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

The driving distance from Portsmouth Heights, VA to Charlottesville, VA is about 164.2 miles (264.3 km), with a travel time of about 02h 32m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 142.7 miles (229.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 04m 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
164.21 mi
02h 32m
Flight
142.64 mi
229.55 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Portsmouth Heights.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
142.64 mi
Kilometers
229.55 km
Flight Time
00h 17m

Driving Distance

Road route
164.21 mi
Kilometers
264.27 km
Drive Time
02h 32m

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 32m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Charlottesville
Wed, May 13, 1:19 PM EDT
Return by in Portsmouth Heights
Wed, May 13, 3:51 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Portsmouth Heights
2026-05-13T10:47
Arrive Charlottesville
Wed, May 13, 1:19 PM EDT
Route Timing
02h 32m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:32 AM to 12:32 PM EDT

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

Leave by
1:26 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Portsmouth Heights
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 Portsmouth Heights
82 mi
01h 16m
To Charlottesville
82.2 mi
01h 16m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
79°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, May 13 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
6 to 14 mph S
Destination
74°F
Wednesday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Wed, May 13 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
8 to 13 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Vick Street

    44 m · 7 sec · Vick Street

  2. 2

    Continue on Vick Street

    98 m · 18 sec · Vick Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto Byers Avenue

    1359 ft · 1 min · Byers Avenue

  4. 4

    Turn right onto Portsmouth Boulevard

    2.1 mi · 5 min · Portsmouth Boulevard

  5. 5

    Turn right onto Taylor Road

    2 mi · 4 min · Taylor Road

  6. 6

    Turn left onto Pughsville Road

    525 ft · 17 sec · Pughsville Road

  7. 7

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 664 North: Newport News

    1954 ft · 48 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto Hampton Roads Beltway

    3.5 mi · 4 min · Hampton Roads Beltway

  9. 9

    Continue on Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel

    4.3 mi · 5 min · Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel

  10. 10

    Continue on Hampton Roads Beltway

    6.2 mi · 8 min · Hampton Roads Beltway

  11. 11

    Keep slight left to continue on I 64 West: Williamsburg, Richmond

    1.1 km · 54 sec

  12. 12

    Merge slight left

    1.4 mi · 2 min

  13. 13

    Keep slight left

    61.1 mi · 1 hr 8 min

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward I 295, US 60: Washington, Rocky Mount NC

    2434 ft · 32 sec

  15. 15

    Keep slight right to continue on I 295 North: Washington

    1.3 mi · 3 min

  16. 16

    Merge slight left onto Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway

    22.6 mi · 25 min · Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway

  17. 17

    Keep slight right to continue on I 64 West: Charlottesville

    2936 ft · 55 sec

  18. 18

    Merge slight left onto I 64 West: Charlottesville

    55.3 mi · 1 hr

  19. 19

    Take the exit slight right toward VA 20: Charlottesville, Scottsville

    1217 ft · 34 sec

  20. 20

    Turn right onto Monticello Avenue

    1.5 km · 2 min · Monticello Avenue

  21. 21

    Turn slight right

    2312 ft · 1 min

  22. 22

    Turn left onto East Market Street

    140 m · 25 sec · East Market Street

  23. 23

    Turn left onto 7th Street Northeast

    87 m · 16 sec · 7th Street Northeast

  24. 24

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

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
24 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
4 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
14.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 64 West
119 mi · 73%
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
22.6 mi · 14%
Hampton Roads Beltway
9.68 mi · 6%
Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel
4.32 mi · 3%
Portsmouth Boulevard
2.13 mi · 1%
Taylor Road
2 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 64 West

Keep slight left

61.1 mi · 01h 08m

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 32m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 04m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+21.5 mi
142.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Windsor
01h 16m from Portsmouth Heights
Leave By
1:26 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Portsmouth Heights and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Charlottesville.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Portsmouth Heights to Charlottesville?

The road trip is about 164.2 miles (264.3 km) and usually takes 02h 32m 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 82 miles from Portsmouth Heights and 82.2 miles from Charlottesville.

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

The direct path is about 142.7 miles (229.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 21.5 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 1:26 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.93 one way or $45.87 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 51.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Portsmouth Heights and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Charlottesville.

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 12.7 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 9.9 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 9.9 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 9.9 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 Portsmouth Heights and Charlottesville. Straight-line distance: 142.64 mi (229.55 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Portsmouth Heights

A census-designated place in Newport News, Virginia.

Population99,049
Coordinates36.8209800, -76.3688300
Altitude3
CountryUnited States
Charlottesville

#2 Charlottesville

The capital of Virginia.

Population46,950
Coordinates38.0293100, -78.4766800
Altitude142
CountryUnited States
Start: Vick Street (-76.368598, 36.821321)
End: (-78.476567, 38.029526)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 264 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 28m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 06m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 17m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 44m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 20m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 02m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.79 gal
21.93 L · about $22.93
Round trip
$45.87
11.58 gal · 43.86 L
Estimated CO2
51.5 kg one way
Round trip: 102.9 kg / 227 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $22.93 $45.87
Mid-grade $4.43 $25.64 $51.29
Premium $4.78 $27.66 $55.33
Diesel $5.62 $32.56 $65.13

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 Portsmouth Heights and Charlottesville. The current time is 10:47:55.

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.