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Trip from Portsmouth, VA to Roanoke, VA

Data updated 5 hours ago

Drive Time

5h 20m

Distance

247.5 mi

398 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$39

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
5h 7m ★
6 AM
5h 21m
8 AM
5h 47m
10 AM
5h 30m
12 PM
5h 27m
3 PM
5h 31m
5 PM
5h 46m
8 PM
5h 13m

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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independent city in Virginia, United States

Portsmouth, VA

Wikimedia Commons

independent city in Virginia, United States

Roanoke, VA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 247.5-mile journey from Portsmouth, VA, to Roanoke, VA, is a solid day trip, estimated to take about 5 hours and 20 minutes of driving. With a fuel cost around $39, it's an economical option for exploring Virginia. The drive primarily utilizes Richmond Highway and US 460, offering a mixed driving experience. It's designed for a single day, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop, making it a convenient option for a quick transition between regions within the Southeast.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

123.8 miles from Portsmouth, VA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 38m into the drive .

Loading map...

Drive Character

Expect a mixed drive on this route, with about 30% of the journey on highways. You'll navigate stretches like Richmond Highway, including one uninterrupted segment of 31.1 miles. The road character shifts throughout the approximately 5-hour trip, moving from more developed areas to what is likely a more rural or scenic landscape as you head west. This variety means you won't be stuck in a monotonous interstate grind for the entire 247.5 miles.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 45 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Richmond Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 31.1 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.7 miles in.

Route Complexity 9/10

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

This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 247.5 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 1.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 81.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 82.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 22 key points

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

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
81.9 mi into trip | ~1h 48m in

Take the exit toward I 85 South, I 95 South

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 85 South, I 95 South
8
82.4 mi into trip | ~1h 49m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 85 South, US 460 West: Durham

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left lane. Toward I 85 South, US 460 West: Durham
8
88.9 mi into trip | ~1h 57m in | US 460

Take the exit onto US 460 toward US 460 West: Blackstone, Lynchburg

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 61 Toward US 460 West: Blackstone, Lynchburg
5
174.2 mi into trip | ~3h 42m in | US 460 / Richmond Highway

Keep slight right at fork onto US 460 / Richmond Highway toward US 460 West: Lynchburg

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward US 460 West: Lynchburg

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Portsmouth, VA to Roanoke, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Lynchburg along the way.

Lynchburg

88.9 mi in | ~1h 57m | via US 460

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Richmond Highway 31.1 mi 38m
US 460 29.4 mi 35m
New Cox Road 23 mi 26m
East Lynchburg Salem Turnpike 16 mi 20m
James River Drive 14.6 mi 19m
West Lynchburg Salem Turnpike 14.6 mi 18m
Colonial Trail West 13.3 mi 15m
West Colonial Trail Highway 13.1 mi 16m
Longest stretch: Richmond Highway — 31.1 mi, about 38m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Portsmouth, VA and Roanoke, 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

1.2 mi · 2 min · East Randolph Road
16

Turn left onto VA 156 Business

1.8 mi · 2 min · Winston Churchill Drive
17

Continue on VA 36

0.4 mi · 26 sec · Oaklawn Boulevard
18

Continue on VA 36

1.0 mi · 1 min · Woodlawn Street
19

Continue on VA 36

1.0 mi · 1 min · Oaklawn Boulevard
20

Continue on VA 36

4.3 mi · 5 min · East Washington Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
21

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 58 sec
Toward I 85 South, I 95 South
22

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 26 sec
Toward I 85 South, US 460 West: Durham Use the slight left lane.
23

Merge onto I 85

6.3 mi · 7 min · Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
24

Take the exit onto US 460

0.2 mi · 25 sec · US 460
Exit 61 Toward US 460 West: Blackstone, Lynchburg Use the slight right lane.
25

