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Trip from Forest, VA to Suffolk, VA

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 10m

Distance

182 mi

293 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$28

one way

EV Charging

Fair

4 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
3h 57m ★
6 AM
4h 10m
8 AM
4h 37m
10 AM
4h 20m
12 PM
4h 17m
3 PM
4h 21m
5 PM
4h 35m
8 PM
4h 3m

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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Downtown Forest, VA, VA

Forest, VA

Alexa Kei

independent city in Virginia, United States

Suffolk, VA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 182-mile drive from Forest, Virginia, to Suffolk, Virginia, is a straightforward journey that can comfortably be completed in about 4 hours and 10 minutes. Given its manageable duration, this route is ideal as a single-day trip, so you likely won't need to plan for an overnight stay. You'll be navigating primarily on US 460 and US 501, with a highway share of 48%, suggesting a mixed driving experience. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $28, making it an economical choice. This journey stays within the Southeast region, offering a consistent regional feel throughout.

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

91 miles from Forest, VA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 58m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 460 50.4 mi 1h 5m
Prince Edward Highway 33.3 mi 41m
US 501 32.1 mi 40m
General Mahone Highway 14.3 mi 19m
Windsor Boulevard 9.9 mi 15m
County Drive 9.5 mi 14m
General Mahone Boulevard 8.4 mi 11m
Pitchkettle Road 3.9 mi 6m
Longest stretch: US 460 — 50.4 mi, about 1h 5m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on this road

94 ft · 13 sec · this road
2

Turn left

105 ft · 8 sec
3

At end of road, turn right onto US 221

2.8 mi · 4 min · Forest Road
4

Turn right onto Graves Mill Road

1.5 mi · 3 min · Graves Mill Road
Use the straight lane.
5

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 29 sec
Use the right lane.
6

Merge onto US 501

2.5 mi · 3 min · Lynchburg Expressway
7

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 42 sec
Toward US 501 South, VA 128 East Use the right lane.
8

Merge onto US 501; VA 128

0.5 mi · 1 min · Candlers Mountain Road
9

Keep slight left at fork onto US 501

32 mi · 40 min · US 501
Toward US 29 North, US 460 East, US 501 South: Charlottesville, Appomattox, South Boston Use the straight lane.
10

Continue on US 460

33 mi · 41 min · Prince Edward Highway
11

Keep slight right at fork onto US 460

43 mi · 55 min · US 460
12

Take the exit onto US 460

6.7 mi · 8 min · US 460
Toward I 85 North, I 95 North, US 460 East: Petersburg, Norfolk
13

Take the exit onto US 460

0.8 mi · 1 min · US 460
Exit 68 Toward I 95 South, US 460 East: Rocky Mount NC, Norfolk Use the slight right lane.
14

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 41 sec
Toward I 95 South, US 460 East: Rocky Mount Use the straight / slight left lanes.
15

Merge onto I 95

2.6 mi · 3 min · I 95
16

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 37 sec
Exit 47 Toward SR 629: Rives Road Use the slight right lane.
17

Turn left onto SR 629

2.0 mi · 3 min · Rives Road
18

Turn sharp right onto US 460

9.5 mi · 14 min · County Drive
19

Continue on US 460

6.1 mi · 8 min · General Mahone Highway
20

Continue on US 460

1.4 mi · 2 min · North County Drive
21

Continue on US 460

6.2 mi · 8 min · General Mahone Highway
22

Continue on US 460

1.1 mi · 2 min · North County Drive
23

Continue on US 460

2.0 mi · 2 min · General Mahone Highway
24

Continue on US 460

0.1 mi · 9 sec · Mahone Highway
25

Continue on US 460

8.4 mi · 11 min · General Mahone Boulevard
26

Continue on US 460

9.9 mi · 15 min · Windsor Boulevard
27

Continue on US 460

3.1 mi · 5 min · Pruden Boulevard
28

Turn right onto Providence Road

0.5 mi · 54 sec · Providence Road
29

At end of road, turn right onto SR 634

0.1 mi · 14 sec · Kings Fork Road
30

Turn left onto SR 604

3.9 mi · 6 min · Pitchkettle Road
31

Turn right onto US 58 BUS

0.3 mi · 48 sec · West Constance Road
32

Turn sharp left onto VA 337

0.9 mi · 1 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

For this 4-hour, 10-minute drive, starting your journey in the morning will give you ample time to reach Suffolk without feeling rushed. With only one recommended stop, you have plenty of flexibility in pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially as you approach the longest stretch of 50.4 miles on US 460, where services might be more spread out. The $28 fuel estimate is a helpful guide for budgeting. Since this is a single-day trip, consider leaving a bit earlier if you want to arrive with plenty of daylight to spare.

