Woodstock, VA to Portsmouth Heights, VA is 238.5 miles and takes about 4h 51m via US 17 and I-64/I-66, with a fuel budget near $37 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Virginia, moving from the Southeast region to the Southeast region. The route is mostly highway driving, making it a fairly straightforward trip. With a recommended one-day drive, you should have no trouble reaching your destination with time to spare.
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
119.2 miles from Woodstock, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 31m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 17
75 mi
1h 33m
I 64
62.7 mi
1h 9m
I 66
28.1 mi
30m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
13 mi
14m
Hampton Roads Beltway
12.1 mi
15m
James Madison Highway
11.6 mi
16m
I 81
8.6 mi
9m
Eastern Bypass
4.9 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
US 17
— 75 mi, about 1h 33m
Traffic on I-295
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 34 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,876 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,445
Quietest
2 AM
~163 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 Woodstock, VA and Portsmouth Heights, VA.
1
Start on West Court Street
116 ft·12 sec·West Court Street
2
Turn left onto US 11
1.0 mi·3 min·North Main Street
3
Continue on US 11
4.4 mi·6 min·Old Valley Pike
4
Continue on US 11
0.8 mi·1 min·Main Street
5
Continue on US 11
0.5 mi·56 sec·Old Valley Pike
6
Turn left onto SR 651
0.8 mi·1 min·Mount Olive Road
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·32 sec
Use the right lane.
8
Merge onto I 81
8.6 mi·9 min·I 81
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi·47 sec
Toward I 66 East: Front Royal, Washington
10
Continue on I 66
28 mi·30 min·I 66
11
Take the exit onto US 17
0.3 mi·32 sec·US 17
Toward US 17: Warrenton, Fredericksburg
12
Keep slight right at fork onto US 17
0.1 mi·13 sec·US 17
13
Merge onto US 17
2.4 mi·3 min·Winchester Road
14
Continue on US 17
6.5 mi·8 min·James Madison Highway
15
Keep slight right at fork onto US 17
4.9 mi·6 min·Eastern Bypass
Toward US 17 South: FredericksburgUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on US 15; US 17; US 29
5.1 mi·7 min·James Madison Highway
17
Keep slight right at fork onto US 17
27 mi·39 min·US 17
Toward US 17 South
18
Take the exit onto US 17
48 mi·53 min·US 17
Toward I 95 South, US 17 South: RichmondUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
1.9 mi·2 min
Exit 84AToward I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va BeachUse the slight left / straight lanes.
20
Merge onto I 295
13 mi·14 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
1.3 mi·2 min
Exit 28AToward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia BeachUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Merge onto I 64
63 mi·1 hr 9 min·I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.5 mi·36 sec
Exit 264Toward I 664 South: Downtown Newport News, Suffolk, ChesapeakeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Merge onto I 664
6.1 mi·7 min·Hampton Roads Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Continue on I 664
4.3 mi·5 min·Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel
26
Continue on I 664
5.9 mi·7 min·Hampton Roads Beltway
27
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Exit 11BToward VA 337 East: Portsmouth Boulevard, PortsmouthUse the right lane.
28
Turn straight onto VA 337
3.5 mi·6 min·Portsmouth Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
29
Turn left onto Byers Avenue
0.3 mi·1 min·Byers Avenue
Use the left lane.
30
Turn right onto Vick Street
464 ft·20 sec·Vick Street
31
Arrive at destination
Vick Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 51m estimated drive time, leaving Woodstock, VA in the morning is your best bet to arrive in Portsmouth Heights, VA with daylight to spare. The single longest stretch without a major highway change is 75 miles on US 17, so plan your first break around that. With a fuel cost estimated at $37, you can easily budget for this trip. Since this is a one-day drive, you have flexibility; however, consider an early start to avoid potential traffic, especially as you get closer to the Hampton Roads area.
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 119.2 miles from Woodstock, VA, or about 2h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 75 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 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 119.2 miles or 2h 31m 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 57m
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 Woodstock, 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 Woodstock, VA
This is one driving day of about 238.5 miles and 4h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 miles from Woodstock, 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 US 17 for about 75 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 53.9 and 234.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
53.9 mi into trip|~1h 7m in|US 17 / Eastern Bypass
Keep slight right at fork onto US 17 / Eastern Bypass toward US 17 South: Fredericksburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 17 South: Fredericksburg
8
138.7 mi into trip|~2h 53m 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
153.5 mi into trip|~3h 9m 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
217.5 mi into trip|~4h 21m 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
234.3 mi into trip|~4h 42m in
Take the exit toward VA 337 East: Portsmouth Boulevard, Portsmouth
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 11B
Toward VA 337 East: Portsmouth Boulevard, Ports...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.21 one way
$70.42 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg83 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$38.70
$77.39
premium
$4.49
$42.18
$84.36
diesel
$4.80
$45.03
$90.07
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 83.4 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
71.6
0
$25.04
$11.45
Efficient EV
59.6
0
$20.87
$9.54
EV Truck/SUV
95.4
1
$33.39
$15.26
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
Woodstock, VA
Late night
in Woodstock on Sunday
Local time
3:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
90°F
Patchy Smoke then Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 6 to 9 mph60% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 9:28AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wakefield 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
3:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
97°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 9 to 13 mph14% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 9:28AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 9:28AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
64°F
Fredericksburg, VA
119 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
7 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
4h 51m 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.
Cedar Creek & Belle Grove National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley has a long and rich heritage that still inspires today. Native Americans first shaped the land, followed by colonists and settlers. The fertile valley became an important...
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...
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...
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 156.2
Just 75 miles from the bustle of Washington, D.C., Shenandoah National Park is a land bursting with cascading waterfalls, spectacular vistas, fields of wildflowers, and quiet wooded hollows. With over...
The Potomac River corridor is rich in both history and recreation, offering a chance to both explore your heritage and choose your adventure along the way. Start your journey here!
28 mi from route
~70 min detour
Free
near mile 41.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is 73% highway, meaning you'll spend most of your time on interstates. You'll encounter a long stretch of 75 miles on US 17 before merging onto I-64 and I-66. Expect a good number of exits and potential for urban merging as you approach your destination. The latter part of the route will feel more like typical interstate cruising.
73% 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: 75 mi on US 17.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 17 and I 64. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 53.9 miles in near US 17 / Eastern Bypass.
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 21 significant decision points across 238.5 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 53.9 miles (US 17 / Eastern Bypass): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 138.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 153.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
785 ft7 ft
Total Climb
36 ft
Total Descent
814 ft
Highest Point
785 ft
Elevation Range
778 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Woodstock, VA and Portsmouth Heights, VA, road signs point toward Washington, Fredericksburg, Norfolk, Va Beach, Virginia Beach and Suffolk - among others.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 51m. Total distance: 238.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (73%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 75 miles on US 17. 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 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 53.9 miles (US 17 / Eastern Bypass): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 138.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 153.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Cedar Creek & Belle Grove National Historical Park, Colonial National Historical Park and Fort Monroe National Monument (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Portsmouth Heights, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
