Origin
Marion, VA
Late night in Marion on Wednesday
Local time
1:31 AM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Marion, VA to Suffolk, VA
Data updated 3 hours ago
Drive Time
6h 57m
Distance
351.9 mi
566 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$55
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 46m
★
6 AM
6h 57m
8 AM
7h 20m
10 AM
7h 5m
12 PM
7h 3m
3 PM
7h 6m
5 PM
7h 19m
8 PM
6h 50m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Marion, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Suffolk, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 351.9-mile drive from Marion, VA, to Suffolk, VA, is achievable in about 6 hours and 57 minutes, making it a solid day trip. You'll primarily be on I-85, US-58, and I-40, with 90% of the route being highway driving. The estimated fuel cost is around $55. The journey stays within the Southeast region, offering a straightforward transit through Virginia. With its highway focus, this route is designed for efficient travel, so pack some snacks and get ready for a direct trip.
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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
176 miles from Marion, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 24m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience for the majority of this trip, with 90% of the drive taking place on major roadways. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 57.5 miles on I-85, so you'll have opportunities for sustained travel. While primarily interstate and highway, the inclusion of US-58 might offer a slight change of pace compared to pure interstate driving. This route is geared towards covering ground effectively, with limited deviations from high-speed travel.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 35 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 85 is the longest continuous segment at about 57.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 85 and US 58. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 36.6 miles in near I 77.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 25 significant decision points across 351.9 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 36.6 miles (I 77): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 102.3 miles (NC 74): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 128 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 25 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
36.6 mi into trip
|
~41m in
|
I 77
Keep slight right at fork onto I 77 toward I 77 South: Charlotte North Carolina
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 81
Toward I 77 South: Charlotte North Carolina
7
102.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 56m in
|
NC 74
Keep slight left at fork onto NC 74 toward NC 74 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward NC 74 East
8
128 mi into trip
|
~2h 27m in
|
I 40
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
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 40 East: Greensboro, Martinsville
7
174.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 22m in
|
I 85; NC 86 Truck
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
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 85 North: Durham
7
294.5 mi into trip
|
~5h 39m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 58 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 58 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Marion, VA and Suffolk, VA, road signs point toward Martinsville, Norfolk and Virginia Beach.
Martinsville
128 mi in
|
~2h 27m
|
via I 40
Norfolk
294.3 mi in
|
~5h 39m
Virginia Beach
294.5 mi in
|
~5h 39m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 85 | 57.5 mi | 1h 4m |
| US 58 | 54.6 mi | 1h 11m |
| I 40 | 46.3 mi | 54m |
| I 81 | 35.3 mi | 37m |
| North Andy Griffith Parkway | 31.6 mi | 35m |
| US 158 | 29.2 mi | 34m |
| I 77 | 23.5 mi | 27m |
| Congressman G K Butterfield Highway | 19.3 mi | 20m |
Longest stretch:
I 85
— 57.5 mi, about 1h 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Marion, VA and Suffolk, VA.
1
Start on East Main Street
0.1 mi
·
34 sec
·
East Main Street
2
Turn left onto VA 16
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
South Commerce Street
3
Continue on VA 16
399 ft
·
15 sec
·
State Highway 16
4
Turn left
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
5
Merge onto I 81
35 mi
·
37 min
·
I 81
Use the straight lane.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 77
24 mi
·
27 min
·
I 77
Exit 81
Toward I 77 South: Charlotte North Carolina
Use the slight right lane.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Toward VA 148, SR 775: Fancy Gap
8
Turn straight onto VA 148
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Chance Creek Road
9
At end of road, turn right onto US 52
9.4 mi
·
10 min
·
Fancy Gap Highway
10
Continue on US 52
32 mi
·
35 min
·
North Andy Griffith Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto NC 74
13 mi
·
15 min
·
NC 74
Toward NC 74 East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork
1.1 mi
·
2 min
Exit 53B
Toward US 421 South: Greensboro
13
Merge onto US 421; NC 150
11 mi
·
13 min
·
Salem Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
7.8 mi
·
9 min
·
I 40
Toward I 40 East: Greensboro, Martinsville
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto I 40; US 29; US 220
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
I 40; US 29; US 220
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
37 mi
·
42 min
·
I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 85; NC 86 Truck
9.4 mi
·
10 min
·
I 85; NC 86 Truck
Toward I 85 North: Durham
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 85; US 70
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
I 85; US 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on I 85; US 15; US 70; US 501
4.3 mi
·
5 min
·
I 85; US 15; US 70; US 501
Use the straight lane.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 85; US 15
37 mi
·
40 min
·
I 85; US 15
21
Turn straight onto I 85
4.9 mi
·
5 min
·
I 85
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
Toward US 1, US 158: Norlina
23
Turn left onto US 1; US 158
8.6 mi
·
10 min
·
US 1; US 158
24
Turn right onto US 158; US 401
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
US 158; US 401
25
Continue on US 158 Bypass
5.0 mi
·
5 min
·
US 158 Bypass
26
At end of road, turn left onto US 158
28 mi
·
33 min
·
US 158
27
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
28
Merge onto I 95; US 158
19 mi
·
20 min
·
Congressman G K Butterfield Highway
29
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
Toward US 58 East: Emporia, Norfolk
30
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
Toward US 58 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach
31
Merge onto US 58
55 mi
·
1 hr 11 min
·
US 58
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Continue on US 58 BUS
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Holland Road
33
Continue on US 58 Business
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
West Washington Street
34
Turn right onto South Saratoga Street
165 ft
·
4 sec
·
South Saratoga Street
35
Arrive at destination
South Saratoga Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 7-hour drive, consider an early morning departure from Marion, VA, to maximize daylight. With a single recommended stop, plan for a longer break midway to stretch your legs and refuel. The longest stretch without a major change in road type is over 57 miles on I-85, so ensure you're fueled up before embarking on that segment. Given the highway-centric nature, be mindful of traffic patterns, especially as you approach larger towns or cities in Virginia.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 176 miles from Marion, VA, or about 3h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 57.5 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 80 miles or 1h 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 176 miles or 3h 24m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 36m
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 Marion, 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 Marion, VA
This is one driving day of about 351.9 miles and 6h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Marion, 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 85 for about 57.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 176 mi from Marion, VA · 3h 24m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
176 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 176 miles from Marion, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Suffolk, VA
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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$55.03 one way
$110.06 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
123 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $60.17 | $120.34 |
| premium | $4.70 | $65.13 | $130.26 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $77.70 | $155.39 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$55
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$80–$105
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 123.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 105.6 | 1 | $36.95 | $16.89 |
| Efficient EV | 88 | 1 | $30.79 | $14.08 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 140.8 | 1 | $49.27 | $22.52 |
Gas CO2
123 kg
EV CO2
41 kg (67% 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Suffolk, VA
Late night in Suffolk on Wednesday
Local time
1:31 AM
EDT
Current temp
85°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
64°F
Graham, NC
176 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
28 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
6h 57m on the road
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Marion, VA to Suffolk, VA covers 351.9 miles and takes about 6h 57m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 85, US 58, I 40. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 176 miles from Marion, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $55.03 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 25 significant decision points across 351.9 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 36.6 miles (I 77): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 102.3 miles (NC 74): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 128 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Marion, VA and Suffolk, VA, road signs point toward Martinsville, Norfolk and Virginia Beach.
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