Origin
Potomac Mills, VA
Morning in Potomac Mills on Sunday
Local time
9:40 AM
EDT
Current temp
85°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Potomac Mills, VA to Portsmouth, VA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 24m
Distance
174.5 mi
281 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$27
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 12m
★
6 AM
3h 24m
8 AM
3h 48m
10 AM
3h 33m
12 PM
3h 30m
3 PM
3h 34m
5 PM
3h 47m
8 PM
3h 17m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Potomac Mills, VA
Mark Stebnicki
Portsmouth, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 174.5-mile drive from Potomac Mills, VA to Portsmouth, VA is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in one day. Expect to spend about 3 hours and 24 minutes on the road, primarily on I-95, I-64, and the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway. With a fuel cost estimated at $27, this route offers an economical option for traveling within the Southeast region of Virginia. Given its manageable distance and duration, it's a perfect candidate for a single-day trip, allowing for flexibility in your departure time and the number of stops you make.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
87.2 miles from Potomac Mills, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 40m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 95 | 69.7 mi | 1h 17m |
| I 64 | 62.7 mi | 1h 9m |
| Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway | 13 mi | 14m |
| Hampton Roads Beltway | 7.2 mi | 9m |
| Western Freeway | 5.8 mi | 7m |
| Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel | 4.3 mi | 5m |
| College Drive | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| London Boulevard | 1.2 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 69.7 mi, about 1h 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Potomac Mills, VA and Portsmouth, VA.
1
Start on this road
76 ft
·
9 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left
365 ft
·
27 sec
3
At end of road, turn right
65 ft
·
8 sec
4
Turn left onto Potomac Mills Circle
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Potomac Mills Circle
5
Turn right onto Nazarene Way
374 ft
·
12 sec
·
Nazarene Way
6
Turn left onto SR 2000
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
·
Smoketown Road
7
Turn right onto SR 2068
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Gideon Drive
8
Turn left onto SR 784
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
Dale Boulevard
9
Take the ramp
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 95 South: Richmond
Use the right lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
26 sec
Toward I 95 South
11
Merge onto I 95
21 mi
·
24 min
·
I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
49 mi
·
53 min
·
I 95
Use the straight lane.
13
Take the exit
1.9 mi
·
2 min
Exit 84A
Toward I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va Beach
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
14
Merge onto I 295
13 mi
·
14 min
·
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
1.3 mi
·
2 min
Exit 28A
Toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto I 64
63 mi
·
1 hr 9 min
·
I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
36 sec
Exit 264
Toward I 664 South: Downtown Newport News, Suffolk, Chesapeake
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Merge onto I 664
6.1 mi
·
7 min
·
Hampton Roads Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on I 664
4.3 mi
·
5 min
·
Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel
20
Continue on I 664
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Hampton Roads Beltway
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 8B
Toward VA 135 South: College Drive, Churchland
Use the right lane.
22
Continue on VA 135
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
College Drive
Use the straight lane.
23
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Toward VA 164 East: Downtown Portsmouth
24
Merge onto VA 164
5.8 mi
·
7 min
·
Western Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Merge onto US 58; VA 164
0.7 mi
·
46 sec
·
Martin Luther King Freeway
26
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Toward VA 141 South: Downtown Portsmouth
Use the right lane.
27
Turn straight onto US 58
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
London Boulevard
28
Turn right onto VA 141
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
Effingham Street
Use the right lane.
29
Turn left onto High Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
High Street
Use the left lane.
30
Continue on High Street
201 ft
·
20 sec
·
High Street
Use the left lane.
31
Arrive at destination
High Street
Trip Plan
For this 3-hour and 24-minute drive, starting early in the morning is your best bet to avoid potential traffic, especially as you approach more populated areas. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $27, you have the flexibility to take breaks as needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, particularly during the 69.7-mile stretch on I-95, to ensure you have enough to reach your next service area. Since this is a single-day trip, you can adjust your schedule easily, but be prepared for the interstate environment for most of the 174.5 miles.
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 87.2 miles from Potomac Mills, VA, or about 1h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 69.7 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 38 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 87.2 miles or 1h 40m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 43m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Portsmouth, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Potomac Mills, 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 Potomac Mills, VA
This is one driving day of about 174.5 miles and 3h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 miles from Potomac Mills, 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 69.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
87 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 38 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 87.2 miles from Potomac Mills, 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 69.7 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 225 decision points cluster between mile 24.3 and 163.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
24.3 mi into trip
|
~31m in
|
I 95
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
72.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 24m in
Take the exit toward I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va Beach
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 84A
Toward I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va B...
8
87.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 40m in
Take the exit toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach
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 28A
Toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach
8
151.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 52m in
Take the exit toward I 664 South: Downtown Newport News, Suffolk, Chesapeake
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 264
Toward I 664 South: Downtown Newport News, Suff...
8
163.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 7m in
Take the exit toward VA 135 South: College Drive, Churchland
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 8B
Toward VA 135 South: College Drive, Churchland
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.29 one way
$54.58 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
61 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $29.84 | $59.67 |
| premium | $4.70 | $32.30 | $64.59 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $38.53 | $77.05 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 61.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 52.4 | 0 | $18.32 | $8.38 |
| Efficient EV | 43.6 | 0 | $15.27 | $6.98 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 69.8 | 0 | $24.43 | $11.17 |
Gas CO2
61 kg
EV CO2
20 kg (67% 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
Portsmouth, VA
Morning in Portsmouth on Sunday
Local time
9:40 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°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
23 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
3h 24m 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.
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...
0 mi from route
$15
near mile 132.4
Park Closure: Rehabilitation of Colonial Parkway Continues
Fort Monroe National Monument
National Monument
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...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
Free
near mile 150.4
View on nps.gov
Petersburg National Battlefield
National Battlefield
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
~65 min detour
Free
near mile 90.3
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 80% of the journey taking place on major interstates. You'll experience long stretches of consistent speed, including the longest uninterrupted segment of 69.7 miles on I-95. The character of the drive is largely shaped by these high-speed corridors, offering efficiency rather than winding scenic byways. As you progress, the roads primarily consist of I-95 and I-64, providing a predictable and continuous travel experience for the majority of the 174.5 miles.
80% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 69.7 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 24.3 miles in near I 95.
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 22 significant decision points across 174.5 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 24.3 miles (I 95): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 72.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 87.8 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 Potomac Mills, VA and Portsmouth, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk, Va Beach, Virginia Beach, Suffolk, Chesapeake and Churchland.
Norfolk
72.9 mi in
|
~1h 24m
Va Beach
72.9 mi in
|
~1h 24m
Virginia Beach
87.8 mi in
|
~1h 40m
Suffolk
151.7 mi in
|
~2h 52m
Chesapeake
151.7 mi in
|
~2h 52m
Churchland
163.8 mi in
|
~3h 7m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 24m. Total distance: 174.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 24m 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 69.7 miles on I 95. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Portsmouth, 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 24.3 miles (I 95): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 72.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 87.8 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. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Portsmouth, 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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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