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

The driving distance from Portsmouth, VA to Madison Heights, VA is about 197.2 miles (317.4 km), with a travel time of about 04h 11m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 160.9 miles (259 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 23m 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
197.22 mi
04h 11m
Flight
160.94 mi
259.01 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
160.94 mi
Kilometers
259.01 km
Flight Time
00h 19m

Driving Distance

Road route
197.22 mi
Kilometers
317.39 km
Drive Time
04h 11m

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 11m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Madison Heights
Fri, Nov 6, 4:17 PM EST
Return by in Portsmouth
Fri, Nov 6, 8:29 PM EST
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Portsmouth
2026-11-06T12:05
Arrive Madison Heights
Fri, Nov 6, 4:17 PM EST
Route Timing
04h 11m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EST
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:12 AM to 12:12 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
8:36 AM EST
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Portsmouth
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
Matoaca
VA

Census designated place

From Portsmouth
98.4 mi
02h 05m
To Madison Heights
98.9 mi
02h 05m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
75°F
Friday

Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Fri, Nov 6 6:00 AM EST
Wind
6 to 10 mph W
Destination
72°F
Today

Patchy Fog then Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Fri, Nov 6 7:00 AM EST
Wind
2 to 6 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    7.4 mi · 10 min · Western Freeway

  7. 7

    Continue on Bridge Road

    6.5 mi · 11 min · Bridge Road

  8. 8

    Continue on Carrollton Boulevard

    2.4 mi · 3 min · Carrollton Boulevard

  9. 9

    Turn left onto Brewers Neck Boulevard

    2.9 mi · 4 min · Brewers Neck Boulevard

  10. 10

    Merge slight left onto Benns Church Boulevard

    12.1 mi · 16 min · Benns Church Boulevard

  11. 11

    Continue on Colonial Trail East

    9.9 mi · 11 min · Colonial Trail East

  12. 12

    Turn left onto Rolfe Highway

    1 mi · 2 min · Rolfe Highway

  13. 13

    Turn right onto Colonial Trail West

    13.3 mi · 15 min · Colonial Trail West

  14. 14

    Continue on James River Drive

    14.6 mi · 19 min · James River Drive

  15. 15

    Continue on East Randolph Road

    1.2 mi · 2 min · East Randolph Road

  16. 16

    Turn left onto Winston Churchill Drive

    1.8 mi · 2 min · Winston Churchill Drive

  17. 17

    Continue on Oaklawn Boulevard

    1909 ft · 27 sec · Oaklawn Boulevard

  18. 18

    Continue on Woodlawn Street

    1 mi · 1 min · Woodlawn Street

  19. 19

    Continue on Oaklawn Boulevard

    1.6 km · 1 min · Oaklawn Boulevard

  20. 20

    Continue on East Washington Street

    4.3 mi · 5 min · East Washington Street

  21. 21

    Take the exit left toward I 85 South, I 95 South

    2402 ft · 58 sec

  22. 22

    Keep slight left to continue on I 85 South, US 460 West: Durham

    1087 ft · 26 sec

  23. 23

    Merge slight left onto Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike

    6.3 mi · 8 min · Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike

  24. 24

    Take the exit slight right toward US 460 West: Blackstone, Lynchburg

    1060 ft · 26 sec

  25. 25

    Continue on Airport Street

    1.1 mi · 1 min · Airport Street

  26. 26

    Continue on New Cox Road

    23 mi · 27 min · New Cox Road

  27. 27

    Continue on East Colonial Trail Highway

    4.3 mi · 5 min · East Colonial Trail Highway

  28. 28

    Continue on East Colonial Trail Road

    6.9 mi · 8 min · East Colonial Trail Road

  29. 29

    Continue on East Colonial Trail

    7.5 mi · 11 min · East Colonial Trail

  30. 30

    Merge slight left onto West Colonial Trail Highway

    1.5 mi · 2 min · West Colonial Trail Highway

  31. 31

    Keep slight right to continue on West Colonial Trail Highway

    11.6 mi · 15 min · West Colonial Trail Highway

  32. 32

    Keep slight left

    29.2 mi · 35 min

  33. 33

    Keep slight right to continue on Richmond Highway

