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

The driving distance from Portsmouth Heights, VA to Fairfax, VA is about 187.5 miles (301.8 km), with a travel time of about 03h 45m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 149 miles (239.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 31m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
187.52 mi
03h 45m
Flight
148.99 mi
239.77 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Portsmouth Heights.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
148.99 mi
Kilometers
239.77 km
Flight Time
00h 17m

Driving Distance

Road route
187.52 mi
Kilometers
301.78 km
Drive Time
03h 45m

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 45m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Fairfax
Wed, May 13, 1:36 AM EDT
Return by in Portsmouth Heights
Wed, May 13, 5:22 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Portsmouth Heights
2026-05-12T21:50
Arrive Fairfax
Wed, May 13, 1:36 AM EDT
Route Timing
03h 45m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:46 AM to 11:46 AM EDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
9:28 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Portsmouth Heights
9:00 PM EDT
Early departure recommended

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
Chamberlayne
VA

Census designated place

From Portsmouth Heights
93.8 mi
01h 52m
To Fairfax
93.7 mi
01h 52m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
73°F
Today

Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
6 mph N
Destination
43°F
Overnight

Mostly Clear

Starts
Tue, May 12 5:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 mph N

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    11.9 mi · 13 min · Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway

  17. 17

    Take the exit slight left toward I 95 North: Washington

    2.4 mi · 3 min

  18. 18

    Merge slight right

    45.7 mi · 50 min

  19. 19

    Keep slight right

    1.6 mi · 2 min

  20. 20

    Keep slight left

    1 mi · 1 min

  21. 21

    Merge slight left

    26.4 mi · 31 min

  22. 22

    Take the exit slight right toward VA 123 North: Occoquan, Lake Ridge

    1400 ft · 34 sec

  23. 23

    Keep slight left to continue on VA 123 North: Occoquan, Lake Ridge

    709 ft · 17 sec

  24. 24

    Continue on Gordon Boulevard

    1 mi · 2 min · Gordon Boulevard

  25. 25

    Continue on Ox Road

    8.9 mi · 13 min · Ox Road

  26. 26

    Continue on Ox Road

    3.5 mi · 6 min · Ox Road

  27. 27

    Continue on Chain Bridge Road

    1.1 km · 2 min · Chain Bridge Road

  28. 28

    Turn right onto Main Street

    21 m · 2 sec · Main Street

  29. 29

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Main Street

Car Route Details

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

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
29 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
9
5 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
15.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 95 North
77.1 mi · 41%
I 64 West
63.2 mi · 34%
Ox Road
12.4 mi · 7%
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
11.9 mi · 6%
Hampton Roads Beltway
9.68 mi · 5%
Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel
4.32 mi · 2%
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 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.

Drive Time
03h 45m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 32m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+38.5 mi
149 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Chamberlayne
01h 52m from Portsmouth Heights
Leave By
9:28 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Portsmouth Heights and Mostly Clear near Fairfax.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 187.5 miles (301.8 km) and usually takes 03h 45m 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?

Chamberlayne is a useful midpoint, sitting about 93.8 miles from Portsmouth Heights and 93.7 miles from Fairfax.

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

The direct path is about 149 miles (239.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 38.5 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:28 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.22 one way or $52.44 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 58.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Portsmouth Heights and Mostly Clear near Fairfax.

Stop Ideas Near Chamberlayne

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 Chamberlayne and the surrounding midpoint area.
Town Hall
Food stop 7.4 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 6.9 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 6.8 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 6.8 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 Chamberlayne.

RAIL

Richmond Staples Mill Road station

6 mi away
7519 Staples Mill Road
RAIL

Richmond Main Street Station

10 mi away
1500 East Main Street
RAIL

Ashland

15 mi away
112 North Railroad Avenue
RAIL

Petersburg station

43 mi away
3516 South Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Portsmouth Heights and Fairfax. Straight-line distance: 148.99 mi (239.77 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Portsmouth Heights

A census-designated place in Newport News, Virginia.

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

#2 Fairfax

Independent city in Virginia, United States

Population23,429
Coordinates38.8462200, -77.3063700
Altitude131
CountryUnited States
Start: Portsmouth Heights (-76.36883, 36.82098)
End: Fairfax (-77.30637, 38.84622)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 302 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 14m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 41m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 45m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 07m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 40m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 20m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.62 gal
25.05 L · about $26.22
Round trip
$52.44
13.24 gal · 50.1 L
Estimated CO2
58.8 kg one way
Round trip: 117.7 kg / 259 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $26.22 $52.44
Mid-grade $4.43 $29.32 $58.64
Premium $4.78 $31.63 $63.26
Diesel $5.62 $37.23 $74.46

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 Fairfax. The current time is 21:50:24.

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.