Newport News is located on the Virginia Peninsula, formed by the James River, the York River, Hampton Roads Harbor and the Chesapeake Bay.  Newport News lies along the James River, and Hampton Roads Harbor, which provides 46.5 miles of shoreline, most of it developed residentially.  Tributaries of the James River providing even more residential waterfront opportunity, include the Warwick River, Lake Maury, Skiffe's Creek, Deep Creek, Lucas Creek and Stoney Run.  In addition to these tributaries, several reservoirs are maintained by the Newport News Waterworks -- Big Bethel, Skiffe's Creek, Harwood's Mill and Newport News Reservoir.

Newport News' topography is generally flat, with elevations from 20 to 40 feet in most places.  Steep slopes may occur along tributaries and creeks.  Newport News is located in the Tidewater of Virginia, and tidal wetlands provide natural habitat along some stretches of the James and Warwick Rivers and Skiffe's Creek.  Geologically, Newport News is located on the Yorktown Formation.  Soils are predominantly sandy and clay.