Tropical Smoothie Cafe
Near the start, short detour
Mechanicsville, Virginia
Hours: 7 am–9 pm
+18045699707
Visit websiteCompiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 6m
Distance
100.2 mi
161 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$16
one way
EV Charging
Excellent
15 DC fast
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Chamberlayne, VA
Marcella Soáres
Suffolk, VA
Wikimedia Commons
The drive from Chamberlayne, VA to Suffolk, VA covers 100.2 miles and takes about 2h 6m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, James River Drive, Colonial Trail West for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 25.5 miles on Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $15.67 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.
Midpoint
50.1 miles from Chamberlayne, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 1m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 6m. Total distance: 100.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Expect a 2h 6m drive with frequent turns across 100.2 miles of local and secondary roads.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near US 301; VA 2 / Chamberlayne Road.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 100.2 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (US 301; VA 2 / Chamberlayne Road): Navigation decision point; at 1.7 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.3 miles (I 295 / Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto US 301; VA 2 / Chamberlayne Road
Navigation decision point
Take the ramp toward I 295 South: Norfolk, Rocky Mount NC
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Merge onto I 295 / Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward VA 10 East: Hopewell
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto South Saratoga Street
Navigation decision point
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway | 25.5 mi | 27m |
| 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 |
| Benns Church Boulevard | 4.3 mi | 5m |
| East Hundred Road | 2.9 mi | 3m |
Step-by-step road directions between Chamberlayne, VA and Suffolk, VA.
Start on Wilkinson Road
Turn right onto US 301; VA 2
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 295
Take the exit
Merge onto VA 10
Continue on VA 10
Continue on VA 10; VA 156 BUS
Continue on VA 10
At end of road, turn left onto VA 10; VA 31
Take the exit
Merge onto VA 10
Continue on VA 10
Keep slight right at fork onto VA 10
Continue on VA 10; VA 32
Continue on VA 10; VA 32
Turn left onto US 460 BUS; VA 10; VA 32
Continue on US 460 BUS; VA 10; VA 32
Turn right onto VA 337
Turn left onto South Saratoga Street
Arrive at destination
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
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 22 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 50.1 miles or 1h 1m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 40m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Suffolk, VA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Chamberlayne, 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 Chamberlayne, VA
This is one driving day of about 100.2 miles and 2h 6m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 50.1 mi from Chamberlayne, VA · 1h 1m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
50 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 22 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 50.1 miles from Chamberlayne, 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.
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Near the start, short detour
Mechanicsville, Virginia
Hours: 7 am–9 pm
+18045699707
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Hopewell, Virginia
Hours: Closed
+18043343338
Early in the drive, short detour
Richmond, Virginia
Hours: 4–9 pm
+18045071997
Visit websiteNear the start, ~9 min detour
Sandston, Virginia
Hours: 11 am–10 pm
+18042222250
Visit websiteNear the start, ~12 min detour
Quinton, Virginia
Hours: 6 am–1 pm
+18042464145
Visit websiteNear the start, ~11 min detour
Richmond, Virginia
Hours: 7 am–10 pm
+18042361100
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Glen Allen, Virginia
Hours: 10 am–8 pm
+18044001505
Near the end, ~10 min detour
Suffolk, Virginia
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18777983752
Visit websiteNear the start, ~11 min detour
Richmond, Virginia
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteNear the start, ~11 min detour
Richmond, Virginia
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteNear the start, ~11 min detour
Richmond, Virginia
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteNear the start, ~12 min detour
Richmond, Virginia
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteNear the start, ~12 min detour
Richmond, Virginia
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18774943833
Visit websiteNear the start, ~12 min detour
Richmond, Virginia
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+18887584389
Visit websiteNear the start, ~12 min detour
Richmond, Virginia
Near the end, short detour
Suffolk, Virginia
Hours: 6 am–8 pm
+17575147250
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Smithfield, Virginia
Hours: 10 am–4 pm
+17573561223
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Henrico, Virginia
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+18042629887
Visit websiteLater in the drive, ~10 min detour
Surry, Virginia
Hours: 9 am–4 pm
+17572943439
Visit websiteNear the start, ~12 min detour
Richmond, Virginia
Hours: 9:30 am–5 pm
+18048641400
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
National Battlefield
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...
National Monument
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Regular Gas
$15.67 one way
$31.34 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $17.13 | $34.27 |
| premium | $4.70 | $18.54 | $37.09 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $22.12 | $44.25 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 35.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
15 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent
ChargePoint Charging Station
Richmond, Virginia
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Suffolk, Virginia
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Richmond, Virginia
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Richmond, Virginia
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Richmond, Virginia
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Richmond, Virginia
1 DCFC
EVgo Charging Station
Richmond, Virginia
1 DCFC
Chevrolet Charging Station
Richmond, Virginia
1 DCFC
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 30.1 | 0 | $10.52 | $4.81 |
| Efficient EV | 25.1 | 0 | $8.77 | $4.01 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 40.1 | 0 | $14.03 | $6.41 |
Gas CO2
35 kg
EV CO2
12 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in Chamberlayne on Friday
Local time
6:11 AM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Chance Rain Showers
Destination
Morning in Suffolk on Friday
Local time
6:11 AM
EDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
52°F
Waverly, VA
50 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
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
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.
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.
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