Origin
Portsmouth, VA
Evening in Portsmouth on Friday
Local time
6:59 PM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Portsmouth, VA to Montclair, VA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 19m
Distance
171 mi
275 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$27
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 7m
★
6 AM
3h 19m
8 AM
3h 43m
10 AM
3h 28m
12 PM
3h 25m
3 PM
3h 29m
5 PM
3h 42m
8 PM
3h 12m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Portsmouth, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Montclair, VA
RITESH SINGH
Trip Overview
Portsmouth, VA to Montclair, VA is 171 miles and takes about 3 hours 19 minutes via I 95, I 64, and Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, with a fuel budget near $27 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Southeast region, primarily within Virginia. Expect a straightforward highway-focused drive that's ideal for a single-day journey. Given the relatively short distance and manageable duration, this route is a practical option for getting from point A to point B efficiently.
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
85.5 miles from Portsmouth, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 40m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 19m. Total distance: 171 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (79%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 79% of the journey utilizing major interstates. You'll encounter the longest uninterrupted stretch at 66 miles on I 95. The primary roads include I 95, I 64, and the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, indicating a consistent pace for most of the trip. The character is largely that of a functional interstate drive, designed for efficient travel between locations.
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 95 is the longest continuous segment at about 66 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and I 64. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 8.5 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 171 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 23 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
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
9
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
8
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
7
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
7
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 Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Portsmouth, VA and Montclair, 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 95 | 66 mi | 1h 13m |
| I 64 | 62.5 mi | 1h 9m |
| 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 |
| Dumfries Road | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| London Boulevard | 1.1 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 66 mi, about 1h 13m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Portsmouth, VA and Montclair, 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
6.0 mi
·
8 min
·
Western Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
Toward VA 135: College Drive
Use the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
Toward VA 135 North: College Drive
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
9
Turn straight onto VA 135
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
College Drive
Use the left lane.
10
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
57 sec
Toward I 664 North: Newport News, Hampton
11
Merge onto I 664
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Hampton Roads Beltway
12
Continue on I 664
4.3 mi
·
5 min
·
Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel
13
Continue on I 664
6.2 mi
·
7 min
·
Hampton Roads Beltway
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi
·
53 sec
Exit 1A
Toward I 64 West: Williamsburg, Richmond
Use the slight left lane.
15
Merge onto I 64
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64
61 mi
·
1 hr 7 min
·
I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
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.
18
Keep slight right at fork
1.3 mi
·
2 min
Toward I 295 North: Washington
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Merge onto I 295
12 mi
·
12 min
·
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
20
Take the exit
2.4 mi
·
2 min
Exit 43A
Toward I 95 North: Washington
Use the slight left lane.
21
Merge onto I 95
46 mi
·
49 min
·
I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight right at fork onto I 95; US 17
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
I 95; US 17
23
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi
·
1 min
24
Merge onto I 95
19 mi
·
21 min
·
I 95
Use the slight left lane.
25
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Exit 152B
Toward VA 234 North: Manassas
Use the right lane.
26
Continue on VA 234
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Dumfries Road
27
Turn right onto SR 1450
0.1 mi
·
25 sec
·
Country Club Drive
28
Turn right onto SR 1451
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Waterway Drive
29
Turn left onto Fallstone Place
0.1 mi
·
29 sec
·
Fallstone Place
30
Arrive at destination
Fallstone Place
Trip Plan
With a total drive time of under 4 hours, this route is easily completed in a single day, offering flexibility in your departure time. Consider leaving mid-morning to avoid peak rush hour traffic in the Portsmouth and Richmond areas. You'll encounter one recommended stop on this trip, which is ample for a drive of this length. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially before embarking on the 66-mile stretch on I 95, as services can sometimes be spaced out on major highways.
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 85.5 miles from Portsmouth, VA, or about 1h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 66 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 38 miles or 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 85.5 miles or 1h 40m 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 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Montclair, 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 171 miles and 3h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 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 95 for about 66 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 85.5 mi from Portsmouth, VA · 1h 40m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
86 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 38 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 85.5 miles from Portsmouth, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 95 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 66 miles.
Arriving in Montclair, VA
The final approach into Montclair, 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 Montclair, 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
$26.74 one way
$53.48 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
60 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $29.24 | $58.48 |
| premium | $4.70 | $31.65 | $63.30 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $37.75 | $75.51 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 59.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 51.3 | 0 | $17.96 | $8.21 |
| Efficient EV | 42.8 | 0 | $14.96 | $6.84 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 68.4 | 0 | $23.94 | $10.94 |
Gas CO2
60 kg
EV CO2
20 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
Montclair, VA
Evening in Montclair on Friday
Local time
6:59 PM
EDT
Current temp
85°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
16 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 19m 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 Montclair, VA covers 171 miles and takes about 3h 19m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 95, I 64, 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 85.5 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 $26.74 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 171 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 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.
Between Portsmouth, VA and Montclair, VA, road signs point toward Hampton, Richmond and Rocky Mount.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Montclair, VA
More trips to Montclair, VA
Explore more options from Portsmouth, VA or browse trips ending in Montclair, VA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse VA road trips.