This 380.7-mile drive from Abingdon, VA to Suffolk, VA is a substantial journey, estimated to take around 7 hours and 27 minutes of pure driving time. It's a route that primarily utilizes major highways, making it feasible as a single-day trip, though breaking it up might offer a more relaxed experience. With a projected fuel cost of approximately $60, this highway-focused adventure covers a significant portion of Virginia, staying within the Southeast region. You'll spend most of your time on interstates, so expect a steady pace for this trek.
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
190.4 miles from Abingdon, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 38m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 85
57.5 mi
1h 4m
I 81
57.2 mi
1h 1m
US 58
54.6 mi
1h 11m
I 40
46.3 mi
54m
North Andy Griffith Parkway
31.6 mi
35m
I 77
30.6 mi
34m
US 158
29.2 mi
34m
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 Abingdon, VA and Suffolk, VA.
1
Start on VA 75
0.8 mi·1 min·Cummings Street
Use the straight lane.
2
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
3
Merge onto I 81; US 58
57 mi·1 hr 1 min·I 81; US 58
Use the straight lane.
4
Continue on I 77; I 81; US 11; US 52
7.1 mi·7 min·I 77; I 81; US 11; US 52
5
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.
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward VA 148, SR 775: Fancy Gap
7
Turn straight onto VA 148
0.9 mi·1 min·Chance Creek Road
8
At end of road, turn right onto US 52
9.4 mi·10 min·Fancy Gap Highway
9
Continue on US 52
32 mi·35 min·North Andy Griffith Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto NC 74
13 mi·15 min·NC 74
Toward NC 74 EastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork
1.1 mi·2 min
Exit 53BToward US 421 South: Greensboro
12
Merge onto US 421; NC 150
11 mi·13 min·Salem Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
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.
14
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.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
37 mi·42 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
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.
17
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.
18
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.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 85; US 15
37 mi·40 min·I 85; US 15
20
Turn straight onto I 85
4.9 mi·5 min·I 85
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Toward US 1, US 158: Norlina
22
Turn left onto US 1; US 158
8.6 mi·10 min·US 1; US 158
23
Turn right onto US 158; US 401
1.2 mi·1 min·US 158; US 401
24
Continue on US 158 Bypass
5.0 mi·5 min·US 158 Bypass
25
At end of road, turn left onto US 158
28 mi·33 min·US 158
26
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
27
Merge onto I 95; US 158
19 mi·20 min·Congressman G K Butterfield Highway
28
Take the exit
0.1 mi·16 sec
Toward US 58 East: Emporia, Norfolk
29
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·17 sec
Toward US 58 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach
30
Merge onto US 58
55 mi·1 hr 11 min·US 58
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Continue on US 58 BUS
1.6 mi·2 min·Holland Road
32
Continue on US 58 Business
1.0 mi·2 min·West Washington Street
33
Turn right onto South Saratoga Street
165 ft·4 sec·South Saratoga Street
34
Arrive at destination
South Saratoga Street
Trip Plan
To maximize your time, consider an early morning departure from Abingdon to take advantage of lighter traffic on the initial stretches of I-81. With a total duration of over 7 hours, planning for at least two stops is advisable for fuel and rest. The longest continuous drive segment is 57.5 miles on I-85, so be sure to fuel up before reaching that point if you prefer not to push the limits. Given the highway-centric nature, be mindful of speed limit changes as you transition between different interstate sections and US-58.
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 190.4 miles from Abingdon, VA, or about 3h 38m 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 84 miles or 1h 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 190.4 miles or 3h 38m 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 7m
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 Abingdon, 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 Abingdon, VA
This is one driving day of about 380.7 miles and 7h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 84 miles from Abingdon, 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 25
5 decision points cluster between mile 65.3 and 323.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
65.3 mi into trip|~1h 11m 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
131 mi into trip|~2h 27m 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
156.8 mi into trip|~2h 58m 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
203.1 mi into trip|~3h 53m 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
323.2 mi into trip|~6h 10m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$59.53 one way
$119.07 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg133 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$65.09
$130.19
premium
$4.70
$70.46
$140.92
diesel
$5.61
$84.05
$168.11
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$60
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$85–$110
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 133.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $40 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
114.2
1
$39.97
$18.27
Efficient EV
95.2
1
$33.31
$15.23
EV Truck/SUV
152.3
1
$53.30
$24.36
Gas CO2
133 kg
EV CO2
45 kg (66% 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 21, 2026
Origin
Abingdon, VA
Morning
in Abingdon on Tuesday
Local time
10:13 AM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Suffolk, VA
Morning
in Suffolk on Tuesday
Local time
10:13 AM
EDT
Current temp
70°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
16 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 27m 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.
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 380.7
Park Closure: Road Closure and Fishing Pier Impact
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
The character of this drive is overwhelmingly highway-focused, with 91% of the route taking place on major interstates like I-81 and I-85, supplemented by US-58. Expect long stretches of consistent speed, including one segment of 57.5 miles on I-85 without significant interruptions. While this means efficient travel, the profile suggests a focus on covering ground rather than varied scenery. The journey is designed for directness, prioritizing swift transit over winding backroads.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 57.5 mi on I 85.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 85 and I 81. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 65.3 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 25 significant decision points across 380.7 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 65.3 miles (I 77): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 131 miles (NC 74): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 156.8 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Abingdon, VA and Suffolk, VA, road signs point toward Martinsville, Norfolk and Virginia Beach.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 27m. Total distance: 380.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 27m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 57.5 miles on I 85. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 33 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Suffolk, VA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 2 meaningful breaks. There are 33 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 65.3 miles (I 77): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 131 miles (NC 74): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 156.8 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Fort Monroe National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.5 hours each way, a round trip means 14.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Suffolk, VA before the return drive.
