Origin
Portsmouth, VA
Late night in Portsmouth on Wednesday
Local time
3:48 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Portsmouth, VA to Bellwood, VA
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
1h 58m
Distance
87.4 mi
141 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 50m
★
6 AM
1h 58m
8 AM
2h 15m
10 AM
2h 4m
12 PM
2h 2m
3 PM
2h 5m
5 PM
2h 14m
8 PM
1h 53m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Portsmouth, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Bellwood, VA
Francesco Ungaro
Trip Overview
The drive from Portsmouth, VA to Bellwood, VA covers 87.4 miles and takes about 1h 58m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on James River Drive, Colonial Trail West, Benns Church Boulevard for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 14.6 miles on James River Drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $13.67 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
43.7 miles from Portsmouth, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a 1h 58m drive with frequent turns across 87.4 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 22 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 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in near VA 141 / London Boulevard.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 87.4 miles you will encounter 12 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 0.6 miles (VA 141 / London Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 81.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0.6 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
VA 141 / London Boulevard
Turn left onto VA 141 / London Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
1.7 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Take the ramp toward US 58, VA 164: Western Freeway, Midtown Tunnel
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 58, VA 164: Western Freeway, Midtown...
6
81.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 49m in
Take the exit toward I 95 North: Richmond
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 95 North: Richmond
7
85.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 54m in
Take the exit toward SR 613: Willis Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 64
Toward SR 613: Willis Road
6
85.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 55m in
|
US 1; US 301 / Route 1
Turn right onto US 1; US 301 / Route 1
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right 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 |
| Western Freeway | 7.4 mi | 9m |
| East Hundred Road | 6.6 mi | 9m |
| Bridge Road | 6.5 mi | 11m |
| Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike | 3.2 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
James River Drive
— 14.6 mi, about 19m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Portsmouth, VA and Bellwood, VA.
1
Start on High Street
0.5 mi
·
56 sec
·
High Street
2
Turn right onto VA 141
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
Effingham Street
3
Turn left onto VA 141
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
London Boulevard
Use the right lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
Toward US 58, VA 164: Western Freeway, Midtown Tunnel
Use the slight right lane.
5
Merge onto US 58; VA 164
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
Martin Luther King Freeway
6
Continue on VA 164
7.4 mi
·
9 min
·
Western Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on US 17
6.5 mi
·
11 min
·
Bridge Road
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on US 17
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Carrollton Boulevard
9
Turn left onto Brewers Neck Boulevard
2.9 mi
·
4 min
·
Brewers Neck Boulevard
10
Merge onto US 258; VA 10
12 mi
·
15 min
·
Benns Church Boulevard
11
Continue on VA 10
9.9 mi
·
11 min
·
Colonial Trail East
12
Turn left onto VA 10; VA 31
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Rolfe Highway
13
Turn right onto VA 10
13 mi
·
15 min
·
Colonial Trail West
14
Continue on VA 10
15 mi
·
19 min
·
James River Drive
15
Continue on VA 10; VA 156 BUS
2.9 mi
·
4 min
·
East Randolph Road
16
Continue on VA 10
6.6 mi
·
9 min
·
East Hundred Road
Use the left lane.
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Toward I 95 North: Richmond
Use the right lane.
18
Merge onto I 95
3.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
19
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
25 sec
Exit 64
Toward SR 613: Willis Road
Use the slight right lane.
20
Turn left onto SR 613
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
·
Willis Road
21
Turn right onto US 1; US 301
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Route 1
Use the right lane.
22
Arrive at destination
US 1; US 301
Trip Plan
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 43.7 miles from Portsmouth, VA, or about 1h 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 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 43.7 miles or 1h 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 38m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bellwood, 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 87.4 miles and 1h 58m.
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.
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 43.7 mi from Portsmouth, VA · 1h into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
44 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 43.7 miles from Portsmouth, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Bellwood, VA
The final approach into Bellwood, 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 Bellwood, 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
$13.67 one way
$27.33 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
31 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $14.94 | $29.89 |
| premium | $4.70 | $16.18 | $32.35 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $19.30 | $38.59 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.22
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
(3.2 mi)
$0.22
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
$14
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 30.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 26.2 | 0 | $9.18 | $4.20 |
| Efficient EV | 21.9 | 0 | $7.65 | $3.50 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 35 | 0 | $12.24 | $5.59 |
Gas CO2
31 kg
EV CO2
10 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
Bellwood, VA
Late night in Bellwood on Wednesday
Local time
3:48 AM
EDT
Current temp
87°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
86°F
Middletown, MD
44 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
18 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 58m 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 Bellwood, VA covers 87.4 miles and takes about 1h 58m 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 43.7 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 $13.67 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 87.4 miles you will encounter 12 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 0.6 miles (VA 141 / London Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 81.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Portsmouth, VA to Bellwood, VA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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