Origin
Portsmouth, VA
Night in Portsmouth on Sunday
Local time
10:06 PM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Portsmouth, VA to Hampton, VA
Drive Time
34m
Distance
18.3 mi
29 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 31m
★
6 AM
0h 34m
8 AM
0h 40m
10 AM
0h 36m
12 PM
0h 36m
3 PM
0h 37m
5 PM
0h 40m
8 PM
0h 33m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Portsmouth, VA
Charles Miller
Hampton, VA
Sarah O'Shea
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a quick connection between Portsmouth and Hampton, this 18.3-mile trip is a straightforward transit across Southeast Virginia. You can easily complete the drive in about 34 minutes, making it a perfect one-day excursion that requires no overnight stops. Budgeting approximately $3 for fuel covers the trip, keeping costs minimal for your commute. Since there are no planned stops along the way, the journey is purely functional rather than a leisurely tour. It is an ideal route for those needing to move efficiently between these two cities without any unnecessary detours.
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
9.1 miles from Portsmouth, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 19m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive as you navigate through the area’s infrastructure. The route relies on a mix of thoroughfares, including Granby Street and the Hampton Roads Beltway, with about 11 miles spent on highways. While you will experience a brief 4.5-mile stretch on the beltway, much of the path requires your full attention due to the frequent turns. You will also navigate the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel, which adds a distinct element to the driving experience. Overall, the road transitions from local streets to major transit arteries, shifting the pace of your drive as you progress toward your destination.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 21 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Hampton Roads Beltway is the longest continuous segment at about 4.5 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 0.1 miles in near Court Street.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 18.3 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 0.1 miles (Court Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 2.2 miles (US 460 ALT): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Court Street
Turn left onto Court Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / none lanes.
6
0.7 mi into trip
|
~1m in
Take the ramp
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
9
2.2 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
US 460 ALT
Keep slight left at fork onto US 460 ALT toward Waterside Drive, St Paul's Boulevard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 9
Toward Waterside Drive, St Paul's Boulevard
8
2.4 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
US 460 ALT
Keep slight left at fork onto US 460 ALT toward Saint Paul's Boulevard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Saint Paul's Boulevard
8
16.8 mi into trip
|
~30m in
|
US 60
Take the exit onto US 60 toward US 60, VA 143: Woodland Road, Hampton University
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 267
Toward US 60, VA 143: Woodland Road, Hampton Un...
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Portsmouth, VA to Hampton, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Hampton University along the way.
Hampton University
16.8 mi in
|
~30m
|
via US 60
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Hampton Roads Beltway | 4.5 mi | 6m |
| Granby Street | 4 mi | 9m |
| Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel | 3.5 mi | 4m |
| I 264 | 1.4 mi | 3m |
| Monticello Avenue | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Settlers Landing Road | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| Saint Pauls Boulevard | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| US 460 ALT | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Hampton Roads Beltway
— 4.5 mi, about 6m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Portsmouth, VA and Hampton, VA.
1
Start on High Street
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
High Street
2
Turn left onto Court Street
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
Court Street
Use the left / none lanes.
3
Turn right onto Pavilion Drive
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
·
Pavilion Drive
4
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
Use the none lane.
5
Merge onto I 264; US 460 ALT
1.4 mi
·
3 min
·
I 264; US 460 ALT
Use the none lane.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto US 460 ALT
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
US 460 ALT
Exit 9
Toward Waterside Drive, St Paul's Boulevard
Use the slight left lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto US 460 ALT
0.3 mi
·
53 sec
·
US 460 ALT
Toward Saint Paul's Boulevard
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
8
Turn right onto US 460 ALT
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Saint Pauls Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Continue on US 460
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Monticello Avenue
Use the none lane.
10
Turn left onto US 460
486 ft
·
13 sec
·
Church Street
11
Continue on US 460
4.0 mi
·
9 min
·
Granby Street
Use the left / none lanes.
12
Turn left
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Toward I 64
13
Merge onto I 64
3.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Hampton Roads Beltway
Use the none lane.
14
Continue on I 64; US 60
3.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
15
Continue on I 64; US 60
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Hampton Roads Beltway
Use the none lane.
16
Take the exit onto US 60
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
·
US 60
Exit 267
Toward US 60, VA 143: Woodland Road, Hampton University
Use the slight right lane.
17
Turn left onto US 60; VA 143
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Settlers Landing Road
Use the left / none lanes.
18
Turn right onto Wine Street
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
Wine Street
19
At end of road, turn left onto Lincoln Street
383 ft
·
22 sec
·
Lincoln Street
20
Turn right onto North King Street
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
North King Street
21
Arrive at destination
North King Street
Trip Plan
Given the short 34-minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around local traffic patterns. Since this route involves the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel, stay alert to potential congestion that could impact your travel time. You will not need to plan for rest stops or food breaks, so feel free to head out whenever it best suits your schedule. Keep a close eye on your GPS as you transition between Granby Street and the beltway to ensure you don't miss any critical turns. This simple, direct path is best treated as a quick transit rather than a scenic tour, so keep your focus on the road ahead.
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 9.1 miles from Portsmouth, VA, or about 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 4.5 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 18.3 miles or 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 9.1 miles or 19m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hampton, 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 18.3 miles and 34m.
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 Hampton Roads Beltway for about 4.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 9.1 mi from Portsmouth, VA · 19m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
9 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 18.3 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 9.1 miles from Portsmouth, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Hampton, VA
The final approach into Hampton, 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 Hampton, 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
$2.93 one way
$5.86 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
6 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $3.19 | $6.38 |
| premium | $4.78 | $3.44 | $6.88 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $4.07 | $8.13 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$28–$53
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 6.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 5.5 | 0 | $1.92 | $0.88 |
| Efficient EV | 4.6 | 0 | $1.60 | $0.73 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 7.3 | 0 | $2.56 | $1.17 |
Gas CO2
6 kg
EV CO2
2 kg (67% 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
Hampton, VA
Night in Hampton on Sunday
Local time
10:06 PM
EDT
Current temp
67°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.
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
34m 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 Hampton, VA covers 18.3 miles and takes about 34m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Hampton Roads Beltway, Granby Street, Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 9.1 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 $2.93 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 is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 18.3 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Court Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 2.2 miles (US 460 ALT): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Portsmouth, VA to Hampton, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Hampton University along the way.
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