How far is University Center, VA from Portsmouth, VA?

The driving distance from University Center, VA to Portsmouth, VA is about 213.1 miles (343 km), with a travel time of about 03h 45m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 165.7 miles (266.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 31m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EST.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
213.16 mi
03h 45m
Flight
165.71 mi
266.68 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from University Center.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
165.71 mi
Kilometers
266.68 km
Flight Time
00h 20m

Driving Distance

Road route
213.16 mi
Kilometers
343.04 km
Drive Time
03h 45m

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 45m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Portsmouth
Fri, Nov 6, 4:02 PM EST
Return by in University Center
Fri, Nov 6, 7:48 PM EST
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave University Center
2026-11-06T12:16
Arrive Portsmouth
Fri, Nov 6, 4:02 PM EST
Route Timing
03h 45m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EST
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:46 AM to 11:46 AM EST

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
9:28 AM EST
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in University Center
9:00 PM EST
Early departure recommended

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
Ashland
VA

Town in Virginia, United States

From University Center
104.9 mi
01h 52m
To Portsmouth
108.3 mi
01h 52m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
59°F
Overnight

Scattered Rain Showers

Starts
Fri, Nov 6 1:00 AM EST
Wind
5 mph SW
Destination
75°F
Friday

Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Fri, Nov 6 6:00 AM EST
Wind
6 to 10 mph W

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between University Center and Portsmouth.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between University Center and Portsmouth.

  1. 1

    Start on George Washington Boulevard

    1.3 km · 2 min · George Washington Boulevard

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Russell Branch Parkway

    1.8 mi · 3 min · Russell Branch Parkway

  3. 3

    Turn left onto Gloucester Parkway

    600 ft · 22 sec · Gloucester Parkway

  4. 4

    Take the ramp slight right toward VA 28 South: Dulles Airport

    2885 ft · 1 min

  5. 5

    Merge slight left onto Sully Road

    8.3 mi · 11 min · Sully Road

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward US 50: Winchester, Fairfax

    995 ft · 24 sec

  7. 7

    Keep slight left to continue on US 50 East: Fairfax

    1360 ft · 33 sec

  8. 8

    Keep slight right to continue on US 50 East: Fairfax

    1491 ft · 37 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left onto Route 50

    3.2 mi · 6 min · Route 50

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward VA 286 South: Fairfax County Parkway

    1515 ft · 46 sec

  11. 11

    Turn right onto Fairfax County Parkway

    7.7 mi · 12 min · Fairfax County Parkway

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward VA 123 North: Ox Road

    934 ft · 32 sec

  13. 13

    Keep slight left to continue on VA 123 South: Ox Road

    671 ft · 25 sec

  14. 14

    Turn left onto Ox Road

    8.7 mi · 13 min · Ox Road

  15. 15

    Continue on Gordon Boulevard

    1.4 km · 2 min · Gordon Boulevard

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight right toward I 95 South: Fredericksburg

    1350 ft · 33 sec

  17. 17

    Merge slight left

    26 mi · 31 min

  18. 18

    Keep slight left

    48.6 mi · 53 min

  19. 19

    Take the exit slight left toward I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va Beach

    1.9 mi · 2 min

  20. 20

    Merge slight right onto Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway

    13 mi · 14 min · Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway

  21. 21

    Take the exit slight right toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach

    1.3 mi · 3 min

  22. 22

    Merge slight left

    62.7 mi · 1 hr 10 min

  23. 23

    Take the exit slight right toward I 664 South: Downtown Newport News, Suffolk, Chesapeake

