How far is Merrimac, VA from Portsmouth Heights, VA?
The driving distance from Merrimac, VA to Portsmouth Heights, VA is about 275.8 miles (443.9 km), with a travel time of about 04h 55m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 225.2 miles (362.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 51m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EST.
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 04h 55m.
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.
Census-designated place in Virginia, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Merrimac and Portsmouth Heights.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Merrimac and Portsmouth Heights.
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1
Start on Merrimac Road
1.2 mi · 3 min · Merrimac Road
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2
Turn right onto South Main Street
1871 ft · 36 sec · South Main Street
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3
Continue on North Franklin Street
1.2 mi · 2 min · North Franklin Street
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4
Take the ramp straight toward US 460 East: Roanoke
2921 ft · 1 min
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5
Merge slight left onto US 460 East
2.1 mi · 2 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward US 11, US 460 Business: Christiansburg
1234 ft · 32 sec
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7
Turn left onto Roanoke Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · Roanoke Street
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8
Take the ramp slight right toward I 81 North, US 460 East: Salem, Roanoke
1.5 km · 2 min
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9
Merge slight left
102.4 mi · 1 hr 54 min
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10
Keep slight right to continue on I 64 East: Richmond
90 mi · 1 hr 38 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward I 295 North: Washington, Norfolk
1.2 mi · 2 min
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12
Continue on Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
22.9 mi · 25 min · Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach
1.3 mi · 3 min
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14
Merge slight left
62.7 mi · 1 hr 10 min
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15
Take the exit slight right toward I 664 South: Downtown Newport News, Suffolk, Chesapeake
2600 ft · 37 sec
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16
Merge slight left onto Hampton Roads Beltway
6.1 mi · 8 min · Hampton Roads Beltway
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17
Continue on Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel
4.3 mi · 5 min · Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel
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18
Continue on Hampton Roads Beltway
5.9 mi · 7 min · Hampton Roads Beltway
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19
Take the exit slight right toward VA 337 East: Portsmouth Boulevard, Portsmouth
1463 ft · 36 sec
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20
Turn straight onto Portsmouth Boulevard
3.5 mi · 7 min · Portsmouth Boulevard
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21
Turn left onto Byers Avenue
1398 ft · 1 min · Byers Avenue
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22
Turn right onto Vick Street
141 m · 20 sec · Vick Street
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Vick Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Merrimac 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 81 North
Merge slight left
102 mi · 01h 54m
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.
Sunny leaving Merrimac and Partly Cloudy near Portsmouth Heights.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Merrimac to Portsmouth Heights?
The road trip is about 275.8 miles (443.9 km) and usually takes 04h 55m 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?
Lake Monticello is a useful midpoint, sitting about 154.3 miles from Merrimac and 121.5 miles from Portsmouth Heights.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 225.2 miles (362.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 50.6 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 EST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:08 AM EST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $37.87 one way or $75.74 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 86.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Merrimac and Partly Cloudy near Portsmouth Heights.
Stop Ideas Near Lake Monticello
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 Lake Monticello.
Charlottesville Union Station
Culpeper station
Staunton station
Ashland
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Merrimac and Portsmouth Heights. Straight-line distance: 225.27 mi (362.53 km).
#1 Merrimac
Merrimac is a place in Virginia, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 37.1895700, -80.4256100 |
| Altitude | 605 |
| 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: 444 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 11m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 53m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 30m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 35m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 56m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 26m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.89 | $37.87 | $75.74 |
| Mid-grade | $4.39 | $42.75 | $85.51 |
| Premium | $4.80 | $46.67 | $93.35 |
| Diesel | $6.18 | $60.12 | $120.24 |
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 · Nov 07, 2026