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Trip from Sandston, 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

1h 53m

Distance

87.6 mi

141 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$14

one way

EV Charging

Fair

2 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 25 min
4 AM
1h 45m ★
6 AM
1h 53m
8 AM
2h 10m
10 AM
1h 59m
12 PM
1h 57m
3 PM
2h 0m
5 PM
2h 9m
8 PM
1h 48m

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 Sandston, VA, VA

Sandston, VA

Alfo Medeiros

independent city in Virginia, United States

Suffolk, VA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 87.6-mile drive from Sandston, VA, to Suffolk, VA, is a straightforward, single-day adventure taking approximately 1 hour and 53 minutes. With a projected fuel cost of around $14, it's an economical trip. You'll navigate primarily local roads, with no highway driving involved, making it a more connected experience with the landscape. The route is best tackled in one go, as it doesn't necessitate an overnight stop. Both your origin and destination are within the Southeast region, so you'll remain in familiar territory throughout your journey.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

43.8 miles from Sandston, VA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 55m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
James River Drive 14.6 mi 19m
Colonial Trail West 13.3 mi 15m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway 12.2 mi 13m
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
East Hundred Road 2.9 mi 3m
Longest stretch: James River Drive — 14.6 mi, about 19m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on North Confederate Avenue

26 ft · 6 sec · North Confederate Avenue
2

Turn left onto US 60; VA 156

2.1 mi · 3 min · West Williamsburg Road
Use the straight lane.
3

Take the ramp

0.8 mi · 1 min
Use the slight right lane.
4

Merge onto I 295

12 mi · 13 min · Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 47 sec
Exit 15A Toward VA 10 East: Hopewell Use the right lane.
6

Merge onto VA 10

2.9 mi · 3 min · East Hundred Road
7

Continue on VA 10

2.9 mi · 4 min · West Randolph Road
8

Continue on VA 10; VA 156 BUS

15 mi · 19 min · James River Drive
9

Continue on VA 10

13 mi · 15 min · Colonial Trail West
10

At end of road, turn left onto VA 10; VA 31

1.0 mi · 1 min · Rolfe Highway
11

Take the exit

149 ft · 6 sec
12

Merge onto VA 10

9.8 mi · 11 min · Colonial Trail East
13

Continue on VA 10

12 mi · 15 min · Old Stage Highway
Use the left lane.
14

Keep slight right at fork onto VA 10

4.3 mi · 5 min · Benns Church Boulevard
15

Continue on VA 10; VA 32

8.4 mi · 9 min · Godwin Boulevard
16

Continue on VA 10; VA 32

0.5 mi · 48 sec · Godwin Boulevard
17

Turn left onto US 460 BUS; VA 10; VA 32

366 ft · 6 sec · Pruden Boulevard
18

Continue on US 460 BUS; VA 10; VA 32

2.2 mi · 5 min · North Main Street
19

Turn right onto VA 337

454 ft · 17 sec · West Washington Street
20

Turn left onto South Saratoga Street

165 ft · 4 sec · South Saratoga Street
21

Arrive at destination

South Saratoga Street

Trip Plan

Given the manageable 1 hour and 53-minute duration, this trip is perfect for a spontaneous day trip. You can leave Sandston, VA, at your leisure, as there are no significant stretches that demand an early start. Since there are no designated stops and the longest stretch is just over 14 miles, you can easily add quick breaks as needed. Keep an eye on your fuel, with an estimated cost of $14, and consider topping off before you depart Sandston to ensure a smooth, uninterrupted journey to Suffolk, VA.

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 43.8 miles from Sandston, VA, or about 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 14.6 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 19 miles or 24m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 43.8 miles or 55m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 34m

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 Sandston, VA so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Sandston, VA

This is one driving day of about 87.6 miles and 1h 53m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Sandston, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on James River Drive for about 14.6 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Waverly, VA, VA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Waverly, VA

44 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

Hopewell, VA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 19 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Waverly, VA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 43.8 miles from Sandston, 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

Roberto Italian Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Sandston, Virginia

Near the start, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+18042222250

Visit website

The Lilly Pad

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Richmond, Virginia

2.7 mi

Roberto Italian Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Sandston, Virginia

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+18042222250

Visit website

The Lilly Pad

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $20 to $30

Richmond, Virginia

Hours: 4–9 pm

+18045071997

Visit website

Tropical Smoothie Cafe

3.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour Inexpensiv

Richmond, Virginia

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+18042361100

Visit website

Sandlot Cafe & Catering

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour

Hopewell, Virginia

Hours: Closed

+18043343338

Ordnance Cafe

Early in the drive, ~12 min detour

Early stretch 4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour

Fort Gregg-Adams, Virginia

Tesla Supercharger

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

Home stretch 4 mi from route ~10 min detour

Suffolk, Virginia

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

InCharge Energy Charging Station

Early in the drive, ~9 min detour

Early stretch 3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour

Hopewell, Virginia

+18333994638

Visit website

Isle of Wight County Museum

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

Final third 0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour

Smithfield, Virginia

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+17573561223

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

Chippokes Farm and Forestry Museum

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour

Surry, Virginia

Hours: 9 am–4 pm

+17572943439

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 12

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 87.6 — 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 | US 60; VA 156 / West Williamsburg Road

Turn left onto US 60; VA 156 / West Williamsburg Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
4
2.1 mi into trip | ~3m in

Take the ramp

Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane.
5
2.9 mi into trip | ~5m 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
15.1 mi into trip | ~18m 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
5
87.6 mi into trip | ~1h 52m in | South Saratoga Street

Turn left onto South Saratoga Street

Navigation decision point

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$13.70 one way

$27.40 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 31 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $14.98 $29.96
premium $4.70 $16.21 $32.43
diesel $5.61 $19.34 $38.68

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$14

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$39–$64

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 30.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 26.3 0 $9.20 $4.20
Efficient EV 21.9 0 $7.66 $3.50
EV Truck/SUV 35 0 $12.26 $5.61

Gas CO2

31 kg

EV CO2

10 kg (68% 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 21, 2026

Origin

Sandston, VA

Morning in Sandston on Tuesday

Local time

7:30 AM

EDT

Current temp

50°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Suffolk, VA

Morning in Suffolk on Tuesday

Local time

7:30 AM

EDT

Current temp

70°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

52°F

Waverly, VA

44 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

20 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

1h 53m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

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

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 53.6
View on nps.gov
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...

13 mi from route ~32 min detour Free near mile 16.9
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...

17 mi from route ~42 min detour Free near mile 67.7
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 "turn-heavy local drive" for this entire 87.6-mile trip, as indicated by the 0% highway share. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 14.6 miles along James River Drive. This route is characterized by frequent turns and a more intimate connection with the local environment, rather than high-speed travel. You'll be on roads like James River Drive, Colonial Trail West, and Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, each contributing to the varied, non-highway experience.

Only 0% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 14.6 mi on James River Drive.

How Hard Is This Drive?

6/10

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 60; VA 156 / West Williamsburg Road.

Driving Effort 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 87.6 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 60; VA 156 / West Williamsburg Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 2.9 miles (I 295 / Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

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 1h 53m. Total distance: 87.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 53m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 14.6 miles on James River Drive. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

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.

Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.

The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 60; VA 156 / West Williamsburg Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 2.9 miles (I 295 / Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Suffolk, VA before heading back.

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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