Rocky Mount, VA to Portsmouth Heights, VA is 236.1 miles and takes about 5h 26m via Southampton Parkway and others, with a fuel budget near $36 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Virginia, moving from the Southeast region to the Southeast region. Expect a mix of travel speeds, with about half the route on highways. It's a manageable drive for a single day, suitable for those looking for a straightforward trip without extensive planning.
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
118.1 miles from Rocky Mount, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 44m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Southampton Parkway
62.1 mi
1h 20m
Clarksville Bypass
22.9 mi
29m
Governor Harrison Parkway
22.5 mi
30m
Bill Tuck Highway
18.1 mi
22m
Old Franklin Turnpike
16.9 mi
24m
Halifax Road
16.4 mi
23m
West Gretna Road
13.5 mi
18m
Chatham Road
12.9 mi
19m
Longest stretch:
Southampton Parkway
— 62.1 mi, about 1h 20m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rocky Mount, VA and Portsmouth Heights, VA.
1
Start on VA 40
0.4 mi·43 sec·Franklin Street
2
At end of road, turn right onto US 220 BUS; VA 40
184 ft·10 sec·North Main Street
3
Turn left onto VA 40
0.7 mi·1 min·Pell Avenue
4
At end of road, turn left onto VA 40
0.2 mi·28 sec·Pell Avenue
5
Continue on VA 40
17 mi·24 min·Old Franklin Turnpike
6
Continue on VA 40
14 mi·18 min·West Gretna Road
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·34 sec
Toward US 29 South
8
Merge onto US 29
9.8 mi·11 min·US 29
Toward US 29 South
9
Take the exit
0.1 mi·23 sec
Toward VA 57
10
Turn left onto VA 57
14 mi·19 min·Halifax Road
11
Continue on VA 57
13 mi·19 min·Chatham Road
12
Continue on VA 360
3.5 mi·5 min·Mountain Road
13
At end of road, turn right onto US 501
0.4 mi·1 min·South Main Street
14
Continue on US 501
1.9 mi·3 min·Halifax Road
15
Turn left onto VA 129
0.9 mi·1 min·Old Halifax Road
16
Continue on VA 129
1.8 mi·3 min·North Main Street
17
Turn left onto VA 34
0.5 mi·1 min·Hodges Street
18
Turn right onto US 360
0.4 mi·39 sec·John Randolph Boulevard
19
Continue on US 360
0.3 mi·31 sec·James D Hagood Highway
20
Continue on US 360
0.4 mi·43 sec·John Randolph Boulevard
21
Turn left onto US 58
18 mi·22 min·Bill Tuck Highway
Use the left / straight lanes.
22
Continue on US 58; VA 49
3.6 mi·4 min·Clarksville Bypass
Use the straight lane.
23
Keep slight right at fork onto US 58
19 mi·24 min·Clarksville Bypass
Toward US 58 East: Boydton, South Hill
24
Continue on US 1; US 58
3.5 mi·4 min·Highway 1
25
Continue on US 58
3.3 mi·4 min·South Hill Bypass
26
Continue on US 58
1.1 mi·1 min·East Atlantic Street
27
Continue on US 58
3.6 mi·5 min·Highway 58
28
Continue on US 58
1.2 mi·2 min·Piney Pond Road
29
Continue on US 58
23 mi·30 min·Governor Harrison Parkway
30
Continue on US 58
6.4 mi·8 min·Pleasant Shade Drive
31
Continue on US 58
5.1 mi·6 min·West Atlantic Street
32
Continue on US 58
62 mi·1 hr 20 min·Southampton Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Continue on US 13; US 58; US 460
2.6 mi·3 min·West Military Highway
34
Continue on US 58; US 460 ALT
0.5 mi·43 sec·West Military Highway
35
Continue on US 58; US 460 ALT
2.2 mi·4 min·Airline Boulevard
36
Turn left onto Elmhurst Lane
0.7 mi·1 min·Elmhurst Lane
37
Turn right onto Cherokee Road
0.4 mi·1 min·Cherokee Road
38
Turn left onto City Park Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·City Park Avenue
39
Turn right onto Vick Street
0.2 mi·39 sec·Vick Street
40
Arrive at destination
Vick Street
Trip Plan
For this 5h 26m drive, leaving in the morning will give you ample time to reach Portsmouth Heights comfortably. Since it's a single-day trip, you have flexibility with your stops; consider a brief break around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially before embarking on the 62.1-mile stretch on Southampton Parkway. The estimated fuel cost is around $36, so budget accordingly.