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 91 miles from Forest, VA, or about 1h 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 50.4 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 40 miles or 54m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 91 miles or 1h 58m 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 19m

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 Forest, 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 Forest, VA

This is one driving day of about 182 miles and 4h 10m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 40 miles from Forest, 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 US 460 for about 50.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Kenbridge, VA, VA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Kenbridge, VA

91 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

Appomattox, VA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 40 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Kenbridge, VA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 91 miles from Forest, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Sundae's Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Crewe, Virginia

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 78

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+14346457900

Visit website

Sundae's Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 78

Crewe, Virginia

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+14346457900

Visit website

Rinkeydink Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20 mile 130

Petersburg, Virginia

Hours: 10:30 am–8:45 pm

+18048610230

NuVegan Cafe Petersburg

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20 mile 117

Petersburg, Virginia

Hours: 11:30 am–8 pm

+18045045580

Tropical Smoothie Cafe

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour Inexpensiv mile 130

Fort Gregg-Adams, Virginia

Hours: 10 am–6 pm

+18048949500

Visit website

Rams Cafe

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20 mile 130

Petersburg, Virginia

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18045045821

Visit website

Pilot Flying J Charging Station

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 130

Disputanta, Virginia

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18048634612

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 130

Petersburg, Virginia

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 182

Suffolk, Virginia

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

bp pulse Charging Station

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 130

South Prince George, Virginia

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18332778573

Visit website

Lake Meade Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 182

Suffolk, Virginia

Hours: 6 am–8 pm

+17575147250

Visit website

Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour

Lynchburg, Virginia

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+14345251806

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 22

5 decision points cluster between mile 7.1 and 126.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
7.1 mi into trip | ~12m in

Take the exit toward US 501 South, VA 128 East

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

Use the right lane. Toward US 501 South, VA 128 East
8
7.9 mi into trip | ~14m in | US 501

Keep slight left at fork onto US 501 toward US 29 North, US 460 East, US 501 South: Charlottesville, Appomattox, South Boston

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight lane. Toward US 29 North, US 460 East, US 501 South:...
8
122.8 mi into trip | ~2h 39m in | US 460

Take the exit onto US 460 toward I 95 South, US 460 East: Rocky Mount NC, Norfolk

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 68 Toward I 95 South, US 460 East: Rocky Mount NC,...
8
123.6 mi into trip | ~2h 41m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 95 South, US 460 East: Rocky Mount

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight left lanes. Toward I 95 South, US 460 East: Rocky Mount
7
126.5 mi into trip | ~2h 44m in

Take the exit toward SR 629: Rives Road

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 47 Toward SR 629: Rives Road

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$28.46 one way

$56.92 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 64 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $31.12 $62.24
premium $4.70 $33.68 $67.37
diesel $5.61 $40.18 $80.37

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$28

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$53–$78

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 63.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 54.6 0 $19.11 $8.74
Efficient EV 45.5 0 $15.92 $7.28
EV Truck/SUV 72.8 0 $25.48 $11.65

Gas CO2

64 kg

EV CO2

21 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 Apr 16, 2026

Origin

Forest, VA

Late night in Forest on Sunday

Local time

1:57 AM

EDT

Current temp

79°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Suffolk, VA

Late night in Suffolk on Sunday

Local time

1:57 AM

EDT

Current temp

86°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

7 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 10m 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.

Petersburg National Battlefield

Petersburg National Battlefield

National Battlefield

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...

2 mi from route ~5 min detour Free near mile 119.3
Park Closure: Eastern Front Tour Road south of Route 36 - Closed
View on nps.gov
Appomattox Court House National Historical Park

Appomattox Court House National Historical Park

National Historical Park

On April 9, 1865, the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia in the McLean House in the village of Appomattox Court House, Virginia signaled the effective end of the nation's largest war. Question...

3 mi from route ~7 min detour Free near mile 31.4
View on nps.gov
Fort Monroe National Monument

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 ~62 min detour Free near mile 175.8
View on nps.gov
Colonial National Historical Park

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...

27 mi from route ~67 min detour $15 near mile 156.9
View on nps.gov
Booker T Washington National Monument

Booker T Washington National Monument

National Monument

Booker T. Washington was born a slave in April 1856 on the 207-acre farm of James Burroughs. After the Civil War, Washington became the first principal of Tuskegee Normal and Industrial School. Later...

30 mi from route ~74 min detour Free
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

The character of this drive is best described as a mixed experience, with just under half of the journey on highways. You'll encounter stretches on roads like US 460 and Prince Edward Highway, which offer a varied pace. The longest uninterrupted segment you'll cover is 50.4 miles on US 460, providing a good period of steady driving. This route isn't a pure interstate grind, nor is it a winding country road; expect a blend that keeps things interesting without being overly demanding.

48% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 50.4 mi on US 460.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

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 7.1 miles in.

Driving Effort 10/10

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 22 significant decision points across 182 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 7.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7.9 miles (US 501): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 122.8 miles (US 460): 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.

On the drive from Forest, VA to Suffolk, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Norfolk along the way.

Norfolk

116.1 mi in | ~2h 30m | via US 460

About the Cities

Arriving in Suffolk, VA

Full guide →

Suffolk is a city in the Hampton Roads region of Virginia.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 10m. Total distance: 182 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 10m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 50.4 miles on US 460. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

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: at 7.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7.9 miles (US 501): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 122.8 miles (US 460): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes — Petersburg National Battlefield, Appomattox Court House National Historical Park and Fort Monroe National Monument (5 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Possible but tiring. At 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Suffolk, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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