Traveling from Bristow to Suffolk covers 178.6 miles and takes approximately 3 hours and 19 minutes of driving time. Because this route is well within the capacity of a single day, you can easily complete the trip in one sitting without needing an overnight stay. Your journey will primarily utilize Dumfries Road, I-295 South, and the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway. Budgeting roughly $29 for fuel should keep you covered for the entire distance. Since both the origin and destination sit within the Southeast region of Virginia, you will experience a consistent regional feel as you navigate toward the coast.
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
92.4 miles from Bristow, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 51m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
66.8 mi
1h 14m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
27.1 mi
29m
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
Bristow Road
9.1 mi
15m
Godwin Boulevard
8.9 mi
10m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 66.8 mi, about 1h 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bristow, VA and Suffolk, VA.
1
Start on SR 619
9.1 mi·15 min·Bristow Road
2
Turn right onto VA 234
7.0 mi·10 min·Dumfries Road
3
Take the exit
0.4 mi·58 sec
4
Merge onto I 95
18 mi·20 min·I 95
Use the straight lane.
5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
49 mi·53 min·I 95
Use the straight lane.
6
Take the exit
1.9 mi·2 min
Exit 84AToward I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va BeachUse the slight left / straight lanes.
7
Merge onto I 295
27 mi·29 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi·47 sec
Exit 15AToward VA 10 East: HopewellUse the right lane.
9
Merge onto VA 10
2.9 mi·3 min·East Hundred Road
10
Continue on VA 10
2.9 mi·4 min·West Randolph Road
11
Continue on VA 10; VA 156 BUS
15 mi·19 min·James River Drive
12
Continue on VA 10
13 mi·15 min·Colonial Trail West
13
At end of road, turn left onto VA 10; VA 31
1.0 mi·1 min·Rolfe Highway
14
Take the exit
149 ft·6 sec
15
Merge onto VA 10
9.8 mi·11 min·Colonial Trail East
16
Continue on VA 10
12 mi·15 min·Old Stage Highway
Use the left lane.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto VA 10
4.3 mi·5 min·Benns Church Boulevard
18
Continue on VA 10; VA 32
8.4 mi·9 min·Godwin Boulevard
19
Continue on VA 10; VA 32
0.5 mi·48 sec·Godwin Boulevard
20
Turn left onto US 460 BUS; VA 10; VA 32
366 ft·6 sec·Pruden Boulevard
21
Continue on US 460 BUS; VA 10; VA 32
2.2 mi·5 min·North Main Street
22
Turn right onto VA 337
454 ft·17 sec·West Washington Street
23
Turn left onto South Saratoga Street
165 ft·4 sec·South Saratoga Street
24
Arrive at destination
South Saratoga Street
Trip Plan
Planning for this 3-hour and 19-minute trip is straightforward, but keep in mind that the turn-heavy nature of the route can make the drive feel longer than the mileage suggests. Since you only have one planned stop, aim to time your break mid-way through the drive to stay fresh on the more technical sections of the road. Leaving early in the day is your best bet to avoid traffic congestion on local roads, especially when navigating through the segments of Dumfries Road. Keep your $29 fuel budget handy, and ensure your vehicle is ready for a mix of road types. Being flexible with your departure time will give you the best advantage for a smooth arrival in Suffolk.
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 92.4 miles from Bristow, VA, or about 1h 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 66.8 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 41 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 92.4 miles or 1h 51m 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 2m
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 Bristow, 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 Bristow, VA
This is one driving day of about 184.8 miles and 3h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 41 miles from Bristow, 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 66.8 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 16.6 and 112.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
16.6 mi into trip|~27m in|I 95
Merge onto I 95
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
34.7 mi into trip|~48m in|I 95
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
83.3 mi into trip|~1h 41m in
Take the exit toward I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va Beach
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 84A
Toward I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va B...
5
85.2 mi into trip|~1h 43m in|I 295 / Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Merge onto I 295 / Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
112.3 mi into trip|~2h 13m 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 15A
Toward VA 10 East: Hopewell
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.90 one way
$57.80 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg65 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$31.60
$63.20
premium
$4.70
$34.20
$68.41
diesel
$5.61
$40.80
$81.60
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 64.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
55.4
0
$19.40
$8.87
Efficient EV
46.2
0
$16.17
$7.39
EV Truck/SUV
73.9
0
$25.87
$11.83
Gas CO2
65 kg
EV CO2
22 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 as of Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Bristow, VA
Late night
in Bristow on Tuesday
Local time
5:19 AM
EDT
Current temp
87°F
Mostly Sunny
SE 13 mph5% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 18 at 1:26PM EDT until April 19 at 4:00PM EDT by NWS Blacksburg VA
Destination
Suffolk, VA
Late night
in Suffolk on Tuesday
Local time
5:19 AM
EDT
Current temp
90°F
Sunny
S 7 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 18 at 1:26PM EDT until April 19 at 4:00PM EDT by NWS Blacksburg VA
80°F
Hopewell, VA
92 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
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
3h 47m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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 152.9
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...
13 mi from route
~32 min detour
Free
near mile 114.7
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
~43 min detour
Free
near mile 172
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!
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention rather than a mindless highway cruise. Unlike routes dominated by interstate travel, this path features a 0% highway share, placing you on local roads and connectors for the duration of the 178.6-mile trip. The road personality shifts as you transition between winding local segments and the primary thoroughfares like the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway. You will find that the lack of long, uninterrupted interstate stretches makes the drive feel more active and hands-on. Prepare for a dynamic experience behind the wheel where the road conditions change frequently.
36% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 66.8 mi on I 95.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 16.6 miles in near I 95.
Driving Effort9/10
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 15 significant decision points across 184.8 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 16.6 miles (I 95): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 34.7 miles (I 95): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 83.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 Bristow, VA and Suffolk, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk and Va Beach.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 47m. Total distance: 184.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 47m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 66.8 miles on I 95. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 1 rest area or service plaza 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 1 meaningful breaks. There are 1 rest area along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 16.6 miles (I 95): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 34.7 miles (I 95): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 83.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 3.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Suffolk, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
