The drive from Suffolk, VA to Altavista, VA covers 188.9 miles and takes about 4h 22m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 460, New Cox Road, General Mahone Highway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 30 miles on US 460.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $29.54 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
94.4 miles from Suffolk, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 12m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 22m. Total distance: 188.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 22m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
Expect a 4h 22m drive with frequent turns across 188.9 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 42 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 460 is the longest continuous segment at about 30 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near VA 337 / West Washington Street.
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 24 significant decision points across 188.9 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: near the start (VA 337 / West Washington Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.9 miles (US 58 BUS / West Constance Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 53.3 miles (SR 630 / Rives Road): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 24 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|VA 337 / West Washington Street
Turn left onto VA 337 / West Washington Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
6
0.9 mi into trip|~1m in|US 58 BUS / West Constance Road
Turn right onto US 58 BUS / West Constance Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
53.3 mi into trip|~1h 21m in|SR 630 / Rives Road
Turn left onto SR 630 / Rives Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
59.2 mi into trip|~1h 30m in|US 460
Take the exit onto US 460 toward I 85 South, US 460 West: Durham, Blackstone
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward I 85 South, US 460 West: Durham, Blackst...
8
65.8 mi into trip|~1h 38m in|US 460
Take the exit onto US 460 toward US 460 West: Blackstone, Lynchburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 61
Toward US 460 West: Blackstone, Lynchburg
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Suffolk, VA and Altavista, VA, road signs point toward Blackstone and Lynchburg.
Blackstone
59.2 mi in|~1h 30m|via US 460
Lynchburg
65.8 mi in|~1h 38m|via US 460
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 460
30 mi
36m
New Cox Road
23 mi
26m
General Mahone Highway
14.3 mi
19m
West Colonial Trail Highway
13.1 mi
16m
Richmond Highway
10.8 mi
12m
Village Highway
10.4 mi
19m
Windsor Boulevard
9.9 mi
15m
County Drive
9.5 mi
14m
Longest stretch:
US 460
— 30 mi, about 36m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Suffolk, VA and Altavista, VA.
1
Start on South Saratoga Street
165 ft·9 sec·South Saratoga Street
2
Turn left onto VA 337
0.8 mi·1 min·West Washington Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
3
Turn right onto US 58 BUS
0.3 mi·46 sec·West Constance Road
Use the right lane.
4
Turn left onto SR 604
3.9 mi·6 min·Pitchkettle Road
5
At end of road, turn right onto SR 634
0.1 mi·15 sec·Kings Fork Road
6
Turn left onto Providence Road
0.5 mi·1 min·Providence Road
7
Turn left onto US 460
3.1 mi·5 min·Pruden Boulevard
8
Continue on US 460
9.9 mi·15 min·Windsor Boulevard
9
Continue on US 460
8.4 mi·11 min·General Mahone Boulevard
10
Continue on US 460
0.1 mi·9 sec·Mahone Highway
11
Continue on US 460
2.0 mi·2 min·General Mahone Highway
12
Continue on US 460
1.1 mi·2 min·South County Drive
13
Continue on US 460
6.2 mi·8 min·General Mahone Highway
14
Continue on US 460
1.4 mi·2 min·South County Drive
15
Continue on US 460
6.1 mi·8 min·General Mahone Highway
16
Continue on US 460
9.5 mi·14 min·County Drive
Use the left lane.
17
Turn left onto SR 630
1.9 mi·3 min·Rives Road
Use the left lane.
18
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward I 95 North
19
Merge onto I 95
3.7 mi·4 min·I 95
20
Take the exit onto US 460
0.6 mi·1 min·US 460
Toward I 85 South, US 460 West: Durham, BlackstoneUse the right lane.
21
Merge onto I 85; US 460
6.0 mi·7 min·Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
22
Take the exit onto US 460
0.2 mi·25 sec·US 460
Exit 61Toward US 460 West: Blackstone, LynchburgUse the slight right lane.
