How far is Portsmouth, VA from Norfolk, VA?

The driving distance from Portsmouth, VA to Norfolk, VA is about 2.9 miles (4.6 km), with a travel time of about 00h 07m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 1.1 miles (1.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 14m 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
2.87 mi
00h 07m
Flight
1.07 mi
1.72 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Portsmouth.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
1.07 mi
Kilometers
1.72 km
Flight Time

Driving Distance

Road route
2.87 mi
Kilometers
4.62 km
Drive Time
00h 07m

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 07m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Norfolk
Sun, Apr 19, 1:18 AM EDT
Return by in Portsmouth
Sun, Apr 19, 1:26 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Portsmouth
2026-04-19T01:11
Arrive Norfolk
Sun, Apr 19, 1:18 AM EDT
Route Timing
00h 07m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:07 AM to 7:07 PM EDT

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

Leave by
8:16 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
Chesapeake
VA

The second most populous city in Virginia.

From Portsmouth
1.4 mi
00h 03m
To Norfolk
1.4 mi
00h 03m

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
72°F
Sunday

Rain Showers Likely

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
12 to 20 mph W

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Portsmouth and Norfolk.

  1. 1

    Start on High Street

    761 ft · 23 sec · High Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Court Street

    1610 ft · 40 sec · Court Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Pavilion Drive

    1258 ft · 29 sec · Pavilion Drive

  4. 4

    Take the ramp right

    584 ft · 14 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    1.4 mi · 3 min

  6. 6

    Keep slight left to continue on Waterside Drive, St Paul's Boulevard

    1095 ft · 27 sec

  7. 7

    Keep slight left to continue on Saint Paul's Boulevard

    1575 ft · 53 sec

  8. 8

    Turn left onto Saint Pauls Boulevard

    693 ft · 29 sec · Saint Pauls Boulevard

  9. 9

    Turn left onto East City Hall Avenue

    48 m · 10 sec · East City Hall Avenue

  10. 10

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East City Hall Avenue

Car Route Details

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

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
10 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
1 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
344.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Pavilion Drive
1.76 mi · 61%
Court Street
0.31 mi · 11%
Saint Paul's Boulevard
0.3 mi · 10%
Waterside Drive
0.21 mi · 7%
High Street
0.14 mi · 5%
Saint Pauls Boulevard
0.13 mi · 5%
Longest Stretch

Pavilion Drive

Merge slight left

1.41 mi · 00h 03m

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 07m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
00h 14m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+1.8 mi
1.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Chesapeake
00h 03m from Portsmouth
Leave By
8:16 PM EDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Rain Showers Likely leaving Portsmouth and Rain Showers Likely near Norfolk.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Portsmouth to Norfolk?

The road trip is about 2.9 miles (4.6 km) and usually takes 00h 07m 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?

Chesapeake is a useful midpoint, sitting about 1.4 miles from Portsmouth and 1.4 miles from Norfolk.

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

The direct path is about 1.1 miles (1.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 1.8 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 8:16 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $0.40 one way or $0.79 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 0.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Chesapeake

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 Chesapeake and the surrounding midpoint area.
Stop photo coming soon
Scenic stop 12.5 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 1 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 0.9 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
Expansive City Center
Nearby stop 1 mi away

Expansive City Center

Norfolk , VA
223 E City Hall Ave, Norfolk, VA 23510
Rating 5.0/5 8 reviews Coworking space,Office space rental agency

Transit and Meeting Points

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

BUS

Norfolk

4 mi away
215 W York Street
BUS

Virginia Beach, Virginia

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

Newport News station

27 mi away
9304 Warwick Boulevard
RAIL

Williamsburg Transportation Center

64 mi away
468 North Boundary Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Portsmouth and Norfolk. Straight-line distance: 1.07 mi (1.72 km).

Portsmouth

#1 Portsmouth

The most populous city in Portsmouth, Virginia.

Population95,094
Coordinates36.8354300, -76.2982700
Altitude3
CountryUnited States
Norfolk

#2 Norfolk

The most populous city in Virginia.

Population242,803
Coordinates36.8468100, -76.2852200
Altitude2
CountryUnited States
Start: High Street (-76.29827, 36.835429)
End: US 460 Alternate (-76.285227, 36.846793)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 5 km by road

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

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
0.1 gal
0.38 L · about $0.40
Round trip
$0.79
0.2 gal · 0.76 L
Estimated CO2
0.9 kg one way
Round trip: 1.8 kg / 4 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $0.40 $0.79
Mid-grade $4.43 $0.44 $0.89
Premium $4.78 $0.48 $0.96
Diesel $5.62 $0.56 $1.12

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 Norfolk. The current time is 01:11:33.

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.