Origin
Brandermill, VA
Late night in Brandermill on Wednesday
Local time
4:34 AM
EDT
Current temp
87°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Brandermill, VA to Portsmouth, VA
Data updated 2 hours ago
Drive Time
2h 15m
Distance
99.4 mi
160 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$16
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 6m
★
6 AM
2h 15m
8 AM
2h 34m
10 AM
2h 22m
12 PM
2h 20m
3 PM
2h 23m
5 PM
2h 33m
8 PM
2h 9m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Brandermill, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Portsmouth, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 99.4-mile drive from Brandermill, VA, to Portsmouth, VA, is best tackled in a single day, with an estimated travel time of 2 hours and 15 minutes. You'll navigate primarily via James River Drive, Colonial Trail West, and World War II Veterans Memorial Highway, experiencing a route with many turns. With a fuel cost estimated at $16, this trip is quite budget-friendly for a day excursion. The drive stays within the Southeast region, offering a consistent feel throughout its course. Given its relatively short duration and turn-heavy nature, it's ideal for a spontaneous road trip.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
49.7 miles from Brandermill, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 7m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' for the majority of this 99.4-mile journey. While only 12% of the route is on highways, the bulk of your travel will be on local roads, requiring your attention. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 14.6 miles on James River Drive. This means you'll be making frequent adjustments and navigating through various local thoroughfares, rather than cruising on a long, straight interstate.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 32 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
James River Drive is the longest continuous segment at about 14.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.6 miles in.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 99.4 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 2.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 15 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 16.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 20 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
2.6 mi into trip
|
~6m in
Keep slight right at fork toward VA 288 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward VA 288 South
7
15 mi into trip
|
~20m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 95 South: Petersburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 95 South: Petersburg
7
16.8 mi into trip
|
~23m in
Take the exit toward VA 10 East: Hopewell
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 61A
Toward VA 10 East: Hopewell
6
89.1 mi into trip
|
~2h in
|
VA 164 / Western Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto VA 164 / Western Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
6
97.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 10m in
Take the exit toward VA 141 South: Downtown Portsmouth
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward VA 141 South: Downtown Portsmouth
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| James River Drive | 14.6 mi | 19m |
| Colonial Trail West | 13.3 mi | 15m |
| World War II Veterans Memorial Highway | 12.1 mi | 14m |
| Old Stage Highway | 12 mi | 15m |
| Colonial Trail East | 9.8 mi | 11m |
| Western Freeway | 7.4 mi | 9m |
| West Hundred Road | 6.8 mi | 10m |
| Bridge Road | 6.2 mi | 10m |
Longest stretch:
James River Drive
— 14.6 mi, about 19m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Brandermill, VA and Portsmouth, VA.
1
Start on this road
112 ft
·
9 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto SR 1883
370 ft
·
19 sec
·
Timber Ridge Road
3
Continue on East Timber Ridge Road
263 ft
·
13 sec
·
East Timber Ridge Road
4
Turn right onto Millridge Parkway
1.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Millridge Parkway
5
Turn right onto SR 754
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
South Old Hundred Road
6
Continue on SR 754
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Commonwealth Centre Parkway
Use the left / straight lanes.
7
Take the ramp
62 ft
·
1 sec
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Toward VA 288 South
Use the slight right lane.
9
Merge onto VA 288
12 mi
·
14 min
·
World War II Veterans Memorial Highway
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward I 95 South: Petersburg
Use the slight right lane.
11
Merge onto I 95
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 61A
Toward VA 10 East: Hopewell
Use the right lane.
13
Continue on VA 10
6.8 mi
·
10 min
·
West Hundred Road
Use the left / uturn lanes.
14
Continue on VA 10
2.9 mi
·
4 min
·
West Randolph Road
15
Continue on VA 10; VA 156 BUS
15 mi
·
19 min
·
James River Drive
16
Continue on VA 10
13 mi
·
15 min
·
Colonial Trail West
17
At end of road, turn left onto VA 10; VA 31
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Rolfe Highway
18
Take the exit
149 ft
·
6 sec
19
Merge onto VA 10
9.8 mi
·
11 min
·
Colonial Trail East
20
Continue on VA 10
12 mi
·
15 min
·
Old Stage Highway
Use the left lane.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto US 258
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Brewers Neck Boulevard
22
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
23
Merge onto US 17
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Carrollton Boulevard
24
Continue on US 17
6.2 mi
·
10 min
·
Bridge Road
Use the left lane.
25
Keep slight right at fork onto VA 164
7.4 mi
·
9 min
·
Western Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
26
Merge onto US 58; VA 164
0.7 mi
·
46 sec
·
Martin Luther King Freeway
27
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Toward VA 141 South: Downtown Portsmouth
Use the right lane.
28
Turn straight onto US 58
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
London Boulevard
29
Turn right onto VA 141
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
Effingham Street
Use the right lane.
30
Turn left onto High Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
High Street
Use the left lane.
31
Continue on High Street
201 ft
·
20 sec
·
High Street
Use the left lane.
32
Arrive at destination
High Street
Trip Plan
For this 2-hour, 15-minute trip, you have plenty of flexibility on when to depart. Consider leaving Brandermill in the morning to have your full day in Portsmouth. Since there are no designated stops in the data, plan your own breaks as needed, especially given the turn-heavy profile. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is $16. A practical tip for this route: be prepared for frequent turns and road name changes, particularly on James River Drive and Colonial Trail West, so having your navigation set up before you leave Brandermill is key.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 49.7 miles from Brandermill, VA, or about 1h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 14.6 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 80 miles or 1h 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 49.7 miles or 1h 7m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 47m
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 Brandermill, 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 Brandermill, VA
This is one driving day of about 99.4 miles and 2h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Brandermill, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on James River Drive for about 14.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 49.7 mi from Brandermill, VA · 1h 7m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
50 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 49.7 miles from Brandermill, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.54 one way
$31.09 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
35 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $17.00 | $33.99 |
| premium | $4.70 | $18.40 | $36.79 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $21.95 | $43.89 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.10
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
(1.5 mi)
$0.10
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 34.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 29.8 | 0 | $10.44 | $4.77 |
| Efficient EV | 24.9 | 0 | $8.70 | $3.98 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 39.8 | 0 | $13.92 | $6.36 |
Gas CO2
35 kg
EV CO2
12 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.
Destination
Portsmouth, VA
Late night in Portsmouth on Wednesday
Local time
4:34 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
86°F
Middletown, MD
50 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
18 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
2h 15m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Brandermill, VA to Portsmouth, VA covers 99.4 miles and takes about 2h 15m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are James River Drive, Colonial Trail West, World War II Veterans Memorial Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 49.7 miles from Brandermill, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $15.54 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 99.4 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 2.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 15 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 16.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Brandermill, VA to Portsmouth, VA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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