How far is Portsmouth Heights, VA from University Center, VA?

The driving distance from Portsmouth Heights, VA to University Center, VA is about 210.8 miles (339.3 km), with a travel time of about 04h 13m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 165.2 miles (265.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 26m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EST.
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
210.82 mi
04h 13m
Flight
165.23 mi
265.92 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
165.23 mi
Kilometers
265.92 km
Flight Time
00h 19m

Driving Distance

Road route
210.82 mi
Kilometers
339.29 km
Drive Time
04h 13m

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 13m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in University Center
Fri, Nov 6, 5:26 PM EST
Return by in Portsmouth Heights
Fri, Nov 6, 9:40 PM EST
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Portsmouth Heights
2026-11-06T13:13
Arrive University Center
Fri, Nov 6, 5:26 PM EST
Route Timing
04h 13m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EST
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:13 AM to 12:13 PM EST

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

Leave by
8:34 AM EST
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Portsmouth Heights
9:00 PM EST
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
Ashland
VA

Town in Virginia, United States

From Portsmouth Heights
105.4 mi
02h 06m
To University Center
105.4 mi
02h 06m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
74°F
Today

Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Fri, Nov 6 7:00 AM EST
Wind
7 to 13 mph SW
Destination
59°F
Overnight

Scattered Rain Showers

Starts
Fri, Nov 6 1:00 AM EST
Wind
5 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Portsmouth Heights and University Center.

  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

    35 mi · 41 min

  22. 22

    Keep slight right to continue on Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway

    1 km · 52 sec · Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway

  23. 23

    Take the exit slight right toward I 495 North: Tysons Corner

    1.4 mi · 2 min

  24. 24

    Merge slight left onto Capital Beltway

    1 mi · 1 min · Capital Beltway

  25. 25

    Keep slight right to continue on Capital Beltway

    9.5 mi · 12 min · Capital Beltway

  26. 26

    Take the exit slight left toward VA 267 Toll West: Reston, Herndon, Dulles Airport

    1614 ft · 39 sec

  27. 27

    Merge slight right onto Dulles Toll Road

    1.1 mi · 1 min · Dulles Toll Road

  28. 28

    Keep slight left

    1869 ft · 23 sec

  29. 29

    Merge slight right onto Dulles Toll Road

    80 m · 4 sec · Dulles Toll Road

  30. 30

    Take the exit slight right toward VA 7: Tysons Corner, Leesburg, Leesburg Pike

    1499 ft · 37 sec

  31. 31

    Keep slight right to continue on VA 7 West: Leesburg Pike, Leesburg

    702 ft · 17 sec

  32. 32

    Merge slight left onto Leesburg Pike

    13.5 mi · 20 min · Leesburg Pike

  33. 33

    Take the exit slight right toward VA 607, VA 2401: Loudoun County Parkway, Riverside Parkway

    1376 ft · 34 sec

  34. 34

    Keep slight right to continue on SR 607 North, SR 2401: Loudoun County Parkway

    158 m · 13 sec

  35. 35

    Turn straight onto Loudoun County Parkway

    1224 ft · 28 sec · Loudoun County Parkway

  36. 36

    Turn right onto George Washington Boulevard

    2581 ft · 55 sec · George Washington Boulevard

  37. 37

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · George Washington Boulevard

Car Route Details

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

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
37 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
16
9 merges, 7 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
17.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 95 North
85.7 mi · 41%
I 64 West
63.2 mi · 30%
Leesburg Pike
13.5 mi · 6%
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
11.9 mi · 6%
Capital Beltway
10.5 mi · 5%
Hampton Roads Beltway
9.68 mi · 5%
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
04h 13m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
08h 26m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+45.6 mi
165.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Ashland
02h 06m from Portsmouth Heights
Leave By
8:34 AM EST
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Portsmouth Heights and Scattered Rain Showers near University Center.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Portsmouth Heights to University Center?

The road trip is about 210.8 miles (339.3 km) and usually takes 04h 13m 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?

Ashland is a useful midpoint, sitting about 105.4 miles from Portsmouth Heights and 105.4 miles from University Center.

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

The direct path is about 165.2 miles (265.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 45.6 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 8:34 AM EST.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.14 one way or $58.28 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 66.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Portsmouth Heights and Scattered Rain Showers near University Center.

Stop Ideas Near Ashland

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Ashland, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Ashland.

RAIL

Ashland

112 North Railroad Avenue
RAIL

Richmond Staples Mill Road station

16 mi away
7519 Staples Mill Road
RAIL

Richmond Main Street Station

25 mi away
1500 East Main Street
RAIL

Petersburg station

58 mi away
3516 South Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Portsmouth Heights and University Center. Straight-line distance: 165.23 mi (265.92 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Portsmouth Heights

A census-designated place in Newport News, Virginia.

Population99,049
Coordinates36.8209800, -76.3688300
Altitude3
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 University Center

University Center is a place in Virginia, United States.

Population0
Coordinates39.0570500, -77.4441500
Altitude79
CountryUnited States
Start: Portsmouth Heights (-76.36883, 36.82098)
End: University Center (-77.44415, 39.05705)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 339 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)07h 01m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 16m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 12m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 30m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 00m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 37m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
7.44 gal
28.16 L · about $29.14
Round trip
$58.28
14.88 gal · 56.32 L
Estimated CO2
66.1 kg one way
Round trip: 132.2 kg / 291 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.92 $29.14 $58.28
Mid-grade $4.41 $32.84 $65.68
Premium $4.82 $35.87 $71.74
Diesel $6.20 $46.10 $92.20

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 06, 2026

There is no time difference between Portsmouth Heights and University Center. The current time is 13:13:09.

Distance to Other Cities

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.