This 193.8-mile drive from Alexandria, VA, to Suffolk, VA, is a manageable one-day trip, estimated to take around 3 hours and 54 minutes. You'll primarily be on I-95 and the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, with a significant portion being highway driving at 44%. With an estimated fuel cost of $30 and just one recommended stop, this route offers a straightforward journey through the Southeast region. It's a practical option if you're looking for an efficient drive within Virginia.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
96.9 miles from Alexandria, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 53m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 54m. Total distance: 193.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 54m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
Expect a mixed drive on this route, with 44% of it being highway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 85.8 miles on I-95, so be prepared for sustained periods of higher-speed travel. While much of the journey involves major roadways, the inclusion of James River Drive suggests a transition to more local roads at points. This offers a varied driving experience, moving from interstate cruising to potentially more scenic or community-focused segments.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 31 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 95 is the longest continuous segment at about 85.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.9 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 193.8 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 0.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.6 miles (I 95): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 22 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
0.9 mi into trip|~3m in
Take the exit toward I 95 South, I 495 West, I 95 North, I 495 East: Richmond, Baltimore
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.
Toward I 95 South, I 495 West, I 95 North, I 49...
8
1 mi into trip|~3m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 95 South, I 495 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 95 South, I 495 West
6
6.6 mi into trip|~11m in|I 95
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
8
92.4 mi into trip|~1h 48m in
Take the exit toward I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va Beach
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 84A
Toward I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va B...
7
121.3 mi into trip|~2h 19m in
Take the exit toward VA 10 East: Hopewell
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 15A
Toward VA 10 East: Hopewell
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Alexandria, VA and Suffolk, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk and Va Beach.
Norfolk
92.4 mi in|~1h 48m
Va Beach
92.4 mi in|~1h 48m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
85.8 mi
1h 37m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
27.1 mi
29m
James River Drive
14.6 mi
19m
Colonial Trail West
13.3 mi
15m
Old Stage Highway
12 mi
15m
Colonial Trail East
9.8 mi
11m
Godwin Boulevard
8.9 mi
10m
Capital Beltway (Local)
5 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 85.8 mi, about 1h 37m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Alexandria, VA and Suffolk, VA.
1
Start on VA 400
75 ft·6 sec·South Washington Street
2
Turn right onto King Street
314 ft·14 sec·King Street
3
Turn right onto South Saint Asaph Street
0.2 mi·41 sec·South Saint Asaph Street
4
Turn right onto Duke Street
334 ft·18 sec·Duke Street
5
Turn left onto VA 400
0.2 mi·50 sec·South Washington Street
6
Turn right onto Gibbon Street
0.2 mi·37 sec·Gibbon Street
7
Turn left onto US 1
0.2 mi·34 sec·South Patrick Street
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
8
Take the exit
438 ft·10 sec
Toward I 95 South, I 495 West, I 95 North, I 495 East: Richmond, BaltimoreUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 95 South, I 495 WestUse the slight right lane.
10
Merge onto I 95; I 495
5.0 mi·6 min·Capital Beltway (Local)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
37 mi·43 min·I 95
Use the slight left lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
49 mi·53 min·I 95
Use the straight lane.
13
Take the exit
1.9 mi·2 min
Exit 84AToward I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va BeachUse the slight left / straight lanes.
14
Merge onto I 295
27 mi·29 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi·47 sec
Exit 15AToward VA 10 East: HopewellUse the right lane.
16
Merge onto VA 10
2.9 mi·3 min·East Hundred Road
17
Continue on VA 10
2.9 mi·4 min·West Randolph Road
18
Continue on VA 10; VA 156 BUS
15 mi·19 min·James River Drive
19
Continue on VA 10
13 mi·15 min·Colonial Trail West
20
At end of road, turn left onto VA 10; VA 31
1.0 mi·1 min·Rolfe Highway
21
Take the exit
149 ft·6 sec
22
Merge onto VA 10
9.8 mi·11 min·Colonial Trail East
23
Continue on VA 10
12 mi·15 min·Old Stage Highway
Use the left lane.
24
Keep slight right at fork onto VA 10
4.3 mi·5 min·Benns Church Boulevard
25
Continue on VA 10; VA 32
8.4 mi·9 min·Godwin Boulevard
26
Continue on VA 10; VA 32
0.5 mi·48 sec·Godwin Boulevard
27
Turn left onto US 460 BUS; VA 10; VA 32
366 ft·6 sec·Pruden Boulevard
28
Continue on US 460 BUS; VA 10; VA 32
2.2 mi·5 min·North Main Street
29
Turn right onto VA 337
454 ft·17 sec·West Washington Street
30
Turn left onto South Saratoga Street
165 ft·4 sec·South Saratoga Street
31
Arrive at destination
South Saratoga Street
Trip Plan
Given the 3 hour and 54 minute duration, this route is well-suited for a single day trip, making flexibility in your departure time a key advantage. Aiming to leave Alexandria in the morning should get you to Suffolk with plenty of daylight remaining. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $30, planning is straightforward. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longest stretch on I-95, to ensure you have ample gas before reaching your destination or a convenient service area.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 96.9 miles from Alexandria, VA, or about 1h 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 85.8 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 43 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 96.9 miles or 1h 53m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 7m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Suffolk, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Alexandria, 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 Alexandria, VA
This is one driving day of about 193.8 miles and 3h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 43 miles from Alexandria, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 95 for about 85.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 96.9 mi from Alexandria, VA
· 1h 53m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
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...
11 mi from route
~28 min detour
$15
near mile 167.1
Park Closure: Rehabilitation of Colonial Parkway Continues
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...
14 mi from route
~34 min detour
Free
near mile 127
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...
17 mi from route
~42 min detour
Free
near mile 180.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.31 one way
$60.61 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg68 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$33.14
$66.27
premium
$4.70
$35.87
$71.74
diesel
$5.61
$42.79
$85.58
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 67.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
2 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: fair
Tesla Supercharger
Suffolk, Virginia
Tesla
1 DCFC
InCharge Energy Charging Station
Hopewell, Virginia
InCharge
1 DCFC
Tesla: 1
InCharge: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
58.1
0
$20.35
$9.30
Efficient EV
48.5
0
$16.96
$7.75
EV Truck/SUV
77.5
0
$27.13
$12.40
Gas CO2
68 kg
EV CO2
23 kg (66% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Alexandria, VA
Morning
in Alexandria on Friday
Local time
6:19 AM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Mostly Cloudy then Scattered Rain Showers
NW 6 to 13 mph33% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Suffolk, VA
Morning
in Suffolk on Friday
Local time
6:19 AM
EDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
79°F
Colonial Heights, VA
97 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
12 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 54m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Alexandria, VA to Suffolk, VA covers 193.8 miles and takes about 3h 54m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 95, Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, James River Drive. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 96.9 miles from Alexandria, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $30.31 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 193.8 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.6 miles (I 95): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Alexandria, VA and Suffolk, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk and Va Beach.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from
OSRM
over
OpenStreetMap.
Fuel cost uses
EIA
weekly regional averages.
EV charging comes from the
NREL Alternative Fuels
dataset.
National park proximity is from the
NPS API.
Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our
methodology page
documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
