Portsmouth, VA to Bridgewater, VA is 221.4 miles and takes about 4h 13m via I 64 and I 81, with a fuel budget near $37 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Virginia, moving from the Southeast region to another part of the Southeast. You'll be on highways for about 80% of the trip, making for a fairly direct path. With just one recommended stop and a longest stretch of 152.3 miles, this route is designed for efficient travel. It's a good option if you're looking for a straightforward drive with minimal complexity.
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
110.7 miles from Portsmouth, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 9m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
152.3 mi
2h 47m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
22.6 mi
24m
I 81
17.8 mi
19m
Hampton Roads Beltway
7 mi
8m
Western Freeway
6 mi
8m
Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel
4.3 mi
5m
Dinkel Avenue
2.5 mi
4m
London Boulevard
1.1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 152.3 mi, about 2h 47m
Traffic on I-64
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 89 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,090 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,513
Quietest
2 AM
~119 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, VA and Bridgewater, 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
90 mi·1 hr 37 min·I 64
Toward I 64 West: CharlottesvilleUse the slight right lane.
22
Take the exit
0.5 mi·47 sec
Toward I 81 North: Staunton, Winchester
23
Merge onto I 81
18 mi·19 min·I 81
24
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward VA 257, SR 682: Mount Crawford, Bridgewater, TO Walton Way, Buc-ees Boulevard
25
Keep slight left at fork
226 ft·7 sec
Toward VA 257, SR 682: Mount Crawford, Bridgewater, TO Walton Way
26
Turn left onto VA 257
0.9 mi·1 min·Friedens Church Road
27
Continue on VA 257
2.5 mi·4 min·Dinkel Avenue
28
Turn left onto North Liberty Street
0.2 mi·38 sec·North Liberty Street
29
Turn right onto East College Street
188 ft·8 sec·East College Street
30
Arrive at destination
East College Street
Trip Plan
For this 4h 13m drive, leaving in the morning is best to maximize daylight and avoid potential rush hour traffic leaving Portsmouth. Since it's a single-day trip, you can afford to be flexible with your stop. The longest continuous stretch is 152.3 miles on I 64, so plan to take a break before or after this segment to stretch your legs. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is $37, and it's always wise to refuel before entering more rural stretches where stations may be less frequent.
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 110.7 miles from Portsmouth, VA, or about 2h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 152.3 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 49 miles or 1h in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 110.7 miles or 2h 9m 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 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bridgewater, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Portsmouth, VA
This is one driving day of about 221.4 miles and 4h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 miles from Portsmouth, 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 152.3 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 23
5 decision points cluster between mile 8.5 and 217.8 — 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
217.8 mi into trip|~4h 6m in
Keep slight left at fork toward VA 257, SR 682: Mount Crawford, Bridgewater, TO Walton Way
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward VA 257, SR 682: Mount Crawford, Bridgewa...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.21 one way
$70.43 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg78 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.41
$38.40
$76.79
premium
$4.78
$41.66
$83.31
diesel
$5.35
$46.63
$93.27
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 77.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
66.4
0
$23.25
$10.63
Efficient EV
55.4
0
$19.37
$8.86
EV Truck/SUV
88.6
1
$31.00
$14.17
Gas CO2
77 kg
EV CO2
26 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, VA
Afternoon
in Portsmouth on Wednesday
Local time
2:59 PM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Partly Cloudy
S 7 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Bridgewater, VA
Afternoon
in Bridgewater on Wednesday
Local time
2:59 PM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Chance Rain Showers
N 2 mph1% 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
11 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 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.
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
~8 min detour
$15
near mile 38.2
Park Closure: Jamestown Island Loop Drive to Temporarily Close to Vehicles
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
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 22.9
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...
Just 75 miles from the bustle of Washington, D.C., Shenandoah National Park is a land bursting with cascading waterfalls, spectacular vistas, fields of wildflowers, and quiet wooded hollows. With over...
28 mi from route
~71 min detour
$30
near mile 213.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway driving, with 80% of the 221.4 miles on interstates like I 64 and I 81. You'll experience a long continuous stretch of 152.3 miles on I 64, so expect a consistent cruising speed for an extended period. The transition to surface roads will occur later in the drive. Given the highway share, be prepared for frequent exit and entrance ramps as you navigate these major corridors.
80% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 152.3 mi on I 64.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway. 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 23 significant decision points across 221.4 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 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
1,490 ft5 ft
Total Climb
1,485 ft
Total Descent
312 ft
Highest Point
1,490 ft
~189.8 mi in
Elevation Range
1,485 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 Bridgewater, VA, road signs point toward Richmond, Rocky Mount and Winchester.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 13m. Total distance: 221.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (80%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 152.3 miles on I 64. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 12 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 Bridgewater, 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 12 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 Petersburg National Battlefield (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Bridgewater, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
