The drive from Ashburn, VA to Portsmouth, VA covers 209.8 miles and takes about 4h 18m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 95, I 64, Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 74.6 miles on I 95.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $32.81 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
104.9 miles from Ashburn, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 15m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 18m. Total distance: 209.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (74%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 4h 18m highway drive covering 209.8 miles, with most of the trip on I 95 and I 64. The longest continuous stretch is about 74.6 miles on I 95.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 37 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 95 is the longest continuous segment at about 74.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and I 64. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 11.7 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 28 significant decision points across 209.8 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 11.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 12 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 108.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 28 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
11.7 mi into trip|~19m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 50 East: Fairfax
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward US 50 East: Fairfax
8
12 mi into trip|~19m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 50 East: Fairfax
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward US 50 East: Fairfax
8
108.2 mi into trip|~2h 18m in
Take the exit toward I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va Beach
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 84A
Toward I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va B...
8
123 mi into trip|~2h 34m in
Take the exit toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 28A
Toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach
8
187 mi into trip|~3h 47m in
Take the exit toward I 664 South: Downtown Newport News, Suffolk, Chesapeake
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 264
Toward I 664 South: Downtown Newport News, Suff...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Ashburn, VA and Portsmouth, VA, road signs point toward Fairfax, Norfolk, Va Beach, Virginia Beach, Suffolk and Chesapeake - among others.
Fairfax
11.5 mi in|~18m
Norfolk
108.2 mi in|~2h 18m
Va Beach
108.2 mi in|~2h 18m
Virginia Beach
123 mi in|~2h 34m
Suffolk
187 mi in|~3h 47m
Chesapeake
187 mi in|~3h 47m
Churchland
199 mi in|~4h 2m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
74.6 mi
1h 23m
I 64
62.7 mi
1h 9m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
13 mi
14m
Ox Road
8.7 mi
12m
Fairfax County Parkway
7.7 mi
11m
Hampton Roads Beltway
7.2 mi
9m
Sully Road
6.6 mi
8m
Western Freeway
5.8 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 74.6 mi, about 1h 23m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ashburn, VA and Portsmouth, VA.
1
Start on SR 641
1.2 mi·2 min·Ashburn Road
2
Turn left onto SR 625
1.3 mi·2 min·Farmwell Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
3
Continue on SR 625
1.8 mi·3 min·Waxpool Road
Use the left lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward VA 28 South: Dulles Airport
5
Merge onto VA 28
6.6 mi·8 min·Sully Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward US 50: Winchester, FairfaxUse the slight right lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward US 50 East: FairfaxUse the straight lane.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward US 50 East: FairfaxUse the right lane.
9
Merge onto US 50
3.2 mi·5 min·Route 50
Use the left lane.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·45 sec
Toward VA 286 South: Fairfax County ParkwayUse the slight right lane.
11
Turn right onto VA 286
7.7 mi·11 min·Fairfax County Parkway
Use the right lane.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Toward VA 123 North: Ox Road
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·24 sec
Toward VA 123 South: Ox Road
14
Turn left onto VA 123
8.7 mi·12 min·Ox Road
Use the left lane.
15
Continue on VA 123
0.9 mi·1 min·Gordon Boulevard
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward I 95 South: Fredericksburg
17
Merge onto I 95
26 mi·30 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
49 mi·53 min·I 95
Use the straight lane.
19
Take the exit
1.9 mi·2 min
Exit 84AToward I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va BeachUse the slight left / straight lanes.
20
Merge onto I 295
13 mi·14 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
1.3 mi·2 min
Exit 28AToward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia BeachUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Merge onto I 64
63 mi·1 hr 9 min·I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.5 mi·36 sec
Exit 264Toward I 664 South: Downtown Newport News, Suffolk, ChesapeakeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Merge onto I 664
6.1 mi·7 min·Hampton Roads Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Continue on I 664
4.3 mi·5 min·Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel
26
Continue on I 664
1.1 mi·1 min·Hampton Roads Beltway
27
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 8BToward VA 135 South: College Drive, ChurchlandUse the right lane.
28
Continue on VA 135
1.4 mi·2 min·College Drive
Use the straight lane.
29
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward VA 164 East: Downtown Portsmouth
30
Merge onto VA 164
5.8 mi·7 min·Western Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Merge onto US 58; VA 164
0.7 mi·46 sec·Martin Luther King Freeway
32
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward VA 141 South: Downtown PortsmouthUse the right lane.
33
Turn straight onto US 58
1.2 mi·2 min·London Boulevard
34
Turn right onto VA 141
0.1 mi·11 sec·Effingham Street
Use the right lane.
35
Turn left onto High Street
0.5 mi·1 min·High Street
Use the left lane.
36
Continue on High Street
201 ft·20 sec·High Street
Use the left lane.
37
Arrive at destination
High Street
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 104.9 miles from Ashburn, VA, or about 2h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 74.6 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 46 miles or 1h 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 104.9 miles or 2h 15m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Portsmouth, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Ashburn, VA so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Ashburn, VA
This is one driving day of about 209.8 miles and 4h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 miles from Ashburn, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 95 for about 74.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 104.9 mi from Ashburn, VA
· 2h 15m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Colonial National Historical Park
National Historical Park
On May 13, 1607, Jamestown was established as the first permanent English settlement in North America. Three cultures came together – European, Virginia Indian and African–to create a new society that...
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
$15
near mile 166.4
Park Closure: Rehabilitation of Colonial Parkway Continues
Fort Monroe's story spans from prehistory to the 2000s. Kecoughtan Indians occupied Old Point Comfort before the arrival of English colonists. The first enslaved Africans arrived in 1619. Those escapi...
5 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 188.1
The Potomac River corridor is rich in both history and recreation, offering a chance to both explore your heritage and choose your adventure along the way. Start your journey here!
At the confluence of the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers, on the ancestral home of the Tuscarora and Shawnee people, lies Harpers Ferry. Here you can explore John Brown's Raid against slavery. Find your...
Two hundred ninety-two days, eight offensives, over 70,000 casualties, U. S. Colored Troops, and the decline of Gen. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia all describe the Siege of Petersburg. U.S. forces c...
26 mi from route
~65 min detour
Free
near mile 123
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
62.9
0
$22.03
$10.07
Efficient EV
52.5
0
$18.36
$8.39
EV Truck/SUV
83.9
1
$29.37
$13.43
Gas CO2
73 kg
EV CO2
25 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Ashburn, VA
Late night
in Ashburn on Saturday
Local time
12:15 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Portsmouth, VA
Late night
in Portsmouth on Saturday
Local time
12:15 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
53°F
Ashland, VA
105 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
4h 18m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Ashburn, VA to Portsmouth, VA covers 209.8 miles and takes about 4h 18m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 95, I 64, Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 104.9 miles from Ashburn, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $32.81 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 28 significant decision points across 209.8 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 11.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 12 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 108.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Ashburn, VA and Portsmouth, VA, road signs point toward Fairfax, Norfolk, Va Beach, Virginia Beach, Suffolk and Chesapeake - among others.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Colonial National Historical Park, Fort Monroe National Monument and Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail. There are 5 parks within detour distance of this route.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
