Stuart, VA to Portsmouth Heights, VA is 247 miles and takes about 5h 30m via Southampton Parkway and US 58, with a fuel budget near $39 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Virginia, connecting two points in the Southeast region. Expect a mix of highway and surface roads, making it a straightforward trip for a single day. With just one recommended stop and a relatively short duration, it's an accessible route for most drivers.
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
123.5 miles from Stuart, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 41m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Southampton Parkway
62.1 mi
1h 20m
US 58
29.4 mi
37m
Clarksville Bypass
22.9 mi
29m
Governor Harrison Parkway
22.5 mi
30m
Philpott Road
19.7 mi
25m
Bill Tuck Highway
18.8 mi
24m
Jeb Stuart Highway
14 mi
18m
William F Stone Highway
9.4 mi
10m
Longest stretch:
Southampton Parkway
— 62.1 mi, about 1h 20m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Stuart, VA and Portsmouth Heights, VA.
1
Start on US 58 BUS
0.5 mi·1 min·East Blue Ridge Street
2
Turn right onto US 58
14 mi·18 min·Jeb Stuart Highway
3
Continue on US 58
8.4 mi·11 min·A. L. Philpott Highway
4
Take the exit onto US 58
0.3 mi·40 sec·US 58
Toward US 58 East, US 220 South
5
Merge onto US 58; US 220
9.4 mi·10 min·William F Stone Highway
6
Keep slight right at fork onto US 58
15 mi·19 min·US 58
Toward US 58 East: DanvilleUse the slight right lane.
7
Take the exit onto US 58
14 mi·17 min·US 58
Toward US 58 East
8
Take the exit onto US 58
0.3 mi·38 sec·US 58
Toward US 58 East, US 360 East: South Boston
9
Merge onto US 58; US 360
2.9 mi·5 min·South Boston Road
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on US 58; US 360
5.3 mi·7 min·South Boston Highway
11
Continue on US 58; US 360
20 mi·25 min·Philpott Road
12
Continue on US 58; US 360
19 mi·24 min·Bill Tuck Highway
13
Continue on US 58; VA 49
3.6 mi·4 min·Clarksville Bypass
Use the straight lane.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto US 58
19 mi·24 min·Clarksville Bypass
Toward US 58 East: Boydton, South Hill
15
Continue on US 1; US 58
3.5 mi·4 min·Highway 1
16
Continue on US 58
3.3 mi·4 min·South Hill Bypass
17
Continue on US 58
1.1 mi·1 min·East Atlantic Street
18
Continue on US 58
3.6 mi·5 min·Highway 58
19
Continue on US 58
1.2 mi·2 min·Piney Pond Road
20
Continue on US 58
23 mi·30 min·Governor Harrison Parkway
21
Continue on US 58
6.4 mi·8 min·Pleasant Shade Drive
22
Continue on US 58
5.1 mi·6 min·West Atlantic Street
23
Continue on US 58
62 mi·1 hr 20 min·Southampton Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Continue on US 13; US 58; US 460
2.6 mi·3 min·West Military Highway
25
Continue on US 58; US 460 ALT
0.5 mi·43 sec·West Military Highway
26
Continue on US 58; US 460 ALT
2.2 mi·4 min·Airline Boulevard
27
Turn left onto Elmhurst Lane
0.7 mi·1 min·Elmhurst Lane
28
Turn right onto Cherokee Road
0.4 mi·1 min·Cherokee Road
29
Turn left onto City Park Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·City Park Avenue
30
Turn right onto Vick Street
0.2 mi·39 sec·Vick Street
31
Arrive at destination
Vick Street
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 30m estimated duration, departing in the morning will give you ample time to reach Portsmouth Heights before evening. Plan for one stop along the way; the longest stretch without a major road change is 62.1 miles, which could be a good point to consider a break. The fuel cost is estimated at $39, so factor that into your budget. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility, but keeping an eye on traffic as you get closer to the Hampton Roads area is advisable.
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 123.5 miles from Stuart, VA, or about 2h 41m 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 54 miles or 1h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 123.5 miles or 2h 41m 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 27m
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 Stuart, 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 Stuart, VA
This is one driving day of about 247 miles and 5h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 miles from Stuart, 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 22.9 and 112 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
22.9 mi into trip|~31m in|US 58
Take the exit onto US 58 toward US 58 East, US 220 South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 58 East, US 220 South
7
32.6 mi into trip|~42m in|US 58
Keep slight right at fork onto US 58 toward US 58 East: Danville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 58 East: Danville
5
61.5 mi into trip|~1h 19m in|US 58
Take the exit onto US 58 toward US 58 East, US 360 East: South Boston
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 58 East, US 360 East: South Boston
6
61.8 mi into trip|~1h 19m in|US 58; US 360 / South Boston Road
Merge onto US 58; US 360 / South Boston Road
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
112 mi into trip|~2h 26m 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
$38.63 one way
$77.25 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg86 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$42.23
$84.47
premium
$4.70
$45.71
$91.43
diesel
$5.61
$54.53
$109.07
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 86.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
74.1
0
$25.93
$11.86
Efficient EV
61.8
0
$21.61
$9.88
EV Truck/SUV
98.8
1
$34.58
$15.81
Gas CO2
86 kg
EV CO2
29 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Stuart, VA
Morning
in Stuart on Sunday
Local time
6:09 AM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Portsmouth Heights, VA
Morning
in Portsmouth Heights on Sunday
Local time
6:09 AM
EDT
Current temp
85°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
56°F
Henderson, NC
124 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
39 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 30m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This 247-mile route features a 49% highway share, meaning you'll transition between faster-paced driving and more local roads. The longest continuous stretch on highway is 62.1 miles along Southampton Parkway. After the parkway, expect more surface road driving as you approach your destination. The profile is mixed highway & surface, so be prepared for varying speeds and traffic patterns.
49% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
31 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?
7/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 22.9 miles in near US 58.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 247 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 22.9 miles (US 58): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 32.6 miles (US 58): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 61.5 miles (US 58): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
On the drive from Stuart, VA to Portsmouth Heights, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Hill along the way.
Hill
112 mi in|~2h 26m|via US 58
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 30m. Total distance: 247 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 30m drive, comfortable solo distance.
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.
Yes — we found about 10 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 Portsmouth Heights, 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 10 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 22.9 miles (US 58): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 32.6 miles (US 58): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 61.5 miles (US 58): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 11.0 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.