    2600 ft · 37 sec

  24. 24

    Merge slight left onto Hampton Roads Beltway

    6.1 mi · 8 min · Hampton Roads Beltway

  25. 25

    Continue on Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel

    4.3 mi · 5 min · Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel

  26. 26

    Continue on Hampton Roads Beltway

    1.1 mi · 1 min · Hampton Roads Beltway

  27. 27

    Take the exit slight right toward VA 135 South: College Drive, Churchland

    1575 ft · 39 sec

  28. 28

    Continue on College Drive

    1.4 mi · 2 min · College Drive

  29. 29

    Take the ramp slight left toward VA 164 East: Downtown Portsmouth

    1797 ft · 34 sec

  30. 30

    Merge slight left onto Western Freeway

    5.8 mi · 8 min · Western Freeway

  31. 31

    Merge slight left onto Martin Luther King Freeway

    1.1 km · 46 sec · Martin Luther King Freeway

  32. 32

    Take the exit slight right toward VA 141 South: Downtown Portsmouth

    1461 ft · 36 sec

  33. 33

    Turn straight onto London Boulevard

    1.2 mi · 2 min · London Boulevard

  34. 34

    Turn right onto Effingham Street

    552 ft · 11 sec · Effingham Street

  35. 35

    Turn left onto High Street

    2679 ft · 1 min · High Street

  36. 36

    Continue on High Street

    61 m · 21 sec · High Street

  37. 37

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · High Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between University Center and Portsmouth.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
37 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
19
8 merges, 11 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
17.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 95 South
74.9 mi · 35%
I 64 East
63.9 mi · 30%
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
13 mi · 6%
Ox Road
8.69 mi · 4%
Sully Road
8.29 mi · 4%
Fairfax County Parkway
7.68 mi · 4%
Longest Stretch

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.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
03h 45m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 32m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+47.4 mi
165.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Ashland
01h 52m from University Center
Leave By
9:28 AM EST
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Scattered Rain Showers leaving University Center and Showers And Thunderstorms near Portsmouth.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from University Center to Portsmouth?

The road trip is about 213.1 miles (343 km) and usually takes 03h 45m 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 104.9 miles from University Center and 108.3 miles from Portsmouth.

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

The direct path is about 165.7 miles (266.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 47.4 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 EST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:28 AM EST.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.46 one way or $58.91 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 66.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Scattered Rain Showers around University Center and Showers And Thunderstorms near Portsmouth.

Stop Ideas Near Ashland

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 Ashland and the surrounding midpoint area.
Town Hall
Food stop 11.6 mi away

Town Hall

Richmond , VA
3123 W Cary St, Richmond, VA 23221
Rating 4.9/5 13 reviews Restaurant
Old City Hall
Scenic stop 12.5 mi away

Old City Hall

Richmond , VA
1001 E Broad St, Richmond, VA 23219, United States
Rating 4.4/5 32 reviews Tourist attraction,Land surveyor,Historical landmark
City of Richmond Virginia (City Hall)
Meeting point 12.4 mi away

City of Richmond Virginia (City Hall)

Richmond , VA
900 E Broad St, Richmond, VA 23219
Rating 2.9/5 40 reviews City government office,Police department,Tax assessor
City Hall
Nearby stop 12.4 mi away

City Hall

Richmond , VA
900 E Broad St, Richmond, VA 23219
Rating 3.9/5 85 reviews Bike sharing station

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Ashland.

RAIL

Ashland

112 North Railroad Avenue
RAIL

Richmond Staples Mill Road station

16 mi away
7519 Staples Mill Road
RAIL

Richmond Main Street Station

25 mi away
1500 East Main Street
RAIL

Petersburg station

58 mi away
3516 South Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between University Center and Portsmouth. Straight-line distance: 165.71 mi (266.68 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 University Center

University Center is a place in Virginia, United States.

Population0
Coordinates39.0570500, -77.4441500
Altitude79
CountryUnited States
Portsmouth

#2 Portsmouth

The most populous city in Portsmouth, Virginia.

Population95,094
Coordinates36.8354300, -76.2982700
Altitude3
CountryUnited States
Start: George Washington Boulevard (-77.444049, 39.057079)
End: High Street (-76.29827, 36.835429)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 343 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)07h 06m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 19m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 15m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 33m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 02m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 39m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
7.52 gal
28.47 L · about $29.46
Round trip
$58.91
15.04 gal · 56.94 L
Estimated CO2
66.8 kg one way
Round trip: 133.7 kg / 295 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.92 $29.46 $58.91
Mid-grade $4.41 $33.19 $66.39
Premium $4.82 $36.25 $72.51
Diesel $6.20 $46.59 $93.19

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 · Nov 06, 2026

There is no time difference between University Center and Portsmouth. The current time is 12:16:52.

Distance to Other Cities

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.