How far is Williamsburg, VA from Portsmouth, VA?
The driving distance from Williamsburg, VA to Portsmouth, VA is about 51.2 miles (82.4 km), with a travel time of about 00h 54m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 37.6 miles (60.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 48m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 54m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
The second most populous city in Virginia.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Williamsburg and Portsmouth.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Williamsburg and Portsmouth.
-
1
Start on Jamestown Road
60 m · 14 sec · Jamestown Road
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2
Turn sharp left
66 m · 9 sec
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3
Turn slight right onto South Boundary Street
53 m · 8 sec · South Boundary Street
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4
Turn left onto Francis Street West
1.4 km · 3 min · Francis Street West
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5
Continue on York Street
565 ft · 19 sec · York Street
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6
Continue on York Street
1 km · 2 min · York Street
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7
Continue on Pocahontas Trail
1.4 mi · 2 min · Pocahontas Trail
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8
Take the ramp slight right toward VA 199: Yorktown
917 ft · 24 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto Humelsine Parkway
1.3 km · 1 min · Humelsine Parkway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward I 64 East: Busch Gardens, Norfolk
2208 ft · 42 sec
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11
Merge slight left
21.6 mi · 25 min
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12
Take the exit slight right toward I 664 South: Downtown Newport News, Suffolk, Chesapeake
2600 ft · 37 sec
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13
Merge slight left onto Hampton Roads Beltway
6.1 mi · 8 min · Hampton Roads Beltway
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14
Continue on Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel
4.3 mi · 5 min · Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel
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15
Continue on Hampton Roads Beltway
1.1 mi · 1 min · Hampton Roads Beltway
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16
Take the exit slight right toward VA 135 South: College Drive, Churchland
1575 ft · 39 sec
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17
Continue on College Drive
1.4 mi · 2 min · College Drive
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18
Take the ramp slight left toward VA 164 East: Downtown Portsmouth
1797 ft · 34 sec
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19
Merge slight left onto Western Freeway
5.8 mi · 8 min · Western Freeway
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20
Merge slight left onto Martin Luther King Freeway
1.1 km · 46 sec · Martin Luther King Freeway
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21
Take the exit slight right toward VA 141 South: Downtown Portsmouth
1461 ft · 36 sec
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22
Turn straight onto London Boulevard
1.2 mi · 2 min · London Boulevard
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23
Turn right onto Effingham Street
552 ft · 11 sec · Effingham Street
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24
Turn left onto High Street
2679 ft · 1 min · High Street
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25
Continue on High Street
61 m · 21 sec · High Street
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · High Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Williamsburg and Portsmouth.
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
21.6 mi · 00h 25m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Williamsburg and Mostly Sunny near Portsmouth.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Williamsburg to Portsmouth?
The road trip is about 51.2 miles (82.4 km) and usually takes 00h 54m 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?
Hampton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 24.4 miles from Williamsburg and 26.8 miles from Portsmouth.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 37.6 miles (60.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.6 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 4:42 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.17 one way or $14.34 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 16.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Williamsburg and Mostly Sunny near Portsmouth.
Stop Ideas Near Hampton
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Oxford Run Trail
Poquoson (DMV Select) By Appointment Only
Poquoson Public Library
Historic City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Hampton.
Newport News station
Norfolk
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Williamsburg Transportation Center
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Williamsburg and Portsmouth. Straight-line distance: 37.6 mi (60.51 km).
#1 Williamsburg
Independent city in Virginia, United States
| Population | 15,259 |
| Coordinates | 37.2707000, -76.7074600 |
| Altitude | 25 |
| 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: 82 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 42m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 16m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 01m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 51m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 43m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 38m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $7.17 | $14.34 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $8.02 | $16.03 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $8.65 | $17.30 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $10.18 | $20.36 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.