Trip from Portsmouth Heights, VA to Amherst, VA

Data updated 1 hour ago

Drive Time

4h 8m

Distance

185.7 mi

299 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$29

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

3h 55m ★

6 AM

4h 9m

8 AM

4h 35m

10 AM

4h 18m

12 PM

4h 15m

3 PM

4h 19m

5 PM

4h 33m

8 PM

4h 1m

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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Portsmouth Heights, VA

Daniel Miller

Amherst, VA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Portsmouth Heights, VA to Amherst, VA covers 185.7 miles and takes about 4h 8m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Anderson Highway, World War II Veterans Memorial Highway, West James Anderson Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 40.8 miles on Anderson Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $29.04 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

92.9 miles from Portsmouth Heights, VA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 6m into the drive .

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Drive Character

Expect a 4h 8m drive with frequent turns across 185.7 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.

There are about 37 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

Anderson Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 40.8 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.5 miles in near Taylor Road.

Route Complexity 10/10

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

This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 185.7 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 2.5 miles (Taylor Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 80.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 20 key points

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

2.5 mi into trip | ~5m in | Taylor Road

Turn right onto Taylor Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

6 mi into trip | ~12m in

Take the exit toward US 17 North: Bridge Road

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane. Exit 9A Toward US 17 North: Bridge Road

80.6 mi into trip | ~1h 51m in

Take the exit toward VA 288 North: Chesterfield

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 62 Toward VA 288 North: Chesterfield

100.9 mi into trip | ~2h 16m in

Take the exit toward US 60: Midlothian, Powhatan

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

Use the slight right lane. Toward US 60: Midlothian, Powhatan

101.5 mi into trip | ~2h 17m in

Keep slight right at fork toward US 60 West: Powhatan

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane. Toward US 60 West: Powhatan

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

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

On the drive from Portsmouth Heights, VA to Amherst, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Powhatan along the way.

Powhatan

100.9 mi in | ~2h 16m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Anderson Highway	40.8 mi	53m
World War II Veterans Memorial Highway	19.6 mi	22m
West James Anderson Highway	17.1 mi	22m
Richmond Highway	14.7 mi	20m
James River Drive	14.6 mi	19m
Colonial Trail West	13.3 mi	15m
Benns Church Boulevard	12.1 mi	15m
Colonial Trail East	9.9 mi	11m

Longest stretch: Anderson Highway — 40.8 mi, about 53m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on Vick Street

143 ft · 6 sec · Vick Street

Continue on Vick Street

320 ft · 17 sec · Vick Street

Turn left onto Byers Avenue

0.3 mi · 1 min · Byers Avenue

Turn right onto VA 337

2.1 mi · 4 min · Portsmouth Boulevard

Turn right onto Taylor Road

2.0 mi · 4 min · Taylor Road

Use the right lane.

Turn left onto Pughsville Road

525 ft · 16 sec · Pughsville Road

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 47 sec

Toward I 664 North: Newport News Use the slight right lane.

Merge onto I 664

1.1 mi · 1 min · Hampton Roads Beltway

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 53 sec

Exit 9A Toward US 17 North: Bridge Road Use the right lane.

Merge onto VA 164

0.6 mi · 44 sec · Western Freeway

Continue on US 17

6.5 mi · 11 min · Bridge Road

Use the straight lane.

Continue on US 17

2.4 mi · 3 min · Carrollton Boulevard

Turn left onto Brewers Neck Boulevard

2.9 mi · 4 min · Brewers Neck Boulevard

Merge onto US 258; VA 10

12 mi · 15 min · Benns Church Boulevard

Continue on VA 10

9.9 mi · 11 min · Colonial Trail East

Turn left onto VA 10; VA 31

1.0 mi · 1 min · Rolfe Highway

Turn right onto VA 10

13 mi · 15 min · Colonial Trail West

Continue on VA 10

15 mi · 19 min · James River Drive

Continue on VA 10; VA 156 BUS

2.9 mi · 4 min · East Randolph Road

Continue on VA 10

6.6 mi · 9 min · East Hundred Road

Use the left lane.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 42 sec

Toward I 95 North: Richmond Use the right lane.

Merge onto I 95

1.1 mi · 1 min · Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min

Exit 62 Toward VA 288 North: Chesterfield Use the slight right lane.

Continue on VA 288

20 mi · 22 min · World War II Veterans Memorial Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 37 sec

Toward US 60: Midlothian, Powhatan Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 39 sec

Toward US 60: Powhatan

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 43 sec

Toward US 60 West: Powhatan Use the right lane.

Merge onto US 60

2.8 mi · 3 min · Midlothian Turnpike

Use the straight lane.

Continue on US 60

37 mi · 48 min · Anderson Highway

Continue on US 60

8.1 mi · 9 min · East James Anderson Highway

Continue on US 60

17 mi · 22 min · West James Anderson Highway

Continue on US 60

4.1 mi · 5 min · Anderson Highway

Continue on US 60

15 mi · 20 min · Richmond Highway

Turn sharp left onto SR T1112

432 ft · 14 sec · Washington Street

Turn right onto 2nd Street

0.2 mi · 35 sec · 2nd Street

Turn right onto Goodwin Street

146 ft · 6 sec · Goodwin Street

Arrive at destination

Goodwin 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 92.9 miles from Portsmouth Heights, VA, or about 2h 6m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 40.8 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 80 miles or 1h 51m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 92.9 miles or 2h 6m 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 23m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Amherst, VA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Portsmouth 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 Portsmouth Heights, VA

This is one driving day of about 185.7 miles and 4h 8m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Portsmouth Heights, 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 Anderson Highway for about 40.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 92.9 mi from Portsmouth Heights, VA · 2h 6m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Middletown, MD

93 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

Middletown, MD

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Middletown, MD

Meal break

The midpoint is around 92.9 miles from Portsmouth Heights, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Amherst, VA

The final approach into Amherst, 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 Amherst, VA.

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$29.04 one way

$58.08 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 65 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.34	$31.75	$63.50
premium	$4.70	$34.37	$68.74
diesel	$5.61	$41.00	$82.00

Estimated Tolls: $0.28

Midlothian Turnpike (2.8 mi) $0.20

Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike (1.1 mi) $0.08

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

$29

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$54–$79

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 65 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	55.7	$19.50	$8.91
Efficient EV	46.4	$16.25	$7.43
EV Truck/SUV	74.3	$26.00	$11.88

Gas CO2

65 kg

EV CO2

22 kg (66% 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 data refreshed 50 minutes from now

Origin

Portsmouth Heights, VA

Late night in Portsmouth Heights on Wednesday

Local time

5:33 AM

EDT

Current temp

69°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Amherst, VA

Late night in Amherst on Wednesday

Local time

5:33 AM

EDT

Current temp

65°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

86°F

Middletown, MD

93 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

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

4 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

4h 8m on the road

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Portsmouth Heights, VA to Amherst, VA covers 185.7 miles and takes about 4h 8m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Anderson Highway, World War II Veterans Memorial Highway, West James Anderson Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 92.9 miles from Portsmouth Heights, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $29.04 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

On the drive from Portsmouth Heights, VA to Amherst, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Powhatan along the way.

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Trip from Portsmouth Heights, VA to Amherst, 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 Amherst, VA

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Portsmouth Heights, VA

Amherst, VA

Same local time

4 degrees cooler at arrival

4h 8m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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