Origin
Portsmouth Heights, VA
Evening in Portsmouth Heights on Sunday
Local time
5:20 PM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Portsmouth Heights, VA to Colonial Heights, VA
Drive Time
1h 53m
Distance
80.3 mi
129 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 45m
★
6 AM
1h 53m
8 AM
2h 10m
10 AM
1h 59m
12 PM
1h 57m
3 PM
2h 0m
5 PM
2h 9m
8 PM
1h 48m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Portsmouth Heights, VA
Daniel Miller
Colonial Heights, VA
Pavan Sai .D
Trip Overview
If you are looking to travel between Portsmouth Heights and Colonial Heights, this 80.3-mile journey serves as a straightforward day trip. Expect to spend approximately 1 hour and 53 minutes behind the wheel as you navigate through the Southeast region of Virginia. With a fuel cost estimate of $13, it is an affordable excursion that does not require an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via James River Drive, Colonial Trail West, and Benns Church Boulevard. Since the route involves no mandatory stops, it is well-suited for travelers who prefer a direct, continuous drive.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
40.1 miles from Portsmouth Heights, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 59m into the drive .
Drive Character
Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive that prioritizes backroads over high-speed interstate travel. Only 5% of this route consists of highway driving, meaning you will spend the vast majority of your time on local thoroughfares. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 14.6-mile segment along James River Drive. Because of the technical nature of the turns, you should anticipate a more engaging, hands-on experience than a standard highway cruise. This path is ideal if you prefer navigating regional connections over the monotonous pace of a major expressway.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 29 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
James River Drive is the longest continuous segment at about 14.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 17 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near VA 337 / Portsmouth Boulevard.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 80.3 miles you will encounter 17 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (VA 337 / Portsmouth Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; 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.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.3 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
VA 337 / Portsmouth Boulevard
Turn right onto VA 337 / Portsmouth Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
6
2.5 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
Taylor Road
Turn right onto Taylor Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
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
6
70.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 38m in
|
VA 156 Business / Winston Churchill Drive
Turn left onto VA 156 Business / Winston Churchill Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
6
79.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 51m in
|
East Ellerslie Avenue
Turn left onto East Ellerslie Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Bridge Road | 6.5 mi | 11m |
| VA 144 | 3.7 mi | 6m |
| Brewers Neck Boulevard | 2.9 mi | 4m |
| Carrollton Boulevard | 2.4 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
James River Drive
— 14.6 mi, about 19m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Portsmouth Heights, VA and Colonial Heights, VA.
1
Start on Vick Street
143 ft
·
6 sec
·
Vick Street
2
Continue on Vick Street
320 ft
·
17 sec
·
Vick Street
3
Turn left onto Byers Avenue
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Byers Avenue
4
Turn right onto VA 337
2.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Portsmouth Boulevard
Use the none lane.
5
Turn right onto Taylor Road
2.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Taylor Road
Use the right lane.
6
Turn left onto Pughsville Road
525 ft
·
16 sec
·
Pughsville Road
Use the none lane.
7
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
Toward I 664 North: Newport News
Use the slight right lane.
8
Merge onto I 664
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Hampton Roads Beltway
Use the none lane.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
53 sec
Exit 9A
Toward US 17 North: Bridge Road
Use the right lane.
10
Merge onto VA 164
0.6 mi
·
44 sec
·
Western Freeway
Use the none lane.
11
Continue on US 17
6.5 mi
·
11 min
·
Bridge Road
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on US 17
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Carrollton Boulevard
13
Turn left onto Brewers Neck Boulevard
2.9 mi
·
4 min
·
Brewers Neck Boulevard
Use the none lane.
14
Merge onto US 258; VA 10
12 mi
·
15 min
·
Benns Church Boulevard
Use the none lane.
15
Continue on VA 10
9.9 mi
·
11 min
·
Colonial Trail East
16
Turn left onto VA 10; VA 31
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Rolfe Highway
17
Turn right onto VA 10
13 mi
·
15 min
·
Colonial Trail West
18
Continue on VA 10
15 mi
·
19 min
·
James River Drive
19
Continue on VA 10; VA 156 BUS
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
East Randolph Road
20
Turn left onto VA 156 Business
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Winston Churchill Drive
Use the none lane.
21
Continue on VA 36
0.4 mi
·
26 sec
·
Oaklawn Boulevard
Use the none lane.
22
Continue on VA 36
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Woodlawn Street
Use the none lane.
23
Continue on VA 36
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Oaklawn Boulevard
Use the none lane.
24
Continue on VA 36
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
East Washington Street
25
Turn right onto VA 144
3.7 mi
·
6 min
·
VA 144
Use the left lane.
26
Turn right onto Conduit Road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Conduit Road
Use the right lane.
27
Turn left onto East Ellerslie Avenue
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
East Ellerslie Avenue
Use the none lane.
28
Turn left
257 ft
·
18 sec
29
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Because this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience without worrying about complex scheduling. Keep in mind that the turn-heavy nature of the route requires your full attention, so plan for a steady pace rather than rushing. Since there are no scheduled stops in the data, ensure your vehicle is fueled up before you leave to cover the $13 estimated cost comfortably. If you find yourself needing a break, look for opportunities to pull over along the local roads early, as the longest 14.6-mile stretch is the only portion where you might feel locked into a specific path for an extended period.
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 40.1 miles from Portsmouth Heights, VA, or about 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 14.6 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 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 40.1 miles or 59m 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 34m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Colonial Heights, 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 80.3 miles and 1h 53m.
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.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on James River Drive for about 14.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 40.1 mi from Portsmouth Heights, VA · 59m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
40 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 40.1 miles from Portsmouth Heights, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Colonial Heights, VA
The final approach into Colonial Heights, 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 Colonial Heights, 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
$12.85 one way
$25.70 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
28 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $14.00 | $28.00 |
| premium | $4.78 | $15.11 | $30.21 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $17.84 | $35.68 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 24.1 | 0 | $8.43 | $3.85 |
| Efficient EV | 20.1 | 0 | $7.03 | $3.21 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 32.1 | 0 | $11.24 | $5.14 |
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (68% 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.
Destination
Colonial Heights, VA
Evening in Colonial Heights on Sunday
Local time
5:20 PM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
86°F
Middletown, MD
40 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
2 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
1h 53m 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 Portsmouth Heights, VA to Colonial Heights, VA covers 80.3 miles and takes about 1h 53m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are James River Drive, Colonial Trail West, Benns Church Boulevard. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 40.1 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 $12.85 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 80.3 miles you will encounter 17 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (VA 337 / Portsmouth Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; 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.
The route from Portsmouth Heights, VA to Colonial Heights, VA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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Return Trip
Colonial Heights, VA to Portsmouth Heights, VAPlan the drive back the other way.
81.3 mi
1h 52m
Continue From Colonial Heights, VA
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