How far is Portsmouth, VA from Bull Run, VA?

The driving distance from Portsmouth, VA to Bull Run, VA is about 189.3 miles (304.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 46m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 150.2 miles (241.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 32m 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
189.33 mi
03h 46m
Flight
150.24 mi
241.78 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Portsmouth.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
150.24 mi
Kilometers
241.78 km
Flight Time
00h 18m

Driving Distance

Road route
189.33 mi
Kilometers
304.7 km
Drive Time
03h 46m

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 46m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Bull Run
Sat, Apr 11, 11:23 PM EDT
Return by in Portsmouth
Sun, Apr 12, 3:09 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Portsmouth
2026-04-11T19:37
Arrive Bull Run
Sat, Apr 11, 11:23 PM EDT
Route Timing
03h 46m
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
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
Mechanicsville
VA

Town in Frederick County, Maryland, United States

From Portsmouth
94.7 mi
01h 53m
To Bull Run
94.6 mi
01h 53m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
72°F
Saturday

Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 11 2:00 AM EDT
Wind
6 to 13 mph N
Destination
71°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 11 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
9 mph N

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Portsmouth and Bull Run.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Portsmouth and Bull Run.

  1. 1

    Start on High Street

    2505 ft · 56 sec · High Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Effingham Street

    552 ft · 11 sec · Effingham Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto London Boulevard

    1.1 mi · 2 min · London Boulevard

  4. 4

    Take the ramp slight right toward US 58, VA 164: Western Freeway, Midtown Tunnel

    996 ft · 19 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left onto Martin Luther King Freeway

    1826 ft · 35 sec · Martin Luther King Freeway

  6. 6

    Continue on Western Freeway

    6 mi · 8 min · Western Freeway

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward VA 135: College Drive

    1030 ft · 15 sec

  8. 8

    Keep slight right to continue on VA 135 North: College Drive

    738 ft · 10 sec

  9. 9

    Turn straight onto College Drive

    1.1 mi · 2 min · College Drive

  10. 10

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

    2371 ft · 58 sec

  11. 11

    Merge slight left onto Hampton Roads Beltway

    1.3 km · 1 min · Hampton Roads Beltway

  12. 12

    Continue on Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel

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

  13. 13

    Continue on Hampton Roads Beltway

    6.2 mi · 8 min · Hampton Roads Beltway

  14. 14

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

    1.1 km · 54 sec

  15. 15

    Merge slight left

    1.4 mi · 2 min

  16. 16

    Keep slight left

    61.1 mi · 1 hr 8 min

  17. 17

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

    2434 ft · 32 sec

  18. 18

    Keep slight right to continue on I 295 North: Washington

    1.3 mi · 3 min

  19. 19

    Merge slight left onto Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway

    11.9 mi · 13 min · Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway

  20. 20

    Take the exit slight left toward I 95 North: Washington

    2.4 mi · 3 min

  21. 21

    Merge slight right

    45.7 mi · 50 min

  22. 22

    Keep slight right

    1.6 mi · 2 min

  23. 23

    Keep slight left

    1 mi · 1 min

  24. 24

    Merge slight left

    18.6 mi · 21 min

  25. 25

    Take the exit slight right toward VA 234 North: Manassas

    1717 ft · 42 sec

  26. 26

    Continue on Dumfries Road

    14.2 mi · 21 min · Dumfries Road

  27. 27

    Continue on Prince William Parkway

    5.5 mi · 8 min · Prince William Parkway

  28. 28

    Turn right onto Sudley Manor Drive

    1.4 mi · 3 min · Sudley Manor Drive

  29. 29

    Continue on Sudley Manor Drive

    595 ft · 33 sec · Sudley Manor Drive

  30. 30

    Turn right

    110 m · 28 sec

  31. 31

    Turn right

    43 m · 10 sec

  32. 32

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Portsmouth and Bull Run.

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
32 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
12
6 merges, 6 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
16.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 95 North
69.3 mi · 37%
I 64 West
63.2 mi · 33%
Dumfries Road
14.2 mi · 8%
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
11.9 mi · 6%
Hampton Roads Beltway
7 mi · 4%
Western Freeway
6.04 mi · 3%
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 46m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 32m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+39.1 mi
150.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Mechanicsville
01h 53m from Portsmouth
Leave By
9:28 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Portsmouth and Mostly Sunny near Bull Run.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Portsmouth to Bull Run?

The road trip is about 189.3 miles (304.7 km) and usually takes 03h 46m 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?

Mechanicsville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 94.7 miles from Portsmouth and 94.6 miles from Bull Run.

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

The direct path is about 150.2 miles (241.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 39.1 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 $26.26 one way or $52.52 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 58.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Portsmouth and Mostly Sunny near Bull Run.

Stop Ideas Near Mechanicsville

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 Mechanicsville and the surrounding midpoint area.
Town Hall
Food stop 8 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 7 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 6.9 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 6.9 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 Mechanicsville.

RAIL

Richmond Main Street Station

10 mi away
1500 East Main Street
RAIL

Richmond Staples Mill Road station

11 mi away
7519 Staples Mill Road
RAIL

Ashland

19 mi away
112 North Railroad Avenue
RAIL

Petersburg station

41 mi away
3516 South Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Portsmouth and Bull Run. Straight-line distance: 150.24 mi (241.78 km).

Portsmouth

#1 Portsmouth

The most populous city in Portsmouth, Virginia.

Population95,094
Coordinates36.8354300, -76.2982700
Altitude3
CountryUnited States
Bull Run

#2 Bull Run

Town in Prince William County, Virginia, United States

Population14,983
Coordinates38.7837300, -77.5205500
Altitude87
CountryUnited States
Start: Portsmouth (-76.29827, 36.83543)
End: Bull Run (-77.52055, 38.78373)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 305 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 18m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 44m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 47m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 09m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 42m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 21m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.63 gal
25.09 L · about $26.26
Round trip
$52.52
13.26 gal · 50.18 L
Estimated CO2
58.9 kg one way
Round trip: 117.8 kg / 260 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $26.26 $52.52
Mid-grade $4.43 $29.36 $58.73
Premium $4.78 $31.68 $63.36
Diesel $5.62 $37.29 $74.57

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 · Apr 11, 2026

There is no time difference between Portsmouth and Bull Run. The current time is 19:37:43.

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.