Trip from Richlands, VA to Portsmouth, VA

Data updated 1 hour ago

Drive Time

7h 58m

Distance

419.8 mi

676 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$66

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 26 min

4 AM

7h 50m ★

6 AM

7h 58m

8 AM

8h 16m

10 AM

8h 5m

12 PM

8h 3m

3 PM

8h 5m

5 PM

8h 15m

8 PM

7h 53m

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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Richlands, VA

Wikimedia Commons

independent city in Virginia, United States

Portsmouth, VA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 419.8-mile journey from Richlands, Virginia, to Portsmouth, Virginia, will take approximately 7 hours and 58 minutes of driving time, making it a feasible day trip. Your route primarily follows I-64 and I-81, with a portion on Governor G C Peery Highway. With 80% of the drive on highways, expect a straightforward, efficient trip. The estimated fuel cost for this drive is around $66, and with two recommended stops, you can break up the drive comfortably. Both your origin and destination are within the Southeast region of the US, so you'll be traversing familiar territory throughout this Virginia-centric road trip.

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

2 planned breaks

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

Midpoint

209.9 miles from Richlands, VA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h into the drive .

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Drive Character

This drive is predominantly a highway-focused experience, with 80% of your travel occurring on major interstates. You'll encounter stretches where you can maintain steady speeds, including a significant 152.9-mile segment on I-64. While much of the route keeps you on fast-paced highways, the inclusion of Governor G C Peery Highway suggests a potential for more local road driving at certain points. The character of the road is likely to be efficient and direct, designed for covering distance rather than leisurely exploration.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 32 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

I 64 is the longest continuous segment at about 152.9 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and I 81. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 79 miles in near I 81; US 11.

Route Complexity 10/10

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

This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 419.8 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 79 miles (I 81; US 11): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 309 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 333.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 19 key points

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

79 mi into trip | ~1h 35m in | I 81; US 11

Keep slight left at fork onto I 81; US 11 toward I 81 North, US 11 North: Roanoke

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

Use the straight lane. Toward I 81 North, US 11 North: Roanoke

309 mi into trip | ~5h 48m in

Take the exit toward I 295 North: Washington, Norfolk

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 177 Toward I 295 North: Washington, Norfolk

333.1 mi into trip | ~6h 14m in

Take the exit toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach

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 28A Toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach

397 mi into trip | ~7h 27m in

Take the exit toward I 664 South: Downtown Newport News, Suffolk, Chesapeake

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 264 Toward I 664 South: Downtown Newport News, Suff...

409.1 mi into trip | ~7h 42m in

Take the exit toward VA 135 South: College Drive, Churchland

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

Use the right lane. Exit 8B Toward VA 135 South: College Drive, Churchland

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

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

Between Richlands, VA and Portsmouth, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Suffolk and Chesapeake.

Norfolk

309 mi in | ~5h 48m

Virginia Beach

333.1 mi in | ~6h 14m

Suffolk

397 mi in | ~7h 27m

Chesapeake

397 mi in | ~7h 27m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 64	152.9 mi	2h 47m
I 81	139.7 mi	2h 33m
Governor G C Peery Highway	27.3 mi	35m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway	22.9 mi	25m
US 52	19.7 mi	22m
I 77	16 mi	17m
Trail of the Lonesome Pine	9.8 mi	11m
Hampton Roads Beltway	7.2 mi	9m

Longest stretch: I 64 — 152.9 mi, about 2h 47m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Richlands, VA and Portsmouth, VA.

Start on Virginia Avenue

88 ft · 6 sec · Virginia Avenue

Turn right onto US 460 BUS

1.2 mi · 1 min · Front Street

Continue on US 460 BUS

0.3 mi · 33 sec · Cedar Valley Drive

Take the ramp

250 ft · 7 sec

Toward US 460 East: Claypool Hill

Merge onto US 460

2.4 mi · 4 min · Governor George C Peery Highway

Turn left onto US 19; US 460

27 mi · 35 min · Governor G C Peery Highway

Continue on US 19; US 460

9.8 mi · 11 min · Trail of the Lonesome Pine

Use the straight lane.

Take the exit onto US 52 Truck

2.3 mi · 2 min · US 52 Truck

Take the exit onto US 52

20 mi · 22 min · US 52

Continue on I 77

16 mi · 17 min · I 77

Use the straight lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 81; US 11

140 mi · 2 hr 33 min · I 81; US 11

Toward I 81 North, US 11 North: Roanoke Use the straight lane.