23
Continue on US 460
1.1 mi·1 min·Airport Street
24
Continue on US 460
23 mi·26 min·New Cox Road
25
Continue on US 460
4.3 mi·5 min·East Colonial Trail Highway
26
Continue on US 460
6.9 mi·7 min·East Colonial Trail Road
27
Continue on US 460
7.5 mi·11 min·East Colonial Trail
28
Merge onto US 360; US 460
1.5 mi·2 min·West Colonial Trail Highway
29
Keep slight right at fork onto US 460
12 mi·14 min·West Colonial Trail Highway
30
Keep slight left at fork onto US 460
29 mi·34 min·US 460
31
Keep slight right at fork onto US 460
11 mi·12 min·Richmond Highway
Toward US 460 West: Lynchburg
32
Turn left onto VA 24
1.2 mi·2 min·Village Highway
33
Enter roundabout onto VA 24
112 ft·2 sec·Village Highway
34
Continue on VA 24
9.2 mi·17 min·Village Highway
35
Take the exit onto VA 24
4.3 mi·7 min·VA 24
36
Turn left onto US 29
9.1 mi·11 min·Wards Road
37
Take the exit onto US 29 BUS
0.2 mi·31 sec·US 29 BUS
Toward US 29 Business South
38
Turn left onto US 29 BUS
2.0 mi·3 min·Main Street
39
Turn right onto 7th Street
0.9 mi·2 min·7th Street
40
Turn left onto Franklin Avenue
364 ft·17 sec·Franklin Avenue
41
Turn left onto US 29 BUS
30 ft·1 sec·Main Street
42
Arrive at destination
US 29 BUS
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 94.4 miles from Suffolk, VA, or about 2h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 30 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 42 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 94.4 miles or 2h 12m 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 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Altavista, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Suffolk, 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 Suffolk, VA
This is one driving day of about 188.9 miles and 4h 22m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 42 miles from Suffolk, 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 US 460 for about 30 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 94.4 mi from Suffolk, VA
· 2h 12m into the drive
The midpoint is around 94.4 miles from Suffolk, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Altavista, VA
The final approach into Altavista, 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 Altavista, 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.
Petersburg National Battlefield
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...
0 mi from route
~1 min detour
Free
near mile 65.1
Park Closure: Eastern Front Tour Road south of Route 36 - Closed
On April 9, 1865, the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia in the McLean House in the village of Appomattox Court House, Virginia signaled the effective end of the nation's largest war. Question...
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Free
near mile 149.8
Booker T. Washington was born a slave in April 1856 on the 207-acre farm of James Burroughs. After the Civil War, Washington became the first principal of Tuskegee Normal and Industrial School. Later...
25 mi from route
~61 min detour
Free
near mile 188.9
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...
25 mi from route
~62 min detour
Free
near mile 6.5
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...
27 mi from route
~67 min detour
$15
near mile 26.1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
56.7
0
$19.83
$9.07
Efficient EV
47.2
0
$16.53
$7.56
EV Truck/SUV
75.6
0
$26.45
$12.09
Gas CO2
66 kg
EV CO2
22 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 as of Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Suffolk, VA
Morning
in Suffolk on Saturday
Local time
8:04 AM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Mostly Clear
SE 1 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Altavista, VA
Morning
in Altavista on Saturday
Local time
8:04 AM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
72°F
Victoria, VA
94 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
8 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
4h 22m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Suffolk, VA to Altavista, VA covers 188.9 miles and takes about 4h 22m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 460, New Cox Road, General Mahone Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 94.4 miles from Suffolk, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $29.54 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 24 significant decision points across 188.9 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: near the start (VA 337 / West Washington Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.9 miles (US 58 BUS / West Constance Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 53.3 miles (SR 630 / Rives Road): Lane positioning matters here.
Between Suffolk, VA and Altavista, VA, road signs point toward Blackstone and Lynchburg.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
