How far is Virginia Beach, VA from Portsmouth, VA?
The driving distance from Virginia Beach, VA to Portsmouth, VA is about 20.1 miles (32.4 km), with a travel time of about 00h 24m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 17.8 miles (28.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 48m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT.
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.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 24m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
The second most populous city in Virginia.
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 Virginia Beach and Portsmouth.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Virginia Beach and Portsmouth.
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1
Start on 25th Street
37 m · 8 sec · 25th Street
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2
Turn right onto Pacific Avenue
1213 ft · 36 sec · Pacific Avenue
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3
Turn right onto 22nd Street
2796 ft · 46 sec · 22nd Street
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4
Continue on Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway
18.7 mi · 27 min · Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway
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5
Take the exit straight toward Downtown Portsmouth, Naval Hospital, Naval Shipyard, Harbor Center Pavilion
52 m · 4 sec
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6
Keep slight right to continue on Downtown Portsmouth, Harbor Center Pavilion
634 ft · 16 sec
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7
Continue on Bart Street
1239 ft · 29 sec · Bart Street
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8
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Crawford Street
87 m · 6 sec · Crawford Street
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9
Exit the roundabout onto Crawford Street
1145 ft · 27 sec · Crawford Street
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10
Turn left onto High Street
50 m · 13 sec · High Street
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11
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · High Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Virginia Beach and Portsmouth.
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.
Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway
Continue on Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway
18.7 mi · 00h 27m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Sunny leaving Virginia Beach and Sunny near Portsmouth.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Virginia Beach to Portsmouth?
The road trip is about 20.1 miles (32.4 km) and usually takes 00h 24m 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?
Chesapeake is a useful midpoint, sitting about 10.1 miles from Virginia Beach and 10.1 miles from Portsmouth.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 17.8 miles (28.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 2.3 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 7:42 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.81 one way or $5.62 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 6.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Virginia Beach and Sunny near Portsmouth.
Stop Ideas Near Chesapeake
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Chartreuse Bistro
Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center
Smooth: A Skin & Waxing Boutique
Chesapeake City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Chesapeake.
Norfolk
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Newport News station
Williamsburg Transportation Center
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Virginia Beach and Portsmouth. Straight-line distance: 17.75 mi (28.57 km).
#1 Virginia Beach
The most populous city in Virginia, Virginia Beach is a major center for tourism, military, and business.
| Population | 451,231 |
| Coordinates | 36.8529300, -75.9779900 |
| Altitude | 3 |
| 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: 32 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 40m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 30m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 24m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 20m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 17m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 15m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $2.81 | $5.62 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $3.14 | $6.29 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $3.39 | $6.78 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $3.99 | $7.99 |
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 31, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.