How far is Portsmouth Heights, VA from McLean, VA?
The driving distance from Portsmouth Heights, VA to McLean, VA is about 197.2 miles (317.4 km), with a travel time of about 03h 21m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 152.5 miles (245.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 43m 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 03h 21m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Census designated place
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Clear
Partly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Portsmouth Heights and McLean.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Portsmouth Heights and McLean.
-
1
Start on Vick Street
44 m · 7 sec · Vick Street
-
2
Continue on Vick Street
98 m · 18 sec · Vick Street
-
3
Turn left onto Byers Avenue
1359 ft · 1 min · Byers Avenue
-
4
Turn right onto Portsmouth Boulevard
2.1 mi · 5 min · Portsmouth Boulevard
-
5
Turn right onto Taylor Road
2 mi · 4 min · Taylor Road
-
6
Turn left onto Pughsville Road
525 ft · 17 sec · Pughsville Road
-
7
Take the ramp slight right toward I 664 North: Newport News
1954 ft · 48 sec
-
8
Merge slight left onto Hampton Roads Beltway
14 mi · 18 min · Hampton Roads Beltway
-
9
Keep slight left to continue on I 64 West: Williamsburg, Richmond
1.1 km · 54 sec
-
10
Merge slight left
1.4 mi · 2 min
-
11
Keep slight left
61.1 mi · 1 hr 8 min
-
12
Take the exit slight right toward I 295, US 60: Washington, Rocky Mount NC
2434 ft · 32 sec
-
13
Keep slight right to continue on I 295 North: Washington
1.3 mi · 3 min
-
14
Merge slight left onto Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
11.9 mi · 13 min · Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
-
15
Take the exit slight left toward I 95 North: Washington
2.4 mi · 3 min
-
16
Merge slight right
45.7 mi · 50 min
-
17
Keep slight right
1.6 mi · 2 min
-
18
Keep slight left
1 mi · 1 min
-
19
Merge slight left
35 mi · 41 min
-
20
Keep slight right to continue on Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
1 km · 52 sec · Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
-
21
Take the exit slight right toward I 495 North: Tysons Corner
1.4 mi · 2 min
-
22
Merge slight left onto Capital Beltway
1 mi · 1 min · Capital Beltway
-
23
Keep slight right to continue on Capital Beltway
8.5 mi · 11 min · Capital Beltway
-
24
Take the exit slight right toward VA 123 North: McLean
2182 ft · 53 sec
-
25
Turn straight onto Dolley Madison Boulevard
1.7 mi · 4 min · Dolley Madison Boulevard
-
26
Turn right onto Old Dominion Drive
2534 ft · 1 min · Old Dominion Drive
-
27
Turn sharp left onto Elm Street
31 m · 2 sec · Elm Street
-
28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Elm Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Portsmouth Heights and McLean.
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 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.
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 Portsmouth Heights and Partly Cloudy near McLean.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Portsmouth Heights to McLean?
The road trip is about 197.2 miles (317.4 km) and usually takes 03h 21m 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 97.9 miles from Portsmouth Heights and 99.4 miles from McLean.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 152.5 miles (245.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 44.7 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:16 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $27.57 one way or $55.14 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 61.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Clear around Portsmouth Heights and Partly Cloudy near McLean.
Stop Ideas Near Chamberlayne
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Town Hall
Old City Hall
City of Richmond Virginia (City Hall)
City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Chamberlayne.
Richmond Staples Mill Road station
Richmond Main Street Station
Ashland
Petersburg station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Portsmouth Heights and McLean. Straight-line distance: 152.53 mi (245.47 km).
#1 Portsmouth Heights
A census-designated place in Newport News, Virginia.
| Population | 99,049 |
| Coordinates | 36.8209800, -76.3688300 |
| Altitude | 3 |
| Country | United States |
#2 McLean
A city in Fairfax County, Virginia.
| Population | 48,115 |
| Coordinates | 38.9342800, -77.1774800 |
| Altitude | 87 |
| Country | United States |
End: Elm Street (-77.177466, 38.934287)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 317 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 34m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 55m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 56m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 17m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 49m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 27m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $27.57 | $55.14 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $30.83 | $61.65 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $33.25 | $66.51 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $39.14 | $78.29 |
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 05, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.