continue on I 77; I 81; US 52
1.3 mi·1 min·I 77; I 81; US 52
Use the straight lane.
24
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81; US 52
56 mi·59 min·I 81; US 52
Use the straight lane.
25
Take the exit onto US 58 ALT
0.2 mi·25 sec·US 58 ALT
Toward US 58 Alternate, VA 75: Abingdon, South Holston Dam
26
Turn right onto US 58 ALT; VA 75
0.8 mi·2 min·Cummings Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
27
At end of road, turn left onto Valley Street Northwest
0.3 mi·48 sec·Valley Street Northwest
Use the left lane.
28
At end of road, turn right onto US 58 ALT
0.9 mi·2 min·Russell Road Northwest
Use the right lane.
29
Turn slight right onto US 19; US 58 ALT
10 mi·14 min·Porterfield Highway
30
Continue on US 19; US 58 ALT
1.9 mi·2 min·US 19; US 58 ALT
31
Turn left onto US 58 ALT
15 mi·20 min·US Highway 58
Use the left lane.
32
Continue on US 58 ALT
348 ft·6 sec·Trail of the Lonesome Pine
33
Continue on US 58 ALT
13 mi·17 min·Castlewood Drive
34
Continue on US 58 ALT
8.0 mi·11 min·Norton Coeburn Road
35
Take the exit onto US 58 ALT
0.3 mi·33 sec·US 58 ALT
Toward VA 23 South, VA 58 West Alternate
36
Merge onto US 23; US 58 ALT
8.5 mi·10 min·Orby Cantrell Highway
37
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Toward SR 610: Big Stone Gap
38
Turn right onto SR 610
0.2 mi·35 sec·Powell Valley Road
39
Enter roundabout onto SR 610
67 ft·1 sec·Powell Valley Road
40
Continue on SR 610
0.3 mi·32 sec·Powell Valley Road
41
Continue on SR 610
0.2 mi·29 sec·4th Avenue East
42
Arrive at destination
SR 610
Trip Plan
Given the 8h 56m estimated drive time, splitting this trip over two days with two recommended stops is a sensible approach. Plan to depart early on your first day to cover a good portion of the 463.5 miles, perhaps aiming to reach a midpoint around the 4-5 hour mark. Use the longest stretch of 182.8 miles on I 64 as a benchmark for planning your first day's driving. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you get closer to Big Stone Gap, as services can become less frequent in the more rural western parts of the state, and budget around $71 for fuel.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 231.7 miles from Portsmouth, VA, or about 4h 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 182.8 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 102 miles or 1h 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 231.7 miles or 4h 21m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 231.7 miles or 4h 21m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 7h 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Big Stone Gap, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Portsmouth, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Portsmouth, VA
Aim for roughly 232 miles and 4.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Big Stone Gap, VA
Aim for roughly 232 miles and 4.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 102 miles from Portsmouth, VA.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 64 for about 182.8 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 29
5 decision points cluster between mile 8.5 and 405.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
8.5 mi into trip|~12m in
Keep slight right at fork toward VA 135 North: College Drive
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward VA 135 North: College Drive
9
21.4 mi into trip|~29m 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
84.7 mi into trip|~1h 39m 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
85.1 mi into trip|~1h 40m 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
405.1 mi into trip|~7h 32m in|Valley Street Northwest
At end of road, turn left onto Valley Street Northwest
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$74.56 one way
$149.12 round trip
$4.09/gal25.4 MPG avg162 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.57
$83.47
$166.93
premium
$4.96
$90.51
$181.02
diesel
$6.27
$114.34
$228.68
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$75
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$205–$315
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 162.2 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $49 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
139.1
1
$48.67
$22.25
Efficient EV
115.9
1
$40.56
$18.54
EV Truck/SUV
185.4
2
$64.89
$29.66
Gas CO2
162 kg
EV CO2
54 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 18, 2026
Origin
Portsmouth, VA
Afternoon
in Portsmouth on Sunday
Local time
4:37 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Partly Cloudy
N 18 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 18 at 3:26AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Charleston WV
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued October 18 at 2:56AM EDT until October 19 at 10:00PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Destination
Big Stone Gap, VA
Afternoon
in Big Stone Gap on Sunday
Local time
4:37 PM
EDT
Current temp
34°F
Areas Of Frost
N 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 18 at 3:26AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Charleston WV
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued October 18 at 2:56AM EDT until October 19 at 10:00PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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
15 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
8h 56m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
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...
6 mi from route
~16 min detour
$15
near mile 47.9
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...
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...
21 mi from route
~52 min detour
Free
near mile 271.7
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...
28 mi from route
~70 min detour
Free
near mile 79.9
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 82% of the 463.5 miles on major interstates like I 64 and I 81. You'll experience a long stretch of 182.8 miles on I 64, indicating a significant portion of consistent cruising. The highway portion concludes as you approach Big Stone Gap, transitioning to surface roads for the final segment. Expect a steady flow of traffic and numerous exits on the interstate sections, typical of major highway travel.
82% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
42 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 182.8 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 81. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 8.5 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 29 significant decision points across 463.5 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 8.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 21.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 84.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,550 ft9 ft
Total Climb
2,959 ft
Total Descent
1,429 ft
Highest Point
2,550 ft
~364.1 mi in
Elevation Range
2,541 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Portsmouth, VA and Big Stone Gap, VA, road signs point toward Rocky Mount and Holston Dam.
The longest stretch is about 182.8 miles on I 64. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 232 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 33 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 Big Stone Gap, 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 33 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 8.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 21.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 84.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Colonial National Historical Park, Fort Monroe National Monument and Booker T Washington National Monument (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 8.9 hours each way, a round trip means 17.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Big Stone Gap, VA before the return drive.