Continue on US 460

1.1 mi · 1 min · Airport Street
26

Continue on US 460

23 mi · 26 min · New Cox Road
27

Continue on US 460

4.3 mi · 5 min · East Colonial Trail Highway
28

Continue on US 460

6.9 mi · 7 min · East Colonial Trail Road
29

Continue on US 460

7.5 mi · 11 min · East Colonial Trail
30

Merge onto US 360; US 460

1.5 mi · 2 min · West Colonial Trail Highway
31

Keep slight right at fork onto US 460

12 mi · 14 min · West Colonial Trail Highway
32

Keep slight left at fork onto US 460

29 mi · 34 min · US 460
33

Keep slight right at fork onto US 460

31 mi · 38 min · Richmond Highway
Toward US 460 West: Lynchburg
34

Continue on US 460

16 mi · 20 min · East Lynchburg Salem Turnpike
Use the straight lane.
35

Continue on US 221; US 460

15 mi · 18 min · West Lynchburg Salem Turnpike
36

Continue on US 221; US 460

5.5 mi · 7 min · Blue Ridge Boulevard
37

Continue on US 221; US 460

2.0 mi · 3 min · Challenger Avenue Northeast
Use the straight lane.
38

Continue on US 221; US 460; US 220 Alternate

3.1 mi · 6 min · Orange Avenue Northeast
39

Turn left onto US 11; US 221

0.8 mi · 1 min · Williamson Road Northeast
Use the left lane.
40

Turn right onto Salem Avenue Southeast

0.2 mi · 30 sec · Salem Avenue Southeast
41

Turn left onto South Jefferson Street

477 ft · 20 sec · South Jefferson Street
42

Turn right onto Kirk Avenue Southwest

379 ft · 22 sec · Kirk Avenue Southwest
43

Turn left

115 ft · 13 sec
44

Turn left

132 ft · 9 sec
45

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

To make the most of your 5-hour, 20-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Portsmouth to maximize daylight and minimize traffic. While this route is manageable in one day, it does involve 247.5 miles, so planning for one stop, perhaps around the halfway point, is advisable for stretching and refueling. Be mindful of the longest stretch of 31.1 miles on Richmond Highway; ensure you have adequate fuel before embarking on that section. The estimated fuel cost of $39 should be factored into your budget.

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 123.8 miles from Portsmouth, VA, or about 2h 38m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 31.1 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 45m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 123.8 miles or 2h 38m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 17m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Roanoke, 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 247.5 miles and 5h 20m.

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 Richmond Highway for about 31.1 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 123.8 mi from Portsmouth, VA · 2h 38m into the drive

Downtown Middletown, MD, MD

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Middletown, MD

124 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 123.8 miles from Portsmouth, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Roanoke, VA

The final approach into Roanoke, 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 Roanoke, VA.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Petersburg National Battlefield

Petersburg National Battlefield

National Battlefield

Two hundred ninety-two days, eight offensives, over 70,000 casualties, U. S. Colored Troops, and the decline of Gen. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia all describe the Siege of Petersburg. U.S. forces c...

3 mi from route ~7 min detour Free near mile 85.4
Park Closure: Eastern Front Tour Road south of Route 36 - Closed
View on nps.gov
Appomattox Court House National Historical Park

Appomattox Court House National Historical Park

National Historical Park

On April 9, 1865, the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia in the McLean House in the village of Appomattox Court House, Virginia signaled the effective end of the nation's largest war. Question...

5 mi from route ~12 min detour Free near mile 179.2
View on nps.gov
Colonial National Historical Park

Colonial National Historical Park

National Historical Park

On May 13, 1607, Jamestown was established as the first permanent English settlement in North America. Three cultures came together – European, Virginia Indian and African–to create a new society that...

11 mi from route ~28 min detour $15 near mile 34.1
View on nps.gov
Fort Monroe National Monument

Fort Monroe National Monument

National Monument

Fort Monroe's story spans from prehistory to the 2000s. Kecoughtan Indians occupied Old Point Comfort before the arrival of English colonists. The first enslaved Africans arrived in 1619. Those escapi...

12 mi from route ~31 min detour Free near mile 8.5
View on nps.gov
Booker T Washington National Monument

Booker T Washington National Monument

National Monument

Booker T. Washington was born a slave in April 1856 on the 207-acre farm of James Burroughs. After the Civil War, Washington became the first principal of Tuskegee Normal and Industrial School. Later...

16 mi from route ~39 min detour Free near mile 247.5
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$38.70 one way

$77.41 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 87 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $42.32 $84.64
premium $4.70 $45.81 $91.61
diesel $5.61 $54.64 $109.29

Estimated Tolls: $2.58

East Lynchburg Salem Turnpike (16 mi) $1.12
West Lynchburg Salem Turnpike (14.6 mi) $1.02
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike (6.3 mi) $0.44

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

$39

Tolls

$3

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$66–$91

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 86.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 74.3 0 $25.99 $11.88
Efficient EV 61.9 0 $21.66 $9.90
EV Truck/SUV 99 1 $34.65 $15.84

Gas CO2

87 kg

EV CO2

29 kg (67% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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 1 day ago

Origin

Portsmouth, VA

Evening in Portsmouth on Tuesday

Local time

8:56 PM

EDT

Current temp

52°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Roanoke, VA

Evening in Roanoke on Tuesday

Local time

8:56 PM

EDT

Current temp

44°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

86°F

Middletown, MD

124 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

8 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

5h 20m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

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 Roanoke, VA covers 247.5 miles and takes about 5h 20m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Richmond Highway, US 460, New Cox Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 123.8 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 $38.70 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 247.5 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 1.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 81.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 82.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Portsmouth, VA to Roanoke, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Lynchburg along the way.

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