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Trip from Buckhall, VA to Portsmouth Heights, VA

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 38m

Distance

183.3 mi

295 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$29

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min
4 AM
3h 26m ★
6 AM
3h 38m
8 AM
4h 3m
10 AM
3h 47m
12 PM
3h 45m
3 PM
3h 48m
5 PM
4h 2m
8 PM
3h 31m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Buckhall, VA, VA

Buckhall, VA

Eric Joseph

Downtown Portsmouth Heights, VA, VA

Portsmouth Heights, VA

Daniel Miller

Trip Overview

The drive from Buckhall, VA to Portsmouth Heights, VA covers 183.3 miles and takes about 3h 38m 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 mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 69.7 miles on I 95. At current regular gas prices, budget about $28.66 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

91.6 miles from Buckhall, VA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 48m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 95 69.7 mi 1h 17m
I 64 62.7 mi 1h 9m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway 13 mi 14m
Hampton Roads Beltway 12.1 mi 15m
Prince William Parkway 10.2 mi 15m
Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel 4.3 mi 5m
Portsmouth Boulevard 3.5 mi 6m
Smoketown Road 0.9 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 95 — 69.7 mi, about 1h 17m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Buckhall, VA and Portsmouth Heights, VA.

1

Start on SR 662

0.2 mi · 44 sec · Moore Drive
2

Turn right onto VA 294

7.3 mi · 10 min · Prince William Parkway
Use the left / uturn lanes.
3

Take the exit onto VA 294

0.1 mi · 14 sec · VA 294
Use the right lane.
4

Merge onto VA 294

2.9 mi · 5 min · Prince William Parkway
5

Turn right onto SR 2000

0.9 mi · 1 min · Smoketown Road
Use the right lane.
6

Turn right onto SR 2068

0.8 mi · 1 min · Gideon Drive
7

Turn left onto SR 784

0.3 mi · 38 sec · Dale Boulevard
8

Take the ramp

0.8 mi · 1 min
Toward I 95 South: Richmond Use the right lane.
9

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 26 sec
Toward I 95 South
10

Merge onto I 95

21 mi · 24 min · I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Keep slight left at fork onto I 95

49 mi · 53 min · I 95
Use the straight lane.
12

Take the exit

1.9 mi · 2 min
Exit 84A Toward I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va Beach Use the slight left / straight lanes.
13

Merge onto I 295

13 mi · 14 min · Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Take the exit

1.3 mi · 2 min
Exit 28A Toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Merge onto I 64

63 mi · 1 hr 9 min · I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 36 sec
Exit 264 Toward I 664 South: Downtown Newport News, Suffolk, Chesapeake Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Merge onto I 664

6.1 mi · 7 min · Hampton Roads Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Continue on I 664

4.3 mi · 5 min · Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel
19

Continue on I 664

5.9 mi · 7 min · Hampton Roads Beltway
20

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 35 sec
Exit 11B Toward VA 337 East: Portsmouth Boulevard, Portsmouth Use the right lane.
21

Turn straight onto VA 337

3.5 mi · 6 min · Portsmouth Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
22

Turn left onto Byers Avenue

0.3 mi · 1 min · Byers Avenue
Use the left lane.
23

Turn right onto Vick Street

464 ft · 20 sec · Vick Street
24

Arrive at destination

Vick 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 91.6 miles from Buckhall, VA, or about 1h 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 69.7 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 40 miles or 52m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 91.6 miles or 1h 48m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 55m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Portsmouth Heights, VA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Buckhall, 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 Buckhall, VA

This is one driving day of about 183.3 miles and 3h 38m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 40 miles from Buckhall, 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 69.7 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

census designated place in Henrico County, Virginia, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

East Highland Park, VA

92 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

Bowling Green, VA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 40 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

East Highland Park, VA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 91.6 miles from Buckhall, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 95 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 69.7 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 19

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 179.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
0.2 mi into trip | ~0m in | VA 294 / Prince William Parkway

Turn right onto VA 294 / Prince William Parkway

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left / uturn lanes.
8
83.5 mi into trip | ~1h 39m 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
98.3 mi into trip | ~1h 56m 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
162.3 mi into trip | ~3h 8m 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
179.1 mi into trip | ~3h 29m in

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

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the right lane. Exit 11B Toward VA 337 East: Portsmouth Boulevard, Ports...

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$28.66 one way

$57.33 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 64 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $31.34 $62.68
premium $4.70 $33.92 $67.85
diesel $5.61 $40.47 $80.94

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$29

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$54–$79

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 64.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 55 0 $19.25 $8.80
Efficient EV 45.8 0 $16.04 $7.33
EV Truck/SUV 73.3 0 $25.66 $11.73

Gas CO2

64 kg

EV CO2

21 kg (67% 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 13, 2026

Origin

Buckhall, VA

Afternoon in Buckhall on Saturday

Local time

4:45 PM

EDT

Current temp

60°F

Mostly Cloudy

S 12 mph 3% chance Live forecast

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued April 13 at 12:07AM EDT by NWS Blacksburg VA

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued April 12 at 2:23PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA

Destination

Portsmouth Heights, VA

Afternoon in Portsmouth Heights on Saturday

Local time

4:45 PM

EDT

Current temp

60°F

Partly Cloudy

S 9 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued April 13 at 12:07AM EDT by NWS Blacksburg VA

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued April 12 at 2:23PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA

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

3h 38m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Colonial National Historical Park

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...

2 mi from route ~6 min detour $15 near mile 145.4
Park Closure: Rehabilitation of Colonial Parkway Continues
View on nps.gov
Fort Monroe National Monument

Fort Monroe National Monument

National Monument

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 ~13 min detour Free near mile 164.3
View on nps.gov
Petersburg National Battlefield

Petersburg National Battlefield

National Battlefield

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 101.1
View on nps.gov
Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail

Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail

National Scenic Trail

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!

29 mi from route ~73 min detour Free
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

183.3 mi in 3h 38m, mostly highway — 69.7 mi of that is on I 95.

78% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 69.7 mi on I 95.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

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 0.2 miles in near VA 294 / Prince William Parkway.

Driving Effort 10/10

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 19 significant decision points across 183.3 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 0.2 miles (VA 294 / Prince William Parkway): Lane positioning matters here; at 83.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 98.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

316 ft -3 ft

Total Climb

126 ft

Total Descent

445 ft

Highest Point

316 ft

Elevation Range

319 ft

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Buckhall, VA and Portsmouth Heights, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk, Va Beach, Virginia Beach, Suffolk and Chesapeake.

Norfolk

83.5 mi in | ~1h 39m

Va Beach

83.5 mi in | ~1h 39m

Virginia Beach

98.3 mi in | ~1h 56m

Suffolk

162.3 mi in | ~3h 8m

Chesapeake

162.3 mi in | ~3h 8m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 38m. Total distance: 183.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (78%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 69.7 miles on I 95. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Portsmouth Heights, VA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (VA 294 / Prince William Parkway): Lane positioning matters here; at 83.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 98.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes — Colonial National Historical Park, Fort Monroe National Monument and Petersburg National Battlefield (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Possible but tiring. At 3.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Portsmouth Heights, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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