How far is Richmond, VA from Portsmouth, VA?
The driving distance from Richmond, VA to Portsmouth, VA is about 99.6 miles (160.3 km), with a travel time of about 01h 36m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 81 miles (130.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 12m 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 36m.
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.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Richmond and Portsmouth.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Richmond and Portsmouth.
-
1
Start on Marcus-David Peters Circle
43 m · 4 sec · Marcus-David Peters Circle
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2
Exit the rotary onto Monument Avenue
892 ft · 25 sec · Monument Avenue
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3
Turn right onto North Lombardy Street
2035 ft · 49 sec · North Lombardy Street
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4
Turn right onto West Leigh Street
3166 ft · 2 min · West Leigh Street
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5
Turn left onto North Belvidere Street
57 m · 10 sec · North Belvidere Street
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6
Take the ramp slight right toward I 95 South, I 64 East: Petersburg, Norfolk
1380 ft · 34 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
156 m · 8 sec · Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
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8
Keep slight right to continue on I 64 East: Williamsburg, Norfolk
73.9 mi · 1 hr 23 min
-
9
Take the exit slight right toward I 664 South: Downtown Newport News, Suffolk, Chesapeake
2600 ft · 37 sec
-
10
Merge slight left onto Hampton Roads Beltway
6.1 mi · 8 min · Hampton Roads Beltway
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11
Continue on Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel
4.3 mi · 5 min · Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel
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12
Continue on Hampton Roads Beltway
1.1 mi · 1 min · Hampton Roads Beltway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward VA 135 South: College Drive, Churchland
1575 ft · 39 sec
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14
Continue on College Drive
1.4 mi · 2 min · College Drive
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15
Take the ramp slight left toward VA 164 East: Downtown Portsmouth
1797 ft · 34 sec
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16
Merge slight left onto Western Freeway
5.8 mi · 8 min · Western Freeway
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17
Merge slight left onto Martin Luther King Freeway
1.1 km · 46 sec · Martin Luther King Freeway
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18
Take the exit slight right toward VA 141 South: Downtown Portsmouth
1461 ft · 36 sec
-
19
Turn straight onto London Boulevard
1.2 mi · 2 min · London Boulevard
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20
Turn right onto Effingham Street
552 ft · 11 sec · Effingham Street
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21
Turn left onto High Street
2679 ft · 1 min · High Street
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22
Continue on High Street
61 m · 21 sec · High Street
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · High Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Richmond and Portsmouth.
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 East
Keep slight right to continue on I 64 East: Williamsburg, Norfolk
73.9 mi · 01h 23m
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.
Sunny leaving Richmond and Sunny near Portsmouth.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Richmond to Portsmouth?
The road trip is about 99.6 miles (160.3 km) and usually takes 01h 36m 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 49.1 miles from Richmond and 50.5 miles from Portsmouth.
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 18.6 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 3:18 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $13.94 one way or $27.89 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 31.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Richmond and Sunny near Portsmouth.
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 Richmond and Portsmouth. Straight-line distance: 80.95 mi (130.28 km).
#1 Richmond
The capital of Virginia.
| Population | 232,226 |
| Coordinates | 37.5537600, -77.4602600 |
| Altitude | 64 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Portsmouth
The most populous city in Portsmouth, Virginia.
| Population | 95,094 |
| Coordinates | 36.8354300, -76.2982700 |
| Altitude | 3 |
| Country | United States |
End: High Street (-76.29827, 36.835429)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 160 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 19m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 29m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 59m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 39m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 25m |
| 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 | $13.94 | $27.89 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $15.59 | $31.18 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $16.82 | $33.64 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $19.80 | $39.59 |
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 · May 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.