How far is Fairfax, VA from Portsmouth Heights, VA?

The driving distance from Fairfax, VA to Portsmouth Heights, VA is about 189 miles (304.2 km), with a travel time of about 03h 21m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 149 miles (239.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 43m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
189.02 mi
03h 21m
Flight
148.99 mi
239.77 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Fairfax.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
148.99 mi
Kilometers
239.77 km
Flight Time
00h 17m

Driving Distance

Road route
189.02 mi
Kilometers
304.2 km
Drive Time
03h 21m

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 03h 21m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Portsmouth Heights
Wed, May 13, 12:21 AM EDT
Return by in Fairfax
Wed, May 13, 3:43 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Fairfax
2026-05-12T20:59
Arrive Portsmouth Heights
Wed, May 13, 12:21 AM EDT
Route Timing
03h 21m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:22 AM to 11:22 AM EDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
10:16 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Fairfax
9:00 PM EDT
Early departure recommended

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

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

Mid-route stop
Mechanicsville
VA

Town in Frederick County, Maryland, United States

From Fairfax
94.4 mi
01h 40m
To Portsmouth Heights
94.6 mi
01h 40m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
43°F
Overnight

Mostly Clear

Starts
Tue, May 12 5:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 mph N
Destination
73°F
Today

Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
6 mph N

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Fairfax and Portsmouth Heights.

  1. 1

    Start on Main Street

    21 m · 10 sec · Main Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Chain Bridge Road

    1.2 km · 2 min · Chain Bridge Road

  3. 3

    Continue on Ox Road

    12.4 mi · 19 min · Ox Road

  4. 4

    Continue on Gordon Boulevard

    1.4 km · 2 min · Gordon Boulevard

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward I 95 South: Fredericksburg

    1350 ft · 33 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    26 mi · 31 min

  7. 7

    Keep slight left

    48.6 mi · 53 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight left toward I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va Beach

    1.9 mi · 2 min

  9. 9

    Merge slight right onto Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway

    13 mi · 14 min · Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach

    1.3 mi · 3 min

  11. 11

    Merge slight left

    62.7 mi · 1 hr 10 min

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward I 664 South: Downtown Newport News, Suffolk, Chesapeake

    2600 ft · 37 sec

  13. 13

    Merge slight left onto Hampton Roads Beltway

    16.4 mi · 20 min · Hampton Roads Beltway

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward VA 337 East: Portsmouth Boulevard, Portsmouth

    1463 ft · 36 sec

  15. 15

    Turn straight onto Portsmouth Boulevard

    3.5 mi · 7 min · Portsmouth Boulevard

  16. 16

    Turn left onto Byers Avenue

    1398 ft · 1 min · Byers Avenue

  17. 17

    Turn right onto Vick Street

    141 m · 20 sec · Vick Street

  18. 18

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Vick Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
18 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
9
4 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
9.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 95 South
74.9 mi · 40%
I 64 East
63.9 mi · 34%
Hampton Roads Beltway
16.4 mi · 9%
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
13 mi · 7%
Ox Road
12.4 mi · 7%
Portsmouth Boulevard
3.52 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

I 64 East

Merge slight left

62.7 mi · 01h 10m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

A longer out-and-back drive

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

Drive Time
03h 21m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 44m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+40 mi
149 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Mechanicsville
01h 40m from Fairfax
Leave By
10:16 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Clear leaving Fairfax 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 Fairfax to Portsmouth Heights?

The road trip is about 189 miles (304.2 km) and usually takes 03h 21m in normal driving conditions.

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

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Mechanicsville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 94.4 miles from Fairfax and 94.6 miles from Portsmouth Heights.

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

The direct path is about 149 miles (239.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 40 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:16 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.42 one way or $52.84 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 59.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Clear around Fairfax and Sunny near Portsmouth Heights.

Stop Ideas Near Mechanicsville

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 Mechanicsville and the surrounding midpoint area.
Town Hall
Food stop 7.9 mi away

Town Hall

Richmond , VA
3123 W Cary St, Richmond, VA 23221
Rating 4.9/5 13 reviews Restaurant
Old City Hall
Scenic stop 7 mi away

Old City Hall

Richmond , VA
1001 E Broad St, Richmond, VA 23219, United States
Rating 4.4/5 32 reviews Tourist attraction,Land surveyor,Historical landmark
City of Richmond Virginia (City Hall)
Meeting point 6.9 mi away

City of Richmond Virginia (City Hall)

Richmond , VA
900 E Broad St, Richmond, VA 23219
Rating 2.9/5 40 reviews City government office,Police department,Tax assessor
City Hall
Nearby stop 6.9 mi away

City Hall

Richmond , VA
900 E Broad St, Richmond, VA 23219
Rating 3.9/5 85 reviews Bike sharing station

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Mechanicsville.

RAIL

Richmond Main Street Station

10 mi away
1500 East Main Street
RAIL

Richmond Staples Mill Road station

11 mi away
7519 Staples Mill Road
RAIL

Ashland

19 mi away
112 North Railroad Avenue
RAIL

Petersburg station

41 mi away
3516 South Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Fairfax and Portsmouth Heights. Straight-line distance: 148.99 mi (239.77 km).

Fairfax

#1 Fairfax

Independent city in Virginia, United States

Population23,429
Coordinates38.8462200, -77.3063700
Altitude131
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: Main Street (-77.306413, 38.846223)
End: Vick Street (-76.368598, 36.821321)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 304 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 17m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 43m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 46m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 09m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 42m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 21m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.67 gal
25.25 L · about $26.42
Round trip
$52.84
13.34 gal · 50.5 L
Estimated CO2
59.3 kg one way
Round trip: 118.6 kg / 261 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $26.42 $52.84
Mid-grade $4.43 $29.54 $59.08
Premium $4.78 $31.87 $63.74
Diesel $5.62 $37.51 $75.02

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 · May 13, 2026

There is no time difference between Fairfax and Portsmouth Heights. The current time is 20:59:48.

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.