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 118.1 miles from Rocky Mount, VA, or about 2h 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 62.1 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 52 miles or 1h 11m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 118.1 miles or 2h 44m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Portsmouth Heights, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Rocky Mount, 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 Rocky Mount, VA
This is one driving day of about 236.1 miles and 5h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 miles from Rocky Mount, 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 Southampton Parkway for about 62.1 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 101.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.4 mi into trip|~0m in|US 220 BUS; VA 40 / North Main Street
At end of road, turn right onto US 220 BUS; VA 40 / North Main Street
Navigation decision point
4
0.4 mi into trip|~0m in|VA 40 / Pell Avenue
Turn left onto VA 40 / Pell Avenue
Navigation decision point
4
31.7 mi into trip|~45m in
Take the ramp toward US 29 South
Navigation decision point
Toward US 29 South
4
31.9 mi into trip|~45m in|US 29
Merge onto US 29 toward US 29 South
Merge point - match speed before joining
Toward US 29 South
6
101.2 mi into trip|~2h 22m in|US 58 / Clarksville Bypass
Keep slight right at fork onto US 58 / Clarksville Bypass toward US 58 East: Boydton, South Hill
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 58 East: Boydton, South Hill
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.86 one way
$69.71 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg83 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$38.31
$76.61
premium
$4.49
$41.75
$83.51
diesel
$4.80
$44.58
$89.16
Estimated Tolls: $1.18
Old Franklin Turnpike
(16.9 mi)$1.18
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
$35
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 82.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
70.8
0
$24.79
$11.33
Efficient EV
59
0
$20.66
$9.44
EV Truck/SUV
94.4
1
$33.05
$15.11
Gas CO2
83 kg
EV CO2
28 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Rocky Mount, VA
Late night
in Rocky Mount on Sunday
Local time
5:34 AM
EDT
Current temp
91°F
Partly Sunny then Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 7 to 10 mph57% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 11:29AM EDT by NWS Blacksburg VA
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 9:28AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Destination
Portsmouth Heights, VA
Late night
in Portsmouth Heights on Sunday
Local time
5:34 AM
EDT
Current temp
97°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 9 to 13 mph14% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 11:29AM EDT by NWS Blacksburg VA
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 9:28AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
86°F
South Boston, VA
118 mi in
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
6 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 26m 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.
Booker T Washington National Monument
National Monument
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...
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...
14 mi from route
~35 min detour
Free
near mile 236.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is about 50% highway, meaning you'll experience both faster travel and surface roads. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 62.1 miles on Southampton Parkway, which will likely feel like more continuous driving. Be prepared for the transition as highway sections give way to surface roads, which can mean more varied speeds and potentially more local traffic as you approach your destination.
50% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
40 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 62.1 mi on Southampton Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near US 220 BUS; VA 40 / North Main Street.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 5h 26m drive. You will face about 17 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (US 220 BUS; VA 40 / North Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (VA 40 / Pell Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 31.7 miles: Navigation decision point.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,135 ft7 ft
Total Climb
131 ft
Total Descent
1,260 ft
Highest Point
1,135 ft
Elevation Range
1,129 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Rocky Mount, VA to Portsmouth Heights, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Hill along the way.
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 62.1 miles on Southampton Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.18 in tolls one way, starting with Old Franklin 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.
Yes — we found about 8 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.
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 8 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (US 220 BUS; VA 40 / North Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (VA 40 / Pell Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 31.7 miles: Navigation decision point.
Yes — Booker T Washington National Monument and Fort Monroe National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.4 hours each way, a round trip means 10.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Portsmouth Heights, VA before the return drive.
