The drive from Buckhall, VA to South Suffolk, VA covers 185.7 miles and takes about 3h 47m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 95, Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, James River Drive for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is mixed drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 69.7 miles on I 95.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $29.04 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
92.8 miles from Buckhall, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 50m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 47m. Total distance: 185.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 47m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
The drive from Buckhall, VA to South Suffolk, VA covers 185.7 miles and takes about 3h 47m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 29 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 69.7 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
312 ft47 ft
Total Climb
227 ft
Total Descent
485 ft
Highest Point
312 ft
Elevation Range
265 ft
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 0.2 miles in near VA 294 / Prince William Parkway.
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 18 significant decision points across 185.7 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 0.2 miles (VA 294 / Prince William Parkway): Lane positioning matters here; at 10.6 miles (SR 2000 / Smoketown Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 34.9 miles (I 95): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 18 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|VA 294 / Prince William Parkway
Turn right onto VA 294 / Prince William Parkway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / uturn lanes.
6
10.6 mi into trip|~16m in|SR 2000 / Smoketown Road
Turn right onto SR 2000 / Smoketown Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
34.9 mi into trip|~46m in|I 95
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
83.5 mi into trip|~1h 39m 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
112.4 mi into trip|~2h 11m 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 Buckhall, VA and South Suffolk, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk and Va Beach.
Norfolk
83.5 mi in|~1h 39m
Va Beach
83.5 mi in|~1h 39m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
69.7 mi
1h 17m
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
Prince William Parkway
10.2 mi
15m
Colonial Trail East
9.8 mi
11m
Godwin Boulevard
8.9 mi
10m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 69.7 mi, about 1h 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Buckhall, VA and South Suffolk, VA.
1
Start on SR 662
0.2 mi·44 sec·Moore Drive
2
Turn right onto VA 294
7.3 mi·10 min·Prince William Parkway
Use the left / uturn lanes.
3
Take the exit onto VA 294
0.1 mi·14 sec·VA 294
Use the right lane.
4
Merge onto VA 294
2.9 mi·5 min·Prince William Parkway
5
Turn right onto SR 2000
0.9 mi·1 min·Smoketown Road
Use the right lane.
6
Turn right onto SR 2068
0.8 mi·1 min·Gideon Drive
7
Turn left onto SR 784
0.3 mi·38 sec·Dale Boulevard
8
Take the ramp
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 95 South: RichmondUse the right lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·26 sec
Toward I 95 South
10
Merge onto I 95
21 mi·24 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
49 mi·53 min·I 95
Use the straight lane.
12
Take the exit
1.9 mi·2 min
Exit 84AToward I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va BeachUse the slight left / straight lanes.
13
Merge onto I 295
27 mi·29 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi·47 sec
Exit 15AToward VA 10 East: HopewellUse the right lane.
15
Merge onto VA 10
2.9 mi·3 min·East Hundred Road
16
Continue on VA 10
2.9 mi·4 min·West Randolph Road
17
Continue on VA 10; VA 156 BUS
15 mi·19 min·James River Drive
18
Continue on VA 10
13 mi·15 min·Colonial Trail West
19
At end of road, turn left onto VA 10; VA 31
1.0 mi·1 min·Rolfe Highway
20
Take the exit
149 ft·6 sec
21
Merge onto VA 10
9.8 mi·11 min·Colonial Trail East
22
Continue on VA 10
12 mi·15 min·Old Stage Highway
Use the left lane.
23
Keep slight right at fork onto VA 10
4.3 mi·5 min·Benns Church Boulevard
24
Continue on VA 10; VA 32
8.4 mi·9 min·Godwin Boulevard
25
Continue on VA 10; VA 32
0.5 mi·48 sec·Godwin Boulevard
26
Turn left onto US 460 BUS; VA 10; VA 32
366 ft·6 sec·Pruden Boulevard
27
Continue on US 460 BUS; VA 10; VA 32
2.2 mi·4 min·North Main Street
28
Continue on US 13 BUS; VA 32
0.9 mi·1 min·Carolina Road
29
Arrive at destination
US 13 BUS; VA 32
Trip Plan
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 92.8 miles from Buckhall, VA, or about 1h 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 69.7 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 41 miles or 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 92.8 miles or 1h 50m 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 1m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near South Suffolk, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Buckhall, 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 Buckhall, VA
This is one driving day of about 185.7 miles and 3h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 41 miles from Buckhall, 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 69.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 92.8 mi from Buckhall, VA
· 1h 50m into the drive
The midpoint is around 92.8 miles from Buckhall, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before I 95 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 69.7 miles.
Arriving in South Suffolk, VA
The final approach into South 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 South Suffolk, VA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
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...
10 mi from route
~26 min detour
$15
near mile 153.7
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...
13 mi from route
~32 min detour
Free
near mile 115.2
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...
18 mi from route
~44 min detour
Free
near mile 172.9
The Potomac River corridor is rich in both history and recreation, offering a chance to both explore your heritage and choose your adventure along the way. Start your journey here!
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.04 one way
$58.08 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg65 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$31.75
$63.50
premium
$4.70
$34.37
$68.74
diesel
$5.61
$41.00
$82.00
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 65 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
55.7
0
$19.50
$8.91
Efficient EV
46.4
0
$16.25
$7.43
EV Truck/SUV
74.3
0
$26.00
$11.88
Gas CO2
65 kg
EV CO2
22 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 16, 2026
Origin
Buckhall, VA
Late night
in Buckhall on Friday
Local time
3:09 AM
EDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
South Suffolk, VA
Late night
in South Suffolk on Friday
Local time
3:09 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
79°F
Colonial Heights, VA
93 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
29 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 47m 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 Buckhall, VA to South Suffolk, VA covers 185.7 miles and takes about 3h 47m 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 92.8 miles from Buckhall, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $29.04 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 18 significant decision points across 185.7 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (VA 294 / Prince William Parkway): Lane positioning matters here; at 10.6 miles (SR 2000 / Smoketown Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 34.9 miles (I 95): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Buckhall, VA and South Suffolk, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk and Va Beach.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 47 ft to 312 ft elevation with about 227 ft of total climbing.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Colonial National Historical Park, Petersburg National Battlefield and Fort Monroe National Monument. There are 4 parks within detour distance of this route.
Data sources
The figures on this page are computed from open government and mapping datasets, not crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from
OSRM
over
OpenStreetMap.
Fuel cost uses
EIA
weekly regional averages.
Elevation is sampled from
USGS 3DEP.
National park proximity is from the
NPS API.
Full methodology, refresh cadence, and limitations are documented on the
methodology page.
