How far is Cape Charles, VA from Portsmouth Heights, VA?

The driving distance from Cape Charles, VA to Portsmouth Heights, VA is about 49.5 miles (79.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 03m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 36.6 miles (58.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 06m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
49.47 mi
01h 03m
Flight
36.61 mi
58.92 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Cape Charles.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
36.61 mi
Kilometers
58.92 km
Flight Time
00h 04m

Driving Distance

Road route
49.47 mi
Kilometers
79.62 km
Drive Time
01h 03m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 01h 03m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Portsmouth Heights
Wed, Jun 3, 9:29 AM EDT
Return by in Cape Charles
Wed, Jun 3, 10:32 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Cape Charles
2026-06-03T08:25
Arrive Portsmouth Heights
Wed, Jun 3, 9:29 AM EDT
Route Timing
01h 03m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:03 AM to 11:03 AM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
4:24 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Cape Charles
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Virginia Beach
VA

The most populous city in Virginia, Virginia Beach is a major center for tourism, military, and business.

From Cape Charles
24.8 mi
00h 31m
To Portsmouth Heights
24.7 mi
00h 31m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
Cape Charles Weather
VA
Live fallback forecast
75°F
Wednesday
Using Exmore as the closest live forecast in the Northampton County weather hub.

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Jun 3 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 8 mph N
Destination
77°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Jun 3 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
3 to 12 mph N

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Cape Charles and Portsmouth Heights.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Cape Charles and Portsmouth Heights.

  1. 1

    Start on Park Row

    90 m · 20 sec · Park Row

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Strawberry Street

    1252 ft · 1 min · Strawberry Street

  3. 3

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Mason Avenue

    2327 ft · 1 min · Mason Avenue

  4. 4

    Turn right onto Randolph Avenue

    1561 ft · 31 sec · Randolph Avenue

  5. 5

    Continue on Stone Road

    1.7 mi · 3 min · Stone Road

  6. 6

    Turn right onto Lankford Highway

    9.7 mi · 13 min · Lankford Highway

  7. 7

    Merge slight left onto Lankford Highway

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Lankford Highway

  8. 8

    Continue on Chesapeake Bay Bridge–Tunnel

    17.7 mi · 24 min · Chesapeake Bay Bridge–Tunnel

  9. 9

    Continue on Northampton Boulevard

    5.1 mi · 8 min · Northampton Boulevard

  10. 10

    Take the exit straight toward I 64 East, I 64 West: Downtown Norfolk, Chesapeake, Suffolk, Hampton, Richmond

    600 ft · 15 sec

  11. 11

    Keep slight left to continue on I 64 East: Downtown Norfolk, Chesapeake, Suffolk

    2976 ft · 1 min

  12. 12

    Merge slight left onto Hampton Roads Beltway

    1.5 mi · 2 min · Hampton Roads Beltway

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward I 264 East, I 264 West: Va Beach, Downtown Norfolk, Portsmouth

    914 ft · 14 sec

  14. 14

    Keep slight right to continue on I 264 West: Norfolk

    2737 ft · 42 sec

  15. 15

    Keep slight left to continue on I 264 West, US 13 South: Norfolk, Military Highway

    1273 ft · 20 sec

  16. 16

    Keep slight left to continue on I 264 West: Norfolk, Portsmouth

    2368 ft · 58 sec

  17. 17

    Merge slight left onto Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway

    7.9 mi · 12 min · Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway

  18. 18

    Take the exit slight right toward VA 337 West: Portsmouth Boulevard

    3060 ft · 1 min

  19. 19

    Turn left onto Portsmouth Boulevard

    1.4 km · 2 min · Portsmouth Boulevard

  20. 20

    Turn right onto Shea Street

    1076 ft · 51 sec · Shea Street

  21. 21

    Turn left onto Vick Street

    623 ft · 27 sec · Vick Street

  22. 22

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Vick Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Cape Charles and Portsmouth Heights.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Turn-heavy local drive

The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.

Directions
22 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
3 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
44.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Chesapeake Bay Bridge–Tunnel
17.7 mi · 36%
Lankford Highway
10.8 mi · 22%
Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway
7.85 mi · 16%
Northampton Boulevard
5.14 mi · 10%
Stone Road
1.66 mi · 3%
Hampton Roads Beltway
1.47 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

Chesapeake Bay Bridge–Tunnel

Continue on Chesapeake Bay Bridge–Tunnel

17.7 mi · 00h 24m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
01h 03m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 06m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+12.9 mi
36.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Virginia Beach
00h 31m from Cape Charles
Leave By
4:24 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Cape Charles and Sunny near Portsmouth Heights.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Cape Charles to Portsmouth Heights?

The road trip is about 49.5 miles (79.6 km) and usually takes 01h 03m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Virginia Beach is a useful midpoint, sitting about 24.8 miles from Cape Charles and 24.7 miles from Portsmouth Heights.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 36.6 miles (58.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 12.9 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:24 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.93 one way or $13.86 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 15.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Cape Charles and Sunny near Portsmouth Heights.

Stop Ideas Near Virginia Beach

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Virginia Beach and the surrounding midpoint area.
Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center
Scenic stop 14.3 mi away

Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center

Virginia Beach , VA
717 General Booth Blvd, Virginia Beach, VA 23451, United States
Rating 4.5/5 10,667 reviews Tourist attraction,Boat tour agency,Children's museum,Science museum,Aquarium,Wedding venue
Hampton DMV Select Office
Meeting point 13.9 mi away

Hampton DMV Select Office

Hampton , VA
1 Franklin St, Hampton, VA 23669
Rating 3.8/5 76 reviews City government office
Virginia Beach Police Department - Fourth Precinct
Nearby stop 13.8 mi away

Virginia Beach Police Department - Fourth Precinct

Virginia Beach , VA
5152 Lobaugh Dr, Virginia Beach, VA 23464
Rating 2.7/5 17 reviews Police department
Historic City Hall
Scenic stop 13.7 mi away

Historic City Hall

Hampton , VA
30 Kings Way, Hampton, VA 23669
Rating 4.4/5 10 reviews Historical landmark

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Virginia Beach.

BUS

Virginia Beach, Virginia

1 mi away
19th St. and Pacific Ave.
BUS

Norfolk

28 mi away
215 W York Street
RAIL

Newport News station

46 mi away
9304 Warwick Boulevard
RAIL

Williamsburg Transportation Center

80 mi away
468 North Boundary Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Cape Charles and Portsmouth Heights. Straight-line distance: 36.61 mi (58.92 km).

Cape Charles

#1 Cape Charles

Town in Virginia, United States

Population1,056
Coordinates37.2700800, -76.0164900
Altitude1
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Portsmouth Heights

A census-designated place in Newport News, Virginia.

Population99,049
Coordinates36.8209800, -76.3688300
Altitude3
CountryUnited States
Start: Park Row (-76.016723, 37.270515)
End: Vick Street (-76.368598, 36.821321)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 80 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 38m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 14m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 59m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 49m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 42m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 37m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.75 gal
6.61 L · about $6.93
Round trip
$13.86
3.5 gal · 13.22 L
Estimated CO2
15.6 kg one way
Round trip: 31.1 kg / 69 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $6.93 $13.86
Mid-grade $4.43 $7.75 $15.50
Premium $4.78 $8.36 $16.72
Diesel $5.62 $9.84 $19.68

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in Virginia · Jun 03, 2026

There is no time difference between Cape Charles and Portsmouth Heights. The current time is 08:25:59.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.