Continue on I 64; I 81

0.3 mi · 17 sec · I 64; I 81

Keep slight right at fork onto I 64

90 mi · 1 hr 38 min · I 64

Toward I 64 East: Richmond Use the straight lane.

Take the exit

1.2 mi · 1 min

Exit 177 Toward I 295 North: Washington, Norfolk Use the slight right lane.

Continue on I 295

23 mi · 25 min · Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

1.3 mi · 2 min

Exit 28A Toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 64

63 mi · 1 hr 9 min · I 64

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 36 sec

Exit 264 Toward I 664 South: Downtown Newport News, Suffolk, Chesapeake Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 664

6.1 mi · 7 min · Hampton Roads Beltway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 664

4.3 mi · 5 min · Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel

Continue on I 664

1.1 mi · 1 min · Hampton Roads Beltway

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 38 sec

Exit 8B Toward VA 135 South: College Drive, Churchland Use the right lane.

Continue on VA 135

1.4 mi · 2 min · College Drive

Use the straight lane.

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 33 sec

Toward VA 164 East: Downtown Portsmouth

Merge onto VA 164

5.8 mi · 7 min · Western Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto US 58; VA 164

0.7 mi · 46 sec · Martin Luther King Freeway

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 35 sec

Toward VA 141 South: Downtown Portsmouth Use the right lane.

Turn straight onto US 58

1.2 mi · 2 min · London Boulevard

Turn right onto VA 141

0.1 mi · 11 sec · Effingham Street

Use the right lane.

Turn left onto High Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · High Street

Use the left lane.

Continue on High Street

201 ft · 20 sec · High Street

Use the left lane.

Arrive at destination

High Street

Trip Plan

For this nearly 8-hour drive, consider an early morning departure from Richlands to maximize daylight and arrive in Portsmouth at a reasonable hour. With two planned stops, you can easily space them out to break up the 419.8 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before embarking on the longest stretch of 152.9 miles on I-64, as services can sometimes be further apart on interstates. The estimated fuel cost of $66 is a good budget to plan around for this trip.

Morning Departure

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Evening Departure

This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 209.9 miles from Richlands, VA, or about 4h into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 152.9 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 92 miles or 1h 50m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 209.9 miles or 4h in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 6h 45m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Portsmouth, VA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Richlands, 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.

Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Richlands, VA

This is one driving day of about 419.8 miles and 7h 58m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 92 miles from Richlands, VA.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on I 64 for about 152.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 209.9 mi from Richlands, VA · 4h into the drive

town in the west-central part of Garrett County, Maryland, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Oakland, MD

210 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

Winston-Salem, NC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 92 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Oakland, MD

Meal break

The midpoint is around 209.9 miles from Richlands, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 64 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 152.9 miles.

Arriving in Portsmouth, VA

The final approach into Portsmouth, 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 Portsmouth, VA.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

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.

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 376.4

Park Closure: Rehabilitation of Colonial Parkway Continues

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...

8 mi from route ~20 min detour Free near mile 405.3

View on nps.gov

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...

21 mi from route ~52 min detour Free near mile 144.8

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...

26 mi from route ~65 min detour Free near mile 333

View on nps.gov

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$65.65 one way

$131.29 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 147 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.34	$71.78	$143.56
premium	$4.70	$77.70	$155.39
diesel	$5.61	$92.69	$185.37

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$66

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$91–$116

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 146.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $44 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	125.9	1	$44.08	$20.15
Efficient EV	105	1	$36.73	$16.79
EV Truck/SUV	167.9	2	$58.77	$26.87

Gas CO2

147 kg

EV CO2

49 kg (67% less)

Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.

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 5 days ago

Origin

Richlands, VA

Night in Richlands on Tuesday

Local time

11:20 PM

EDT

Current temp

60°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Portsmouth, VA

Night in Portsmouth on Tuesday

Local time

11:20 PM

EDT

Current temp

52°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

76°F

Oakland, MD

210 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

7h 58m on the road

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Richlands, VA to Portsmouth, VA covers 419.8 miles and takes about 7h 58m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 64, I 81, Governor G C Peery 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 209.9 miles from Richlands, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $65.65 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

Plan about 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Between Richlands, VA and Portsmouth, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Suffolk and Chesapeake.

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Return Trip

Portsmouth, VA to Richlands, VA

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419.8 mi 7h 58m

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Trip from Richlands, VA to Portsmouth, VA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Portsmouth, VA

National Parks Near This Route

Colonial National Historical Park

Fort Monroe National Monument

Booker T Washington National Monument

Petersburg National Battlefield

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Richlands, VA

Portsmouth, VA

Same local time

8 degrees cooler at arrival

7h 58m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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