How far is Williamsburg, VA from Portsmouth Heights, VA?

The driving distance from Williamsburg, VA to Portsmouth Heights, VA is about 48.2 miles (77.5 km), with a travel time of about 00h 56m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 36.2 miles (58.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 53m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
48.17 mi
00h 56m
Flight
36.25 mi
58.34 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Williamsburg.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
36.25 mi
Kilometers
58.34 km
Flight Time
00h 04m

Driving Distance

Road route
48.17 mi
Kilometers
77.52 km
Drive Time
00h 56m

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 56m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Portsmouth Heights
Wed, Apr 15, 12:24 AM EDT
Return by in Williamsburg
Wed, Apr 15, 1:21 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Williamsburg
2026-04-14T23:27
Arrive Portsmouth Heights
Wed, Apr 15, 12:24 AM EDT
Route Timing
00h 56m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:57 AM to 10:57 AM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
4:36 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Williamsburg
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

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
Newport News
VA

The second most populous city in Virginia.

From Williamsburg
23.5 mi
00h 28m
To Portsmouth Heights
24.6 mi
00h 28m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
89°F
Tuesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Tue, Apr 14 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
8 mph SW
Destination
88°F
Tuesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Tue, Apr 14 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
7 to 12 mph SW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Williamsburg and Portsmouth Heights.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Williamsburg and Portsmouth Heights.

  1. 1

    Start on Jamestown Road

    60 m · 14 sec · Jamestown Road

  2. 2

    Turn sharp left

    66 m · 9 sec

  3. 3

    Turn slight right onto South Boundary Street

    53 m · 8 sec · South Boundary Street

  4. 4

    Turn left onto Francis Street West

    1.4 km · 3 min · Francis Street West

  5. 5

    Continue on York Street

    565 ft · 19 sec · York Street

  6. 6

    Continue on York Street

    1 km · 2 min · York Street

  7. 7

    Continue on Pocahontas Trail

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Pocahontas Trail

  8. 8

    Take the ramp slight right toward VA 199: Yorktown

    917 ft · 24 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left onto Humelsine Parkway

    1.3 km · 1 min · Humelsine Parkway

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward I 64 East: Busch Gardens, Norfolk

    2208 ft · 42 sec

  11. 11

    Merge slight left

    21.6 mi · 25 min

  12. 12

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

    2600 ft · 37 sec

  13. 13

    Merge slight left onto Hampton Roads Beltway

    6.1 mi · 8 min · Hampton Roads Beltway

  14. 14

    Continue on Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel

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

  15. 15

    Continue on Hampton Roads Beltway

    5.9 mi · 7 min · Hampton Roads Beltway

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight right toward VA 337 East: Portsmouth Boulevard, Portsmouth

    1463 ft · 36 sec

  17. 17

    Turn straight onto Portsmouth Boulevard

    3.5 mi · 7 min · Portsmouth Boulevard

  18. 18

    Turn left onto Byers Avenue

    1398 ft · 1 min · Byers Avenue

  19. 19

    Turn right onto Vick Street

    141 m · 20 sec · Vick Street

  20. 20

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Vick Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Williamsburg and Portsmouth Heights.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

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.

Directions
20 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
3 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
41.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 64 East
22 mi · 46%
Hampton Roads Beltway
12.1 mi · 25%
Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel
4.31 mi · 9%
Portsmouth Boulevard
3.52 mi · 7%
Pocahontas Trail
1.41 mi · 3%
Francis Street West
0.89 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

I 64 East

Merge slight left

21.6 mi · 00h 25m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
00h 56m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 54m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+12 mi
36.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Newport News
00h 28m from Williamsburg
Leave By
4:36 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Williamsburg and Mostly Sunny near Portsmouth Heights.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Williamsburg to Portsmouth Heights?

The road trip is about 48.2 miles (77.5 km) and usually takes 00h 56m 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?

Newport News is a useful midpoint, sitting about 23.5 miles from Williamsburg and 24.6 miles from Portsmouth Heights.

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

The direct path is about 36.2 miles (58.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 12 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 4:36 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.73 one way or $13.47 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 15.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Williamsburg and Mostly Sunny near Portsmouth Heights.

Stop Ideas Near Newport News

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 Newport News and the surrounding midpoint area.
Oxford Run Trail
Scenic stop 4.5 mi away

Oxford Run Trail

Poquoson , VA
500 City Hall Ave, Poquoson, VA 23662, United States
Rating 4.6/5 22 reviews Tourist attraction,Park
Poquoson (DMV Select) By Appointment Only
Meeting point 4.5 mi away

Poquoson (DMV Select) By Appointment Only

Poquoson , VA
Poquoson City Hall, 500 City Hall Ave, Poquoson, VA 23662
Rating 4.0/5 80 reviews Department of motor vehicles,County government office
Poquoson Public Library
Nearby stop 4.5 mi away

Poquoson Public Library

Poquoson , VA
500 City Hall Ave, Poquoson, VA 23662
Rating 4.9/5 26 reviews Library,Public library
Historic City Hall
Scenic stop 4.6 mi away

Historic City Hall

Hampton , VA
30 Kings Way, Hampton, VA 23669
Rating 4.4/5 10 reviews Historical landmark

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Newport News.

RAIL

Newport News station

7 mi away
9304 Warwick Boulevard
RAIL

Williamsburg Transportation Center

30 mi away
468 North Boundary Street
BUS

Norfolk

30 mi away
215 W York Street
BUS

Virginia Beach, Virginia

51 mi away
19th St. and Pacific Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Williamsburg and Portsmouth Heights. Straight-line distance: 36.25 mi (58.34 km).

Williamsburg

#1 Williamsburg

Independent city in Virginia, United States

Population15,259
Coordinates37.2707000, -76.7074600
Altitude25
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Portsmouth Heights

A census-designated place in Newport News, Virginia.

Population99,049
Coordinates36.8209800, -76.3688300
Altitude3
CountryUnited States
Start: South Boundary Street (-76.70743, 37.27073)
End: Vick Street (-76.368598, 36.821321)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 78 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 36m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 12m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 57m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 48m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 41m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 36m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.7 gal
6.43 L · about $6.73
Round trip
$13.47
3.4 gal · 12.86 L
Estimated CO2
15.1 kg one way
Round trip: 30.2 kg / 67 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $6.73 $13.47
Mid-grade $4.43 $7.53 $15.06
Premium $4.78 $8.12 $16.25
Diesel $5.62 $9.56 $19.12

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 15, 2026

There is no time difference between Williamsburg and Portsmouth Heights. The current time is 23:27:58.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

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