Trip from Portsmouth Heights, VA to Clintwood, VA

Drive Time

Distance

461.8 mi

743 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

2-day trip

Fuel Cost

$74

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 25 min

4 AM

8h 52m ★

6 AM

9h 0m

8 AM

9h 17m

10 AM

9h 6m

12 PM

9h 4m

3 PM

9h 7m

5 PM

9h 16m

8 PM

8h 55m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

Google Maps Waze Apple Maps

Download GPX

Portsmouth Heights, VA

Daniel Miller

Clintwood, VA

Eric Joseph

Trip Overview

Spanning 461.8 miles from Portsmouth Heights to Clintwood, this cross-state journey takes approximately 9 hours of drive time. Because of the significant distance, you should plan for at least 2 days on the road to avoid exhaustion. You will primarily utilize I-64, I-81, and the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway to traverse Virginia from the Southeast region toward the western mountains. Budgeting around $74 for fuel is a smart move before you head out. While the trip is feasible as a marathon drive, splitting your time allows for a much more comfortable experience.

Trip Pace

Best split across 2 days

Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.

Break Rhythm

2 planned breaks

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

Midpoint

230.9 miles from Portsmouth Heights, VA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 22m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a highway-focused drive, with 81% of your route consisting of interstate travel. You will spend a substantial amount of time on I-64, which features your longest uninterrupted stretch of 182.8 miles. The character of the road shifts as you transition from the coastal landscape to the more elevated, winding sections of the interior. While the interstates provide efficient travel, the final leg on the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway offers a different pace compared to the high-speed interstate segments. Be prepared for a mix of sustained highway cruising and changing road conditions as you head toward Clintwood.

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

There are about 40 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 182.8 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and I 81. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 18.9 miles in.

Route Complexity 9/10

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

This is a demanding drive. With 28 significant decision points across 461.8 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 18.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 82.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 82.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 28 key points

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

18.9 mi into trip | ~28m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 64 West: Williamsburg, Richmond

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

Use the slight left lane. Exit 1A Toward I 64 West: Williamsburg, Richmond

82.2 mi into trip | ~1h 38m in

Take the exit toward I 295, US 60: Washington, Rocky Mount NC

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 200 Toward I 295, US 60: Washington, Rocky Mount NC

82.6 mi into trip | ~1h 39m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 295 North: Washington

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 295 North: Washington

402.6 mi into trip | ~7h 31m in | Valley Street Northwest

At end of road, turn left onto Valley Street Northwest

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

430.9 mi into trip | ~8h 13m in | VA 270 / 4th Avenue

Turn right onto VA 270 / 4th Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

Towns Along This Route

Between Portsmouth Heights, VA and Clintwood, VA, road signs point toward Rocky Mount and Holston Dam.

Rocky Mount

82.2 mi in | ~1h 38m

Holston Dam

401.6 mi in | ~7h 29m | via US 58 ALT

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 64	182.8 mi	3h 20m
I 81	172.9 mi	3h 9m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway	22.6 mi	24m
US Highway 58	14.7 mi	20m
Dante Mountain Road	13.9 mi	20m
Porterfield Highway	10.3 mi	14m
Hampton Roads Beltway	9.7 mi	12m
Dante Road	8.9 mi	13m

Longest stretch: I 64 — 182.8 mi, about 3h 20m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Use the none lane.

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

Use the none lane.

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 47 sec

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

Merge onto I 664

3.5 mi · 4 min · Hampton Roads Beltway

Use the none lane.

Continue on I 664

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

Continue on I 664

6.2 mi · 7 min · Hampton Roads Beltway

Use the none lane.

Keep slight left at fork

0.7 mi · 53 sec

Exit 1A Toward I 64 West: Williamsburg, Richmond Use the slight left lane.

Merge onto I 64

1.4 mi · 1 min · I 64

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 64

61 mi · 1 hr 7 min · I 64

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 32 sec

Exit 200 Toward I 295, US 60: Washington, Rocky Mount NC Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork

1.3 mi · 2 min

Toward I 295 North: Washington Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 295

23 mi · 24 min · Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway

Use the none lane.

Keep slight right at fork

0.6 mi · 55 sec

Exit 53A Toward I 64 West: Charlottesville

Merge onto I 64

120 mi · 2 hr 10 min · I 64

Toward I 64 West: Charlottesville Use the none lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 81

117 mi · 2 hr 9 min · I 81

Use the straight lane.

Continue on I 77; I 81; US 52

1.3 mi · 1 min · I 77; I 81; US 52

Use the straight lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 81; US 52

56 mi · 59 min · I 81; US 52

Use the straight lane.

Take the exit onto US 58 ALT

0.2 mi · 25 sec · US 58 ALT

Toward US 58 Alternate, VA 75: Abingdon, South Holston Dam

Turn right onto US 58 ALT; VA 75

0.8 mi · 2 min · Cummings Street

Use the none lane.

At end of road, turn left onto Valley Street Northwest

0.3 mi · 48 sec · Valley Street Northwest

Use the left lane.

At end of road, turn right onto US 58 ALT

0.9 mi · 2 min · Russell Road Northwest

Use the right lane.

Turn slight right onto US 19; US 58 ALT

10 mi · 14 min · Porterfield Highway

Use the none lane.

