Tazewell, VA to Suffolk, VA is 378 miles and takes about 7h 29m via I 85, US 58, and I 40, with a fuel budget near $59 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This highway-focused drive primarily stays within the Southeast region, connecting two points in Virginia. Expect a steady pace for most of the trip, making it a straightforward option if you need to get from point A to point B efficiently. With a recommended single day for travel, you can plan to arrive at your destination with time to spare.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
189 miles from Tazewell, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 42m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 29m. Total distance: 378 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 29m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Drive Character
This route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 85% of the journey utilizing major roadways. You'll experience long stretches on interstates, including the longest uninterrupted segment of 57.5 miles on I 85. While much of the drive will feel familiar to anyone accustomed to interstate travel, the inclusion of US 58 offers a slight change of pace. The overall character is one of steady progress, designed for covering distance efficiently.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 40 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 62.6 miles in near I 77.
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 28 significant decision points across 378 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 62.6 miles (I 77): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 128.3 miles (NC 74): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 154.1 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 28 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
62.6 mi into trip|~1h 13m 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
128.3 mi into trip|~2h 29m 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
154.1 mi into trip|~3h 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
200.4 mi into trip|~3h 55m 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
320.5 mi into trip|~6h 12m 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 Tazewell, VA and Suffolk, VA, road signs point toward Martinsville, Norfolk and Virginia Beach.
Martinsville
154.1 mi in|~3h|via I 40
Norfolk
320.3 mi in|~6h 12m
Virginia Beach
320.5 mi in|~6h 12m
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 77
39.6 mi
45m
North Andy Griffith Parkway
31.6 mi
35m
US 158
29.2 mi
34m
US 52
19.7 mi
22m
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 Tazewell, VA and Suffolk, VA.
1
Start on Mill Road
397 ft·19 sec·Mill Road
2
Turn right onto US 19 BUS; US 460 BUS; VA 16
436 ft·7 sec·Main Street
3
Continue on US 19 BUS; US 460 BUS; VA 16
0.4 mi·44 sec·Fincastle Turnpike
4
Turn left onto VA 16
0.8 mi·1 min·Tazewell Avenue
5
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·18 sec
Toward Bluefield
6
Merge onto US 19; US 460
13 mi·16 min·Governor G C Peery Highway
7
Continue on US 19; US 460
9.8 mi·11 min·Trail of the Lonesome Pine
Use the straight lane.
8
Take the exit onto US 52 Truck
2.3 mi·2 min·US 52 Truck
9
Take the exit onto US 52
20 mi·22 min·US 52
10
Continue on I 77
16 mi·17 min·I 77
Use the straight lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 77
24 mi·27 min·I 77
Exit 81Toward I 77 South: Charlotte North CarolinaUse the slight right lane.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward VA 148, SR 775: Fancy Gap
13
Turn straight onto VA 148
0.9 mi·1 min·Chance Creek Road
14
At end of road, turn right onto US 52
9.4 mi·10 min·Fancy Gap Highway
15
Continue on US 52
32 mi·35 min·North Andy Griffith Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto NC 74
13 mi·15 min·NC 74
Toward NC 74 EastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork
1.1 mi·2 min
Exit 53BToward US 421 South: Greensboro
18
Merge onto US 421; NC 150
11 mi·13 min·Salem Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
7.8 mi·9 min·I 40
Toward I 40 East: Greensboro, MartinsvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
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.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
37 mi·42 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
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: DurhamUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
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.
24
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.
25
Keep slight left at fork onto I 85; US 15
37 mi·40 min·I 85; US 15
26
Turn straight onto I 85
4.9 mi·5 min·I 85
27
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Toward US 1, US 158: Norlina
28
Turn left onto US 1; US 158
8.6 mi·10 min·US 1; US 158
29
Turn right onto US 158; US 401
1.2 mi·1 min·US 158; US 401
30
Continue on US 158 Bypass
5.0 mi·5 min·US 158 Bypass
31
At end of road, turn left onto US 158
28 mi·33 min·US 158
32
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
33
Merge onto I 95; US 158
19 mi·20 min·Congressman G K Butterfield Highway
34
Take the exit
0.1 mi·16 sec
Toward US 58 East: Emporia, Norfolk
35
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·17 sec
Toward US 58 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach
36
Merge onto US 58
55 mi·1 hr 11 min·US 58
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
37
Continue on US 58 BUS
1.6 mi·2 min·Holland Road
38
Continue on US 58 Business
1.0 mi·2 min·West Washington Street
39
Turn right onto South Saratoga Street
165 ft·4 sec·South Saratoga Street
40
Arrive at destination
South Saratoga Street
Trip Plan
Given the 7 hour 29 minute duration, departing Tazewell, VA in the morning allows ample time to reach Suffolk, VA before evening. Plan for your two recommended stops to break up the drive, perhaps around the halfway mark or when you need a break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 57.5-mile stretch on I 85, as services can sometimes be spaced out on interstates. This is a manageable one-day drive, so you have flexibility in when you depart.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 189 miles from Tazewell, VA, or about 3h 42m 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 83 miles or 1h 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 189 miles or 3h 42m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 9m
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 Tazewell, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Tazewell, VA
This is one driving day of about 378 miles and 7h 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 83 miles from Tazewell, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks 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 189 mi from Tazewell, VA
· 3h 42m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Fort Monroe National Monument
National Monument
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
~63 min detour
Free
near mile 378
Park Closure: Road Closure and Fishing Pier Impact
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $40 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
113.4
1
$39.69
$18.14
Efficient EV
94.5
1
$33.07
$15.12
EV Truck/SUV
151.2
1
$52.92
$24.19
Gas CO2
132 kg
EV CO2
44 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Tazewell, VA
Late night
in Tazewell on Saturday
Local time
1:24 AM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Suffolk, VA
Late night
in Suffolk on Saturday
Local time
1:24 AM
EDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
36 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
7h 29m 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 Tazewell, VA to Suffolk, VA covers 378 miles and takes about 7h 29m 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 189 miles from Tazewell, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $59.11 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 2 meaningful breaks 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 28 significant decision points across 378 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 62.6 miles (I 77): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 128.3 miles (NC 74): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 154.1 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Tazewell, VA and Suffolk, VA, road signs point toward Martinsville, Norfolk and Virginia Beach.
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.
