The drive from Lakeside, VA to Portsmouth, VA covers 102 miles and takes about 2h 3m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 64, Hampton Roads Beltway, Western Freeway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 73.9 miles on I 64.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $15.95 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.
Midpoint
51 miles from Lakeside, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 3m. Total distance: 102 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 3m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (83%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 2h 3m highway drive covering 102 miles, with most of the trip on I 64 and Hampton Roads Beltway. The longest continuous stretch is about 73.9 miles on I 64.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 64 is the longest continuous segment at about 73.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and Hampton Roads Beltway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 5.3 miles in near I 64.
Driving Effort9/10
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 14 significant decision points across 102 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 5.3 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 79.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 91.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
9
5.3 mi into trip|~9m in|I 64
Keep slight right at fork onto I 64 toward I 64 East: Williamsburg, Norfolk
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 75
Toward I 64 East: Williamsburg, Norfolk
8
79.2 mi into trip|~1h 32m 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
91.3 mi into trip|~1h 47m 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
6
99.9 mi into trip|~1h 59m 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
6
101.4 mi into trip|~2h 2m in|VA 141 / Effingham Street
Turn right onto VA 141 / Effingham Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Lakeside, VA and Portsmouth, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk, Suffolk, Chesapeake and Churchland.
Norfolk
5.3 mi in|~9m|via I 64
Suffolk
79.2 mi in|~1h 32m
Chesapeake
79.2 mi in|~1h 32m
Churchland
91.3 mi in|~1h 47m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
73.9 mi
1h 23m
Hampton Roads Beltway
7.2 mi
9m
Western Freeway
5.8 mi
7m
Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel
4.3 mi
5m
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
3.9 mi
5m
College Drive
1.4 mi
2m
London Boulevard
1.2 mi
2m
Martin Luther King Freeway
0.7 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 73.9 mi, about 1h 23m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lakeside, VA and Portsmouth, VA.
1
Start on Cedar Croft Street
0.3 mi·1 min·Cedar Croft Street
2
Turn left onto Dumbarton Road
0.5 mi·1 min·Dumbarton Road
3
Turn right onto VA 161
0.3 mi·44 sec·Lakeside Avenue
4
Continue on VA 161
0.2 mi·25 sec·Hermitage Road
5
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·18 sec
6
Merge onto I 95
3.9 mi·5 min·Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 64
74 mi·1 hr 23 min·I 64
Exit 75Toward I 64 East: Williamsburg, NorfolkUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.5 mi·36 sec
Exit 264Toward I 664 South: Downtown Newport News, Suffolk, ChesapeakeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 664
6.1 mi·7 min·Hampton Roads Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 664
4.3 mi·5 min·Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel
11
Continue on I 664
1.1 mi·1 min·Hampton Roads Beltway
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 8BToward VA 135 South: College Drive, ChurchlandUse the right lane.
13
Continue on VA 135
1.4 mi·2 min·College Drive
Use the straight lane.
14
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward VA 164 East: Downtown Portsmouth
15
Merge onto VA 164
5.8 mi·7 min·Western Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto US 58; VA 164
0.7 mi·46 sec·Martin Luther King Freeway
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward VA 141 South: Downtown PortsmouthUse the right lane.
18
Turn straight onto US 58
1.2 mi·2 min·London Boulevard
19
Turn right onto VA 141
0.1 mi·11 sec·Effingham Street
Use the right lane.
20
Turn left onto High Street
0.5 mi·1 min·High Street
Use the left lane.
21
Continue on High Street
201 ft·20 sec·High Street
Use the left lane.
22
Arrive at destination
High Street
Trip Plan
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 51 miles from Lakeside, VA, or about 1h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 73.9 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 22 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 51 miles or 1h 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 37m
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 Lakeside, 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 Lakeside, VA
This is one driving day of about 102 miles and 2h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Lakeside, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 64 for about 73.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
The midpoint is around 51 miles from Lakeside, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before I 64 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 73.9 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...
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
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 80.9
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...
24 mi from route
~61 min detour
Free
near mile 10.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.95 one way
$31.90 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg36 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$17.44
$34.88
premium
$4.70
$18.88
$37.76
diesel
$5.61
$22.52
$45.04
Estimated Tolls: $0.27
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
(3.9 mi)$0.27
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: 35.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
30.6
0
$10.71
$4.90
Efficient EV
25.5
0
$8.92
$4.08
EV Truck/SUV
40.8
0
$14.28
$6.53
Gas CO2
36 kg
EV CO2
12 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
Lakeside, VA
Night
in Lakeside on Thursday
Local time
9:33 PM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Portsmouth, VA
Night
in Portsmouth on Thursday
Local time
9:33 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
21 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 3m 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 Lakeside, VA to Portsmouth, VA covers 102 miles and takes about 2h 3m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 64, Hampton Roads Beltway, Western Freeway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 51 miles from Lakeside, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $15.95 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 14 significant decision points across 102 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 5.3 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 79.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 91.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Lakeside, VA and Portsmouth, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk, Suffolk, Chesapeake and Churchland.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Colonial National Historical Park, Fort Monroe National Monument and Petersburg National Battlefield.
