How far is Sterling, VA from Portsmouth Heights, VA?
The driving distance from Sterling, VA to Portsmouth Heights, VA is about 205.7 miles (331.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 35m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 161.7 miles (260.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 10m 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 03h 35m.
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.
Town 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 Sterling and Portsmouth Heights.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sterling and Portsmouth Heights.
-
1
Start on Ruritan Circle
68 m · 11 sec · Ruritan Circle
-
2
Turn right
74 m · 18 sec
-
3
Turn sharp right onto West Church Road
1644 ft · 48 sec · West Church Road
-
4
Continue on Waxpool Road
764 ft · 19 sec · Waxpool Road
-
5
Take the ramp slight right toward VA 28 south: Dulles Airport
1482 ft · 36 sec
-
6
Keep slight left
3081 ft · 1 min
-
7
Merge slight left onto Sully Road
6.6 mi · 9 min · Sully Road
-
8
Take the exit slight right toward US 50: Winchester, Fairfax
995 ft · 24 sec
-
9
Keep slight left to continue on US 50 East: Fairfax
1360 ft · 33 sec
-
10
Keep slight right to continue on US 50 East: Fairfax
1491 ft · 37 sec
-
11
Merge slight left onto Route 50
3.2 mi · 6 min · Route 50
-
12
Take the exit slight right toward VA 286 South: Fairfax County Parkway
1515 ft · 46 sec
-
13
Turn right onto Fairfax County Parkway
7.7 mi · 12 min · Fairfax County Parkway
-
14
Take the exit slight right toward VA 123 North: Ox Road
934 ft · 32 sec
-
15
Keep slight left to continue on VA 123 South: Ox Road
671 ft · 25 sec
-
16
Turn left onto Ox Road
8.7 mi · 13 min · Ox Road
-
17
Continue on Gordon Boulevard
1.4 km · 2 min · Gordon Boulevard
-
18
Take the exit slight right toward I 95 South: Fredericksburg
1350 ft · 33 sec
-
19
Merge slight left
26 mi · 31 min
-
20
Keep slight left
48.6 mi · 53 min
-
21
Take the exit slight left toward I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va Beach
1.9 mi · 2 min
-
22
Merge slight right onto Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
13 mi · 14 min · Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
-
23
Take the exit slight right toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach
1.3 mi · 3 min
-
24
Merge slight left
62.7 mi · 1 hr 10 min
-
25
Take the exit slight right toward I 664 South: Downtown Newport News, Suffolk, Chesapeake
2600 ft · 37 sec
-
26
Merge slight left onto Hampton Roads Beltway
6.1 mi · 8 min · Hampton Roads Beltway
-
27
Continue on Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel
4.3 mi · 5 min · Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel
-
28
Continue on Hampton Roads Beltway
5.9 mi · 7 min · Hampton Roads Beltway
-
29
Take the exit slight right toward VA 337 East: Portsmouth Boulevard, Portsmouth
1463 ft · 36 sec
-
30
Turn straight onto Portsmouth Boulevard
3.5 mi · 7 min · Portsmouth Boulevard
-
31
Turn left onto Byers Avenue
1398 ft · 1 min · Byers Avenue
-
32
Turn right onto Vick Street
141 m · 20 sec · Vick Street
-
33
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Vick Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Sterling 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
Merge slight left
62.7 mi · 01h 10m
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.
Sunny leaving Sterling 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 Sterling to Portsmouth Heights?
The road trip is about 205.7 miles (331.1 km) and usually takes 03h 35m 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?
Ashland is a useful midpoint, sitting about 102.2 miles from Sterling and 103.5 miles from Portsmouth Heights.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 161.7 miles (260.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 44 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 9:50 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $28.76 one way or $57.51 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 64.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Sterling and Sunny near Portsmouth Heights.
Stop Ideas Near Ashland
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Town Hall
Old City Hall
City of Richmond Virginia (City Hall)
City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Ashland.
Ashland
Richmond Staples Mill Road station
Richmond Main Street Station
Petersburg station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Sterling and Portsmouth Heights. Straight-line distance: 161.66 mi (260.16 km).
#1 Sterling
Census-designated place in Loudoun County, Virginia, US
| Population | 27,822 |
| Coordinates | 39.0062200, -77.4286000 |
| Altitude | 89 |
| 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: 331 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 51m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 08m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 06m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 25m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 56m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 34m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $28.76 | $57.51 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $32.15 | $64.31 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $34.69 | $69.38 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $40.83 | $81.66 |
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 13, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.