Continue on US 19; US 58 ALT

1.9 mi · 2 min · US 19; US 58 ALT

Use the none lane.

Turn left onto US 58 ALT

15 mi · 20 min · US Highway 58

Use the left lane.

Continue on US 58 ALT

348 ft · 6 sec · Trail of the Lonesome Pine

Continue on US 58 ALT

0.2 mi · 20 sec · Castlewood Drive

Turn right onto VA 270

0.3 mi · 52 sec · 4th Avenue

Use the right lane.

Turn right onto VA 63

1.1 mi · 1 min · Wise Street

Continue on VA 63

8.9 mi · 13 min · Dante Road

Continue on VA 63

14 mi · 20 min · Dante Mountain Road

Turn sharp left onto VA 83

6.2 mi · 9 min · Dickenson Highway

Continue on VA 83

0.2 mi · 17 sec · Dickenson Highway

Enter roundabout onto SR 607

31 ft · 0 sec · Clintwood Main Street

Continue on SR 607

0.2 mi · 24 sec · Clintwood Main Street

Turn right onto Skeens Avenue

58 ft · 4 sec · Skeens Avenue

Arrive at destination

Skeens Avenue

Trip Plan

Planning for 2 stops is essential to maintain your energy levels over the course of this 9-hour trek. To make the most of your travel, consider departing early in the morning to beat potential congestion on the main corridors. Since the fuel cost is estimated at $74, keep an eye on your gauge during the 182.8-mile stretch on I-64 where services may be spaced further apart. Given the length of the trip, you might find it most manageable to split your overnight stay near the midpoint of the route. Always check your tire pressure and fluid levels before leaving Portsmouth Heights, as the varied elevations will put your vehicle to the test.

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.

This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.

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

The halfway point lands around 230.9 miles from Portsmouth Heights, VA, or about 4h 22m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 182.8 miles.

Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 102 miles or 2h 1m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 230.9 miles or 4h 22m in

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

Overnight split

Day 1 wrap after about 230.9 miles or 4h 22m

Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 7h 29m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Clintwood, 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.

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

Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Portsmouth Heights, VA

Aim for roughly 231 miles and 4.5 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 2

Finish the approach into Clintwood, VA

Aim for roughly 231 miles and 4.5 hours of wheel time on this day.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 102 miles from Portsmouth Heights, VA.

This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.

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

The longest stretch is on I 64 for about 182.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 230.9 mi from Portsmouth Heights, VA · 4h 22m into the drive

Mid-route town

Overnight candidate

Winston-Salem, NC

231 mi into the route

Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start

This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.

Find hotels in Winston-Salem, NC

Overnight Options

Night 1

Winston-Salem, NC

231 mi · about 4.5h in

A practical overnight split lands near Winston-Salem, NC after about 231 miles or 4.5 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Pacing Suggestions

Middletown, MD

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 102 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Oakland, MD

Meal break

The midpoint is around 230.9 miles from Portsmouth Heights, 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 182.8 miles.

Overnight split

Hotel stop

For a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 231 miles or 4.5 hours on the road.

Arriving in Clintwood, VA

The final approach into Clintwood, 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 Clintwood, VA.

On a multi-day trip, keep the last day a little lighter so you reach Clintwood, VA with some flexibility left in the schedule.

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

$73.91 one way

$147.81 round trip

$4.07/gal 25.4 MPG avg 162 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.43	$80.52	$161.05
premium	$4.78	$86.87	$173.74
diesel	$5.64	$102.60	$205.19

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$74

Hotel (1n)

$80–$140

Meals

$50–$100

Total

$204–$314

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 161.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $48 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	138.5	1	$48.49	$22.17
Efficient EV	115.5	1	$40.41	$18.47
EV Truck/SUV	184.7	2	$64.65	$29.56

Gas CO2

162 kg

EV CO2

54 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 2 days ago

Origin

Portsmouth Heights, VA

Evening in Portsmouth Heights on Sunday

Local time

6:30 PM

EDT

Current temp

66°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Clintwood, VA

Evening in Clintwood on Sunday

Local time

6:30 PM

EDT

Current temp

58°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.

For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.

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

8 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

9h on the road

This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.

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 Clintwood, VA covers 461.8 miles and takes about 9h without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 64, I 81, Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.

Yes. This route is usually more comfortable as a 2-day drive. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 231 miles on day one.

The midpoint is about 230.9 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 $73.91 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 Portsmouth Heights, VA and Clintwood, VA, road signs point toward Rocky Mount and Holston Dam.

Was this route helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Continue From Clintwood, VA

Virginia Beach, VA 476.1 mi · 9h 17m Chesapeake, VA 464.9 mi · 9h 5m Haysi, VA 15.5 mi · 27m

More from Portsmouth Heights, VA

Christiansburg, VA 305.7 mi · 5h 48m Cana, VA 300.9 mi · 6h 2m Buchanan, VA 252.8 mi · 4h 47m Cedar Bluff, VA 238.4 mi · 5h 19m Gainesville, VA 191.4 mi · 3h 51m Bristow, VA 182 mi · 3h 39m

Explore more options from Portsmouth Heights, VA or browse trips ending in Clintwood, VA.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse VA road trips.

Explore maps for Portsmouth Heights, VA or Clintwood, VA on MapSof.net.