Fredericksburg, VA to Suffolk, VA is 147.5 miles and takes about 3h 1m via I 95 and James River Drive, with a fuel budget near $23 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Virginia, connecting the Southeast regions of the state. Expect a drive that involves more turns and local road navigation than a pure interstate cruise, making it feel more like a local journey. With a recommended one-day duration, it’s a manageable distance for a single day's travel, suitable for those who prefer not to rush.
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
73.8 miles from Fredericksburg, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 26m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
40 mi
43m
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
Godwin Boulevard
8.9 mi
10m
Benns Church Boulevard
4.3 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 40 mi, about 43m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fredericksburg, VA and Suffolk, VA.
1
Start on US 1 BUS; US 17 BUS; VA 2
345 ft·16 sec·Princess Anne Street
2
Turn right onto George Street
0.3 mi·43 sec·George Street
3
At end of road, turn left onto Barton Street
198 ft·7 sec·Barton Street
4
Turn right onto George Street
333 ft·9 sec·George Street
5
Continue on Hanover Street
0.8 mi·2 min·Hanover Street
6
Turn right onto High Street
219 ft·11 sec·High Street
7
Turn left onto VA 3 BUS
0.1 mi·25 sec·William Street
8
Continue on VA 3
0.2 mi·32 sec·William Street
9
Take the exit
346 ft·9 sec
Toward US 1 South, Massaponax
10
Turn sharp right onto US 1
1.6 mi·2 min·Emancipation Highway
Use the left lane.
11
Continue on US 1
2.2 mi·4 min·Patriot Highway
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on US 1
0.4 mi·55 sec·Patriot Highway
13
Turn left
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward I 95 SouthUse the left lane.
14
Merge onto I 95
40 mi·43 min·I 95
Use the straight lane.
15
Take the exit
1.9 mi·2 min
Exit 84AToward I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va BeachUse the slight left / straight lanes.
16
Merge onto I 295
27 mi·29 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.4 mi·47 sec
Exit 15AToward VA 10 East: HopewellUse the right lane.
18
Merge onto VA 10
2.9 mi·3 min·East Hundred Road
19
Continue on VA 10
2.9 mi·4 min·West Randolph Road
20
Continue on VA 10; VA 156 BUS
15 mi·19 min·James River Drive
21
Continue on VA 10
13 mi·15 min·Colonial Trail West
22
At end of road, turn left onto VA 10; VA 31
1.0 mi·1 min·Rolfe Highway
23
Take the exit
149 ft·6 sec
24
Merge onto VA 10
9.8 mi·11 min·Colonial Trail East
25
Continue on VA 10
12 mi·15 min·Old Stage Highway
Use the left lane.
26
Keep slight right at fork onto VA 10
4.3 mi·5 min·Benns Church Boulevard
27
Continue on VA 10; VA 32
8.4 mi·9 min·Godwin Boulevard
28
Continue on VA 10; VA 32
0.5 mi·48 sec·Godwin Boulevard
29
Turn left onto US 460 BUS; VA 10; VA 32
366 ft·6 sec·Pruden Boulevard
30
Continue on US 460 BUS; VA 10; VA 32
2.2 mi·5 min·North Main Street
31
Turn right onto VA 337
454 ft·17 sec·West Washington Street
32
Turn left onto South Saratoga Street
165 ft·4 sec·South Saratoga Street
33
Arrive at destination
South Saratoga Street
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour duration and single-day recommendation, you have flexibility with your departure time. Leaving Fredericksburg in the morning should allow ample time to reach Suffolk before evening. While there's only one suggested stop, keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially as you move off the main highways; the $23 fuel cost is an estimate, and local roads can sometimes mean slower speeds and slightly higher consumption. Plan for the 'Turn-heavy local drive' by being attentive to navigation, as the route isn't a straight shot and involves more directional changes.
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 73.8 miles from Fredericksburg, VA, or about 1h 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 40 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 32 miles or 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 73.8 miles or 1h 26m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 25m
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 Fredericksburg, 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 Fredericksburg, VA
This is one driving day of about 147.5 miles and 3h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from Fredericksburg, 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 40 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 75 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|George Street
Turn right onto George Street
Navigation decision point
7
1.6 mi into trip|~4m in
Take the exit toward US 1 South, Massaponax
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 1 South, Massaponax
6
5.9 mi into trip|~12m in
Turn left toward I 95 South
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 95 South
8
46.1 mi into trip|~56m 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...
7
75 mi into trip|~1h 27m 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
$23.07 one way
$46.13 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg52 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$25.22
$50.44
premium
$4.70
$27.30
$54.60
diesel
$5.61
$32.57
$65.13
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 51.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
44.3
0
$15.49
$7.08
Efficient EV
36.9
0
$12.91
$5.90
EV Truck/SUV
59
0
$20.65
$9.44
Gas CO2
52 kg
EV CO2
17 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 18, 2026
Origin
Fredericksburg, VA
Late night
in Fredericksburg on Tuesday
Local time
5:47 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Suffolk, VA
Late night
in Suffolk on Tuesday
Local time
5:47 AM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Mostly Clear
SE 1 mph1% chanceLive forecast
72°F
Hopewell, VA
74 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
11 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 1m 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
~26 min detour
$15
near mile 113.9
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 74.3
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 128.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route offers a 'Turn-heavy local drive' profile, with only 27% of the journey on highways. You'll experience a mix of driving, including stretches on I 95 and the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, but also more localized roads like James River Drive. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is about 40 miles on I 95, providing a brief period of faster travel. Be prepared for frequent changes in road type and potentially more navigation as you transition between these different segments.
Only 27% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 40 mi on I 95.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near George Street.
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 20 significant decision points across 147.5 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 0.1 miles (George Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Fredericksburg, VA and Suffolk, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk and Va Beach.
Fredericksburg is a city in Northern Virginia. The downtown area has experienced a revival since the 1970s allowing a strong arts community to thrive. Galleries, music venues, and fine dining can all be found in the historic district. While the city has seen massive growth, the downtown area and battlefields have been well preserved due to strong local commitment to historic preservation, providing a unique blend of old and new culture.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 1m. Total distance: 147.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 1m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 40 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 0.1 miles (George Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Colonial National Historical Park, Petersburg National Battlefield and Fort Monroe National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Suffolk, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
