This 419.8-mile drive from Portsmouth, VA to Richlands, VA will take you approximately 7 hours and 58 minutes, making it a feasible day trip. You'll be spending about 80% of your time on the highway, primarily utilizing I-64, I-81, and I-77. With a projected fuel cost of $66, this journey focuses on efficient travel. The route remains within the Southeast region, offering a consistent feel throughout. Planning for about two stops will help break up the drive comfortably.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
209.9 miles from Portsmouth, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 57m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
182.8 mi
3h 20m
I 81
117.1 mi
2h 9m
I 77
28.4 mi
31m
Governor G C Peery Highway
27.2 mi
34m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
22.6 mi
24m
Big Laurel Highway
9.9 mi
11m
Hampton Roads Beltway
7 mi
8m
Western Freeway
6 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 182.8 mi, about 3h 20m
Traffic on I-64
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 90 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,062 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,481
Quietest
2 AM
~117 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 Richlands, 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 right at fork onto I 77
27 mi·30 min·I 77
Toward I 77 North: Bluefield, Charleston W. Va.Use the slight right lane.
25
Take the exit onto US 52
0.3 mi·1 min·US 52
Exit 1Toward US 52 North: Bluefield
26
Turn right onto US 52
2.5 mi·2 min·John Nash Boulevard
27
Take the exit onto US 52
0.3 mi·37 sec·US 52
Toward US 460 West: Bluefield
28
Merge onto US 52; US 460; US 52 Truck
9.9 mi·11 min·Big Laurel Highway
Use the left / straight lanes.
29
Continue on US 19; US 460
27 mi·34 min·Governor G C Peery Highway
30
Take the exit onto US 460
386 ft·10 sec·US 460
31
Merge onto US 460
2.4 mi·4 min·Governor George C Peery Highway
32
Take the exit
156 ft·4 sec
Toward US 460 BUS: Cedar Bluff, Richlands
33
Turn right onto SR F608
0.1 mi·12 sec·SR F608
34
At end of road, turn right onto US 460 BUS
0.5 mi·51 sec·Cedar Valley Drive
35
Continue on US 460 BUS
1.2 mi·1 min·West Front Street
36
Turn left onto Virginia Avenue
88 ft·2 sec·Virginia Avenue
37
Arrive at destination
Virginia Avenue
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 7-hour, 58-minute journey, consider an early morning departure from Portsmouth to avoid any potential traffic. With a longest stretch of 182.8 miles, plan your two recommended stops strategically for fuel and rest. The $66 fuel cost is manageable for a single day's travel, but ensure your tank is full before heading out. Given the highway-focused nature, keeping your vehicle in good condition is key to a smooth ride.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 209.9 miles from Portsmouth, VA, or about 3h 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 182.8 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 92 miles or 1h 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 209.9 miles or 3h 57m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 42m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Richlands, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Portsmouth, VA
This is one driving day of about 419.8 miles and 7h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 92 miles from Portsmouth, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
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 348.3 — 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
8
348.3 mi into trip|~6h 30m in|I 77
Keep slight right at fork onto I 77 toward I 77 North: Bluefield, Charleston W. Va.
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 77 North: Bluefield, Charleston W. Va.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$66.77 one way
$133.54 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg147 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.41
$72.80
$145.61
premium
$4.78
$78.99
$157.97
diesel
$5.35
$88.42
$176.84
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$67
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$92–$117
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 146.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $44 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
125.9
1
$44.08
$20.15
Efficient EV
105
1
$36.73
$16.79
EV Truck/SUV
167.9
2
$58.77
$26.87
Gas CO2
147 kg
EV CO2
49 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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Portsmouth, VA
Afternoon
in Portsmouth on Wednesday
Local time
3:01 PM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Partly Cloudy
S 7 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Richlands, VA
Afternoon
in Richlands on Wednesday
Local time
3:01 PM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Partly Cloudy
W 1 mph6% 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
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
7h 58m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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...
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
$15
near mile 43.4
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...
7 mi from route
~19 min detour
Free
near mile 14.5
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
~53 min detour
Free
near mile 275.1
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
~66 min detour
Free
near mile 86.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive, with 80% of the 419.8 miles on interstates. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 182.8 miles along I-64, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent speed. This route emphasizes efficient travel rather than winding backroads, meaning you'll encounter fewer sharp turns and more sweeping curves. The transition between I-64, I-81, and I-77 will offer shifts in direction but maintain the high-speed interstate character.
80% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
37 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 419.8 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
2,519 ft9 ft
Total Climb
2,983 ft
Total Descent
1,054 ft
Highest Point
2,519 ft
~389.8 mi in
Elevation Range
2,510 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 Richlands, VA, road signs point toward Richmond, Rocky Mount and Charleston W. Va..
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 58m. Total distance: 419.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 58m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 182.8 miles on I 64. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 31 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 Richlands, 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 31 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 8.0 hours each way, a round trip means 15.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Richlands, VA before the return drive.
