How far is Portsmouth, VA from Richmond, VA?
The driving distance from Portsmouth, VA to Richmond, VA is about 98.9 miles (159.2 km), with a travel time of about 01h 38m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 81 miles (130.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 16m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 01h 38m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Independent city in Virginia, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Rain Showers Likely
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Portsmouth and Richmond.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Portsmouth and Richmond.
-
1
Start on High Street
2505 ft · 56 sec · High Street
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2
Turn right onto Effingham Street
552 ft · 11 sec · Effingham Street
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3
Turn left onto London Boulevard
1.1 mi · 2 min · London Boulevard
-
4
Take the ramp slight right toward US 58, VA 164: Western Freeway, Midtown Tunnel
996 ft · 19 sec
-
5
Merge slight left onto Martin Luther King Freeway
1826 ft · 35 sec · Martin Luther King Freeway
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6
Continue on Western Freeway
6 mi · 8 min · Western Freeway
-
7
Take the exit slight right toward VA 135: College Drive
1030 ft · 15 sec
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8
Keep slight right to continue on VA 135 North: College Drive
738 ft · 10 sec
-
9
Turn straight onto College Drive
1.1 mi · 2 min · College Drive
-
10
Take the ramp slight right toward I 664 North: Newport News, Hampton
2371 ft · 58 sec
-
11
Merge slight left onto Hampton Roads Beltway
11.3 mi · 14 min · Hampton Roads Beltway
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12
Keep slight left to continue on I 64 West: Williamsburg, Richmond
1.1 km · 54 sec
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13
Merge slight left
1.4 mi · 2 min
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14
Keep slight left
72.4 mi · 1 hr 21 min
-
15
Take the exit slight right toward US 1, US 301: Chamberlayne Avenue
691 ft · 19 sec
-
16
Turn right onto Chamberlayne Avenue
96 m · 13 sec · Chamberlayne Avenue
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17
Continue on Brook Road
3256 ft · 1 min · Brook Road
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18
Turn left onto Admiral Street
963 ft · 28 sec · Admiral Street
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19
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward North Lombardy Street
42 m · 3 sec · North Lombardy Street
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20
Exit the roundabout onto North Lombardy Street
1 km · 1 min · North Lombardy Street
-
21
Turn slight right onto Monument Avenue
728 ft · 21 sec · Monument Avenue
-
22
Enter the roundabout toward Marcus-David Peters Circle
141 m · 13 sec · Marcus-David Peters Circle
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Marcus-David Peters Circle
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Portsmouth and Richmond.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 64 West
Keep slight left
72.4 mi · 01h 21m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Rain Showers Likely leaving Portsmouth and Chance Rain Showers near Richmond.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Portsmouth to Richmond?
The road trip is about 98.9 miles (159.2 km) and usually takes 01h 38m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Williamsburg is a useful midpoint, sitting about 48.8 miles from Portsmouth and 50.1 miles from Richmond.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 81 miles (130.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 17.9 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:14 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $13.82 one way or $27.65 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 31 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers Likely around Portsmouth and Chance Rain Showers near Richmond.
Stop Ideas Near Williamsburg
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
James City County
James City County Government Center
Legacy Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Williamsburg.
Williamsburg Transportation Center
Newport News station
Norfolk
Petersburg station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Portsmouth and Richmond. Straight-line distance: 80.95 mi (130.28 km).
#1 Portsmouth
The most populous city in Portsmouth, Virginia.
| Population | 95,094 |
| Coordinates | 36.8354300, -76.2982700 |
| Altitude | 3 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Richmond
The capital of Virginia.
| Population | 232,226 |
| Coordinates | 37.5537600, -77.4602600 |
| Altitude | 64 |
| Country | United States |
End: Robert E. Lee Circle (-77.460437, 37.553637)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 159 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 17m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 28m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 58m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 38m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 24m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 14m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $13.82 | $27.65 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $15.46 | $30.91 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $16.68 | $33.35 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $19.63 | $39.26 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.