Trip from Suffolk, VA to Richmond, VA

Drive Time

2h 1m

Distance

92 mi

148 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$15

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 26 min

4 AM

1h 53m ★

6 AM

2h 1m

8 AM

2h 19m

10 AM

2h 7m

12 PM

2h 6m

3 PM

2h 8m

5 PM

2h 18m

8 PM

1h 56m

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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Suffolk, VA

Mark Stebnicki

Trip Overview

If you are planning a trip from Suffolk to Richmond, you are looking at a 92-mile journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 1 minute. This route keeps you within the Southeast region of Virginia, making it an ideal day trip that requires no overnight stops. Expect to budget roughly $15 for fuel to cover the distance. By utilizing Benns Church Boulevard, James River Drive, and Colonial Trail West, you avoid the monotony of major interstates. It is a straightforward, manageable drive that fits perfectly into a single day of travel, whether you are heading out for business or a quick change of scenery.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

0 planned breaks

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

46 miles from Suffolk, VA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 59m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a mindless highway cruise, as only 15% of this route takes place on major highways. You will spend much of your time navigating local roads, which keeps the experience engaging and varied. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 16.3-mile segment on Benns Church Boulevard, providing a brief period of steady driving. Because the route relies on smaller thoroughfares like James River Drive and Colonial Trail West, you should remain alert for shifting road conditions. This is a trip for those who prefer the character of local backroads over the predictable rhythm of a multi-lane interstate.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.

There are about 23 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

Benns Church Boulevard is the longest continuous segment at about 16.3 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 around 0.1 miles in near US 13 BUS; VA 10; VA 32 / North Main Street.

Route Complexity 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 92 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 0.1 miles (US 13 BUS; VA 10; VA 32 / North Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 75.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 88.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 13 key points

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

0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | US 13 BUS; VA 10; VA 32 / North Main Street

Turn left onto US 13 BUS; VA 10; VA 32 / North Main Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.

75.9 mi into trip | ~1h 39m in

Take the exit toward I 95 North: Richmond

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane. Toward I 95 North: Richmond

88.7 mi into trip | ~1h 55m in

Take the exit toward VA 195 Toll: Downtown Expressway

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 74A Toward VA 195 Toll: Downtown Expressway

90.6 mi into trip | ~1h 58m in

Take the exit toward Cash Toll, Meadow Street

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward Cash Toll, Meadow Street

91 mi into trip | ~1h 58m in

Keep slight right at fork toward Meadow Street

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward Meadow Street

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Benns Church Boulevard	16.3 mi	21m
James River Drive	14.6 mi	19m
Colonial Trail West	13.3 mi	15m
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike	12.5 mi	15m
Colonial Trail East	9.9 mi	11m
Godwin Boulevard	8.9 mi	10m
East Hundred Road	6.6 mi	9m
East Randolph Road	2.9 mi	4m

Longest stretch: Benns Church Boulevard — 16.3 mi, about 21m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on South Saratoga Street

165 ft · 10 sec · South Saratoga Street

Turn right onto VA 337

454 ft · 16 sec · West Washington Street

Turn left onto US 13 BUS; VA 10; VA 32

2.2 mi · 4 min · North Main Street

Use the none lane.

Continue on US 460 BUS; VA 10; VA 32

366 ft · 8 sec · Pruden Boulevard

Turn right onto Godwin Boulevard

8.9 mi · 10 min · Godwin Boulevard

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on VA 10; VA 32

16 mi · 21 min · Benns Church Boulevard

Use the none lane.

Continue on VA 10

9.9 mi · 11 min · Colonial Trail East

Turn left onto VA 10; VA 31

1.0 mi · 1 min · Rolfe Highway

Turn right onto VA 10

13 mi · 15 min · Colonial Trail West

Continue on VA 10

15 mi · 19 min · James River Drive

Continue on VA 10; VA 156 BUS

2.9 mi · 4 min · East Randolph Road

Continue on VA 10

6.6 mi · 9 min · East Hundred Road

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 42 sec

Toward I 95 North: Richmond Use the right lane.

Merge onto I 95

12 mi · 15 min · Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 35 sec

Exit 74A Toward VA 195 Toll: Downtown Expressway Use the slight right lane.

Continue on VA 195

1.6 mi · 2 min · Downtown Expressway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 39 sec

Toward Cash Toll, Meadow Street Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on this road

373 ft · 9 sec · this road

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 30 sec

Toward Meadow Street Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn right onto South Meadow Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · South Meadow Street

Turn right onto Monument Avenue

0.1 mi · 19 sec · Monument Avenue

Enter roundabout onto Marcus-David Peters Circle

81 ft · 2 sec · Marcus-David Peters Circle

Arrive at destination

Marcus-David Peters Circle

Trip Plan

Since this 92-mile drive is relatively short, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure schedule to avoid peak local traffic. Given the lack of planned stops, you should ensure your vehicle is fueled up before you leave, as the $15 fuel estimate assumes consistent driving conditions. If you find the turn-heavy nature of the route tiring, consider building in a buffer for a quick break to stretch your legs. Keep a close eye on your navigation, especially when transitioning between Benns Church Boulevard and the other local roads, as the route requires frequent turns. Taking advantage of the shorter duration allows you to arrive in Richmond feeling refreshed rather than worn out by a long day behind the wheel.

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.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.

The halfway point lands around 46 miles from Suffolk, VA, or about 59m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 16.3 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 80 miles or 1h 44m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 46 miles or 59m 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 38m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Richmond, 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 92 miles and 2h 1m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Suffolk, VA.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.

The longest stretch is on Benns Church Boulevard for about 16.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 46 mi from Suffolk, VA · 59m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Middletown, MD

46 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 46 miles from Suffolk, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Richmond, VA

The final approach into Richmond, 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 Richmond, 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

$14.72 one way

$29.45 round trip

$4.07/gal 25.4 MPG avg 32 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.43	$16.04	$32.08
premium	$4.78	$17.31	$34.61
diesel	$5.64	$20.44	$40.88

Estimated Tolls: $0.87

Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike (12.5 mi) $0.87

Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$15

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$41–$66

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 32.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	27.6	$9.66	$4.42
Efficient EV	23	$8.05	$3.68
EV Truck/SUV	36.8	$12.88	$5.89

Gas CO2

32 kg

EV CO2

11 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.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast data refreshed 2 days ago

Origin

Suffolk, VA

Evening in Suffolk on Sunday

Local time

6:33 PM

EDT

Current temp

66°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Richmond, VA

Evening in Richmond on Sunday

Local time

6:33 PM

EDT

Current temp

67°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

86°F

Middletown, MD

46 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

1 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

2h 1m 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 Richmond, VA covers 92 miles and takes about 2h 1m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Benns Church Boulevard, James River Drive, Colonial Trail West. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 46 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 $14.72 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

The route from Suffolk, VA to Richmond, VA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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Trip from Suffolk, VA to Richmond, VA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Richmond, VA

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Suffolk, VA

Richmond, VA

Same local time

1 degrees warmer at arrival

2h 1m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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