Spanning 367.4 miles across Virginia, this trip from South Suffolk to Colonial Heights takes approximately 7 hours and 36 minutes to complete. Because the route crosses through the Southeast region, you should plan on a full day of travel. While it is feasible to tackle the distance in a single day, be prepared for a long stint behind the wheel. Budgeting roughly $59 for fuel will cover your transit across the state. Whether you are heading north for business or leisure, this mixed-drive itinerary offers a straightforward path through the region.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
183.7 miles from South Suffolk, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 5m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 81
141.2 mi
2h 35m
Richmond Highway
31.1 mi
38m
US 460
30 mi
36m
New Cox Road
23 mi
26m
East Lynchburg Salem Turnpike
16 mi
20m
West Lynchburg Salem Turnpike
14.6 mi
18m
General Mahone Highway
14.3 mi
19m
West Colonial Trail Highway
13.1 mi
16m
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 141.2 mi, about 2h 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between South Suffolk, VA and Colonial Heights, VA.
1
Start on US 13 BUS; VA 32
0.9 mi·1 min·Carolina Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
2
Continue on US 13 BUS; VA 10; VA 32
2.2 mi·4 min·North Main Street
3
Continue on US 460 BUS; VA 10; VA 32
6.2 mi·10 min·Pruden Boulevard
4
Continue on US 460
9.9 mi·15 min·Windsor Boulevard
5
Continue on US 460
8.4 mi·11 min·General Mahone Boulevard
6
Continue on US 460
0.1 mi·9 sec·Mahone Highway
7
Continue on US 460
2.0 mi·2 min·General Mahone Highway
8
Continue on US 460
1.1 mi·2 min·South County Drive
9
Continue on US 460
6.2 mi·8 min·General Mahone Highway
10
Continue on US 460
1.4 mi·2 min·South County Drive
11
Continue on US 460
6.1 mi·8 min·General Mahone Highway
12
Continue on US 460
9.5 mi·14 min·County Drive
Use the left lane.
13
Turn left onto SR 630
1.9 mi·3 min·Rives Road
Use the left lane.
14
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward I 95 North
15
Merge onto I 95
3.7 mi·4 min·I 95
16
Take the exit onto US 460
0.6 mi·1 min·US 460
Toward I 85 South, US 460 West: Durham, BlackstoneUse the right lane.
17
Merge onto I 85; US 460
6.0 mi·7 min·Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
18
Take the exit onto US 460
0.2 mi·25 sec·US 460
Exit 61Toward US 460 West: Blackstone, LynchburgUse the slight right lane.
19
Continue on US 460
1.1 mi·1 min·Airport Street
20
Continue on US 460
23 mi·26 min·New Cox Road
21
Continue on US 460
4.3 mi·5 min·East Colonial Trail Highway
22
Continue on US 460
6.9 mi·7 min·East Colonial Trail Road
23
Continue on US 460
7.5 mi·11 min·East Colonial Trail
24
Merge onto US 360; US 460
1.5 mi·2 min·West Colonial Trail Highway
25
Keep slight right at fork onto US 460
12 mi·14 min·West Colonial Trail Highway
26
Keep slight left at fork onto US 460
29 mi·34 min·US 460
27
Keep slight right at fork onto US 460
31 mi·38 min·Richmond Highway
Toward US 460 West: Lynchburg
28
Continue on US 460
16 mi·20 min·East Lynchburg Salem Turnpike
Use the straight lane.
29
Continue on US 221; US 460
15 mi·18 min·West Lynchburg Salem Turnpike
30
Continue on US 221; US 460
5.5 mi·7 min·Blue Ridge Boulevard
31
Continue on US 221; US 460
0.3 mi·32 sec·Challenger Avenue Northeast
Use the straight lane.
32
Turn right onto US 220 Alt
5.0 mi·6 min·Cloverdale Road
33
Continue on US 220
0.2 mi·13 sec·Roanoke Road
34
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
35
Merge onto I 81
76 mi·1 hr 25 min·I 81
Use the straight lane.
36
Continue on I 77; I 81; US 52
1.3 mi·1 min·I 77; I 81; US 52
Use the straight lane.
37
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81; US 52
65 mi·1 hr 9 min·I 81; US 52
Use the straight lane.
