Trip from Stafford, VA to Suffolk, VA

Drive Time

3h 8m

Distance

157 mi

253 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$25

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 35 min

4 AM

2h 57m ★

6 AM

3h 8m

8 AM

3h 32m

10 AM

3h 16m

12 PM

3h 14m

3 PM

3h 18m

5 PM

3h 30m

8 PM

3h 1m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Stafford, VA

Eric Joseph

Suffolk, VA

Mark Stebnicki

Trip Overview

Traveling from Stafford to Suffolk covers 157 miles and typically takes about 3 hours and 8 minutes. Because this journey stays within the Southeast region of Virginia, you can easily complete the entire trek in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $25 on fuel for this mixed-drive route. Whether you are heading south for business or a weekend getaway, the trip offers a straightforward trajectory. It is a manageable distance for most drivers, making it a reliable option for a quick transit between these two points.

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

78.5 miles from Stafford, VA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 27m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a varied experience behind the wheel, as this route transitions from high-speed interstate travel to more localized roads. You will spend about 35% of your time on highways, with your longest uninterrupted stretch covering 54.2 miles on I-95. The journey shifts in character as you move from the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway onto James River Drive. This transition breaks up the monotonous grind of the interstate, offering a change in pace. Be prepared for the shift from heavy traffic zones to the more moderate flow of regional thoroughfares.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.

There are about 25 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 54.2 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 1.4 miles in near I 95.

Route Complexity 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 157 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 1.4 miles (I 95): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 7 miles (I 95): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 55.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 16 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

1.4 mi into trip | ~2m in | I 95

Merge onto I 95

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.

7 mi into trip | ~9m in | I 95

Keep slight left at fork onto I 95

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.

55.6 mi into trip | ~1h 2m 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...

57.4 mi into trip | ~1h 4m in | I 295 / Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway

Merge onto I 295 / Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.

84.5 mi into trip | ~1h 33m 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 Along This Route

Between Stafford, VA and Suffolk, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk and Va Beach.

Norfolk

55.6 mi in | ~1h 2m

Va Beach

55.6 mi in | ~1h 2m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 95	54.2 mi	59m
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
Benns Church Boulevard	4.3 mi	5m

Longest stretch: I 95 — 54.2 mi, about 59m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Stafford, VA and Suffolk, VA.

Start on SR 630

0.5 mi · 56 sec · Courthouse Road

Use the none lane.

Continue on SR 630

0.2 mi · 26 sec · Courthouse Road

Continue on SR 630

0.4 mi · 42 sec · Courthouse Road

Use the right lane.

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 46 sec

Toward I 95 South: Richmond

Merge onto I 95

5.6 mi · 6 min · I 95

Use the none lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 95

49 mi · 53 min · I 95

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

1.9 mi · 2 min

Exit 84A Toward I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va Beach Use the slight left / straight lanes.

Merge onto I 295

27 mi · 29 min · Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 47 sec

Exit 15A Toward VA 10 East: Hopewell Use the right lane.

Merge onto VA 10

2.9 mi · 3 min · East Hundred Road

Use the none lane.

Continue on VA 10

2.9 mi · 4 min · West Randolph Road

Continue on VA 10; VA 156 BUS

15 mi · 19 min · James River Drive

Continue on VA 10

13 mi · 15 min · Colonial Trail West

At end of road, turn left onto VA 10; VA 31

1.0 mi · 1 min · Rolfe Highway

Take the exit

149 ft · 6 sec

Merge onto VA 10

9.8 mi · 11 min · Colonial Trail East

Continue on VA 10

12 mi · 15 min · Old Stage Highway

Use the left / none lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto VA 10

4.3 mi · 5 min · Benns Church Boulevard

Continue on VA 10; VA 32

8.4 mi · 9 min · Godwin Boulevard

Continue on VA 10; VA 32

0.5 mi · 48 sec · Godwin Boulevard

Turn left onto US 460 BUS; VA 10; VA 32

366 ft · 6 sec · Pruden Boulevard

Continue on US 460 BUS; VA 10; VA 32

2.2 mi · 5 min · North Main Street

Turn right onto VA 337

454 ft · 17 sec · West Washington Street

Turn left onto South Saratoga Street

165 ft · 4 sec · South Saratoga Street

Arrive at destination

South Saratoga Street

Trip Plan

To keep your drive smooth, plan for at least one dedicated stop during your 3-hour journey. Since the route is relatively short, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure time, though avoiding peak traffic hours on I-95 is always a smart move. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as you should budget around $25 to reach your destination comfortably. Since this is a mixed-drive route, stay alert for the transition between the interstate and the local highway sections. Mapping out your single stop ahead of time will ensure you stay refreshed without adding unnecessary time to your trip.

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 78.5 miles from Stafford, VA, or about 1h 27m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 54.2 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 29m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 78.5 miles or 1h 27m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 29m

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 Stafford, 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 Stafford, VA

This is one driving day of about 157 miles and 3h 8m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Stafford, 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 54.2 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 78.5 mi from Stafford, VA · 1h 27m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Middletown, MD

79 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

Middletown, MD

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Middletown, MD

Meal break

The midpoint is around 78.5 miles from Stafford, 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

$25.13 one way

$50.25 round trip

$4.07/gal 25.4 MPG avg 55 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.43	$27.38	$54.75
premium	$4.78	$29.53	$59.07
diesel	$5.64	$34.88	$69.76

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$25

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$50–$75

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 54.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	47.1	$16.49	$7.54
Efficient EV	39.3	$13.74	$6.28
EV Truck/SUV	62.8	$21.98	$10.05

Gas CO2

55 kg

EV CO2

18 kg (67% 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 data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Stafford, VA

Evening in Stafford on Sunday

Local time

8:52 PM

EDT

Current temp

90°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Suffolk, VA

Evening in Suffolk on Sunday

Local time

8:52 PM

EDT

Current temp

66°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

86°F

Middletown, MD

79 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

24 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 8m 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 Stafford, VA to Suffolk, VA covers 157 miles and takes about 3h 8m 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 78.5 miles from Stafford, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $25.13 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.

Between Stafford, VA and Suffolk, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk and Va Beach.

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Return Trip

Suffolk, VA to Stafford, VA

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156.3 mi 3h 7m

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Trip from Stafford, VA to Suffolk, VA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Suffolk, VA

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Stafford, VA

Suffolk, VA

Same local time

24 degrees cooler at arrival

3h 8m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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