Trip from Marion, VA to Portsmouth, VA

Data updated 2 hours ago

Drive Time

7h 3m

Distance

377.4 mi

607 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$59

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 34 min

4 AM

6h 52m ★

6 AM

7h 4m

8 AM

7h 26m

10 AM

7h 12m

12 PM

7h 9m

3 PM

7h 13m

5 PM

7h 25m

8 PM

6h 57m

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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town in Smyth County, Virginia, United States

Marion, VA

Wikimedia Commons

independent city in Virginia, United States

Portsmouth, VA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 377.4-mile journey from Marion, VA to Portsmouth, VA is a substantial drive, estimated to take about 7 hours and 3 minutes. It's primarily a highway-focused trip, with 89% of the route on major interstates, making it a feasible day trip for those looking to cover ground efficiently. The estimated fuel cost for this drive is around $59, and you'll have two planned stops along the way. This route stays within the Southeast region, offering a consistent driving experience as you traverse the state of Virginia. It's a practical option if you need to get from Southwest Virginia to the Hampton Roads area without many detours.

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

2 planned breaks

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

188.7 miles from Marion, VA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 28m into the drive .

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Drive Character

Expect a highly highway-oriented experience on this route, as 89% of it utilizes major interstates. You'll spend a significant amount of time on I-81 and I-64, including the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you’ll encounter is 175 miles on I-81, so be prepared for extended periods of steady driving. While primarily interstate, the nature of these highways can offer varied scenery, though the focus remains on efficient travel rather than winding backroads. This profile suggests a drive where maintaining speed and covering distance is the main objective.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 27 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

I 81 is the longest continuous segment at about 175 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and I 64. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 36.6 miles in near I 81; US 11.

Route Complexity 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 377.4 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 36.6 miles (I 81; US 11): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 266.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 290.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 17 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

36.6 mi into trip | ~41m in | I 81; US 11

Keep slight left at fork onto I 81; US 11 toward I 81 North, US 11 North: Roanoke

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight lane. Toward I 81 North, US 11 North: Roanoke

266.6 mi into trip | ~4h 53m in

Take the exit toward I 295 North: Washington, Norfolk

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 177 Toward I 295 North: Washington, Norfolk

290.7 mi into trip | ~5h 20m 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

354.6 mi into trip | ~6h 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...

366.7 mi into trip | ~6h 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

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

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

Between Marion, VA and Portsmouth, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Suffolk and Chesapeake.

Norfolk

266.6 mi in | ~4h 53m

Virginia Beach

290.7 mi in | ~5h 20m

Suffolk

354.6 mi in | ~6h 32m

Chesapeake

354.6 mi in | ~6h 32m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 81	175 mi	3h 11m
I 64	152.9 mi	2h 47m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway	22.9 mi	25m
Hampton Roads Beltway	7.2 mi	9m
Western Freeway	5.8 mi	7m
Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel	4.3 mi	5m
College Drive	1.4 mi	2m
London Boulevard	1.2 mi	2m

Longest stretch: I 81 — 175 mi, about 3h 11m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on East Main Street

0.1 mi · 34 sec · East Main Street

Turn left onto VA 16

0.8 mi · 1 min · South Commerce Street

Continue on VA 16

399 ft · 15 sec · State Highway 16

Turn left

0.3 mi · 35 sec

Merge onto I 81

35 mi · 37 min · I 81

Use the straight lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 81; US 11

140 mi · 2 hr 33 min · I 81; US 11

Toward I 81 North, US 11 North: Roanoke Use the straight lane.

Continue on I 64; I 81

0.3 mi · 17 sec · I 64; I 81

Keep slight right at fork onto I 64

90 mi · 1 hr 38 min · I 64

Toward I 64 East: Richmond Use the straight lane.

Take the exit

1.2 mi · 1 min

Exit 177 Toward I 295 North: Washington, Norfolk Use the slight right lane.

Continue on I 295

23 mi · 25 min · Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

1.3 mi · 2 min

Exit 28A Toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 64

63 mi · 1 hr 9 min · I 64

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

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.

Merge onto I 664

6.1 mi · 7 min · Hampton Roads Beltway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 664

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

Continue on I 664

1.1 mi · 1 min · Hampton Roads Beltway

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 38 sec

Exit 8B Toward VA 135 South: College Drive, Churchland Use the right lane.

Continue on VA 135

1.4 mi · 2 min · College Drive

Use the straight lane.

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 33 sec

Toward VA 164 East: Downtown Portsmouth

Merge onto VA 164

5.8 mi · 7 min · Western Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto US 58; VA 164

0.7 mi · 46 sec · Martin Luther King Freeway

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 35 sec

Toward VA 141 South: Downtown Portsmouth Use the right lane.

Turn straight onto US 58

1.2 mi · 2 min · London Boulevard

Turn right onto VA 141

0.1 mi · 11 sec · Effingham Street

Use the right lane.

Turn left onto High Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · High Street

Use the left lane.

Continue on High Street

201 ft · 20 sec · High Street

Use the left lane.

Arrive at destination

High Street

Trip Plan

Given the 7-hour duration, starting your drive from Marion, VA early in the morning is advisable to arrive in Portsmouth, VA before evening. While the drive is manageable in one day, planning for two stops will help break up the 377.4 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the longest stretch of 175 miles on I-81, as services can sometimes be spaced out on interstates. A good tip for this route is to utilize your GPS for real-time traffic updates on I-64 approaching the Hampton Roads area, as this section can experience congestion.

Morning Departure

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Evening Departure

This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 188.7 miles from Marion, VA, or about 3h 28m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 175 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 83 miles or 1h 32m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 188.7 miles or 3h 28m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 5h 51m

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 Marion, 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.

Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Marion, VA

This is one driving day of about 377.4 miles and 7h 3m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 83 miles from Marion, VA.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on I 81 for about 175 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 188.7 mi from Marion, VA · 3h 28m into the drive

town in Allegany County, Maryland, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Westernport, MD

189 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

Winston-Salem, NC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 83 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Westernport, MD

Meal break

The midpoint is around 188.7 miles from Marion, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 81 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 175 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.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$59.02 one way

$118.03 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 132 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.34	$64.53	$129.06
premium	$4.70	$69.85	$139.70
diesel	$5.61	$83.33	$166.65

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$59

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$84–$109

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 132 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $40 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	113.2	1	$39.63	$18.12
Efficient EV	94.4	1	$33.02	$15.10
EV Truck/SUV	151	1	$52.84	$24.15

Gas CO2

132 kg

EV CO2

44 kg (67% less)

Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.

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 data refreshed 5 days ago

Origin

Marion, VA

Late night in Marion on Wednesday

Local time

12:23 AM

EDT

Current temp

57°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Portsmouth, VA

Late night in Portsmouth on Wednesday

Local time

12:23 AM

EDT

Current temp

52°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

5 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

7h 3m on the road

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Marion, VA to Portsmouth, VA covers 377.4 miles and takes about 7h 3m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 81, 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 188.7 miles from Marion, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $59.02 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

Plan about 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Between Marion, VA and Portsmouth, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Suffolk and Chesapeake.

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Trip from Marion, VA to Portsmouth, VA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Portsmouth, VA

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Marion, VA

Portsmouth, VA

Same local time

5 degrees cooler at arrival

7h 3m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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