How far is Franconia, VA from Portsmouth Heights, VA?
The driving distance from Franconia, VA to Portsmouth Heights, VA is about 186 miles (299.4 km), with a travel time of about 03h 12m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 142 miles (228.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 24m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
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.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 12m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Town in Frederick County, Maryland, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Franconia and Portsmouth Heights.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Franconia and Portsmouth Heights.
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1
Start on Franconia Road
34 m · 5 sec · Franconia Road
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2
Continue on Franconia Road
1.3 mi · 3 min · Franconia Road
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3
Continue on Franconia Road
2251 ft · 1 min · Franconia Road
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4
Take the ramp slight right toward I 95 North, I 95 South
84 m · 7 sec
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5
Keep slight right to continue on I 95 South: Richmond
1.2 km · 2 min
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6
Merge slight left onto Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
34.7 mi · 41 min · Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
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7
Keep slight left
48.6 mi · 53 min
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8
Take the exit slight left toward I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va Beach
1.9 mi · 2 min
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9
Merge slight right onto Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
13 mi · 14 min · Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach
1.3 mi · 3 min
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11
Merge slight left
62.7 mi · 1 hr 10 min
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12
Take the exit slight right toward I 664 South: Downtown Newport News, Suffolk, Chesapeake
2600 ft · 37 sec
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13
Merge slight left onto Hampton Roads Beltway
6.1 mi · 8 min · Hampton Roads Beltway
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14
Continue on Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel
4.3 mi · 5 min · Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel
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15
Continue on Hampton Roads Beltway
5.9 mi · 7 min · Hampton Roads Beltway
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16
Take the exit slight right toward VA 337 East: Portsmouth Boulevard, Portsmouth
1463 ft · 36 sec
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17
Turn straight onto Portsmouth Boulevard
3.5 mi · 7 min · Portsmouth Boulevard
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18
Turn left onto Byers Avenue
1398 ft · 1 min · Byers Avenue
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19
Turn right onto Vick Street
141 m · 20 sec · Vick Street
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Vick Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Franconia and Portsmouth Heights.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
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.
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.
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Franconia 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 Franconia to Portsmouth Heights?
The road trip is about 186 miles (299.4 km) and usually takes 03h 12m 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 92.9 miles from Franconia and 93.1 miles from Portsmouth Heights.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 142 miles (228.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 44 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 10:36 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $25.98 one way or $51.97 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 58.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Franconia and Sunny near Portsmouth Heights.
Stop Ideas Near Mechanicsville
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Town Hall
Old City Hall
City of Richmond Virginia (City Hall)
City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Mechanicsville.
Richmond Main Street Station
Richmond Staples Mill Road station
Ashland
Petersburg station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Franconia and Portsmouth Heights. Straight-line distance: 141.99 mi (228.51 km).
#1 Franconia
Census designated place
| Population | 18,245 |
| Coordinates | 38.7820600, -77.1463700 |
| Altitude | 76 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Portsmouth Heights
A census-designated place in Newport News, Virginia.
| Population | 99,049 |
| Coordinates | 36.8209800, -76.3688300 |
| Altitude | 3 |
| Country | United States |
End: Vick Street (-76.368598, 36.821321)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 299 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 11m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 39m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 43m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 06m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 39m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 19m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $25.98 | $51.97 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $29.05 | $58.11 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $31.34 | $62.69 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $36.89 | $73.79 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.