How far is Galax, VA from Portsmouth, VA?
The driving distance from Galax, VA to Portsmouth, VA is about 299.3 miles (481.6 km), with a travel time of about 05h 23m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 256.4 miles (412.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 46m 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 05h 23m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Town of the United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Galax and Portsmouth.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Galax and Portsmouth.
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1
Start on the route
11 m · 5 sec
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2
Turn right onto East Oldtown Street
48 m · 15 sec · East Oldtown Street
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3
Turn left onto South Main Street
2.5 mi · 4 min · South Main Street
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4
Continue on Skyline Highway
4.9 mi · 7 min · Skyline Highway
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5
Continue on West Pine Street
13.7 mi · 22 min · West Pine Street
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6
Take the ramp right toward I 74 East: Winston-Salem
1 km · 1 min
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7
Merge slight left
11.2 mi · 12 min
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8
Merge slight left onto Pilot Mountain Parkway
20.5 mi · 23 min · Pilot Mountain Parkway
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9
Keep slight left to continue on NC 74 East
13.3 mi · 16 min
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10
Keep slight left to continue on US 421 South: Greensboro
1.1 mi · 2 min
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11
Merge slight left onto Salem Parkway
11.4 mi · 13 min · Salem Parkway
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12
Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East: Greensboro, Martinsville
7.8 mi · 10 min
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13
Merge slight right
1.8 mi · 2 min
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14
Keep slight left
36.8 mi · 43 min
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15
Keep slight left to continue on I 85 North: Durham
9.4 mi · 11 min
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16
Keep slight left
1.8 mi · 2 min
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17
Continue straight
4.3 mi · 5 min
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18
Keep slight left
37.1 mi · 40 min
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19
Turn straight
4.9 mi · 5 min
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20
Take the exit slight right toward US 1, US 158: Norlina
1002 ft · 32 sec
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21
Turn left
8.6 mi · 11 min
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22
Turn right
1.2 mi · 1 min
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23
Continue straight
5 mi · 6 min
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24
At the end of the road, turn left
28 mi · 33 min
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25
Take the exit left
955 ft · 23 sec
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26
Merge slight left onto Congressman G K Butterfield Highway
19.3 mi · 21 min · Congressman G K Butterfield Highway
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27
Take the exit slight right toward US 58 East: Emporia, Norfolk
683 ft · 17 sec
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28
Keep slight left to continue on US 58 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach
735 ft · 18 sec
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29
Merge slight left
68.1 mi · 1 hr 29 min
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30
Take the exit slight right toward I 264 East, I 64, US 13 North: Portsmouth, Norfolk, Va Beach
1.2 km · 2 min
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31
Keep slight left to continue on I 264 East, I 64, US 13 North: Portsmouth, Norfolk, Va Beach
2322 ft · 57 sec
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32
Merge slight left onto Hampton Roads Beltway
3026 ft · 43 sec · Hampton Roads Beltway
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33
Take the exit slight left toward I 264 East: Portsmouth, Norfolk
1.2 km · 1 min
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34
Continue straight
5.5 mi · 7 min
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35
Take the exit slight right toward VA 141 North: Effingham Street, Crawford Street
1059 ft · 21 sec
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36
Keep slight left to continue on Crawford Street, Downtown, Portsmouth
1241 ft · 30 sec
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37
Turn slight left onto Pavilion Drive
1185 ft · 29 sec · Pavilion Drive
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38
Turn right onto Bart Street
112 m · 7 sec · Bart Street
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39
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Crawford Street
87 m · 6 sec · Crawford Street
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40
Exit the roundabout onto Crawford Street
1145 ft · 27 sec · Crawford Street
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41
Turn left onto High Street
50 m · 13 sec · High Street
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42
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · High Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Galax and Portsmouth.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
US 58 East
Merge slight left
68.1 mi · 01h 29m
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 Clear leaving Galax and Clear near Portsmouth.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Galax to Portsmouth?
The road trip is about 299.3 miles (481.6 km) and usually takes 05h 23m 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?
Virgilina is a useful midpoint, sitting about 161.2 miles from Galax and 138 miles from Portsmouth.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 256.4 miles (412.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 42.9 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 6:14 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $41.83 one way or $83.66 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 93.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Clear around Galax and Clear near Portsmouth.
Stop Ideas Near Virgilina
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Virgilina.
Danville
Durham
Burlington
Cary
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Galax and Portsmouth. Straight-line distance: 256.35 mi (412.55 km).
#1 Galax
Independent city in Virginia, United States
| Population | 6,296 |
| Coordinates | 36.6612400, -80.9239700 |
| Altitude | 723 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Portsmouth
The most populous city in Portsmouth, Virginia.
| Population | 95,094 |
| Coordinates | 36.8354300, -76.2982700 |
| Altitude | 3 |
| Country | United States |
End: High Street (-76.29827, 36.835429)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 482 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 58m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 28m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 59m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 59m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 16m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 44m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $41.83 | $83.66 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $46.77 | $93.54 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $50.46 | $100.91 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $59.39 | $118.78 |
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 · Apr 15, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.