    17.5 mi · 21 min · Richmond Highway

  34. 34

    Take the exit slight right toward US 29 North: Amherst, Charlottesville

    3043 ft · 58 sec

  35. 35

    Continue on Monacan Parkway

    1.3 mi · 1 min · Monacan Parkway

  36. 36

    Take the exit slight right toward VA 210 West: Madison Heights

    1851 ft · 35 sec

  37. 37

    Keep slight right

    758 ft · 19 sec

  38. 38

    Merge slight left onto Old Town Connector

    2.4 mi · 4 min · Old Town Connector

  39. 39

    Take the exit right

    1148 ft · 28 sec

  40. 40

    Merge slight left onto Amherst Highway

    1236 ft · 19 sec · Amherst Highway

  41. 41

    Take the exit slight right toward VA 163

    1005 ft · 26 sec

  42. 42

    Turn right onto South Amherst Highway

    41 m · 6 sec · South Amherst Highway

  43. 43

    Turn right onto Phelps Road

    41 m · 6 sec · Phelps Road

  44. 44

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Phelps Road

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
44 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
13
6 merges, 7 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
22.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
West Colonial Trail Highway
42.3 mi · 21%
New Cox Road
23 mi · 12%
Richmond Highway
17.5 mi · 9%
James River Drive
14.6 mi · 7%
Colonial Trail West
13.3 mi · 7%
Benns Church Boulevard
12.1 mi · 6%
Longest Stretch

West Colonial Trail Highway

Keep slight left

29.2 mi · 00h 35m

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 11m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
08h 24m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+36.3 mi
160.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Matoaca
02h 05m from Portsmouth
Leave By
8:36 AM EST
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Portsmouth and Patchy Fog then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Madison Heights.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 197.2 miles (317.4 km) and usually takes 04h 11m 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?

Matoaca is a useful midpoint, sitting about 98.4 miles from Portsmouth and 98.9 miles from Madison Heights.

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

The direct path is about 160.9 miles (259 km), while the road route adds roughly 36.3 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 EST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:36 AM EST.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $27.26 one way or $54.52 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 61.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Portsmouth and Patchy Fog then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Madison Heights.

Stop Ideas Near Matoaca

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Matoaca, 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 Matoaca.

RAIL

Petersburg station

4 mi away
3516 South Street
RAIL

Richmond Main Street Station

34 mi away
1500 East Main Street
RAIL

Richmond Staples Mill Road station

43 mi away
7519 Staples Mill Road
RAIL

Ashland

59 mi away
112 North Railroad Avenue

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Portsmouth and Madison Heights. Straight-line distance: 160.94 mi (259.01 km).

Portsmouth

#1 Portsmouth

The most populous city in Portsmouth, Virginia.

Population95,094
Coordinates36.8354300, -76.2982700
Altitude3
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Madison Heights

Madison Heights is a place in Virginia, United States.

Population0
Coordinates37.4309800, -79.1230800
Altitude233
CountryUnited States
Start: Portsmouth (-76.29827, 36.83543)
End: Madison Heights (-79.12308, 37.43098)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 317 km by road

SpeedTime
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.

One-way fuel
6.96 gal
26.34 L · about $27.26
Round trip
$54.52
13.92 gal · 52.68 L
Estimated CO2
61.9 kg one way
Round trip: 123.7 kg / 273 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.92 $27.26 $54.52
Mid-grade $4.41 $30.72 $61.44
Premium $4.82 $33.55 $67.11
Diesel $6.20 $43.12 $86.25

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 and Madison Heights. The current time is 12:05:32.

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.