The drive from Suffolk, VA to Arlington, VA covers 196.3 miles and takes about 3h 57m 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, Benns Church Boulevard for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is mixed drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 82.3 miles on I 95.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $30.70 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
98.1 miles from Suffolk, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 2m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 57m. Total distance: 196.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
The drive from Suffolk, VA to Arlington, VA covers 196.3 miles and takes about 3h 57m, 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 82.3 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 98.7 miles in.
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 17 significant decision points across 196.3 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 98.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 184.4 miles (I 395 / Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 193.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
98.7 mi into trip|~2h 2m in
Take the exit toward I 95 North: Washington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 43A
Toward I 95 North: Washington
9
184.4 mi into trip|~3h 39m in|I 395 / Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 395 / Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway toward I 395 North, I 495 North: Washington, Tysons Corner
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Exit 170A; 170B
Toward I 395 North, I 495 North: Washington, Ty...
8
193.1 mi into trip|~3h 50m in
Take the exit toward VA 27: Washington Boulevard, Columbia Pike
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 8A
Toward VA 27: Washington Boulevard, Columbia Pi...
8
193.5 mi into trip|~3h 51m in
Keep slight left at fork toward VA 27 West: Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Washington Boulevard, Columbia Pike
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward VA 27 West: Joint Base Myer-Henderson Ha...
6
193.8 mi into trip|~3h 51m in|VA 27 / Washington Boulevard
Merge onto VA 27 / Washington Boulevard toward Columbia Pike
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Columbia Pike
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Suffolk, VA to Arlington, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Tysons Corner along the way.
Tysons Corner
184.4 mi in|~3h 39m|via I 395
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
82.3 mi
1h 33m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
26.3 mi
28m
Benns Church Boulevard
16.3 mi
21m
James River Drive
14.6 mi
19m
Colonial Trail West
13.3 mi
15m
Colonial Trail East
9.9 mi
11m
Godwin Boulevard
8.9 mi
10m
Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
8.7 mi
10m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 82.3 mi, about 1h 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Suffolk, VA and Arlington, VA.
1
Start on South Saratoga Street
165 ft·10 sec·South Saratoga Street
2
Turn right onto VA 337
454 ft·16 sec·West Washington Street
3
Turn left onto US 13 BUS; VA 10; VA 32
2.2 mi·4 min·North Main Street
4
Continue on US 460 BUS; VA 10; VA 32
366 ft·8 sec·Pruden Boulevard
5
Turn right onto Godwin Boulevard
8.9 mi·10 min·Godwin Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on VA 10; VA 32
16 mi·21 min·Benns Church Boulevard
7
Continue on VA 10
9.9 mi·11 min·Colonial Trail East
8
Turn left onto VA 10; VA 31
1.0 mi·1 min·Rolfe Highway
9
Turn right onto VA 10
13 mi·15 min·Colonial Trail West
10
Continue on VA 10
15 mi·19 min·James River Drive
11
Continue on VA 10; VA 156 BUS
2.9 mi·4 min·East Randolph Road
12
Continue on VA 10
2.5 mi·3 min·East Hundred Road
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Toward I 295 North: Washington
14
Continue on this road
0.4 mi·46 sec·this road
Toward I 295 North: Washington
15
Merge onto I 295
26 mi·28 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
16
Take the exit
2.4 mi·2 min
Exit 43AToward I 95 North: WashingtonUse the slight left lane.
17
Merge onto I 95
46 mi·49 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork onto I 95; US 17
1.6 mi·1 min·I 95; US 17
19
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
20
Merge onto I 95
35 mi·41 min·I 95
Use the slight left lane.
21
Keep slight right at fork onto I 395
0.6 mi·52 sec·Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
Exit 170A; 170BToward I 395 North, I 495 North: Washington, Tysons CornerUse the straight / slight left lanes.
22
Continue on I 395
8.1 mi·9 min·Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
Exit 170AToward I 395 North: WashingtonUse the straight lane.
23
Take the exit
0.4 mi·49 sec
Exit 8AToward VA 27: Washington Boulevard, Columbia PikeUse the slight right lane.
24
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·45 sec
Toward VA 27 West: Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Washington Boulevard, Columbia PikeUse the slight left lane.
25
Merge onto VA 27
1.8 mi·3 min·Washington Boulevard
Toward Columbia PikeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Turn left onto VA 237
0.3 mi·1 min·10th Street North
27
Turn slight left
137 ft·8 sec
28
Turn left onto Wilson Boulevard
0.4 mi·1 min·Wilson Boulevard
29
Arrive at destination
Wilson Boulevard
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 98.1 miles from Suffolk, VA, or about 2h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 82.3 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 43 miles or 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 98.1 miles or 2h 2m 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 11m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Arlington, 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 196.3 miles and 3h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 43 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 I 95 for about 82.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 98.1 mi from Suffolk, VA
· 2h 2m into the drive
The midpoint is around 98.1 miles from Suffolk, 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 82.3 miles.
Arriving in Arlington, VA
The final approach into Arlington, 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 Arlington, 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...
11 mi from route
~28 min detour
$15
near mile 27.1
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
~33 min detour
Free
near mile 67.7
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...
17 mi from route
~42 min detour
Free
near mile 13.5
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!
29 mi from route
~73 min detour
Free
near mile 196.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.70 one way
$61.39 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg69 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$33.56
$67.13
premium
$4.70
$36.33
$72.66
diesel
$5.61
$43.34
$86.68
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 68.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
51 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
Blink Charging Station
Washington, District of Columbia
Blink
1 DCFC
Tesla Destination Charger
Washington, District of Columbia
Tesla Destination
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Suffolk, Virginia
Tesla
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Washington, District of Columbia
Tesla
1 DCFC
Blink Charging Station
Washington, District of Columbia
Blink
1 DCFC
Tesla Destination Charger
Washington, District of Columbia
Tesla Destination
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Washington, District of Columbia
Tesla
1 DCFC
Tesla Destination Charger
Washington, District of Columbia
Tesla Destination
1 DCFC
Blink: 17
ChargePoint: 10
Tesla Destination: 9
Other: 8
Tesla: 3
EV Connect: 3
InCharge: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
58.9
0
$20.61
$9.42
Efficient EV
49.1
0
$17.18
$7.85
EV Truck/SUV
78.5
0
$27.48
$12.56
Gas CO2
69 kg
EV CO2
23 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 16, 2026
Origin
Suffolk, VA
Late night
in Suffolk on Friday
Local time
2:54 AM
EDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Arlington, VA
Late night
in Arlington on Friday
Local time
2:54 AM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
79°F
Colonial Heights, VA
98 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 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 57m 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 Suffolk, VA to Arlington, VA covers 196.3 miles and takes about 3h 57m 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, Benns Church Boulevard. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 98.1 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 $30.70 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 17 significant decision points across 196.3 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 98.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 184.4 miles (I 395 / Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 193.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Suffolk, VA to Arlington, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Tysons Corner along the way.
