Bridgewater, VA to Suffolk, VA is 215.7 miles and takes about 4h 21m via I 81 and I 64, with a fuel budget near $33 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Virginia, traversing the Southeast region as you head east. The route is mostly highway, making it a straightforward drive. With a duration under five hours, it's a manageable one-day excursion for most drivers.
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
107.8 miles from Bridgewater, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 2m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
102.6 mi
1h 54m
I 81
17.8 mi
19m
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
14.6 mi
18m
James River Drive
14.6 mi
19m
Colonial Trail West
13.3 mi
15m
Old Stage Highway
12 mi
15m
Colonial Trail East
9.8 mi
11m
Godwin Boulevard
8.9 mi
10m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 102.6 mi, about 1h 54m
Traffic on I-64
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 80 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,278 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,679
Quietest
2 AM
~108 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
21.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bridgewater, VA and Suffolk, VA.
1
Start on East College Street
18 ft·5 sec·East College Street
2
Turn right onto VA 42
0.2 mi·33 sec·North Main Street
3
Turn right onto VA 257
2.6 mi·5 min·Dinkel Avenue
4
Continue on VA 257
0.7 mi·1 min·Friedens Church Road
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·28 sec
6
Merge onto I 81
18 mi·19 min·I 81
7
Take the exit
0.6 mi·53 sec
Toward I 64 East: Richmond
8
Merge onto I 64
103 mi·1 hr 54 min·I 64
Use the straight lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
15 mi·18 min·Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 61AToward VA 10 East: HopewellUse the right lane.
11
Continue on VA 10
6.8 mi·10 min·West Hundred Road
Use the left / uturn lanes.
12
Continue on VA 10
2.9 mi·4 min·West Randolph Road
13
Continue on VA 10; VA 156 BUS
15 mi·19 min·James River Drive
14
Continue on VA 10
13 mi·15 min·Colonial Trail West
15
At end of road, turn left onto VA 10; VA 31
1.0 mi·1 min·Rolfe Highway
16
Take the exit
149 ft·6 sec
17
Merge onto VA 10
9.8 mi·11 min·Colonial Trail East
18
Continue on VA 10
12 mi·15 min·Old Stage Highway
Use the left lane.
19
Keep slight right at fork onto VA 10
4.3 mi·5 min·Benns Church Boulevard
20
Continue on VA 10; VA 32
8.4 mi·9 min·Godwin Boulevard
21
Continue on VA 10; VA 32
0.5 mi·48 sec·Godwin Boulevard
22
Turn left onto US 460 BUS; VA 10; VA 32
366 ft·6 sec·Pruden Boulevard
23
Continue on US 460 BUS; VA 10; VA 32
2.2 mi·5 min·North Main Street
24
Turn right onto VA 337
454 ft·17 sec·West Washington Street
25
Turn left onto South Saratoga Street
165 ft·4 sec·South Saratoga Street
26
Arrive at destination
South Saratoga Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 21m drive time, leaving Bridgewater in the morning allows ample time to reach Suffolk before evening. The single recommended stop suggests a brief break is sufficient for this distance. Pay attention to the Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike section, as it's a known tolled road and part of your main route. With a fuel cost estimated at $33, it's wise to fill up before embarking, especially if you plan to complete the drive in one go without further refueling stops.
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 107.8 miles from Bridgewater, VA, or about 2h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 102.6 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 47 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 107.8 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 29m
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 Bridgewater, 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 Bridgewater, VA
This is one driving day of about 215.7 miles and 4h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 miles from Bridgewater, 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 64 for about 102.6 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 215.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|VA 42 / North Main Street
Turn right onto VA 42 / North Main Street
Navigation decision point
5
22.1 mi into trip|~27m in|I 64
Merge onto I 64
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
124.7 mi into trip|~2h 21m in|I 95 / Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 / Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
139.3 mi into trip|~2h 40m in
Take the exit toward VA 10 East: Hopewell
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 61A
Toward VA 10 East: Hopewell
5
215.7 mi into trip|~4h 20m in|South Saratoga Street
Turn left onto South Saratoga Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.85 one way
$63.69 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg76 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$35.00
$69.99
premium
$4.49
$38.15
$76.29
diesel
$4.80
$40.73
$81.46
Estimated Tolls: $1.02
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
(14.6 mi)$1.02
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
$32
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 75.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
64.7
0
$22.65
$10.35
Efficient EV
53.9
0
$18.87
$8.63
EV Truck/SUV
86.3
1
$30.20
$13.80
Gas CO2
75 kg
EV CO2
25 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Bridgewater, VA
Afternoon
in Bridgewater on Sunday
Local time
3:29 PM
EDT
Current temp
90°F
Areas Of Smoke
S 1 to 5 mph18% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Suffolk, VA
Afternoon
in Suffolk on Sunday
Local time
3:29 PM
EDT
Current temp
93°F
Smoke
NE 3 to 7 mph15% chanceLive 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
3 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
4h 21m 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.
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
~27 min detour
$15
near mile 185.9
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...
12 mi from route
~31 min detour
Free
near mile 141.3
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 200.8
Just 75 miles from the bustle of Washington, D.C., Shenandoah National Park is a land bursting with cascading waterfalls, spectacular vistas, fields of wildflowers, and quiet wooded hollows. With over...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is primarily highway, with 63% of the drive on interstates. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 102.6 miles on I 64, indicating a significant portion of uninterrupted highway cruising. The route begins on I 81 before transitioning to I 64, which includes the Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike. Expect a consistent driving experience with the majority of the trip on high-speed roads.
63% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 102.6 mi on I 64.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and I 81. 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 42 / North Main Street.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 215.7 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: near the start (VA 42 / North Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 22.1 miles (I 64): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 124.7 miles (I 95 / Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 21m. Total distance: 215.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 102.6 miles on I 64. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.02 in tolls one way, starting with Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (VA 42 / North Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 22.1 miles (I 64): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 124.7 miles (I 95 / Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Colonial National Historical Park, Petersburg National Battlefield and Fort Monroe National Monument (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Suffolk, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