38
Take the exit
0.4 mi·52 sec
Toward Old Airport Road, Bonham Road
39
Turn right onto Old Airport Road
0.1 mi·15 sec·Old Airport Road
40
Turn right onto US 11; US 19
506 ft·12 sec·Lee Highway
41
Arrive at destination
US 11; US 19
Trip Plan
To manage the 367.4-mile journey effectively, aim to incorporate at least two scheduled stops to maintain your focus. Since this is a lengthy drive, leaving early in the morning helps you navigate traffic more predictably throughout the day. Pay close attention to your fuel gauge during the 141.2-mile stretch on I-81, as this is your longest period away from local services. Flexibility is your greatest asset here; use your two planned stops to stretch your legs and refresh before tackling the remaining highway miles. Keeping your budget of $59 in mind will ensure you have the necessary funds for fuel without any unexpected financial stress.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 183.7 miles from South Suffolk, VA, or about 4h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 141.2 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 81 miles or 1h 57m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 183.7 miles or 4h 5m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Colonial Heights, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving South Suffolk, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from South Suffolk, VA
This is one driving day of about 367.4 miles and 7h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 81 miles from South Suffolk, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 81 for about 141.2 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 53.8 and 301.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
53.8 mi into trip|~1h 23m in|SR 630 / Rives Road
Turn left onto SR 630 / Rives Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
59.7 mi into trip|~1h 31m in|US 460
Take the exit onto US 460 toward I 85 South, US 460 West: Durham, Blackstone
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward I 85 South, US 460 West: Durham, Blackst...
8
66.3 mi into trip|~1h 40m in|US 460
Take the exit onto US 460 toward US 460 West: Blackstone, Lynchburg
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 61
Toward US 460 West: Blackstone, Lynchburg
5
151.6 mi into trip|~3h 25m in|US 460 / Richmond Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 460 / Richmond Highway toward US 460 West: Lynchburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward US 460 West: Lynchburg
6
301.5 mi into trip|~6h 24m in|I 81; US 52
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81; US 52
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$57.45 one way
$114.91 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg129 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$62.82
$125.64
premium
$4.70
$68.00
$136.00
diesel
$5.61
$81.12
$162.23
Estimated Tolls: $2.56
East Lynchburg Salem Turnpike
(16 mi)$1.12
West Lynchburg Salem Turnpike
(14.6 mi)$1.02
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
(6 mi)$0.42
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$57
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$85–$110
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 128.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
110.2
1
$38.58
$17.64
Efficient EV
91.9
1
$32.15
$14.70
EV Truck/SUV
147
1
$51.44
$23.51
Gas CO2
129 kg
EV CO2
43 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 18, 2026
Origin
South Suffolk, VA
Morning
in South Suffolk on Sunday
Local time
6:59 AM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Colonial Heights, VA
Morning
in Colonial Heights on Sunday
Local time
6:59 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°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
30 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
7h 36m 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.
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...
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...
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...
17 mi from route
~43 min detour
Free
near mile 202.7
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...
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 25.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You will encounter a diverse driving experience that balances high-speed interstate travel with more measured local roads. With 58% of the route consisting of highways, you can expect to spend a significant portion of your time on I-81, US-460, and Richmond Highway. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 141.2 miles on I-81, where you can settle into a steady rhythm. Transitions between these major arteries define the personality of the trip, shifting from the efficiency of the interstate to the varied pace of US and local routes.
58% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
41 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 141.2 mi on I 81.
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 53.8 miles in near SR 630 / Rives Road.
Driving Effort10/10
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 17 significant decision points across 367.4 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 53.8 miles (SR 630 / Rives Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 59.7 miles (US 460): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 66.3 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.
Between South Suffolk, VA and Colonial Heights, VA, road signs point toward Blackstone and Lynchburg.
Blackstone
59.7 mi in|~1h 31m|via US 460
Lynchburg
66.3 mi in|~1h 40m|via US 460
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 36m. Total distance: 367.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 36m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 141.2 miles on I 81. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $2.56 in tolls one way, starting with East Lynchburg Salem Turnpike. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
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 Colonial Heights, 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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 53.8 miles (SR 630 / Rives Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 59.7 miles (US 460): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 66.3 miles (US 460): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Appomattox Court House National Historical Park, Petersburg National Battlefield and Booker T Washington National Monument (5 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.6 hours each way, a round trip means 15.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Colonial Heights, VA before the return drive.
