Origin
Abingdon, VA
Late night in Abingdon on Wednesday
Local time
2:44 AM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
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Drive Time
7h 27m
Distance
380.7 mi
613 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$60
one way
EV Charging
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Abingdon, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Suffolk, VA
Wikimedia Commons
This 380.7-mile drive from Abingdon, VA to Suffolk, VA is a substantial journey, estimated to take around 7 hours and 27 minutes of pure driving time. It's a route that primarily utilizes major highways, making it feasible as a single-day trip, though breaking it up might offer a more relaxed experience. With a projected fuel cost of approximately $60, this highway-focused adventure covers a significant portion of Virginia, staying within the Southeast region. You'll spend most of your time on interstates, so expect a steady pace for this trek.
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
190.4 miles from Abingdon, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 38m into the drive .
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The character of this drive is overwhelmingly highway-focused, with 91% of the route taking place on major interstates like I-81 and I-85, supplemented by US-58. Expect long stretches of consistent speed, including one segment of 57.5 miles on I-85 without significant interruptions. While this means efficient travel, the profile suggests a focus on covering ground rather than varied scenery. The journey is designed for directness, prioritizing swift transit over winding backroads.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 85 and I 81. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 65.3 miles in near I 77.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 25 significant decision points across 380.7 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 65.3 miles (I 77): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 131 miles (NC 74): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 156.8 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Keep slight right at fork onto I 77 toward I 77 South: Charlotte North Carolina
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork onto NC 74 toward NC 74 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 toward I 40 East: Greensboro, Martinsville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork onto I 85; NC 86 Truck toward I 85 North: Durham
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork toward US 58 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Abingdon, VA and Suffolk, VA, road signs point toward Martinsville, Norfolk and Virginia Beach.
Martinsville
Norfolk
Virginia Beach
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 85 | 57.5 mi | 1h 4m |
| I 81 | 57.2 mi | 1h 1m |
| US 58 | 54.6 mi | 1h 11m |
| I 40 | 46.3 mi | 54m |
| North Andy Griffith Parkway | 31.6 mi | 35m |
| I 77 | 30.6 mi | 34m |
| US 158 | 29.2 mi | 34m |
| Congressman G K Butterfield Highway | 19.3 mi | 20m |
Step-by-step road directions between Abingdon, VA and Suffolk, VA.
Start on VA 75
Take the exit
Merge onto I 81; US 58
Continue on I 77; I 81; US 11; US 52
Keep slight right at fork onto I 77
Take the exit
Turn straight onto VA 148
At end of road, turn right onto US 52
Continue on US 52
Keep slight left at fork onto NC 74
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto US 421; NC 150
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
Merge onto I 40; US 29; US 220
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 85; NC 86 Truck
Keep slight left at fork onto I 85; US 70
Continue on I 85; US 15; US 70; US 501
Keep slight left at fork onto I 85; US 15
Turn straight onto I 85
Take the exit
Turn left onto US 1; US 158
Turn right onto US 158; US 401
Continue on US 158 Bypass
At end of road, turn left onto US 158
Take the exit
Merge onto I 95; US 158
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto US 58
Continue on US 58 BUS
Continue on US 58 Business
Turn right onto South Saratoga Street
Arrive at destination
To maximize your time, consider an early morning departure from Abingdon to take advantage of lighter traffic on the initial stretches of I-81. With a total duration of over 7 hours, planning for at least two stops is advisable for fuel and rest. The longest continuous drive segment is 57.5 miles on I-85, so be sure to fuel up before reaching that point if you prefer not to push the limits. Given the highway-centric nature, be mindful of speed limit changes as you transition between different interstate sections and US-58.
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.
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 84 miles or 1h 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 190.4 miles or 3h 38m 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 7m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Suffolk, VA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Abingdon, 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 Abingdon, VA
This is one driving day of about 380.7 miles and 7h 27m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 190.4 mi from Abingdon, VA · 3h 38m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
190 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.
A short stop after about 84 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 190.4 miles from Abingdon, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Suffolk, 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 Suffolk, VA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$59.53 one way
$119.07 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $65.09 | $130.19 |
| premium | $4.70 | $70.46 | $140.92 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $84.05 | $168.11 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$60
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$85–$110
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 133.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $40 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 114.2 | 1 | $39.97 | $18.27 |
| Efficient EV | 95.2 | 1 | $33.31 | $15.23 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 152.3 | 1 | $53.30 | $24.36 |
Gas CO2
133 kg
EV CO2
45 kg (66% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Abingdon on Wednesday
Local time
2:44 AM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Destination
Late night in Suffolk on Wednesday
Local time
2:44 AM
EDT
Current temp
85°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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