This 313.7-mile drive from Blacksburg, VA to Portsmouth, VA is a solid day trip, easily completed in about 6 hours. Primarily utilizing I-64 and I-81, with a stretch on the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, you'll find this route is focused on efficient travel. The estimated fuel cost is around $49, making it an affordable journey. Since both origin and destination are within the Southeast region, expect a consistent travel experience. Given its manageable duration and highway-focused profile, it's well-suited for a single-day adventure, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop.
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
156.9 miles from Blacksburg, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 1m into the drive
.
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Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience for 85% of this 313.7-mile journey. You'll cover a significant 152.7 miles on I-64 without interruption, offering a consistent pace. The route blends major interstates like I-81 with other key highways, suggesting a generally fast-paced drive. While predominantly highway, the transitions between these main roads are generally smooth. This drive is designed for covering ground efficiently, minimizing slower, more winding sections.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 27 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 64 is the longest continuous segment at about 152.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and I 81. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 112.9 miles in near I 64.
Route Complexity9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 313.7 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 112.9 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 202.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 227 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 20 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
112.9 mi into trip|~2h 13m in|I 64
Keep slight right at fork onto I 64 toward I 64 East: Richmond
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 64 East: Richmond
8
202.9 mi into trip|~3h 51m in
Take the exit toward I 295 North: Washington, Norfolk
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 177
Toward I 295 North: Washington, Norfolk
8
227 mi into trip|~4h 18m 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
291 mi into trip|~5h 30m 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...
8
303 mi into trip|~5h 45m in
Take the exit toward VA 135 South: College Drive, Churchland
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 8B
Toward VA 135 South: College Drive, Churchland
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Blacksburg, VA and Portsmouth, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Suffolk and Chesapeake.
Norfolk
202.9 mi in|~3h 51m
Virginia Beach
227 mi in|~4h 18m
Suffolk
291 mi in|~5h 30m
Chesapeake
291 mi in|~5h 30m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
152.7 mi
2h 47m
I 81
102.4 mi
1h 54m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
22.9 mi
25m
Hampton Roads Beltway
7.2 mi
9m
Western Freeway
5.8 mi
7m
US 460
4.8 mi
5m
Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel
4.3 mi
5m
North Main Street
2.6 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 152.7 mi, about 2h 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Blacksburg, VA and Portsmouth, VA.
1
Start on US 460 BUS
2.6 mi·7 min·North Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
2
Take the ramp
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward US 460 East: RoanokeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
3
Merge onto US 460
4.8 mi·5 min·US 460
Use the straight lane.
4
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Exit 2Toward US 11, US 460 Business: Christiansburg
5
Turn left onto US 11; US 460 BUS
1.1 mi·2 min·Roanoke Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
6
Take the ramp
1.0 mi·2 min
Toward I 81 North, US 460 East: Salem, RoanokeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 81
102 mi·1 hr 54 min·I 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 64
90 mi·1 hr 38 min·I 64
Toward I 64 East: RichmondUse the straight lane.
9
Take the exit
1.2 mi·1 min
Exit 177Toward I 295 North: Washington, NorfolkUse the slight right lane.
10
Continue on I 295
23 mi·25 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
1.3 mi·2 min
Exit 28AToward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia BeachUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 64
63 mi·1 hr 9 min·I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.5 mi·36 sec
Exit 264Toward I 664 South: Downtown Newport News, Suffolk, ChesapeakeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto I 664
6.1 mi·7 min·Hampton Roads Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on I 664
4.3 mi·5 min·Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel
16
Continue on I 664
1.1 mi·1 min·Hampton Roads Beltway
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 8BToward VA 135 South: College Drive, ChurchlandUse the right lane.
18
Continue on VA 135
1.4 mi·2 min·College Drive
Use the straight lane.
19
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward VA 164 East: Downtown Portsmouth
20
Merge onto VA 164
5.8 mi·7 min·Western Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Merge onto US 58; VA 164
0.7 mi·46 sec·Martin Luther King Freeway
22
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward VA 141 South: Downtown PortsmouthUse the right lane.
23
Turn straight onto US 58
1.2 mi·2 min·London Boulevard
24
Turn right onto VA 141
0.1 mi·11 sec·Effingham Street
Use the right lane.
25
Turn left onto High Street
0.5 mi·1 min·High Street
Use the left lane.
26
Continue on High Street
201 ft·20 sec·High Street
Use the left lane.
27
Arrive at destination
High Street
Trip Plan
For this 6-hour drive, departing early from Blacksburg will help you avoid potential traffic as you approach Portsmouth. With a longest stretch of 152.7 miles, plan for one main stop midway for fuel and a break to stay refreshed. The estimated fuel cost of $49 is a good budget point, but always keep an eye on your gauge, especially before entering longer stretches. Since this is a feasible day trip, you have the flexibility to depart when it's most convenient for you, but an early start is often best for interstates.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 156.9 miles from Blacksburg, VA, or about 3h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 152.7 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 80 miles or 1h 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 156.9 miles or 3h 1m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 53m
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 Blacksburg, 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 Blacksburg, VA
This is one driving day of about 313.7 miles and 6h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Blacksburg, 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 64 for about 152.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 156.9 mi from Blacksburg, VA
· 3h 1m into the drive
The midpoint is around 156.9 miles from Blacksburg, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before I 64 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 152.7 miles.
Arriving in Portsmouth, VA
The final approach into Portsmouth, VA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Portsmouth, VA.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
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 270.5
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 292.1
Booker T. Washington was born a slave in April 1856 on the 207-acre farm of James Burroughs. After the Civil War, Washington became the first principal of Tuskegee Normal and Industrial School. Later...
22 mi from route
~55 min detour
Free
near mile 32.5
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
~64 min detour
Free
near mile 227.2
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
94.1
1
$32.94
$15.06
Efficient EV
78.4
0
$27.45
$12.55
EV Truck/SUV
125.5
1
$43.92
$20.08
Gas CO2
110 kg
EV CO2
37 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 data refreshed 1 day ago
Origin
Blacksburg, VA
Late night
in Blacksburg on Wednesday
Local time
12:27 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Portsmouth, VA
Late night
in Portsmouth on Wednesday
Local time
12:27 AM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
21 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
6h 1m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Blacksburg, VA to Portsmouth, VA covers 313.7 miles and takes about 6h 1m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 64, I 81, 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 156.9 miles from Blacksburg, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $49.06 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
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 20 significant decision points across 313.7 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 112.9 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 202.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 227 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Blacksburg, VA and Portsmouth, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Suffolk and Chesapeake.
