How far is Portsmouth, VA from Lake Monticello, VA?

The driving distance from Portsmouth, VA to Lake Monticello, VA is about 163 miles (262.4 km), with a travel time of about 03h 19m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 134.7 miles (216.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 38m 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
163.06 mi
03h 19m
Flight
134.72 mi
216.81 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
134.72 mi
Kilometers
216.81 km
Flight Time
00h 16m

Driving Distance

Road route
163.06 mi
Kilometers
262.42 km
Drive Time
03h 19m

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 19m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Lake Monticello
Thu, Oct 15, 8:15 PM EDT
Return by in Portsmouth
Thu, Oct 15, 11:34 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Portsmouth
2026-10-15T16:56
Arrive Lake Monticello
Thu, Oct 15, 8:15 PM EDT
Route Timing
03h 19m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:19 AM to 11:19 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
10:22 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
Windsor
VA

Town in southeastern Virginia, United States

From Portsmouth
81.5 mi
01h 39m
To Lake Monticello
81.6 mi
01h 39m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
74°F
This Afternoon

Mostly Cloudy

Starts
Thu, Oct 15 1:00 PM EDT
Wind
12 mph NE
Destination
70°F
This Afternoon

Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Thu, Oct 15 4:00 PM EDT
Wind
6 mph NE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Portsmouth and Lake Monticello.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Portsmouth and Lake Monticello.

  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

    22.6 mi · 25 min · Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway

  20. 20

    Keep slight right to continue on I 64 West: Charlottesville

    2936 ft · 55 sec

  21. 21

    Merge slight left onto I 64 West: Charlottesville

    40.2 mi · 43 min

  22. 22

    Take the exit slight right toward US 15: Gordonsville, Palmyra

    883 ft · 21 sec

  23. 23

    Keep slight left

    838 ft · 23 sec

  24. 24

    Turn left onto James Madison Highway

    4.3 mi · 7 min · James Madison Highway

  25. 25

    Turn right onto Union Mills Road

    2.3 mi · 4 min · Union Mills Road

  26. 26

    Turn sharp left onto South Boston Road

    3.4 mi · 6 min · South Boston Road

  27. 27

    Turn right onto Slice Road

    835 ft · 41 sec · Slice Road

  28. 28

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Jefferson Drive

    1.5 mi · 4 min · Jefferson Drive

  29. 29

    Turn right onto Rassawek Court

    106 m · 17 sec · Rassawek Court

  30. 30

    Turn left onto Brougham Road

    598 ft · 21 sec · Brougham Road

  31. 31

    Turn right onto Ashton Road

    1210 ft · 43 sec · Ashton Road

  32. 32

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Nahor Drive

    2282 ft · 1 min · Nahor Drive

  33. 33

    Turn right onto Jefferson Drive

    55 m · 7 sec · Jefferson Drive

  34. 34

    Turn right onto Smokewood Drive

    1836 ft · 1 min · Smokewood Drive

  35. 35

    Turn left onto Sherwood Drive

    79 m · 9 sec · Sherwood Drive

  36. 36

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Sherwood Drive

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Portsmouth and Lake Monticello.

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
36 steps
15 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
10
5 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
22.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 64 West
104 mi · 64%
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
22.6 mi · 14%
Hampton Roads Beltway
7 mi · 4%
Western Freeway
6.04 mi · 4%
Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel
4.32 mi · 3%
James Madison Highway
4.3 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 19m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 38m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+28.3 mi
134.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Windsor
01h 39m from Portsmouth
Leave By
10:22 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Cloudy leaving Portsmouth and Slight Chance Rain Showers near Lake Monticello.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Portsmouth to Lake Monticello?

The road trip is about 163 miles (262.4 km) and usually takes 03h 19m 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?

Windsor is a useful midpoint, sitting about 81.5 miles from Portsmouth and 81.6 miles from Lake Monticello.

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

The direct path is about 134.7 miles (216.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 28.3 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 10:22 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.79 one way or $47.59 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 51.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy around Portsmouth and Slight Chance Rain Showers near Lake Monticello.

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.
Old City Hall
Scenic stop 12.8 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 12.8 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 12.8 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 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 and Lake Monticello. Straight-line distance: 134.72 mi (216.81 km).

Portsmouth

#1 Portsmouth

The most populous city in Portsmouth, Virginia.

Population95,094
Coordinates36.8354300, -76.2982700
Altitude3
CountryUnited States
Lake Monticello

#2 Lake Monticello

Census-designated place in Virginia, United States

Population9,920
Coordinates37.9232000, -78.3347300
Altitude113
CountryUnited States
Start: Portsmouth (-76.29827, 36.83543)
End: Lake Monticello (-78.33473, 37.9232)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 262 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 25m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 04m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 15m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 43m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 19m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 02m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.75 gal
21.78 L · about $23.79
Round trip
$47.59
11.5 gal · 43.56 L
Estimated CO2
51.1 kg one way
Round trip: 102.2 kg / 225 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.14 $23.79 $47.59
Mid-grade $4.63 $26.63 $53.27
Premium $5.01 $28.82 $57.65
Diesel $6.21 $35.72 $71.44

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 · Oct 15, 2026

There is no time difference between Portsmouth and Lake Monticello. The current time is 16:56:13.

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.