How far is Portsmouth, VA from South Suffolk, VA?

The driving distance from Portsmouth, VA to South Suffolk, VA is about 19.4 miles (31.2 km), with a travel time of about 00h 26m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 18.1 miles (29.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 52m 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
19.37 mi
00h 26m
Flight
18.11 mi
29.14 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Portsmouth.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
18.11 mi
Kilometers
29.14 km
Flight Time
00h 02m

Driving Distance

Road route
19.37 mi
Kilometers
31.18 km
Drive Time
00h 26m

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 26m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in South Suffolk
Sun, Apr 19, 1:39 AM EDT
Return by in Portsmouth
Sun, Apr 19, 2:05 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 South Suffolk
Sun, Apr 19, 1:39 AM EDT
Route Timing
00h 26m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:26 AM to 7:26 PM EDT

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

Leave by
7:38 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
9.6 mi
00h 13m
To South Suffolk
9.8 mi
00h 13m

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
9 to 16 mph W

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Portsmouth and South Suffolk.

  1. 1

    Start on High Street

    2505 ft · 54 sec · High Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Effingham Street

    1482 ft · 41 sec · Effingham Street

  3. 3

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 264 West

    1015 ft · 16 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left

    5.5 mi · 8 min

  5. 5

    Keep slight right to continue on I 664: Bowers Hill, Suffolk, Richmond

    1 km · 47 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto Hampton Roads Beltway

    2197 ft · 31 sec · Hampton Roads Beltway

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward US 13, US 58, US 460, VA 191 North: Suffolk, Military Highway

    1598 ft · 54 sec

  8. 8

    Keep slight left

    3155 ft · 1 min

  9. 9

    Continue on West Military Highway

    2.4 mi · 3 min · West Military Highway

  10. 10

    Continue on Portsmouth Boulevard

    3.1 mi · 4 min · Portsmouth Boulevard

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward US 13 Business South, US 58 Business West, US 460 Business West: Downtown, Suffolk

    1.1 km · 2 min

  12. 12

    Turn straight onto Portsmouth Boulevard

    2.2 mi · 4 min · Portsmouth Boulevard

  13. 13

    Continue on East Constance Road

    1057 ft · 31 sec · East Constance Road

  14. 14

    Turn left onto East Pinner Street

    1.2 mi · 2 min · East Pinner Street

  15. 15

    Turn right onto East Washington Street

    1076 ft · 28 sec · East Washington Street

  16. 16

    Turn left onto Carolina Road

    1.4 km · 2 min · Carolina Road

  17. 17

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Carolina Road

Car Route Details

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

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
17 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
87.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 264 West
5.69 mi · 29%
Portsmouth Boulevard
5.3 mi · 27%
West Military Highway
2.41 mi · 12%
East Pinner Street
1.15 mi · 6%
US 13
0.9 mi · 5%
Carolina Road
0.89 mi · 5%
Longest Stretch

I 264 West

Merge slight left

5.5 mi · 00h 08m

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 26m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
00h 52m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+1.3 mi
18.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Portsmouth Heights
00h 13m from Portsmouth
Leave By
7:38 PM EDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Rain Showers Likely leaving Portsmouth and Rain Showers Likely near South Suffolk.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Portsmouth to South Suffolk?

The road trip is about 19.4 miles (31.2 km) and usually takes 00h 26m 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 9.6 miles from Portsmouth and 9.8 miles from South Suffolk.

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

The direct path is about 18.1 miles (29.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 1.3 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:38 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.69 one way or $5.39 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

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 9.8 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 13.8 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 9.8 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 8.5 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 South Suffolk. Straight-line distance: 18.11 mi (29.14 km).

Portsmouth

#1 Portsmouth

The most populous city in Portsmouth, Virginia.

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

#2 South Suffolk

A census-designated place in Suffolk County, Virginia.

Population80,690
Coordinates36.7170900, -76.5902300
Altitude16
CountryUnited States
Start: High Street (-76.29827, 36.835429)
End: Carolina Road (-76.590122, 36.717084)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 31 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)00h 38m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 29m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 23m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 19m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 16m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 14m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
0.68 gal
2.59 L · about $2.69
Round trip
$5.39
1.36 gal · 5.18 L
Estimated CO2
6 kg one way
Round trip: 12.1 kg / 27 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $2.69 $5.39
Mid-grade $4.43 $3.01 $6.02
Premium $4.78 $3.25 $6.50
Diesel $5.62 $3.82 $7.65

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 South Suffolk. The current time is 01:12:38.

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.