How far is Franklin, VA from Portsmouth, VA?

The driving distance from Franklin, VA to Portsmouth, VA is about 167.9 miles (270.2 km), with a travel time of about 02h 35m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 144.2 miles (232.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 11m 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
167.88 mi
02h 35m
Flight
144.2 mi
232.06 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Franklin.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
144.2 mi
Kilometers
232.06 km
Flight Time
00h 17m

Driving Distance

Road route
167.88 mi
Kilometers
270.18 km
Drive Time
02h 35m

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 02h 35m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Portsmouth
Wed, May 13, 7:04 PM EDT
Return by in Franklin
Wed, May 13, 9:40 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Franklin
2026-05-13T16:28
Arrive Portsmouth
Wed, May 13, 7:04 PM EDT
Route Timing
02h 35m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:36 AM to 12:36 PM EDT

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

Leave by
1:18 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Franklin
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

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
Windsor
VA

Town in southeastern Virginia, United States

From Franklin
83.2 mi
01h 17m
To Portsmouth
84.7 mi
01h 17m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
75°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, May 13 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph S
Destination
79°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, May 13 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 14 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Franklin and Portsmouth.

  1. 1

    Start on Cason Farm Road

    1198 ft · 59 sec · Cason Farm Road

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Stony Point Road

    1.5 km · 2 min · Stony Point Road

  3. 3

    Turn left onto Richmond Road

    1.7 mi · 4 min · Richmond Road

  4. 4

    Take the exit left toward I 64 East

    1558 ft · 38 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    52.4 mi · 56 min

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward I 295 North: Washington, Norfolk

    1.2 mi · 2 min

  7. 7

    Continue on Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway

    22.9 mi · 25 min · Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway

  8. 8

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

    1.3 mi · 3 min

  9. 9

    Merge slight left

    62.7 mi · 1 hr 10 min

  10. 10

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

    2600 ft · 37 sec

  11. 11

    Merge slight left onto Hampton Roads Beltway

    11.6 mi · 14 min · Hampton Roads Beltway

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward VA 135 South: College Drive, Churchland

    1575 ft · 39 sec

  13. 13

    Continue on College Drive

    1.4 mi · 2 min · College Drive

  14. 14

    Take the ramp slight left toward VA 164 East: Downtown Portsmouth

    1797 ft · 34 sec

  15. 15

    Merge slight left onto Western Freeway

    5.8 mi · 8 min · Western Freeway

  16. 16

    Merge slight left onto Martin Luther King Freeway

    1.1 km · 46 sec · Martin Luther King Freeway

  17. 17

    Take the exit slight right toward VA 141 South: Downtown Portsmouth

    1461 ft · 36 sec

  18. 18

    Turn straight onto London Boulevard

    1.2 mi · 2 min · London Boulevard

  19. 19

    Turn right onto Effingham Street

    552 ft · 11 sec · Effingham Street

  20. 20

    Turn left onto High Street

    2679 ft · 1 min · High Street

  21. 21

    Continue on High Street

    61 m · 21 sec · High Street

  22. 22

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · High Street

Car Route Details

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

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
22 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
12
5 merges, 7 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
13.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 64 East
117 mi · 70%
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
22.9 mi · 14%
Hampton Roads Beltway
11.6 mi · 7%
Western Freeway
5.83 mi · 3%
Richmond Road
1.75 mi · 1%
College Drive
1.42 mi · 1%
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 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
02h 35m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 12m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+23.7 mi
144.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Windsor
01h 17m from Franklin
Leave By
1:18 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Franklin and Mostly Sunny near Portsmouth.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Franklin to Portsmouth?

The road trip is about 167.9 miles (270.2 km) and usually takes 02h 35m 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?

Windsor is a useful midpoint, sitting about 83.2 miles from Franklin and 84.7 miles from Portsmouth.

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

The direct path is about 144.2 miles (232.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 23.7 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 1:18 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.45 one way or $46.90 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 52.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Franklin and Mostly Sunny near Portsmouth.

Stop Ideas Near Windsor

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 Windsor and the surrounding midpoint area.
Town Hall
Food stop 14.6 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 11.9 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 11.9 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 11.9 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 Windsor.

RAIL

Richmond Main Street Station

19 mi away
1500 East Main Street
RAIL

Richmond Staples Mill Road station

27 mi away
7519 Staples Mill Road
RAIL

Petersburg station

35 mi away
3516 South Street
RAIL

Ashland

37 mi away
112 North Railroad Avenue

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Franklin and Portsmouth. Straight-line distance: 144.2 mi (232.06 km).

Franklin

#1 Franklin

Independent city in Virginia, United States

Population7,833
Coordinates38.0431900, -78.4419500
Altitude120
CountryUnited States
Portsmouth

#2 Portsmouth

The most populous city in Portsmouth, Virginia.

Population95,094
Coordinates36.8354300, -76.2982700
Altitude3
CountryUnited States
Start: Cason Farm Road (-78.442038, 38.043051)
End: High Street (-76.29827, 36.835429)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 270 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 35m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 11m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 21m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 47m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 23m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 05m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.92 gal
22.42 L · about $23.45
Round trip
$46.90
11.84 gal · 44.84 L
Estimated CO2
52.6 kg one way
Round trip: 105.2 kg / 232 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $23.45 $46.90
Mid-grade $4.43 $26.22 $52.44
Premium $4.78 $28.29 $56.57
Diesel $5.62 $33.29 $66.59

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 Franklin and Portsmouth. The current time is 16:28:39.

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.