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Trip from Marion, VA to Suffolk, VA

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

6h 57m

Distance

351.9 mi

566 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$55

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 34 min
4 AM
6h 46m ★
6 AM
6h 57m
8 AM
7h 20m
10 AM
7h 5m
12 PM
7h 3m
3 PM
7h 6m
5 PM
7h 19m
8 PM
6h 50m

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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town in Smyth County, Virginia, United States

Marion, VA

Wikimedia Commons

independent city in Virginia, United States

Suffolk, VA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 351.9-mile drive from Marion, VA, to Suffolk, VA, is achievable in about 6 hours and 57 minutes, making it a solid day trip. You'll primarily be on I-85, US-58, and I-40, with 90% of the route being highway driving. The estimated fuel cost is around $55. The journey stays within the Southeast region, offering a straightforward transit through Virginia. With its highway focus, this route is designed for efficient travel, so pack some snacks and get ready for a direct trip.

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

176 miles from Marion, VA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 24m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 85 57.5 mi 1h 4m
US 58 54.6 mi 1h 11m
I 40 46.3 mi 54m
I 81 35.3 mi 37m
North Andy Griffith Parkway 31.6 mi 35m
US 158 29.2 mi 34m
I 77 23.5 mi 27m
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 Marion, VA and Suffolk, VA.

1

Start on East Main Street

0.1 mi · 34 sec · East Main Street
2

Turn left onto VA 16

0.8 mi · 1 min · South Commerce Street
3

Continue on VA 16

399 ft · 15 sec · State Highway 16
4

Turn left

0.3 mi · 35 sec
5

Merge onto I 81

35 mi · 37 min · I 81
Use the straight lane.
6

Keep slight right at fork onto I 77

24 mi · 27 min · I 77
Exit 81 Toward I 77 South: Charlotte North Carolina Use the slight right lane.
7

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 35 sec
Toward VA 148, SR 775: Fancy Gap
8

Turn straight onto VA 148

0.9 mi · 1 min · Chance Creek Road
9

At end of road, turn right onto US 52

9.4 mi · 10 min · Fancy Gap Highway
10

Continue on US 52

32 mi · 35 min · North Andy Griffith Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Keep slight left at fork onto NC 74

13 mi · 15 min · NC 74
Toward NC 74 East Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Keep slight left at fork

1.1 mi · 2 min
Exit 53B Toward US 421 South: Greensboro
13

Merge onto US 421; NC 150

11 mi · 13 min · Salem Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Keep slight right at fork onto I 40

7.8 mi · 9 min · I 40
Toward I 40 East: Greensboro, Martinsville Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

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.
16

Keep slight left at fork onto I 40

37 mi · 42 min · I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

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: Durham Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

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.
19

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.
20

Keep slight left at fork onto I 85; US 15

37 mi · 40 min · I 85; US 15
21

Turn straight onto I 85

4.9 mi · 5 min · I 85
22

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 32 sec
Toward US 1, US 158: Norlina
23

Turn left onto US 1; US 158

8.6 mi · 10 min · US 1; US 158
24

Turn right onto US 158; US 401

1.2 mi · 1 min · US 158; US 401
25

Continue on US 158 Bypass

5.0 mi · 5 min · US 158 Bypass
26

At end of road, turn left onto US 158

28 mi · 33 min · US 158
27

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 23 sec
28

Merge onto I 95; US 158

19 mi · 20 min · Congressman G K Butterfield Highway
29

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 16 sec
Toward US 58 East: Emporia, Norfolk
30

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 17 sec
Toward US 58 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach
31

Merge onto US 58

55 mi · 1 hr 11 min · US 58
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32

Continue on US 58 BUS

1.6 mi · 2 min · Holland Road
33

Continue on US 58 Business

1.0 mi · 2 min · West Washington Street
34

Turn right onto South Saratoga Street

165 ft · 4 sec · South Saratoga Street
35

Arrive at destination

South Saratoga Street

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 7-hour drive, consider an early morning departure from Marion, VA, to maximize daylight. With a single recommended stop, plan for a longer break midway to stretch your legs and refuel. The longest stretch without a major change in road type is over 57 miles on I-85, so ensure you're fueled up before embarking on that segment. Given the highway-centric nature, be mindful of traffic patterns, especially as you approach larger towns or cities in Virginia.

