The drive from Cherry Hill, VA to Portsmouth, VA covers 173.4 miles and takes about 3h 24m 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 66.8 miles on I 95.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $27.12 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
86.7 miles from Cherry Hill, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 40m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 24m. Total distance: 173.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (79%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 3h 24m highway drive covering 173.4 miles, with most of the trip on I 95 and I 64. The longest continuous stretch is about 66.8 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 30 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 66.8 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 4.6 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 20 significant decision points across 173.4 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 4.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 71.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 86.7 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.
6
4.6 mi into trip|~9m in
Take the exit toward I 95 South: Richmond
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 95 South: Richmond
8
71.9 mi into trip|~1h 24m 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
86.7 mi into trip|~1h 40m 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
150.7 mi into trip|~2h 52m 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
162.7 mi into trip|~3h 7m 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 Cherry Hill, VA and Portsmouth, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk, Va Beach, Virginia Beach, Suffolk, Chesapeake and Churchland.
Norfolk
71.9 mi in|~1h 24m
Va Beach
71.9 mi in|~1h 24m
Virginia Beach
86.7 mi in|~1h 40m
Suffolk
150.7 mi in|~2h 52m
Chesapeake
150.7 mi in|~2h 52m
Churchland
162.7 mi in|~3h 7m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
66.8 mi
1h 14m
I 64
62.7 mi
1h 9m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
13 mi
14m
Hampton Roads Beltway
7.2 mi
9m
Western Freeway
5.8 mi
7m
Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel
4.3 mi
5m
Potomac Shores Parkway
1.6 mi
2m
College Drive
1.4 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 66.8 mi, about 1h 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cherry Hill, VA and Portsmouth, VA.
1
Start on River Heritage Boulevard
393 ft·19 sec·River Heritage Boulevard
2
Turn right onto Thoroughgood Drive
0.3 mi·38 sec·Thoroughgood Drive
3
Enter roundabout onto Potomac Shores Parkway
293 ft·6 sec·Potomac Shores Parkway
4
Continue on Potomac Shores Parkway
1.5 mi·2 min·Potomac Shores Parkway
5
Turn right onto SR 1194
1.3 mi·2 min·River Heritage Boulevard
6
Turn left onto US 1
0.7 mi·1 min·Richmond Highway
Use the right lane.
7
Turn right onto VA 234
0.3 mi·36 sec·Dumfries Road
8
Continue on VA 234
0.4 mi·41 sec·Dumfries Road
9
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 95 South: RichmondUse the left lane.
10
Merge onto I 95
18 mi·20 min·I 95
Use the straight lane.
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 84AToward I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va BeachUse 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 28AToward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia BeachUse 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 264Toward I 664 South: Downtown Newport News, Suffolk, ChesapeakeUse 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
1.1 mi·1 min·Hampton Roads Beltway
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 8BToward VA 135 South: College Drive, ChurchlandUse the right lane.
21
Continue on VA 135
1.4 mi·2 min·College Drive
Use the straight lane.
22
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward VA 164 East: Downtown Portsmouth
23
Merge onto VA 164
5.8 mi·7 min·Western Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Merge onto US 58; VA 164
0.7 mi·46 sec·Martin Luther King Freeway
25
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward VA 141 South: Downtown PortsmouthUse the right lane.
26
Turn straight onto US 58
1.2 mi·2 min·London Boulevard
27
Turn right onto VA 141
0.1 mi·11 sec·Effingham Street
Use the right lane.
28
Turn left onto High Street
0.5 mi·1 min·High Street
Use the left lane.
29
Continue on High Street
201 ft·20 sec·High Street
Use the left lane.
30
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 86.7 miles from Cherry Hill, VA, or about 1h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 66.8 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 38 miles or 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 86.7 miles or 1h 40m 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 43m
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 Cherry Hill, 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 Cherry Hill, VA
This is one driving day of about 173.4 miles and 3h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 miles from Cherry Hill, 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 66.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 86.7 mi from Cherry Hill, VA
· 1h 40m into the drive
The midpoint is around 86.7 miles from Cherry Hill, 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 66.8 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.
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...
0 mi from route
~1 min detour
$15
near mile 131.6
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...
6 mi from route
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 149.5
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
~65 min detour
Free
near mile 89.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.12 one way
$54.23 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg61 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$29.65
$59.30
premium
$4.70
$32.09
$64.19
diesel
$5.61
$38.28
$76.57
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 60.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
52
0
$18.21
$8.32
Efficient EV
43.4
0
$15.17
$6.94
EV Truck/SUV
69.4
0
$24.28
$11.10
Gas CO2
61 kg
EV CO2
20 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 18, 2026
Origin
Cherry Hill, VA
Evening
in Cherry Hill on Friday
Local time
7:09 PM
EDT
Current temp
83°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Portsmouth, VA
Evening
in Portsmouth on Friday
Local time
7:09 PM
EDT
Current temp
69°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
14 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
3h 24m 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 Cherry Hill, VA to Portsmouth, VA covers 173.4 miles and takes about 3h 24m 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 86.7 miles from Cherry Hill, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $27.12 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 173.4 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 4.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 71.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 86.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Cherry Hill, VA and Portsmouth, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk, Va Beach, Virginia Beach, Suffolk, Chesapeake and Churchland.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Colonial National Historical Park, Fort Monroe National Monument and Petersburg National Battlefield.
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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
