Sign in
No account yet?
Create accountDrive Time
4h 26m
Distance
216.5 mi
348 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$35
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Front Royal, VA
Travel Photographer
Portsmouth, VA
Charles Miller
The drive from Front Royal, VA to Portsmouth, VA covers 216.5 miles and takes about 4h 26m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 17, I 64, I 66 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 75 miles on US 17. At current regular gas prices, budget about $34.65 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
108.2 miles from Front Royal, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 19m into the drive .
This is a 4h 26m highway drive covering 216.5 miles, with most of the trip on US 17 and I 64. The longest continuous stretch is about 75 miles on US 17.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
265 ft
Total Descent
929 ft
Highest Point
673 ft
~27.1 mi in
Elevation Range
664 ft
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 17 and I 64. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 30.2 miles in near US 17 / Eastern Bypass.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 26 significant decision points across 216.5 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 30.2 miles (US 17 / Eastern Bypass): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 114.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 129.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Keep slight right at fork onto US 17 / Eastern Bypass toward US 17 South: Fredericksburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
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
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
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
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
Between Front Royal, VA and Portsmouth, VA, road signs point toward Fredericksburg, Norfolk, Va Beach, Virginia Beach, Suffolk and Chesapeake.
Fredericksburg
Norfolk
Va Beach
Virginia Beach
Suffolk
Chesapeake
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 17 | 75 mi | 1h 33m |
| I 64 | 62.7 mi | 1h 9m |
| I 66 | 14.9 mi | 15m |
| Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway | 13 mi | 14m |
| James Madison Highway | 11.6 mi | 16m |
| Hampton Roads Beltway | 7.2 mi | 9m |
| Western Freeway | 5.8 mi | 7m |
| Eastern Bypass | 4.9 mi | 6m |
Step-by-step road directions between Front Royal, VA and Portsmouth, VA.
Start on this road
Turn left onto Lee Street
Turn left onto West Jackson Street
At end of road, turn left onto East Stonewall Drive
Turn right onto US 522
Turn left onto VA 55
Turn left onto VA 79
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 66
Take the exit onto US 17
Keep slight right at fork onto US 17
Merge onto US 17
Continue on US 17
Keep slight right at fork onto US 17
Continue on US 15; US 17; US 29
Keep slight right at fork onto US 17
Take the exit onto US 17
Take the exit
Merge onto I 295
Take the exit
Merge onto I 64
Take the exit
Merge onto I 664
Continue on I 664
Continue on I 664
Take the exit
Continue on VA 135
Take the ramp
Merge onto VA 164
Merge onto US 58; VA 164
Take the exit
Turn straight onto US 58
Turn right onto VA 141
Turn left onto High Street
Continue on High Street
Arrive at destination
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.
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 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 108.2 miles or 2h 19m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 37m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Portsmouth, VA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Front Royal, 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 Front Royal, VA
This is one driving day of about 216.5 miles and 4h 26m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 108.2 mi from Front Royal, VA · 2h 19m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
108 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 108.2 miles from Front Royal, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 17 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 75 miles.
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
$34.65 one way
$69.30 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $37.75 | $75.50 |
| premium | $4.78 | $40.73 | $81.45 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $48.10 | $96.20 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 75.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 65 | 0 | $22.73 | $10.39 |
| Efficient EV | 54.1 | 0 | $18.94 | $8.66 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 86.6 | 1 | $30.31 | $13.86 |
Gas CO2
76 kg
EV CO2
25 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Front Royal on Sunday
Local time
6:38 PM
EDT
Current temp
78°F
Mostly Sunny
Destination
Evening in Portsmouth on Sunday
Local time
6:38 PM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Sunny
Along the Route
86°F
Middletown, MD
108 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
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Front Royal, VA or browse trips ending in Portsmouth, VA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse VA road trips.
Explore maps for Front Royal, VA or Portsmouth, VA on MapSof.net.