Where is Portsmouth, Virginia, USA?

Written and Fact-checked by | Updated On: April 28, 2026 | 14:51 ET

Where is Portsmouth Located? - Portsmouth is a city located in the Bay County of Virginia, United States. Portsmouth lies between 26.2159066 Degrees North latitudes and 98.3252932 Degrees West longitudes.

Location Map of Portsmouth, Virginia

Where is Portsmouth, Virginia

Portsmouth Map, Virginia, USA

Where is Portsmouth?: The Google Map showing the location of Portsmouth in the U.S. state of Virginia.

Where is Portsmouth Located?

Portsmouth is a city located in the Bay County of Virginia, United States. Portsmouth lies between 26.2159066 Degrees North latitudes and 98.3252932 Degrees West longitudes. According to 2020 U.S.census, the population of Portsmouth city is 97915 people and the city has a total area of 33.3 sq mi. The city has numerous parks and recreational facilities.

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Portsmouth, Virginia Quick Facts

AttributeDetails
CityPortsmouth
CountyIndependent City (not part of a county)
StateVirginia
State CapitalRichmond
US RegionSouthern United States (South Atlantic Region)
Latitude36.8354° N
Longitude76.2983° W
Elevation20 ft (6 m)
Land Area33.28 sq mi
Water Area25.80 sq mi
Total Area59.08 sq mi
Population (2020 Census)97,915
Population DensityApproximately 2,942 people per sq mi
ZIP Codes23701, 23702, 23703, 23704, 23707, 23708, 23709
Area Code757
Time Zone StandardEastern Standard Time (EST, UTC−5)
Time Zone DaylightEastern Daylight Time (EDT, UTC−4)
CurrencyUnited States Dollar (USD)
FIPS Code51-64000
Congressional DistrictVirginia's 3rd Congressional District

Transportation and Connectivity in Portsmouth

CategoryDetails
Airport NameNorfolk International Airport
IATA CodeORF
PortPortsmouth Marine Terminal and Hampton Roads Harbor
Major HighwaysInterstate 264, U.S. Route 17, U.S. Route 58, U.S. Route 460
Train/Amtrak ServiceAmtrak service available in nearby Norfolk and Newport News
Local Bus/Transit ServiceHampton Roads Transit (HRT)
  • Interstate 264 – Main highway connecting Portsmouth with Norfolk, Chesapeake, and Virginia Beach.
  • U.S. Route 17 – Regional highway connecting Portsmouth with communities along the Hampton Roads area.
  • U.S. Route 58 – Major east–west route linking Portsmouth with southern Virginia.
  • U.S. Route 460 – Important highway connecting Portsmouth with central and western Virginia.

Top Places to Visit in Portsmouth, Virginia

Landmark NameType
Portsmouth Naval Shipyard MuseumMaritime Museum
Children's Museum of VirginiaFamily Museum
Virginia Sports Hall of Fame and MuseumSports Museum
Olde Towne Portsmouth Historic DistrictHistoric District
Portsmouth Naval HospitalHistoric Military Site
Paradise Creek Nature ParkNature Park
Portsmouth WaterfrontWaterfront Area
Hoffler Creek Wildlife PreserveWildlife Preserve
High Street LandingRiverfront Attraction
MacArthur MemorialHistoric Museum

Driving Distances from Portsmouth, Virginia to Nearby Cities

CityStateDistance (mi)Approx. Drive Time
NorfolkVirginia515 minutes
ChesapeakeVirginia1525 minutes
Virginia BeachVirginia2540 minutes
Newport NewsVirginia3045 minutes
WilliamsburgVirginia551 hour
RichmondVirginia951 hour 40 minutes
Washington, D.C.District of Columbia2003 hours 15 minutes
RaleighNorth Carolina1903 hours
CharlotteNorth Carolina2804 hours 30 minutes
BaltimoreMaryland2203 hours 30 minutes

Colleges and Universities Near Portsmouth, Virginia

Institution NameTypeLevelNotable For
Old Dominion UniversityPublicUniversityResearch, engineering, business, maritime studies, and sciences
Tidewater Community CollegePublicCommunity CollegeWorkforce training, technical programs, and associate degrees
Norfolk State UniversityPublicUniversityEducation, business, engineering, and liberal arts
Christopher Newport UniversityPublicUniversityLiberal arts, sciences, and leadership programs
Regent UniversityPrivateUniversityLaw, business, communication, and graduate studies
Portsmouth Public SchoolsPublicK–12 DistrictPrimary and secondary education

Waterbodies in Portsmouth, Virginia

Elizabeth River, Southern Branch Elizabeth River, Hampton Roads Harbor, Chesapeake Bay, and nearby Atlantic coastal waterways.

Golf Courses Near Portsmouth

Elizabeth Manor Country Club, Bide-A-Wee Golf Course, Riverfront Golf Club, Chesapeake Golf Club, and Sleepy Hole Golf Course.

Portsmouth, Virginia — Key Historical Facts

  • Portsmouth was founded in 1752 by William Crawford and developed as an important shipbuilding and maritime community.
  • The city's location along the Elizabeth River helped it become a major center for naval operations and commerce.
  • The Norfolk Naval Shipyard, established in 1767, has played a significant role in Portsmouth's history and economy.
  • Portsmouth served as an important military location during the American Revolution, Civil War, and later conflicts.
  • Today, Portsmouth is known for its naval heritage, historic districts, waterfront attractions, and connection to the Hampton Roads metropolitan area.

References

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