Drive Time
1h 32m
Distance
78.9 mi
127 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
The drive from Colonial Heights, VA to Portsmouth, VA covers 78.9 miles and takes about 1h 32m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on East Ellerslie Avenue, Conduit Road, Temple Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $12.30 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
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
39.5 miles from Colonial Heights, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 46m into the drive .
Expect a 1h 32m drive with frequent turns across 78.9 miles of local and secondary roads.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| East Ellerslie Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Conduit Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Temple Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| East Washington Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Oaklawn Boulevard | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Winston Churchill Drive | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| East Randolph Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| James River Drive | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Colonial Heights, VA and Portsmouth, VA.
Start on the route
At the end of the road, turn right onto East Ellerslie Avenue
Turn right onto Conduit Road
Turn left onto Temple Avenue
Merge left onto East Washington Street
Continue on Oaklawn Boulevard
Continue on Winston Churchill Drive
Turn right onto East Randolph Road
Continue on James River Drive
Continue on Colonial Trail West
At the end of the road, turn left onto Rolfe Highway
Take the exit right
Merge slight left onto Colonial Trail East
Continue on Old Stage Highway
Keep slight left to continue on Brewers Neck Boulevard
Take the exit slight right
Merge slight left onto Carrollton Boulevard
Continue on Bridge Road
Keep slight right to continue on Western Freeway
Merge slight left onto Martin Luther King Freeway
Take the exit slight right toward VA 141 South: Downtown Portsmouth
Turn straight onto London Boulevard
Turn right onto Effingham Street
Turn left onto High Street
Continue on High Street
Arrive at your destination
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.
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 78.9 miles or 1h 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 39.5 miles or 46m 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 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Portsmouth, VA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Colonial Heights, 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 Colonial Heights, VA
This is one driving day of about 78.9 miles and 1h 32m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 39.5 mi from Colonial Heights, VA · 46m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
39 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.
A short stop after about 78.9 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 39.5 miles from Colonial Heights, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Regular Gas
$12.30 one way
$24.61 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $13.76 | $27.52 |
| premium | $4.78 | $14.84 | $29.68 |
| diesel | $5.62 | $17.47 | $34.94 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 27.6 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 23.7 | 0 | $8.28 | $3.79 |
| Efficient EV | 19.7 | 0 | $6.90 | $3.16 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 31.6 | 0 | $11.05 | $5.05 |
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (68% 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Morning in Colonial Heights on Saturday
Local time
10:21 AM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Morning in Portsmouth on Saturday
Local time
10:21 AM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
88°F
Middletown, MD
39 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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