How far is Salem, VA from Portsmouth Heights, VA?
The driving distance from Salem, VA to Portsmouth Heights, VA is about 247.9 miles (398.9 km), with a travel time of about 04h 27m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 205.8 miles (331.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 55m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 04h 27m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
County 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 Salem and Portsmouth Heights.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Salem and Portsmouth Heights.
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1
Start on North College Avenue
12 m · 9 sec · North College Avenue
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2
Turn left onto East Main Street
617 ft · 23 sec · East Main Street
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3
Turn left onto Thompson Memorial Drive
1.5 mi · 3 min · Thompson Memorial Drive
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4
Take the ramp right toward I 81 North: Lexington
1154 ft · 28 sec
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5
Merge slight left
81.1 mi · 1 hr 29 min
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6
Keep slight right to continue on I 64 East: Richmond
90 mi · 1 hr 38 min
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7
Take the exit slight right toward I 295 North: Washington, Norfolk
1.2 mi · 2 min
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8
Continue on Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
22.9 mi · 25 min · Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach
1.3 mi · 3 min
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10
Merge slight left
62.7 mi · 1 hr 10 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward I 664 South: Downtown Newport News, Suffolk, Chesapeake
2600 ft · 37 sec
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12
Merge slight left onto Hampton Roads Beltway
6.1 mi · 8 min · Hampton Roads Beltway
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13
Continue on Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel
4.3 mi · 5 min · Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel
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14
Continue on Hampton Roads Beltway
5.9 mi · 7 min · Hampton Roads Beltway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward VA 337 East: Portsmouth Boulevard, Portsmouth
1463 ft · 36 sec
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16
Turn straight onto Portsmouth Boulevard
3.5 mi · 7 min · Portsmouth Boulevard
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17
Turn left onto Byers Avenue
1398 ft · 1 min · Byers Avenue
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18
Turn right onto Vick Street
141 m · 20 sec · Vick Street
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Vick Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Salem and Portsmouth Heights.
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: Richmond
90 mi · 01h 38m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Patchy Frost leaving Salem and Sunny near Portsmouth Heights.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Salem to Portsmouth Heights?
The road trip is about 247.9 miles (398.9 km) and usually takes 04h 27m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Louisa is a useful midpoint, sitting about 140.9 miles from Salem and 106.9 miles from Portsmouth Heights.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 205.8 miles (331.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 42.1 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:04 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $34.66 one way or $69.32 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 77.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Patchy Frost around Salem and Sunny near Portsmouth Heights.
Stop Ideas Near Louisa
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Louisa.
Charlottesville Union Station
Culpeper station
Ashland
Fredericksburg
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Salem and Portsmouth Heights. Straight-line distance: 205.83 mi (331.25 km).
#1 Salem
Salem is a place in Virginia, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 37.2934700, -80.0547600 |
| Altitude | 325 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Portsmouth Heights
A census-designated place in Newport News, Virginia.
| Population | 99,049 |
| Coordinates | 36.8209800, -76.3688300 |
| Altitude | 3 |
| Country | United States |
End: Vick Street (-76.368598, 36.821321)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 399 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 15m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 11m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 57m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 07m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 32m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 05m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $34.66 | $69.32 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $38.75 | $77.51 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $41.81 | $83.62 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $49.21 | $98.42 |
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 21, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.