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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 176 miles from Marion, VA, or about 3h 24m 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 77 miles or 1h 27m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 176 miles or 3h 24m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 5h 36m

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 Marion, 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 Marion, VA

This is one driving day of about 351.9 miles and 6h 57m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 77 miles from Marion, 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 85 for about 57.5 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in North Carolina, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Graham, NC

176 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

King, NC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 77 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Carrboro, NC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 176 miles from Marion, 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.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · final third

Henderson George's Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Henderson, North Carolina

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Final third · 2h 29m to go 1 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 11 am–8:30 pm

+12524920090

Visit website

Log House 1776 Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Wytheville, Virginia

1.9 mi

Taste of Soul Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Henderson, North Carolina

2.3 mi

Best coffee break · first break window

The Grind

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Wytheville, Virginia

Near the start, short detour

First break · 30min in 1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 7 am–5:30 pm

Visit website

Henderson George's Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Final third 1 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Henderson, North Carolina

Hours: 11 am–8:30 pm

+12524920090

Visit website

Log House 1776 Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $20 to $30

Wytheville, Virginia

Hours: 11 am–2:30 pm

+12762284139

Visit website

Taste of Soul Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

Henderson, North Carolina

Hours: 11 am–6 pm

+12522046739

Visit website

Mt Airy Country Club Restaurant

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour

Mt Airy, North Carolina

Hours: 12–9 pm

+13367864560

Visit website

The Grind

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Wytheville, Virginia

Hours: 7 am–5:30 pm

Visit website

StoreHouse Coffee

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

Home stretch 4 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10

Franklin, Virginia

Hours: 7:30 am–2:30 pm

+17575710042

Visit website

Rivian Waypoints

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour

Henderson, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18337484267

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour

Henderson, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour

Henderson, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Nissan Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour

Burlington, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+13365840201

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour

Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina

+12525379927

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour

Henderson, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Rivian Adventure Network

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour

Henderson, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18665761495

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

2.8 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour

Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Andy Griffith Museum

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

Early stretch 0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour

Mt Airy, North Carolina

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

Visit website

Gold Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Halfway reset 1 mi from route ~2 min detour

Hillsborough, North Carolina

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+19197321270

Visit website

Lake Meade Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour

Suffolk, Virginia

Hours: 6 am–8 pm

+17575147250

Visit website

All A Flutter Farms LLC

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour

High Point, North Carolina

+13364545651

Visit website

Hungry Mother State Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour

Marion, Virginia

Hours: 8 am–10 pm

+12767817400

Visit website

Alamance County Historical Museum

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

Halfway reset 4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour

Burlington, NC

Hours: 9 am–4 pm

+13362268254

Visit website

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 36.6 and 294.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

8
36.6 mi into trip | ~41m 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
102.3 mi into trip | ~1h 56m 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
128 mi into trip | ~2h 27m 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
174.3 mi into trip | ~3h 22m 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
294.5 mi into trip | ~5h 39m 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

$55.03 one way

$110.06 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 123 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $60.17 $120.34
premium $4.70 $65.13 $130.26
diesel $5.61 $77.70 $155.39

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$55

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$80–$105

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 123.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $37 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 105.6 1 $36.95 $16.89
Efficient EV 88 1 $30.79 $14.08
EV Truck/SUV 140.8 1 $49.27 $22.52

Gas CO2

123 kg

EV CO2

41 kg (67% 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 20, 2026

Origin

Marion, VA

Morning in Marion on Tuesday

Local time

6:12 AM

EDT

Current temp

49°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Suffolk, VA

Morning in Suffolk on Tuesday

Local time

6:12 AM

EDT

Current temp

70°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

76°F

Graham, NC

176 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

21 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

6h 57m 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

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 351.9
Park Closure: Road Closure and Fishing Pier Impact
View on nps.gov

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

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a highway-focused experience for the majority of this trip, with 90% of the drive taking place on major roadways. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 57.5 miles on I-85, so you'll have opportunities for sustained travel. While primarily interstate and highway, the inclusion of US-58 might offer a slight change of pace compared to pure interstate driving. This route is geared towards covering ground effectively, with limited deviations from high-speed travel.

90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
35 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 US 58. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 36.6 miles in near I 77.

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 25 significant decision points across 351.9 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 36.6 miles (I 77): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 102.3 miles (NC 74): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 128 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 Marion, VA and Suffolk, VA, road signs point toward Martinsville, Norfolk and Virginia Beach.

Martinsville

128 mi in | ~2h 27m | via I 40

Norfolk

294.3 mi in | ~5h 39m

Virginia Beach

294.5 mi in | ~5h 39m

About the Cities

Starting in Marion, VA

Full guide →

Top landmarks

  • • Marion Historic District (Marion, Virginia) — historic district in Virginia, United States

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 6h 57m. Total distance: 351.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h 57m 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.

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 36.6 miles (I 77): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 102.3 miles (NC 74): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 128 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 7.0 hours each way, a round trip means 13.9 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.

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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