Traveling from South Suffolk to Fredericksburg covers 148.9 miles and typically takes about 3 hours and 2 minutes of driving time. Because this journey stays entirely within Southeast Virginia, you can easily complete it in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $24 on fuel for the trip, making it a budget-friendly option for your itinerary. You will navigate a mix of major thoroughfares, including I-95, the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, and Benns Church Boulevard. Whether you are heading north for business or a change of scenery, this route offers a straightforward path between two distinct parts of the state.
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
74.4 miles from South Suffolk, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 37m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
44.1 mi
47m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
26.3 mi
28m
Benns Church Boulevard
16.3 mi
21m
James River Drive
14.6 mi
19m
Colonial Trail West
13.3 mi
15m
Colonial Trail East
9.9 mi
11m
Godwin Boulevard
8.9 mi
10m
East Randolph Road
2.9 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 44.1 mi, about 47m
Traffic on I-295
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 41 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~2,725 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,223
Quietest
2 AM
~162 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
16.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between South Suffolk, VA and Fredericksburg, 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
366 ft·8 sec·Pruden Boulevard
4
Turn right onto Godwin Boulevard
8.9 mi·10 min·Godwin Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Continue on VA 10; VA 32
16 mi·21 min·Benns Church Boulevard
6
Continue on VA 10
9.9 mi·11 min·Colonial Trail East
7
Turn left onto VA 10; VA 31
1.0 mi·1 min·Rolfe Highway
8
Turn right onto VA 10
13 mi·15 min·Colonial Trail West
9
Continue on VA 10
15 mi·19 min·James River Drive
10
Continue on VA 10; VA 156 BUS
2.9 mi·4 min·East Randolph Road
11
Continue on VA 10
2.5 mi·3 min·East Hundred Road
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Toward I 295 North: Washington
13
Continue on this road
0.4 mi·46 sec·this road
Toward I 295 North: Washington
14
Merge onto I 295
26 mi·28 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
15
Take the exit
2.4 mi·2 min
Exit 43AToward I 95 North: WashingtonUse the slight left lane.
16
Merge onto I 95
44 mi·47 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.4 mi·56 sec
Exit 130AToward VA 3 East: FredericskburgUse the slight right lane.
18
Merge onto VA 3
0.5 mi·1 min·Plank Road
19
Continue on VA 3
0.6 mi·1 min·William Street
20
Turn left onto VA 3 BUS
0.1 mi·22 sec·William Street
Use the left lane.
21
Turn slight right onto Hanover Street
0.9 mi·2 min·Hanover Street
22
Continue on George Street
0.2 mi·37 sec·George Street
23
Turn left onto Prince Edward Street
400 ft·15 sec·Prince Edward Street
24
Turn right onto VA 3 BUS
0.1 mi·26 sec·William Street
25
Turn right onto US 1 BUS; US 17 BUS; VA 2
54 ft·1 sec·Princess Anne Street
26
Arrive at destination
US 1 BUS; US 17 BUS; VA 2
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 3-hour drive, try to time your departure to avoid peak traffic on the I-95 corridor. Since this is a relatively short trip, one well-timed stop is usually enough to keep you refreshed throughout the 148.9-mile journey. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge when navigating the transition between the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway and the interstate to ensure you have enough to cover the final leg. Planning for a single, efficient break will help you maintain a steady pace toward Fredericksburg. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, as the manageable duration allows you to depart at your own leisure without needing a complex travel schedule.
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 74.4 miles from South Suffolk, VA, or about 1h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 44.1 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 33 miles or 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 74.4 miles or 1h 37m 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 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fredericksburg, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from South Suffolk, VA
This is one driving day of about 148.9 miles and 3h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 miles from South Suffolk, 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 44.1 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.1 and 147.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
3.1 mi into trip|~7m in|Godwin Boulevard
Turn right onto Godwin Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
99.5 mi into trip|~2h 4m in
Take the exit toward I 95 North: Washington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 43A
Toward I 95 North: Washington
5
101.9 mi into trip|~2h 6m in|I 95
Merge onto I 95
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
145.9 mi into trip|~2h 54m in
Take the exit toward VA 3 East: Fredericskburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 130A
Toward VA 3 East: Fredericskburg
5
147.5 mi into trip|~2h 58m in|VA 3 BUS / William Street
Turn left onto VA 3 BUS / William Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.68 one way
$47.37 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg52 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.41
$25.82
$51.65
premium
$4.78
$28.02
$56.03
diesel
$5.35
$31.36
$62.73
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 52.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
44.7
0
$15.63
$7.15
Efficient EV
37.2
0
$13.03
$5.96
EV Truck/SUV
59.6
0
$20.85
$9.53
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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
South Suffolk, VA
Evening
in South Suffolk on Wednesday
Local time
5:55 PM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 7 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Fredericksburg, VA
Evening
in Fredericksburg on Wednesday
Local time
5:55 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Mostly Cloudy then Chance Rain Showers
S 3 mph2% chanceLive forecast
85°F
Waverly, 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
2 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 2m 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
~27 min detour
$15
near mile 30.8
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 71.9
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 15.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip features a mixed-drive profile, transitioning between local roads and major interstate corridors. With a 30% highway share, you will spend a significant portion of your time on regional arteries before merging onto the busier I-95. The longest uninterrupted segment you will encounter is a 44.1-mile stretch on I-95, where you can settle into a consistent driving pace. Expect the road personality to shift as you move from local boulevards onto high-speed highway lanes. By balancing these different road types, the journey keeps you engaged without feeling like a monotonous interstate grind.
30% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 44.1 mi on I 95.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 3.1 miles in near Godwin Boulevard.
Driving Effort6/10
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 148.9 miles you will encounter 13 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: at 3.1 miles (Godwin Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 99.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 101.9 miles (I 95): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
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.
Top landmarks
•Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park — 8,000-acre park operated by the U.S. National Park Service
•Kenmore — National Historic Landmark plantation house in Fredericksburg, Virginia, United...
•Mary Washington House — historic house in Fredericksburg, Virginia
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 2m. Total distance: 148.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 44.1 miles on I 95. 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 Fredericksburg, 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 3.1 miles (Godwin Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 99.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 101.9 miles (I 95): 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.
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 Fredericksburg, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
