How far is Portsmouth, VA from Newport News, VA?

The driving distance from Portsmouth, VA to Newport News, VA is about 30.4 miles (48.9 km), with a travel time of about 00h 33m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 19.6 miles (31.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 07m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
30.39 mi
00h 33m
Flight
19.57 mi
31.5 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Portsmouth.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
19.57 mi
Kilometers
31.5 km
Flight Time
00h 02m

Driving Distance

Road route
30.39 mi
Kilometers
48.91 km
Drive Time
00h 33m

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 00h 33m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Newport News
Sun, Apr 19, 1:46 AM EDT
Return by in Portsmouth
Sun, Apr 19, 2:20 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Portsmouth
2026-04-19T01:12
Arrive Newport News
Sun, Apr 19, 1:46 AM EDT
Route Timing
00h 33m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:34 AM to 7:34 PM EDT

This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.

Leave by
7:22 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in Portsmouth
10:00 PM EDT
Flexible departure

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
Portsmouth Heights
VA

A census-designated place in Newport News, Virginia.

From Portsmouth
12.6 mi
00h 16m
To Newport News
17.8 mi
00h 16m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
72°F
Sunday

Rain Showers Likely

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
12 to 18 mph W
Destination
71°F
Sunday

Rain Showers Likely

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
12 to 21 mph W

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Portsmouth and Newport News.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Portsmouth and Newport News.

  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

    2.1 mi · 3 min · Hampton Roads Beltway

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward 35th Street, Jefferson Avenue

    929 ft · 33 sec

  15. 15

    Turn left onto Jefferson Avenue

    7 mi · 13 min · Jefferson Avenue

  16. 16

    Turn right onto Pilot House Drive

    3084 ft · 2 min · Pilot House Drive

  17. 17

    Turn left

    134 m · 32 sec

  18. 18

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Portsmouth and Newport News.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Turn-heavy local drive

The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.

Directions
18 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
2 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
59.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Jefferson Avenue
7.02 mi · 23%
Western Freeway
6.04 mi · 20%
Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel
4.32 mi · 14%
Hampton Roads Beltway
2.91 mi · 10%
London Boulevard
1.13 mi · 4%
College Drive
1.05 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

Jefferson Avenue

Turn left onto Jefferson Avenue

7.02 mi · 00h 13m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A short regional drive

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

Drive Time
00h 33m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
01h 08m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+10.8 mi
19.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Portsmouth Heights
00h 16m from Portsmouth
Leave By
7:22 PM EDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Rain Showers Likely leaving Portsmouth and Rain Showers Likely near Newport News.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Portsmouth to Newport News?

The road trip is about 30.4 miles (48.9 km) and usually takes 00h 33m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Portsmouth Heights is a useful midpoint, sitting about 12.6 miles from Portsmouth and 17.8 miles from Newport News.

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

The direct path is about 19.6 miles (31.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.8 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:22 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.24 one way or $8.48 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 9.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Rain Showers Likely around Portsmouth and Rain Showers Likely near Newport News.

Stop Ideas Near Portsmouth Heights

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 Portsmouth Heights and the surrounding midpoint area.
Chartreuse Bistro
Food stop 8.5 mi away

Chartreuse Bistro

Norfolk , VA
205 E City Hall Ave, Norfolk, VA 23510
Rating 4.7/5 140 reviews Bistro,Bar,Bar & grill,Restaurant
Stop photo coming soon
Scenic stop 3.8 mi away

City Hall Parking

Newport News , VA
101-199 24th St, Newport News, VA 23607
Rating 5.0/5 4 reviews Parking lot
Smooth: A Skin & Waxing Boutique
Practical stop 8.5 mi away

Smooth: A Skin & Waxing Boutique

Norfolk , VA
215 E City Hall Ave, Norfolk, VA 23510
Rating 4.8/5 235 reviews Waxing hair removal service,Beauty salon,Facial spa,Skin care clinic
A Goodwin for Portsmouth Mayor
Meeting point 8.3 mi away

A Goodwin for Portsmouth Mayor

Portsmouth , VA
900 High St, Portsmouth, VA 23704
Rating 5.0/5 15 reviews City government office,City administration,Local government office,City Hall,Political party office

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Portsmouth Heights.

BUS

Norfolk

8 mi away
215 W York Street
RAIL

Newport News station

23 mi away
9304 Warwick Boulevard
BUS

Virginia Beach, Virginia

35 mi away
19th St. and Pacific Ave.
RAIL

Williamsburg Transportation Center

59 mi away
468 North Boundary Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Portsmouth and Newport News. Straight-line distance: 19.57 mi (31.5 km).

Portsmouth

#1 Portsmouth

The most populous city in Portsmouth, Virginia.

Population95,094
Coordinates36.8354300, -76.2982700
Altitude3
CountryUnited States
Newport News

#2 Newport News

The second most populous city in Virginia.

Population179,062
Coordinates37.0833900, -76.4696500
Altitude6
CountryUnited States
Start: High Street (-76.29827, 36.835429)
End: (-76.469409, 37.08343)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 49 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 00m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 45m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 36m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 30m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 26m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 22m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.07 gal
4.06 L · about $4.24
Round trip
$8.48
2.14 gal · 8.12 L
Estimated CO2
9.5 kg one way
Round trip: 19 kg / 42 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $4.24 $8.48
Mid-grade $4.43 $4.74 $9.48
Premium $4.78 $5.11 $10.22
Diesel $5.62 $6.02 $12.04

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 19, 2026

There is no time difference between Portsmouth and Newport News. The current time is 01:12:49.

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.