Origin
Portsmouth, VA
Afternoon in Portsmouth on Saturday
Local time
4:42 PM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Portsmouth, VA to Sandston, VA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 47m
Distance
88.5 mi
142 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 39m
★
6 AM
1h 47m
8 AM
2h 3m
10 AM
1h 53m
12 PM
1h 51m
3 PM
1h 54m
5 PM
2h 2m
8 PM
1h 43m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Portsmouth, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Sandston, VA
Alfo Medeiros
Trip Overview
Portsmouth, VA to Sandston, VA is 88.5 miles and takes about 1 hour 47 minutes via I 64, with a fuel budget near $14 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Southeast region and the state of Virginia, making it a straightforward journey. You'll spend most of your time on major highways, so expect a fairly direct trip. With a total duration under two hours, this route is perfect for a quick relocation or a day trip without needing an overnight stay. It's a practical choice if you're looking to get 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.
Midpoint
44.3 miles from Portsmouth, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 54m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 64 | 58.4 mi | 1h 4m |
| Hampton Roads Beltway | 7 mi | 8m |
| East Williamsburg Road | 6.4 mi | 9m |
| 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 |
| Pocahontas Trail | 0.8 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 58.4 mi, about 1h 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Portsmouth, VA and Sandston, 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
57 mi
·
1 hr 2 min
·
I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit onto VA 33
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
VA 33
Exit 205
Toward VA 33 West, VA 249 East: Bottoms Bridge, Quinton
Use the slight right lane.
18
Continue on VA 33
0.5 mi
·
52 sec
·
New Kent Highway
19
Turn right onto US 60; VA 33
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Pocahontas Trail
20
Continue on US 60; VA 33
6.4 mi
·
9 min
·
East Williamsburg Road
Use the straight lane.
21
Turn right onto North Confederate Avenue
26 ft
·
1 sec
·
North Confederate Avenue
22
Arrive at destination
North Confederate Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the short 1 hour and 47-minute duration, this trip offers excellent flexibility; you can depart any time of day. There are no recommended stops in the data, so plan to fuel up before you leave Portsmouth, VA, as the $14 fuel cost suggests a moderate expenditure. The primary roads are I 64 and Hampton Roads Beltway, so be aware of potential traffic if you are traveling during peak commuting hours. The longest stretch without a major change in road is 58.4 miles on I 64, so ensure you're comfortable with that continuous highway segment.
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 44.3 miles from Portsmouth, VA, or about 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 58.4 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 19 miles or 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 44.3 miles or 54m 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 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sandston, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Portsmouth, VA
This is one driving day of about 88.5 miles and 1h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Portsmouth, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 64 for about 58.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
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 19 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 44.3 miles from Portsmouth, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 145 decision points cluster between mile 1.7 and 80.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
8.3 mi into trip
|
~12m in
Take the exit toward VA 135: College Drive
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward VA 135: College 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
80.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 34m in
|
VA 33
Take the exit onto VA 33 toward VA 33 West, VA 249 East: Bottoms Bridge, Quinton
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 205
Toward VA 33 West, VA 249 East: Bottoms Bridge,...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.84 one way
$27.68 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
31 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $15.13 | $30.26 |
| premium | $4.70 | $16.38 | $32.76 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $19.54 | $39.08 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 31 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 | 26.6 | 0 | $9.29 | $4.25 |
| Efficient EV | 22.1 | 0 | $7.74 | $3.54 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 35.4 | 0 | $12.39 | $5.66 |
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
Sandston, VA
Afternoon in Sandston on Saturday
Local time
4:42 PM
EDT
Current temp
60°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
2 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
1h 47m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
$15
near mile 42.7
View on nps.gov
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...
4 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 21.4
View on nps.gov
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...
25 mi from route
~61 min detour
Free
near mile 88.5
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 74% of the route utilizing major interstates like I 64 and the Hampton Roads Beltway. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 58.4 miles on I 64, offering a good period of consistent highway speed. The character of the drive is predominantly fast-paced, designed for covering distance efficiently rather than leisurely sightseeing. Expect a consistent road surface and predictable traffic patterns typical of interstate travel for the majority of your time behind the wheel.
74% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 58.4 mi on I 64.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and Hampton Roads Beltway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.7 miles in.
Driving Effort
9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 88.5 miles you will encounter 14 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 1.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 8.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Sandston, VA, road signs point toward Hampton, Richmond and Quinton.
Hampton
9.7 mi in
|
~14m
Richmond
21.4 mi in
|
~29m
Quinton
80.6 mi in
|
~1h 34m
|
via VA 33
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 47m. Total distance: 88.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 47m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (74%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 58.4 miles on I 64. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Sandston, VA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 8.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Colonial National Historical Park, Fort Monroe National Monument and Petersburg National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Sandston, VA before heading back.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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