Origin
Portsmouth, VA
Afternoon in Portsmouth on Sunday
Local time
12:14 PM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Portsmouth, VA to South Riding, VA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 5m
Distance
201.9 mi
325 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$32
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 52m
★
6 AM
4h 5m
8 AM
4h 31m
10 AM
4h 14m
12 PM
4h 12m
3 PM
4h 16m
5 PM
4h 30m
8 PM
3h 58m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Portsmouth, VA
Wikimedia Commons
South Riding, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Portsmouth, VA to South Riding, VA is 201.9 miles and takes about 4h 5m via I 95, I 64, and Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, with a fuel budget near $32 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward drive primarily within Virginia, connecting two points in the Southeast region. Expect a highway-focused experience that makes for an efficient trip. With a recommended one-day duration, this route is ideal if you're looking for a quick and direct journey between these locations.
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
100.9 miles from Portsmouth, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 58m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 95 | 73.7 mi | 1h 22m |
| I 64 | 62.5 mi | 1h 9m |
| Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway | 11.9 mi | 12m |
| Ox Road | 8.9 mi | 13m |
| Fairfax County Parkway | 7.8 mi | 11m |
| Hampton Roads Beltway | 7 mi | 8m |
| Western Freeway | 6 mi | 8m |
| Route 50 | 5.5 mi | 9m |
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 73.7 mi, about 1h 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Portsmouth, VA and South Riding, 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 Tunnel
Use 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 Drive
Use the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
Toward VA 135 North: College Drive
Use 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 1A
Toward I 64 West: Williamsburg, Richmond
Use 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 200
Toward I 295, US 60: Washington, Rocky Mount NC
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork
1.3 mi
·
2 min
Toward I 295 North: Washington
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Merge onto I 295
12 mi
·
12 min
·
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
20
Take the exit
2.4 mi
·
2 min
Exit 43A
Toward I 95 North: Washington
Use the slight left lane.
21
Merge onto I 95
46 mi
·
49 min
·
I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight right at fork onto I 95; US 17
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
I 95; US 17
23
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi
·
1 min
24
Merge onto I 95
26 mi
·
31 min
·
I 95
Use the slight left lane.
25
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Exit 160B
Toward VA 123 North: Occoquan, Lake Ridge
Use the right lane.
26
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
Toward VA 123 North: Occoquan, Lake Ridge
27
Continue on VA 123
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Gordon Boulevard
28
Continue on VA 123
8.9 mi
·
13 min
·
Ox Road
Use the left lane.
29
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
1 min
Toward VA 286 North: Fairfax County Parkway
30
Merge onto VA 286
7.8 mi
·
11 min
·
Fairfax County Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
41 sec
Toward US 50 West
32
Merge onto US 50
5.5 mi
·
9 min
·
Route 50
Use the left lane.
33
Continue on US 50
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Little River Turnpike
Use the left lane.
34
Turn left onto SR 2201
97 ft
·
4 sec
·
South Riding Boulevard
Use the left lane.
35
Continue on SR 2201
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
·
South Riding Boulevard
36
Turn left onto Defender Drive
0.1 mi
·
31 sec
·
Defender Drive
37
Turn right
34 ft
·
2 sec
38
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour drive time, starting your journey in the morning is recommended to ensure you arrive with ample daylight. The single recommended stop suggests you can comfortably complete this trip without needing to split it over multiple days. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $32 and the longest stretch without a major exit could be around 74 miles. Planning for a quick stop before embarking on that longer segment of I-95 will provide peace of mind.
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 100.9 miles from Portsmouth, VA, or about 1h 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 73.7 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 44 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 100.9 miles or 1h 58m 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 10m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near South Riding, 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 201.9 miles and 4h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 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 95 for about 73.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
101 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 44 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 100.9 miles from Portsmouth, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 95 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 73.7 miles.
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 295 decision points cluster between mile 8.5 and 175.4 — 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
175.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 22m in
Take the exit toward VA 123 North: Occoquan, Lake Ridge
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 160B
Toward VA 123 North: Occoquan, Lake Ridge
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.57 one way
$63.15 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
71 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $34.52 | $69.04 |
| premium | $4.70 | $37.37 | $74.73 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $44.58 | $89.15 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.13
Little River Turnpike
(1.9 mi)
$0.13
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
$32
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 70.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 60.6 | 0 | $21.20 | $9.69 |
| Efficient EV | 50.5 | 0 | $17.67 | $8.08 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 80.8 | 1 | $28.27 | $12.92 |
Gas CO2
71 kg
EV CO2
24 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
South Riding, VA
Afternoon in South Riding on Sunday
Local time
12:14 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live 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
13 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 5m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway, with 78% of the journey on major interstates like I-95 and I-64. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 73.7 miles on I-95, offering a period of consistent cruising. The Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway also contributes to the overall fast-paced nature of this drive. It's a road designed for covering distance efficiently, with limited deviations from the main thoroughfares.
78% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
38 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 73.7 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 8.5 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 201.9 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 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.
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.
Between Portsmouth, VA and South Riding, VA, road signs point toward Richmond, Rocky Mount and Lake Ridge.
Richmond
21.4 mi in
|
~29m
Rocky Mount
84.7 mi in
|
~1h 39m
Lake Ridge
175.4 mi in
|
~3h 22m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 5m. Total distance: 201.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 5m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (78%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 73.7 miles on I 95. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.13 in tolls one way, starting with Little River 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.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 South Riding, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.2 hours — manageable with a long break at South Riding, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
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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