Trip from Portsmouth, VA to Aquia Harbour, VA

Drive Time

3h 5m

Distance

159.4 mi

257 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$26

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 35 min

4 AM

2h 54m ★

6 AM

3h 5m

8 AM

3h 29m

10 AM

3h 14m

12 PM

3h 11m

3 PM

3h 15m

5 PM

3h 27m

8 PM

2h 59m

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, VA

Charles Miller

Aquia Harbour, VA

David Kanigan

Trip Overview

Traveling from Portsmouth to Aquia Harbour covers 159.4 miles and typically takes about 3 hours and 5 minutes. Because this is a relatively short trip, it is perfectly suited for a single-day journey, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $26 on fuel, making it a budget-friendly option for a quick getaway within Virginia. Navigating primarily via I-64 and I-95, you will transition through the Southeast region of the state. It is a straightforward, highway-focused drive that prioritizes efficiency over local backroads. Whether you are heading north for a visit or returning home, this route offers a reliable path that gets you to your destination without unnecessary complications.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

79.7 miles from Portsmouth, VA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 34m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a trip dominated by high-speed interstate travel, as 78% of your journey stays on major highways like the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway. You will settle into a consistent rhythm quickly, with your longest uninterrupted stretch lasting 62.5 miles along I-64. The route feels like a standard interstate grind, prioritizing speed and connectivity rather than winding scenery or technical turns. As you move from the coastal environment of Portsmouth toward the northern parts of the state, the traffic patterns shift alongside the transition to I-95. Staying focused is key during these long, straight highway segments, which allow you to cover significant ground in a relatively short amount of time.

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

There are about 30 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 62.5 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and I 95. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 8.5 miles in.

Route Complexity 10/10

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

This is a demanding drive. With 25 significant decision points across 159.4 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 8.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 21.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 84.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 25 key points

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

8.5 mi into trip | ~12m in

Keep slight right at fork toward VA 135 North: College Drive

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward VA 135 North: College Drive

21.4 mi into trip | ~29m 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

84.7 mi into trip | ~1h 39m 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

85.1 mi into trip | ~1h 40m 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

98.3 mi into trip | ~1h 55m in

Take the exit toward I 95 North: Washington

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

Use the slight left lane. Exit 43A Toward I 95 North: Washington

Towns Along This Route

Between Portsmouth, VA and Aquia Harbour, VA, road signs point toward Hampton, Richmond and Rocky Mount.

Hampton

9.7 mi in | ~14m

Richmond

21.4 mi in | ~29m

Rocky Mount

84.7 mi in | ~1h 39m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 64	62.5 mi	1h 9m
I 95	56.1 mi	1h 1m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway	11.9 mi	12m
Hampton Roads Beltway	7 mi	8m
Western Freeway	6 mi	8m
Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel	4.3 mi	5m
London Boulevard	1.1 mi	1m
College Drive	1.1 mi	1m

Longest stretch: I 64 — 62.5 mi, about 1h 9m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on High Street

0.5 mi · 56 sec · High Street

Turn right onto VA 141

0.1 mi · 11 sec · Effingham Street

Turn left onto VA 141

1.1 mi · 1 min · London Boulevard

Use the none lane.

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 18 sec

Toward US 58, VA 164: Western Freeway, Midtown Tunnel Use the slight right lane.

Merge onto US 58; VA 164

0.3 mi · 34 sec · Martin Luther King Freeway

Use the none lane.

Continue on VA 164

6.0 mi · 8 min · Western Freeway

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 14 sec

Toward VA 135: College Drive Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight right at fork

0.1 mi · 10 sec

Toward VA 135 North: College Drive Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Turn straight onto VA 135

1.1 mi · 1 min · College Drive

Use the left / none lanes.

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 57 sec

Toward I 664 North: Newport News, Hampton

Merge onto I 664

0.8 mi · 1 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

12 mi · 12 min · Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

2.4 mi · 2 min

Exit 43A Toward I 95 North: Washington Use the slight left lane.

Merge onto I 95

46 mi · 49 min · I 95

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 95; US 17

1.6 mi · 1 min · I 95; US 17

Keep slight left at fork

1.0 mi · 1 min

Merge onto I 95

8.8 mi · 10 min · I 95

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 45 sec

Exit 143A Toward US 1: Aquia Use the slight right lane.

Turn left onto US 1

0.2 mi · 33 sec · Richmond Highway

Use the left lane.

Turn right onto Washington Drive

0.5 mi · 1 min · Washington Drive

Use the right lane.

Turn left onto Richmond Drive

0.5 mi · 1 min · Richmond Drive

At end of road, turn right onto Aquia Drive

376 ft · 10 sec · Aquia Drive

Arrive at destination

Aquia Drive

Trip Plan

To keep your trip stress-free, plan for at least one dedicated stop to break up the 3-hour drive. Given the highway-heavy nature of the route, try to avoid peak commuting hours on I-95 to minimize potential congestion delays. Since fuel costs hover around $26, filling up your tank before you depart Portsmouth will help you avoid fluctuations in gas prices along the corridor. Because this is a manageable day trip, you have the flexibility to depart whenever fits your schedule best, but an early morning start is often the smartest way to ensure a smooth arrival. Keep an eye on your dashboard for the 62.5-mile stretch on I-64, and ensure you have your favorite audio entertainment ready for that long, steady segment.

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 79.7 miles from Portsmouth, VA, or about 1h 34m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 62.5 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 34m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 79.7 miles or 1h 34m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 31m

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

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Portsmouth, 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, VA

This is one driving day of about 159.4 miles and 3h 5m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Portsmouth, 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 I 64 for about 62.5 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 79.7 mi from Portsmouth, VA · 1h 34m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Middletown, MD

80 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 79.7 miles from Portsmouth, 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 62.5 miles.

Arriving in Aquia Harbour, VA

The final approach into Aquia Harbour, 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 Aquia Harbour, 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

$25.51 one way

$51.02 round trip

$4.07/gal 25.4 MPG avg 56 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.43	$27.79	$55.59
premium	$4.78	$29.98	$59.97
diesel	$5.64	$35.41	$70.83

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$26

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$51–$76

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 55.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	47.8	$16.74	$7.65
Efficient EV	39.9	$13.95	$6.38
EV Truck/SUV	63.8	$22.32	$10.20

Gas CO2

56 kg

EV CO2

19 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 3 days ago

Origin

Portsmouth, VA

Evening in Portsmouth on Sunday

Local time

5:20 PM

EDT

Current temp

67°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Aquia Harbour, VA

Evening in Aquia Harbour on Sunday

Local time

5:20 PM

EDT

Current temp

68°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

86°F

Middletown, MD

80 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

1 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

3h 5m 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, VA to Aquia Harbour, VA covers 159.4 miles and takes about 3h 5m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 64, I 95, 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 79.7 miles from Portsmouth, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $25.51 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Between Portsmouth, VA and Aquia Harbour, VA, road signs point toward Hampton, Richmond and Rocky Mount.

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Trip from Portsmouth, VA to Aquia Harbour, VA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Aquia Harbour, VA

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Portsmouth, VA

Aquia Harbour, VA

Same local time

1 degrees warmer at arrival

3h 5m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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