Origin
South Suffolk, VA
Evening in South Suffolk on Sunday
Local time
5:21 PM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from South Suffolk, VA to Portsmouth, VA
Drive Time
29m
Distance
19.2 mi
31 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 27m
★
6 AM
0h 30m
8 AM
0h 35m
10 AM
0h 32m
12 PM
0h 31m
3 PM
0h 32m
5 PM
0h 35m
8 PM
0h 28m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
South Suffolk, VA
Mark Stebnicki
Portsmouth, VA
Charles Miller
Trip Overview
For a quick transition between South Suffolk and Portsmouth, you are looking at a straightforward 19.2-mile journey. Clocking in at approximately 29 minutes, this drive is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, requiring no overnight stays. You will primarily navigate via US 13, I-264, and Portsmouth Boulevard as you traverse the Southeast region of Virginia. With an estimated fuel cost of just $3, this is an incredibly economical route for commuters or casual travelers. Because the entire trip stays within the same regional pocket, you can expect a familiar landscape that makes for an easy, low-stress transition between these two points.
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
9.6 miles from South Suffolk, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 15m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip functions as a highway-focused drive, with 61% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. You will experience a blend of faster interstate travel and local roadway navigation as you move toward your destination. The longest uninterrupted stretch occurs during your 6.2-mile segment on US 13, which provides a brief period of consistent speed before you shift into the remaining road network. Expect the personality of the route to balance efficient highway miles with the necessary local transitions required to reach the heart of Portsmouth. It is a functional, direct drive designed to get you from point A to point B without unnecessary complexity.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 13 is the longest continuous segment at about 6.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 13 and I 264. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.9 miles in near VA 337 / East Washington Street.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 19.2 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 0.9 miles (VA 337 / East Washington Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 10.9 miles (US 13; US 460): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 11.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.9 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
VA 337 / East Washington Street
Turn right onto VA 337 / East Washington Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
8
10.9 mi into trip
|
~17m in
|
US 13; US 460
Keep slight left at fork onto US 13; US 460 toward I 264 East, I 64, US 13 North: Portsmouth, Norfolk, Va Beach
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the none lane.
Toward I 264 East, I 64, US 13 North: Portsmout...
6
11.9 mi into trip
|
~19m in
Take the exit toward I 264 East: Portsmouth, Norfolk
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 15A
Toward I 264 East: Portsmouth, Norfolk
8
18.1 mi into trip
|
~27m in
Take the exit toward VA 141 North: Effingham Street, Crawford Street
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 7B
Toward VA 141 North: Effingham Street, Crawford...
9
18.3 mi into trip
|
~28m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Crawford Street, Downtown, Portsmouth
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward Crawford Street, Downtown, Portsmouth
Towns Along This Route
Between South Suffolk, VA and Portsmouth, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk and Va Beach.
Norfolk
10.2 mi in
|
~15m
|
via US 13; US 460
Va Beach
10.2 mi in
|
~15m
|
via US 13; US 460
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 13 | 6.2 mi | 9m |
| I 264 | 5.5 mi | 7m |
| Portsmouth Boulevard | 2.7 mi | 4m |
| West Pinner Street | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| Carolina Road | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Hampton Roads Beltway | 0.6 mi | <1m |
| Crawford Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Pavilion Drive | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 13
— 6.2 mi, about 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between South Suffolk, VA and Portsmouth, VA.
1
Start on US 13 BUS; VA 32
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Carolina Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
2
Turn right onto VA 337
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
East Washington Street
Use the none lane.
3
Turn left onto West Pinner Street
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
West Pinner Street
4
Turn right onto US 13 BUS; US 58 BUS; US 460 BUS
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
East Constance Road
5
Continue on US 13 BUS; US 58 BUS; US 460 BUS
2.7 mi
·
4 min
·
Portsmouth Boulevard
Use the none lane.
6
Merge onto US 13; US 58; US 460
5.0 mi
·
6 min
·
US 13; US 58; US 460
Use the none lane.
7
Take the exit onto US 13; US 460
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
US 13; US 460
Toward I 264 East, I 64, US 13 North: Portsmouth, Norfolk, Va Beach
8
Keep slight left at fork onto US 13; US 460
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
·
US 13; US 460
Toward I 264 East, I 64, US 13 North: Portsmouth, Norfolk, Va Beach
Use the none lane.
9
Merge onto I 664; US 13; US 460
0.6 mi
·
42 sec
·
Hampton Roads Beltway
10
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Exit 15A
Toward I 264 East: Portsmouth, Norfolk
11
Continue on I 264
5.5 mi
·
7 min
·
I 264
Use the none lane.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
Exit 7B
Toward VA 141 North: Effingham Street, Crawford Street
Use the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Toward Crawford Street, Downtown, Portsmouth
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Turn slight left onto Pavilion Drive
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
Pavilion Drive
Use the straight lane.
15
Turn right onto Bart Street
368 ft
·
7 sec
·
Bart Street
16
Enter roundabout onto Crawford Street
285 ft
·
6 sec
·
Crawford Street
17
Continue on Crawford Street
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
Crawford Street
Use the none lane.
18
Turn left onto High Street
165 ft
·
12 sec
·
High Street
Use the left lane.
19
Arrive at destination
High Street
Trip Plan
Since the total drive time is under 30 minutes, you have maximum flexibility when planning your departure. You do not need to worry about complex stop-overs or long-haul rest breaks, as the distance is short enough to drive through in one go. Keep an eye on traffic patterns when transitioning between US 13 and I-264, as these junctions can see higher volume during peak hours. Budgeting roughly $3 for fuel ensures you arrive at your destination without any financial surprises. My best tip is to check your GPS for real-time traffic updates specifically at the Portsmouth Boulevard interchange, as this is where your route moves from highway speed into the city approach.
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 9.6 miles from South Suffolk, VA, or about 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 6.2 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 19.2 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 9.6 miles or 15m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 25m
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 South Suffolk, 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 South Suffolk, VA
This is one driving day of about 19.2 miles and 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from South Suffolk, 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 US 13 for about 6.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 9.6 mi from South Suffolk, VA · 15m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
10 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 19.2 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 9.6 miles from South Suffolk, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$3.07 one way
$6.15 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
7 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $3.35 | $6.70 |
| premium | $4.78 | $3.61 | $7.22 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $4.27 | $8.53 |
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: 6.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 71% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 5.8 | 0 | $2.02 | $0.92 |
| Efficient EV | 4.8 | 0 | $1.68 | $0.77 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 7.7 | 0 | $2.69 | $1.23 |
Gas CO2
7 kg
EV CO2
2 kg (71% 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
Portsmouth, VA
Evening in Portsmouth on Sunday
Local time
5:21 PM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
86°F
Middletown, MD
10 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
29m 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 South Suffolk, VA to Portsmouth, VA covers 19.2 miles and takes about 29m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 13, I 264, Portsmouth Boulevard. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 9.6 miles from South Suffolk, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $3.07 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 15 significant decision points across 19.2 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 0.9 miles (VA 337 / East Washington Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 10.9 miles (US 13; US 460): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 11.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between South Suffolk, VA and Portsmouth, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk and Va Beach.
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